Alpacas!

Hubby and I went to an alpaca show this weekend, in Brandon MB. It's not very far but it was a fun trip.



Of course there was spinning in the car:


And then there were some very cute (and incredibly soft) alpacas from across the prairies!



I wanted to take several of them home with me.

(I think these ones liked me too! :)

Easter spinning

I got some lovely hand dyed Blue Faced Leicester roving from Unwind Yarn and Gems. I think it's the perfect colour for Easter and totally makes me think of spring :)



Happy Easter everyone!

Socks... almost

When I got my first spindle a few months ago, one thought jumped into my head and I had to try it.

I wanted to make a 3-ply sock yarn.

From what I read, you need a number of things to make a good sock yarn. First, thin singles with LOTS of twist.



Some folks say that this is best achieved on top whorl spindle. But I like to do things my own way, so I used my Turkish Delight (the middle size of my three turkish spindles). I made sure to add extra twist.


Next it's good to use a durable fibre. Cashmere, silk, etc will wear out really quickly. I chose Falkland wool, which is a longwool (I think...) and when I felt it, it seemed really sturdy.

Lastly, lots of twist when plying. That's where I'm at now. :) I'm using my "comets" top whorl for that. It spins fast and long and I love plying on it. I think the plied yarn is looking really good and it looks like it's the about sock-yarn weight!!! (somewhere between fingering and sport)



The only thing left after I ply is to knit a pair of socks... I think I even know someone who would thoroughly enjoy a pair of handspun GREEN socks. (The yarn is actually greener than the photo would have you believe.) If only I could remember her shoe size...

OMG I'm such a geek.

So I bought a new bottle of vitamins and there was this big wad of cotton in the bottle.


I normally throw this cotton in the garbage. But then I thought:

Gee I could spin that!

I'm so incredibly pleased with myself.
I think I might need to change my blog to Allison's Knitting and Spinning Addiction. The "spinning" part is getting a little out of hand...

And CANADA takes GOLD!!!!!

Well the olympics are officially over. I feel such as sense of pride. Team Canada really did an amazing job on home turf. 14 Gold medals, 26 overall! I feel so happy to live in this great country :)


Though it doesn't compare to the trials and triumphs of the athletes, I completed my socks tonight while watching the closing ceremonies.


There were a few set backs early in the first week. I had to rip back the snowflake bit on the first sock and re knit it on bigger needles. And today I ripped back and redid the first toe. But I persevered and the really are the perfect Canadian socks :)

It's been a great Olympics, Canada! Good work!

Day 3- Progress report.

I spend yesterday doing two things: knitting my olympic sock and writing my thesis proposal. Much progress on both!


Too bad the US stole Gold from Canada in ladies' free style skiing last night though... :-(

The Knitting Olympics

So before Ravelry had the Ravelympics (rav link), the Yarn Harlot started the Knitting Olympics, which happens every four years at the same time as the Winter Olympics. Basically you start a project during the opening ceremonies, knit for 16 days and (hopefully) finish before the flame goes out. I didn't sign up in 2006, but I'm signing up this year. I love the simplicity of it.

I have to do something to support team Canada for Vancover 2010!!! I'm going to knit these socks, in alpaca yarn from Manitoba. They have a snowflake on them :) Perfect! And it will be a challenge!

I'll try to post some photo updates. :)