Almost the New Year

Wow! How time flies. It seems like I was just wishing everyone a Happy New Year for 2008 and here it is almost 2009. We did have a busy year but I must say it was a very good year for our family. We got to see new sights, we all stayed fairly healthy (just the odd cold and such) and we had food and a roof over our heads. Pretty good all around.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday and you were spoiled rotten! You deserve it!!

My wonderful husband bought me a spinning wheel for Christmas this year - yippeee! I've kind of waffled back and forth between wanting one and not. I could learn a new skill and make some more pretty fiber with it but at the same time, it means one more crafty project to take up space (and money) in our house. I guess that's the practical side of me talking. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that he gifted me with it! Also a big bag of unknown sheep fiber to spin into yarn. Here's my first attempt. Not too bad, but not very good either.

Ok, here's my second attempt. The grey is what I got with the wheel (and my second attempt at spinning) and the navy blue (my third attempt at spinning) I bought at Weaving Works in Seattle --- yes, we made a trip there yesterday! I also picked up some very pretty multi-coloured yarn to spin later.

I must say, the fiber makes all the difference in the world. The grey unknown wool is actually easier to spin than the navy. I'm not sure why, but it seems the navy fiber is more "kinked" and maybe has shorter strands than the grey.

So then I plied (is it plied or plyed?) the two singles together and got this. A whole skein of navy and white yarn. It averages out to about DK weight but I have no idea how much yarn is there. Maybe 150 yards .... just by looking at another DK weight ball of yarn I have here.

I'm pretty excited about it and want to knit it into something but I have no idea what??? It's not very soft since the grey single was really overspun but it doesn't look too bad. I'm probably my own worst critique.

As for knitting ...
* I finished two hats to send to Sandy for the Bridge Project. Last post I said I was knitting a scarf which I ripped out and decided to make hats instead. Didn't like the way the scarf was coming out.
* I finished the baby sweater I was making for my girlfriend whose baby is due anytime now.
* I'm almost finished my socks. Just working on the toe of the second sock.
* Gloves are still at the same spot they were last post
* Adult sweater is worked on just a tiny bit. Down to the ribbing in the body. Next are the sleeves.

Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2009.