She Paints With Yarn » Mary

In which I climb a mountain

Mary — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:36:12 +0000

Well, a metaphorical mountain, which I lovingly call Mt. Yardage. Mt. Yardage is a fickle beast. Sometimes a spinner will find herself at the base of the mountain, and decide she wishes to make the climb, only to be welcomed by steep hills and sudden cliffs. Other times, though, she finds herself walking easily along a smooth path, and before she knows it, she’s reached the top.

My two latest spins have felt like this. Both of them I got remarkable yardage on. The first is FC scrappies, spun so that they will slowly progress from light to dark. There are a LOT of colors in this skein but it will knit up beautifully. 376 yards of worsted singles.

The second I have to share today is Hello Yarn’s Garland. This was my first Targhee experience- and hopefully not my last! 344 yards before washing, and I’ve not remeasured it yet…. I know it shrunk a bit but I don’t think by much.

I’m really proud of both of these. I recently got more bobbins ( I have 7 total now!) so I can have larger projects going and reserve a few bobbins for sanity spinning. I’m getting ready to get started on a couple of those larger projects soon, so expect more spinning pictures over the next few days!

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Contest Winner!

Mary — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:54:23 +0000

Well, I’m a few days late, but better late than never! I’ve used a random number generator and the number that popped up was… (drumroll, please)…

The first person to leave a comment on that post was Jenny Raymond, so, Jenny, you win a free copy of the pattern! I’ll send it to you via Ravelry. Enjoy, and thanks to everyone who tweeted/blogged/ etc about the pattern!!

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Lemniscates Cowl

Mary — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:21:18 +0000

I’ve released my first pattern! I’m very happy to start seeing my things made from my designs in the wild. In an effort to encourage that, I’m having a CONTEST!

But first, a bit more about the pattern. Lemniscates cowl comes in 2 sizes, a snug fit and a loose fit that looks great with a shawl pin. It features a tubular cast on and bind off, plus tips to make these techniques easier. It pattern is written for 2 different yarns, MadelineTosh DK and Malabrigo Silky. The lace pattern in the cowl looks like a sideways infinity symbol, which is how it earned the name Lemniscates.

Are you interested in winning a copy of the pattern?? Here’s what you need to do: Put a link to either this blog post or the ravelry entry for the pattern (found here) on either your blog, twitter, or facebook. Then, leave a comment here linking me to where you posted the pattern (if it’s twitter, just say that- I know not everyone knows how to link to a specific tweet, just be sure to tell me your twitter name). Next Thursday (a week from today) I will randomly select a winner using a random number generator. If your comment is selected, I’ll send you a *free* copy of the pattern via ravelry (or email if you do not have a ravelry account, though if you don’t, you really should. It’s free and purely awesome). Be sure you leave some way for me to contact you in your comment- either a ravelry name, twitter name, your email- just make sure I can find you! Good luck everyone!

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Green with Envy!

Mary — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:11:05 +0000

I have a new spinning obsession: Polwarth!! It’s incredibly soft, but the longer staple length makes it a no-brain-activity spin for me, which can be a nice break. Plus, I seem to get incredible yardage with polwarth, too. This is 230 yards of worsted weight, 3.8 oz. I can’t stop staring at it!!

I’ve started knitting a hat from a pattern I am working on in it. It’s for the 4 oz. challenge that HY, SE, and SC fibers are putting up on ravelry. This one will just be my prototype since it’s from Funky Carolina, and not one of the sponsoring dyers. When I finished it, I knew it had to be a hat- how could I resist that awesome green next to my hair??

Speaking of hats… I recently did a test knit for Duncks, Hallenore. I really like it. It features two lace leaves and can be modified to be extra slouchy, if you wish. It even has a matching scarf! Check it out, you can find the pattern here.

I’ve got several designs in the works right now. I’m hoping my very first cowl design will be released by the end of the month. It’s currently with my awesome test knitters, and they all seem to like it! I might post a sneak preview pic here sometime in the next week or so… keep an eye out!

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Honeybee

Mary — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:29:52 +0000

I have some spinning to share! It’s PRS fiber- the one I previewed in the previous post. I got 265 yards of DK weight, which is great yardage. Woot! And now, pictures:

This fiber took forever to spin- partially because I was trying a new way of holding the fiber to get lots of air in the yarn. It was totally worth it, though, when I pulled it all off the bobbin and calculated my yardage.

Now I need to decide what to spin next… a sock batt, some scrappies, or some more of this blend (but from a different dyer…). Decisions, decisions.

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Sometimes I may seem a little insane….

Mary — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:30:04 +0000

… especially when I say things like, “I’m almost finished with the sock I cast on last night!” In cases such as these, you have no choice but to embrace the insanity. I cast this sock on last night around midnight, and as of right now, almost 6:30PM, it is almost done. Just another inch or two on the cuff and I’m done. I didn’t use a pattern- it’s just a simple st. st. sock, though I may do something fancy on the cuff. Maybe little cables instead of ribbing? Oh, the options!

Amid all this insanity, I made a video of myself knitting. This was mostly just to play with the video funtion on the iPhone 4, but I thought I’d share anyway. The part where I slow down a ton is because the yarn split on me in the row before and I didn’t notice it… oh well! I’m not the fastest knitter ever but apparently this is the speed you need to get a sock done in one day.

Enjoy!

Post video progress:

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To Make Much of Time

Mary — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 06:53:08 +0000

I very long time ago, I read a poem that has struck a chord with me. Though most scholars will tell you this particular poem is about beauty’s fleeting nature, I take a different twist: Go out and LIVE!

To The Virgins, to Make Much of Time

Robert Herrick

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying :
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he’s a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he’s to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer ;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may go marry :
For having lost but once your prime
You may for ever tarry.

And that, my friends, is what I have been doing. The past month has been filled with amazing experiences for me. In non knitting world news, Jared came home for a visit. It was a tough visit, for a lot of reasons, but a good one in the end. I am again reminded just how lucky I am to be truly loved but such an amazing man. I ate my first “real” sushi while he was home- it was absolutely delicious- I’m not sure I can go back to the stuff I can get at the market now! We spent a few days at the lake, watched some fireworks, roamed the bookstore, watched a lot of movies, and played with the dogs. He approved of Chunk (yay!), and I’m fairly sure the feeling was mutual. Jared even got me gorgeous lilies that are still blooming (and he left on the 9th!!).

In yarn related news, I’ve got some spinning to share! The first is some BFL / silk that was dyed for me by Carrie of Funky Carolina. It’s one of my Pure Inspiration club fibers. I am completely in love with it!

The second isn’t done yet, but you can see the first half of it. The fiber is merino / bamboo / silk. It was dyed by PRS- her colors are just so incredibly gorgeous and full of depth.

I also finished some crochet- it’s a handspun version of the Queen Anne’s Lace scarf. Please excuse the crappy photo, I’ve not blocked it yet, so it hasn’t had a real photo taken yet.

The biggest news of all is that I am now working for Buffalo Gold Premium Fibers. A lot of what I am doing is behind the scenes, but it’s a ton of fun and I can honestly say that I love my job. Part of what I am doing is leading knit alongs on raverly. Please stop by the group and consider knitting along! The first pattern is a design of a friend of mine, and it’s absolutely awesome in every way. Details are all in the ravelry group, and will be on the BG site soon, as well.

Things seem to be moving in a positive direction around here. So, friends, what have you been up to?

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Some finished shawls

Mary — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:54:51 +0000

Shawls by mcatherineblack

I finally finished my Forest Canopy Shawl! It really didn’t take all that long if you don’t count the time that I wasn’t working on it. I’m super proud of it- it’s so soft and cozy. I also started (and finished!) daybreak (in 48 hours! That has to be a record for me). I’m totally in love with it, too. It’s not very big- I wish I had knit the medium size, but then again this size doesn’t overwhelm my frame, which is nice.

I have a few more FOs and handspuns to show you guys, I just need to get good images of them. Also, this post is serving a secondary purpose… we are playing with the flickr widget on the blog so I don’t want to take the time to post a while bunch of photos then have to do it again, and again…

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While my swedish buns bake…

Mary — Tue, 25 May 2010 02:59:17 +0000

My poor little blog has been neglected! Chunk keeps me on my toes- I guess he’s sucked my blogging energy right out. I’m making Swedish Cardamom Buns right now- they’re in the oven. I thought I’d take a moment to share a few things with you guys. First up, my most recent spin. I’m REALLY excited about this one. The fiber was awesome- SW merino dyed by Hannah of Pocket Pocket. It was a dream to spin. I got about 300 yards of fingering weight out of 4 oz. My yardage could have been better, but I’m not complaining.

Mal Swap recently ended. I had the awesome pleasure of hand delivering my package to Melissa (nulawlady on rav) in person at the KY Sheep and Wool Festival. Melissa was super sweet and fun to shop with- she totally encouraged my purchase of a yarn that I am really enjoy knitting a Meret (the Wooly Wormhead pattern) with. Pictures of that later when there’s more to show. I snapped a few images of her opening her package…. I’m so glad she loved everything! I made her bag (the blue one) and had fun picking things for a new spinner (everyone should spin!).

Next up, my swag from the festival- there’s a bag from Slipped Stitch Studios in some adorable owl fabric, cashmere yarn from MacKintosh Yarns, and an ounce of milk protein fiber to spin.

KYSW was my first wool fest. I had a great time and I hope there are many more to follow- maybe someday as a vendor!

I’m ordering new yarn for the shop tomorrow. I’m trying to decide between some aran weight BFL and a lovely cashmere blend sock weight. Either way, I have some great colorways planned so be looking for peaks at those over the next few weeks here. :)

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Our Newest Edition

Mary — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:09:19 +0000

If you follow me on twitter, you’ve no doubt read an inordinate amount of tweets about my new puppy, Choco Chunk. I feel like I’ve turned into the annoying tweet-er who tweets far too much about the same thing, but I can’t help myself. He’s so cute, cuddly, and sweet that there’s always something I want to say about him.

Chunk got here last Friday. He flew in from Washington, where he was bred by a friend of mine, Chris. I’ve been watching videos and staring at pictures of him literally since the day he was born. I’m really lucky that Chris was so sweet about flying him to me- she had to keep him longer and deal with the airlines which I know was a hassle (the airline, not the puppy). Even though he’s been here less than a week I’m already irrevocably in love with the little guy. There’s a ton of pictures on flickr but here’s a few:

Chris- thank you again for taking such wonderful care of him and for letting him be my boy. He seems so happy here and I am certainly thrilled to have him. :D

I’ve not done much knitting / spinning / sewing since he got here, but it’s on the docket tomorrow, so hopefully the little guy will let me get some blog-able things done and I will have more crafty stuff to share with you guys.

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