yarn diet

So, I have decided to go on a yarn (and fiber) diet. I've been thinking about it for a while, but really, the other day I was in the LYS and picked up some needles, and two skeins of Koigu, and realised-- hey, I don't really NEED that yarn-- I just wanted it, for an "idea" I had. Plus, after all the yarn shopping I did on my vacation, and online. . .well. Plus, I'm in debt. Not a huge amount, but enough to be fairly uncomfortable.

I've signed up for the Wardrobe pledge, and I think I"m going to do it for six months. I'm also going to try, for, lets say, three months, not to buy any new yarn, with these exceptions: I do knit for my lys for credit, and can buy yarn with that credit. If I see a thrift store sweater that can be recycled, but the amount spent for said sweater cannot exceed ten dollars.

I also don't need anymore fiber. I spin on a drop spindle, and while I want a wheel, I can't afford one. (another reason to save money.) But I have tons of fiber, fiber to be dyed, fiber already dyed, and it's time for me to make my way through it! So no more fiber until I have spun up what's lurking around.

On that spinning note--- I have ambivalence about a wheel. I want one, and I think I'm a good enough spinner that it would just be amazing, but I also love the archaic, historical part about spinning on a drop spindle. After all, that's how women have spun for thousands of years, and I like that fact.

Wanna see some yarn?





left two skeins: yellow fiber from Lisa Souza, over dyed a little by me to make more green; blue fiber by Lisa Souza. Both two ply, I think.

right two skeins: navajo plied "vineyard" fiber from Spunky Eclectic.

show and tell

I've been spinning a bunch. I used to spin when I was younger; my parents took me to some sort of festival and I came home with a rudimentary drop spindle and some fiber. Eventually I lost interest, and my mom gave it away. (damn!) Well, a few months ago, after seeing the gorgeous skeins on everyone's blog, I decided I wanted to spin again. I couldn't (and still can't) afford a spinning wheel, so I bought a beginner's drop spindle and LOTS of fiber at Stitches West, and off I went!

Eventually, that crappy beginner's spindle broke (dropped it too many times), and I invested in a nicer spindle. Happily went on spinning, buying fiber, and then I went away for two weeks. Didn't bring my spindle. But, wonder of wonders, I happened on a fiber/yarn/weaving store in Alexandria, and bought myself a new Ashcroft spindle, and er. . .a massive amount of fiber. It was spilling out of my carryon bag on the plane home, like purple intestines everywhere.

this is some of that intestine yarn, along with a couple others I spun up and finished plying last night:


Nice, eh? From the top: handdyed fiber (wool, but that's all I can remember) that looks exactly like the colours of my former Siamese cat Dmitri; some sort of merino blend from Spunky Eclectic that I over dyed brown because it was a little too vibrant for me, and the stuff I bought in Alexandria. All navajo plyed.

Oooh, but look what was waiting for me when I came back from vacation:



mmmm. It's fiber from Felicia from

Sweet Georgia

I can't wait to spin this up.

FO!

Oof, I'm tired. J. and I got home last night LATE from D.C., and I'm still pretty jet lagged. I was also migrainey, so I took two excendrin migraine and two vicodin and now am well, loopy. Kind of hyped (vicodin doesn't knock me out) and tired at the same time. But the migraine's gone!

So, I finally have some pictures! None of my stash additions from New York and D.C., since photos are still on J's camera, but, I present you with:
Yup, that's Cascading Leaves, from the winter Interweave Knits, knit in Koigu. They're my first socks ever! (Finished socks, that is. Elfine socks kinda died. I lost track of where I was, then the kitten decided to get into the yarn-- you get the picture.) I was amazed at how fast and easy these were, and how satisfying. The pattern kinda begs to be knit in a plain yarn, however, like a lovely light green. However, I see more pairs of this sock pattern in my future. Next time, though, I'll downsize to size 1 needles-- I knit fairly loosely, so these socks aren't quite as snug as I would like, and I had to eliminate a couple of the pattern repeats on the foot. Still, I'm damn pleased with myself, although these socks may never be worn and may just be hung at the wall for me to admire.

A closeup of the pattern and the yarn:

Dude. I rock.

pledge

Wardrobe Refashion '06
I Pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle pre-loved items for myself for the term of my contract. I Pledge that I shall create and craft items of clothing for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract

I've joined! Now, if anyone will help me figure out how the hell to put this and the link into the sidebar. . .I would be very grateful.

Vacation splurges

Pictures coming soon, I swear. Part of the problem is I keep not having time at work to take pictures, and as for the rest. . .well, maybe just laziness. However, I do have photos, but they are currently on my boyfriend's camera at the moment. I'm in Washington DC at the moment, typing from a cafe that has lovely free wireless, and basically killing time until I meet up with J. at where his seminars in.

New York was amazing and overwhelming. I had a huge list of yarn shops-- unfortunately, my budget wasn't quite as big. I did visit TEXT was awesome, although tiny, as well. I found some koigu in an awesome deep burgundy colour and another variegated green one that looks purple under indoor lights. (seriously, this colour morphs. I think I drove J. nuts by saying, "Look! in the window light, it's green! Bring it inside, it's purple! OH my god what is happening?" As well as mission falls cotton in a lovely green.

More info when I actually post photos!

And to the first person who commented (not a spam comment, those don't count), thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!