Hmm... Do I like this yarn?

From the time I first saw the Harlequin Girl batt from my Phat Fiber box, I knew it would be my first spin from the October Box. But how to spin it. It was a generous 1/2 oz sample, but still not enough to make much of a project from. I thought I'd do what I usually do and spin it thin and make a two or three ply from it. But then, from somewhere in the back of my brain, a little idea tried to overcome my OCD side and suggested a thick and thin yarn plied with thread.

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The whole time I spun this it just felt wrong. The whole time I plied this it just felt strange. I soaked it and thwacked it and dried it, still strange and wrong. When B saw this she said, "Whoa! That is SO not you!"

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And now...

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I love it. I just wish I'd raided B's bead stash first! My technique for this type of yarn needs some work, but for a first try I though it was good enough to post! But just so my OCD side wouldn't take a complete fit, I spun up a teensy bit of the batt thin and three plied it. Here is 12 inches of conservative yarn. I love it, too.

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October Phat Fiber Box

Some Phat Fibery love landed in my mailbox yesterday. I've been keeping myself from spinning some of these lovelies until I could get some pictures of the wonderfulness. This is probably my favorite box I've received so far. I highly recommend following the linkies to these indie artists shops and grabbing some stash enhancement for yourself. I know there are a few of these samples that I'm hoping to find full sized versions in the Phatties shops.
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My two faves are the Sheepy cell phone charm from MissPurl and the Harlequin Girl batt. I ran to my cell phone to attach the charm, only to discover that my stupid phone doesn't have an attachment spot for the charm! And only through extreme self discipline did the Harlequin Girl batt make it for its photo op.

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Harlequin Girl by KnittyAndColor

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Exteme Spinning has provided sari silk fiber. I've seen sari silk carded into black merino to beautiful effect - I might have to find some black to blend this with!
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Gorgeous Tussah Silk from Wild Orchids Yarns & Fiber
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WC Mercantile has provided a mystery grab bag of samples. I've been considering trying needle felting, this just might push me over the edge.
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Roo's Moonbeams from Moonwood Farm are the softest things ever. I think I might keep this one as a pet!
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This is a beautiful soft batt in mermaidy colors from Susan's Kitchen
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My Fair BagLady has contributed this pretty leaf stitch marker.
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M's favorite from the box: Sheepy Kitty's
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Funky Fiber Farm has provided a lovely mixed batt in bewitching colors.
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Yummy milk fiber from Feeling Sheepish
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Hampton Artistic Yarn's sample is a beautiful batt of black and white with silver sparkle.

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Giffordables "All Hallow's Eve" batt is a beautiful earthy batt that reminds me of some of the beautiful yarns Sue has posted on her blog.
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Cozy Cove Farm's "Mask of the Jester" has beautiful jewel tones

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Another of M's faves: Alaskan Sass (say that 10 times fast) Candy Mix.
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B has claimed this button from Button Adoration for another Button necklace.
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This gorgeous 3 tone baby alpaca is from Anzula

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I love the vibrant blue in the "O, Donna" sample from Alisha Goes Around
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Lot's of fun spinning to come!

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New & New

I've put together a new pattern. I think it's unique, fun and exciting and I can't show it to you.
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Yet.
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I have new yarn. It is a gift, of sorts. I think it's new this year to Rowan - Felted Tweed Aran. It also comes in a DK weight and a bulky weight.
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It will be used to knit the new pattern. So while I knit on the pattern that I can't show you with the yummy yarn I've never used before, I won't be able to show you any work-in-progress shots.
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Not until December 9th!
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3 Squares

I've made a few squares for an afghan. An online friend is in need of some encouragement and I decided to join the project to make an afghan for her. I thought I'd only knit one square, but it was rather addicting and I found that I just couldn't stop.

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Details:

finished size (blocked) 8" x 8" - photos show preblocked squares

made from this yarn

patterns loosely based on the "blocks" from Micah's Baby Blanket

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Approved

Here is Simon the Cyclops, just as B envisioned him. I'm quite pleased with how he looks. B was so right about the pointed toes - they really do add something. I love his stripy leggings too.

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But I think my favorite part is how well his eye turned out. I used a small piece of white felt and glued it to his body using fabric glue. Then I poked a safety eye through both the felt and the knitted fabric and snapped it in place. Sometimes I feel using felt pieces to make the facial details is a bit of a cheat on a knitted toy, but I love how it looks and know I could never make it look as darling with embroidery.

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I'll be writing up the pattern and making him available for purchase in my etsy shop and on Ravelry soon.

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Now with No Legs

I finished some adorable pointy toed shoes for Simon, ripped off the old unapproved shoe and sewed the legs to his body. Apparently the legs were too long. So now Simon has shoes, but no legs. My co-designer is certainly determined in her vision for this toy!

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She INSISTS on pointed toes

Apparently my idea of not making the blue pointy toes for Simon the Cyclops has not met with B's approval. When you are twelve and love shoes to the point that you frequently have at least 5 pairs at the front door, the footwear of the monster you are co-designing with your mother really matters!

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Here's some legs - with a blue shoe that will be frogged!

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Cyclopsish

I was shopping with B on the weekend and we saw some really cute stickers. One was of an adorable alien/monster and she said, "You could knit me that!" So I took a picture on my cell phone so I could remember the look for inspiration. Funny how she has such faith in my ability to turn a 7cm tall two-dimensional sticker into a cuddly 3D companion!

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So here's what I have so far.

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I don't think I'm going to go with sparkly pointed toes. Blue feet, maybe, but not pointy! And I think I want my little guy to look a bit more happy.

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Crying Over You

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The newest creation from Pogknits - Red Onions! "Crying Over You" will be available free exclusively on the Phat Fiber October Secret Site. (Click here to find sign up for access the secret site) It will be for sale for everyone else on November 1st, both on Ravelry and in my Etsy store.

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(kudos to Julie for guessing correctly!)

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I'm so dizzy my head is spinning...

I'm spinning up some combed top that I bought a few years ago from Aurelia Wool & Weaving. I've got 250g of NZ Halfbred in the colorway "Nepal".

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I have no actual plans for this yarn, so I'm just spinning the single that my fingers like best. Although I am trying to increase the twist. I think I'll be happier with the finished yarn if I add a bit more twist.

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I love the colors in this top. There's three reds: an orangy red, and two bluish reds. Some periwinkle and some olive.

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For some reason, I was thinking of the 1969 Tommy Roe hit "Dizzy" when I started writing this post. My dad always played the "oldies" station on the radio on Saturdays - the "oldies" still pop out of my brain on occasion!

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Mystery Sock KAL

Kristin Kapur of Through the Loops has provided another free Mystery Sock for Socktober! I've got one more pattern repeat to complete on Clue 2. I'm loving how this sock is turning out.

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The yarn is recycled from a pair of socks of surprising similarity. They were just too tight. So far this pair seems like they'll work beautifully.

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Bunnyflop - pattern

This little ball of a bunny is fun to toss, juggle and cuddle. Using about 30 grams of worsted weight wool, this is a fun project for leftovers!
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Bunnyflop is a quick knit in worsted weight wool. Visit my Etsy store or download it now on Ravelry and get started today!
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This link will redirect you to Paypal through Ravelry's shopping basket .
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CathCart from the comments receives a free copy of the pattern for her suggestion in the "What's in a Name" contest. Thanks CathCart - please email me with your email address so I can send you the PDF!

Can you Guess?

I've been struck with ideas for patterns this month. This one is almost ready. Can you guess what it will be?

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What's in a name

I've got the pattern for this little guy all ready to go - but he needs a good name. Leave your suggestions in the comments before October 11th at midnight. The one I like best will receive a free copy of the pattern.

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Excalibur - pattern

Just in time for halloween! A knitted sword for all your pirates, knights and sword wielding elves.

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Little boys love to play with swords and imagine slaying dragons. But most toy swords can still inflict fairly serious damage to sisters (dragons). This is a perfect solution for the little knight confined to his home on rainy days
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Excalibur is a quick knit in worsted weight wool. Visit my Etsy store or download it now on Ravelry and get started today!
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This link will redirect you to Paypal through Ravelry's shopping basket
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Soft

This lovely little sample is from Moonwood farm. It is so soft. I decided to use it to show a friend how a spinning wheel works and just couldn't put it down.

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I spun some thin worsted singles and decided to make a four ply. I wound the singles around my hand as for Andean Plying and then wound the unplied 2 strands of singles around my hand again in the same fashion to create a four ply. I plied from my "4 ply bracelet" onto my wheel and am very pleased with the results.

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This is some very soft smooshy yarn! I couldn't wait to knit it into a little swatch. It felt so wonderful flowing through my fingers and over my needles.

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About a 20 ft, DK weight, 6st per inch on 3.5mm needles. Wish I had more. I'll have to go visit Roo's store!
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