puzzled...

OK, so I'm browsing some fiber blogs, and come across one that seemed very pleasant all around, yet there was one sentence that left me puzzled. I'll leave the blog anonymous, and no, it isn't linked in my sidebar. Anyhoo, the WTF? phrase in question was this, included in a list of stuff the blogger is working on:

"And, I'm even knitting a hat for a 6'5", 230 lb African-American Man."

I get pointing out the man's size, since that will obviously mean knitting a larger hat. But his ethnicity? I didn't see anyone else's race pointed out in future/finished projects. I dunno why this bugs me so much, but I get the feeling this chick may be one of those pasty yuppie types who just feels so good about the fact that they are, in fact, Acquainted with a Person of Color. So much, that they even Knit for him and feel the need to point it out on their blog. What a Susie Dipshit.

In other news, I started a scarf in Patons Soy Wool Stripes... I'll post pics tomorrow, as the camera is acting up. Sorry for the brief rant, but jeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

The lazy blogger returns...

Been pretty busy these past few weeks, and well, tending the blog has not been a priority. Plus, there are only like 5 readers, so, you know, I'm not really doing a huge disservice. Anyway, I have been recovering from the holiday bazaars and jumping back into fibery-kinda stuff. This being the season and all, some of the stuff I am working on is top secret, so I won't be posting pics for a while. But, in between frantically knitting for the holidays, I've also done some spinning:

I'm calling this one "Purple Pewter"... I've spun up 2 of the 4 oz (Corriedale blended with "Marcasite Flash" Angelina) and hope to get about 350 yds after plying.

And, been playing with some stuff I wet-felted, had laying around for months, then dug out to see if I could make it into something quilt-like for an upcoming miniature quilt show. The base fabric is wool felted with silk/novelty yarn. I couched some other threads over the top, including some cool Diakeito "Diamist"; stitched some tuile fabric in place, and added some mohair locks for fun. An explanation of the piece (which I'll submit to the show's organizer), entitled "A Star is Born", follows the pic:

My grip on traditional reality is tenuous at best. This piece, “A Star is Born” is one of many snapshots of my mind- the things I think about when not worrying about such meaningless things as bills and deadlines. When allowed to wander, my thoughts travel to some interesting places, such as the relationship between space, time, and matter; the formation of life as we know it- where did we come from and where are going?; the connection between the celestial and the earthly.

The wet-felted background for this work was created several months ago, in response to my thoughts on the birth and death of stars in our universe. Over time, layers of tuile, lines and shapes stitched and couched in string were added, inspired by the wonder that comes from the notion that what we consider order evolves from that which we consider chaos. I am further fascinated by the fact that this process reverses itself as stable systems enter into a state of entropy. Still, the work needed something… after a short break, I found this blood star that was initially discovered at Mill bay Beach (already dried and deceased).

This tied it all together for me… the wonders of the Earth juxtaposed with those of the universe…

which are really just two sides of the same coin.

The Holiday Bizarre

Did the first of two Holiday bazaars last Saturday , with one coming up this Saturday... have been so busy cranking out stained glass that my spinning wheel and knitting needles are gathering dust. Here are some pics of my humble booth last week:

Yes, that is a laundry drying rack that I hang my glass on. I am such a cheapass.

Lots of puffins, salmon, lighthouse/fishing vessel ornaments, and bears... kinda hard to see everything in this pic, but I had a lot of wares in the beginning, and didn't leave with very much! I even brought some random knitted things to sell and sold a scarf! So, needless to say, I am going nuts to rebuild enough inventory for this weekend. My goal was to sell enough stuff to cover our trip to Boston... and if all goes well this Saturday, I'll have done just that. Then, I will have time to knit ;-)

Red Wine

I spun up a bit (only 1 oz) of fawn-colored alpaca the other day:

After dyeing it with 5 packets of grape kool-aid and one 0.25 oz bottle of red food coloring, this is what I ended up with. It's about 100 yds @ 15 wpi, and SO soft. I think this will be what I do for the Twisted Knitters KAL- although, I'm thinking I may need to be ambitious and do two projects- this really doesn't seem substantial enough. So, I will probably be spinning up the Merino/Silk combo that I mentioned in a previous post and play with some handpainting... the KAL goes thru February, so that is plenty of time for me to spin, dye, and knit a few projects.

As far as the Alpaca, I think I'm going to knit up some kind of lacy gaiter thing- a pretty lil' wisp of something to wear around my neck. I'm going to Boston for Christmas this year, so I think I can make something with the yarn that looks both sophisticated and warm- yum!

I also have to say that I am doing the happy dance right now. Dems take charge! Rummy gone! For the first time in six years, I feel a glimmer of hope. Of course, this now means that the Dems will have to pull their heads out, and on that count, I am being somewhat reserved in my joy. But, as my wise grandmother always says, we can either live in hope, or die in despair...

We did it!

More pics and words to come soon... but here is a sneak peek:

The Bride and Groom exchanging rings, Piedmont Point, Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park.

Had a lovely reception last night with friends new and old. There were many lovely
gifts and many a laugh to be had. Again, more pics and words later...

Exotic Workhorses, Spun Sugar, and Stuff

This has been a whirlwind of a week. As you may have figured out in my last cryptic post, I am to be married today. In 5 hours. And yes, I am taking the time to post right now. This is a laid-back event, just a simple gathering of friends to celebrate our simple love for one another. If the two people who read this want to know more about the nuptials, click here to read my blog on MySpace (warning: my Myspace profile is Rated R).

Other than marriage, I have been doing some fibery stuff... a few months back, Yarnpunk gave me a bag of the most random bits of fiber imaginable. Being the fiberwhore that I am, I of course took it with a smile on my face. There was everything from yak hair to combed cotton all in little .5oz bags. I finally busted it all out this weekend, and used her drum carder to make some kick-ass blends:

Blend #1: "Exotic Workhorse"- 40% mixed New Zealand wool (no idea as to breed), 20% flax, 15% camel hair, 15% yak hair, 10% llama hair. Coarse and not for wearing- but, I think a tightly spun 2-ply would make for a nice bag or rug... possibly woven if I can bear to dust off and warp up the loom. About .5 lb, so I should be able to make something cool

And, on the other end of the spectrum, Blend #2: "Spun Sugar" only about 1 oz of 50% camel down and 50% tussah silk. Need I say more? I'm thinking a 2-ply laceweight to be knit into somekind of little cowl-like thing.

I finished another Beyond the Basics hat, to be a Christmas present for my friend Jen.

And, I am making washcloths right now, about the only thing my scattered little mind can stand. However, I think this may be the world's prettiest warshcloth:

Knit on 4 mm dpn using Sugar & Creme (colorway Fiesta? or something?) Pattern found here. Gotta love those mindless projects that are done in a couple of hours... I'm going to make a bunch and give them as gifts along with some locally made soaps.

Have been trying to figure out what to use for the Twisted Knitters KAL... looking at a portion of my fiber stash, I think the Merino/Silk combo on the right would be perfect. That was the very first fiber I ever bought for spinning. With a heavy-ass bottom-whorl drop spindle. In retrospect, the ladies at NW Wools should have tried to talk some sense into me- it was obvious I was a newbie. I didn't spin for over 2 years after that little disaster. Trying to spin that shit without knowing what I was doing didn't even make for "designer yarn". Don't get me wrong, it's lovely stuff now that I know what I am doing...

OK, I'm going to go take a shower and get pretty- I am getting hitched, after all. I may even shave my legs.

Guess what I'm doing tomorrow...