HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

 Happy Thanksgiving - Everyone!

 It's early morning here, and I'm just enjoying the quiet stillness before the busy day begins. Sipping piping hot Spiced Gingerbread coffee in my favorite mug. Of course I just had to accompany it with some crusty bread toasted to a golden brown, topped with some yummy jam.

Simply delicious on this still - dark - cold - holiday morning.

 On the knitting front, I have been puffing  away on the Hexi's for the Beekeeper's Quilt.

These particular puffies have been sent off to Hope Lives. There, they will join other puffs that were donated to be knitted into a charity blanket that will be auctioned off.  I sent in a colorful variety of handspun and commercial puffs.

As the weather gets colder, my thoughts turn to knitted scarfs, hats, mitts, and cozy slippers. So.. the other day I went stash diving. Into the Wool Cave I went -on a quest for the perfect handspun to knit a warm fluffy scarf.  I found a warm cinnamon brown fine wool with nubby flecks of color (a two-ply bulky wt. handspun). I think this will look yummy knitted up into a nice warm scarf. Now, I just have to select a perfect pattern. I just love knitting and spinning this time of year.

On to the finished Knits. The Fresco Basket Whip Cowl is finished! What a fast knit. Really some great TV knitting. You know that busy work you like to do in front of the TV, but not so complicated you can't get into the movie  because you're too busy counting lace repeats.  This will make a great Christmas present.

Well.. it is just starting to get light here, and soon the preparations for the busy day ahead - will begin.

Hope Everyone has a great Holiday!

WHAT HAPPENED TO SPRING?

           Winter has returned, and the boys have the right idea. Snuggle in for a long winter's nap.

It was a good day to soak up the ray's through the window, and spin.

The week just flew by !

Have a good weekend everyone!

LUCKY SHAMROCK

Only a few more days til St Patrick's Day. I knitted up this sparkly little shamrock pin for the

 March Mystery Challenge.

Took just a wee bit of sparkly handspun to create the Shamrock  pin.

I decided to use some of my kettle dyed merino, wool top, tussah silk, and of course some sparkly gold and kelly green angelina.

Ready for clue 3 today! So far a really fun, easy knit.

 Is it a hat? Mmmmmm...  could it be a cowl?

Hope everyone takes a little time to enjoy the day!

LUCK O' THE IRISH

Winter does not seem to want to let go! Letting the cat out into the still dark, frigid, early morning air, I noticed the icy white crust on the deck boards.  Brr... Needless to say - Kitty did not last long out there, before he was pawing the door to get back in.

The knitting and spinning continues to bring a much needed shot of color and warmth into the cold, snowy days as I impatiently wait for spring to finally arrive.

 One of the groups I belong to is a Mystery Knitting group. I have really enjoyed knitting along, getting the clues each week. Since it is March, I was feeling in an Irish mood with St Patty's Day coming up soon, and decied to use some of my green handspun. I had some washed merino and bfl locks in the stash. I dyed them along with some angora, and silk noil in a variety of green shades. I also carded in some cashmere for added softness. After spinning a 2 ply fingering wt. yarn, I finally cast on. I have made some progress, and it's a interesting pattern. Could it be a cowl? Maybe a hat? Not sure yet. Will post photos later as I get a little further along.

February's mystery pattern is done, and it was this fun, chunky neck scarf.  Shades of blue and natural shetland were washed, carded and spun into a 2 ply worsted weight.

 The pattern is Shizuku by Angela Tong. The name of the scarf means drops or tear drop in Japanese. Very easy knit and flew right along. Love the "Dingleballs" around the edge. At least that's what came to my mind when I started to knit this scarf. I think I'll have to make a few more.

Cotton candy  - The Sweet Shop - March Phatfiber Box

Samples are done and at Phatfiber headquarters. I made up a few for the shop at http://www.giffordables.etsy.com/  just in case you don't get one in your box. Also in the shop are some larger blended batts of Cotton Candy with some extra sugar sparkle.

Checkout:  http://phatfiber.blogspot.com/ for more info about the fun Phatfiber box.

Well the weekend is almost upon us, and here's hoping yours is a good one!

FIRST REAL SNOW

 First real snow of the season, and it is sticking. It is - so...cold... out! Below normal temperatures, and more snow is predicted for tonight.

 We still have open water on the lake, but the geese found an icy patch to stand on, while the ducks continue to swim in the open water.

 It was  one of those days, to just settle in, and work around the house. I decided to make -

  a big pot of venison stew.  It has been simmering all day on the stove, and will make a hearty meal for tonight.

Of course - a little spinning was done.

Storm ends and Spinning Continues

It is early morning and the snow has tapered off. Just a few flurries coming down.



I always judge the snowfall by how deep it sits, on the deck chair arm. Enough snow for now and it can melt anytime. It is suppose to stay cold, this week and into next. I'm afraid the snow will be around for a while.

The spinning and dyeing continue.





Today my choice is to spin, some of my kettle dyed wool in cheerful Spring colors.


Spring can not be too far away can it?

Beer and Sheep

The Super Fan won in the Super Bowl commercial challenge last night on TV. I knew it would. What's not to like about beer and sheep? Beautiful Clydesdale's and freshly shorn sheep. Think I'll go crack open a cold one and do a little spinning.

Calm before the Storm

I'm watching a bright red cardinal eating seed off my deck railing, as I spin. The wind is beginning to pick-up and the snow will be here in a few hours. Just a few flurries are falling now. The weather channel says high winds for tomorrow and into tomorrow night along with snow and freezing rain. We all know what that means. I don't even want to think about a power outage. The temperature has been in the teens for the last few days. Yes....we have a generator, but not my favorite thing to do.

One bobbin down and 3/4 of the other bobbin to go. Should have it plyed by the end of the week.