jeannie's hands at work

I'm settling in.

2009-10-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

Now that I've moved, I'm settling in.

I seem to be fighting the flu or something. I was so glad not to get sick while I moved, but I've been sick since last Sunday. No fair.

I had a visitor over yesterday who brought me some odd yarn. I think it'll work for the grocery store bag I want to crochet. Big chunky yarn, big hook. Go fast. I put it up on Ravelry.

So these are bad pictures of my knitting room just after I moved in. I have a lot to do...

What you can't see is the rest of the room behind me as I took the pictures. It's piled with stuff, furniture, file cabinets, and bins that were just plopped there.
Order will come, one box/bin/file at a time.

Socks to wear and Rain today.

2009-08-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

I am excited today.
It's such a beautiful morning here with the gentle -much needed- rain. 6:15 am: I looked at the mountains while waiting for the bus. Through the rain I could see clouds draping themselves over the edge of the mountain - a brightest white lace border back-lit by the rising sun.

I get to wear my finished "Back to Basics" socks from Knitty. I used Austermann Step yarn #21 in turquoise, gray and charcoal.

My socks fit well although I knitted the foot longer than I should have. I used a finer gauge yarn and smaller needles than the pattern called for. The number of stitches called for would have fit a larger foot in the yarn suggested in the pattern.
I'm very pleased with the results.

I'm spending Lots of time at home.

2009-07-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

I have a sick alternator in my car and I won't be driving anywhere till I can fix it.
Funny how things work out- I really have wanted to spend lots of time at home cleaning, sorting and getting rid of stuff.
SO, Now I can.
Interesting -I manifested that, huh? Yep, yep I did....

40 years.... Not Possible..... I'm still a teenager!

2009-07-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

Can it Really be 40 years since Armstrong landed on the moon? My Grandma Schufle was in 'Vegas that summer with us and we all watched the landing and first walk and all. After that evening she said "Well, I've seen everything now. I saw Hallie's comet when I was a girl, 1890 or so. We knew the moon was made of green cheese, and now I know it's not. What a world..."

She was in her 90's when she died in 1970, '71? She had seen the world change from rural to city, and move into industry. She had a remarkable life. :0)

Bogged down blog.

2009-07-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

I have bogged down on posting "stuff". I had some great pictures, but no way to load them. Then I got bogged down with LOTS of work, so no time to blog.

I kind of have a little more free time at the moment so hence, a post.

What am I working on?
2 prs of socks -
1. Austerman Step Yarn turquoise colorway, "Back to Basics" toe up pattern from Knitty.com.
2. Red Heart Heart & Sole with Aloe Green Envy, "An American in China" linen stitch pattern from Knitty.com

I finished my brown cardigan -Queensland Kathmandu Aran Tweed Yarn in Rust. The body of it fits SO well. The sleeves -yuk. I had a picture... I really did. I don't have a card reader to load it into the computer. Rats. Soon.

I'm still working on the Misty Garden scarf from Scarf Style. I'm using Mountain Colors Bearfoot Meadow Colorway superwash, mohair and nylon. It's a feather and fan pattern.Very pretty but it gets old after a time.

It's getting close to time for my classes to start again. I don't know what happened to this summer.

Addendum to this post- I joined the Tour de Fleece through Ravelry. I can't get the picture added to the sidebar here, but I AM in the Tour.

I guess that's all for now.

One Delivered, One to go.

2009-02-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

A rug for someone I work with. She was saying that she needed some nice throw rugs. She's very happy with this one. One more to go.
I took this outside on a Saturday morning about 5 or 6 o'clock. I was surprised it came out so well. I thought the flash would really wash it out.

A scarf for a co-worker in Misti Alpaca fingering weight (sock weight) yarn. [see more on Ravelry JeannieF]
This was a thank you gift. She knows why.

While this isn't the best picture I've ever taken, it accurately shows the color of the yarn I'm using for these socks. This is the Back to Basics pattern from Knitty.com. It's a nice pattern -I only have been working on these for so long because of my own "stuff." You can read back through the archives and see why.
Now I'm on the final stretch -knitting the cuffs. They're toe up and will almost be ready to wear when I bind off. Just a few tails to weave in. ' Can't Wait!

The Rest of the Basket From the 2008 East Mountain Fiber Farm & Studio Tour

2009-02-13T08:57:00.000-08:00

This great basket -a hit with felines and human.

Two gift cards - yummm!

This beautiful cutting board. There was no information as to where it is from. It's finely crafted and smooth as silk.

Fabulous Alpaca Socks Natural Fiber Creations by Enchanted Sky Alpacas

Milagro Moon's always exquisite Alpaca yarn and FABULOUS Soap. If you all haven't used this soap -you are missing out.

Handspun Jacob yarn from Deb Haden at Cuesta Farm. I think ...Sorry, I'm just not sure! It's gorgeous, though.

Beautiful Mohair and Wool in a teal-y, gray color from Gayle Bone at Square Hole Ranch,
McIntosh, NM. gogobone59@q.com on the label. Handspun and dyed.

Yarn and Angel from Bethe Orrell at Good Fibrations.
Hand dyed. Grown from her sheep and goats and spun by hand.

Mohair to spin from - I don't remember! Oh, No! And there was more, I spun some up already.

And last but not least - a camel down filled pot holder - wonderful!
From Camel- Lot, I believe.

I won't scare you with the picture of me in the Sun hat that was included. The hat's great - the picture was too scary.

If I missed something or someone in these last two posts, I apologize!

This year's Tour is scheduled for 5/30/09. If you haven't been on the tour you must not miss it this year. It's a short drive to Edgewood to Good Fibrations to pick up a Tour map and then two days' worth of fun driving in the country and seeing the farms and animals. The weather should be cooler than Albuquerque and it's a family and children friendly event. All the stops are free to look although 'most everyone has products to sell. There are a few stops that will have food and drinks, but take water with you anyway.

Dress for walking in mountain desert terrain. Comfortable clothes and shoes.
Go to Good Fibrations home page and click the calendar for the latest information

Pictures from East Mountain Farm & Fiber Tour

2009-02-06T11:27:00.000-08:00

Now I know these are so late going up. However, since our consciousnesses have been focused on being "frugal" lately, I thought this would be something you could all drool over and enjoy without spending any money.

I won the Door Prize Basket! Wow, it is fabulous!

So the following pictures are closeups of what's in here. Most of these places are in Edgewood
or close around there.

A sweet Alpaca bear from Natural Fiber Creations -Enchanted Sky Alpacas.
enchantedskyalpacas.com

A wonderful basket - the kitties Had to inspect it.

Beautiful, yummy camel down from Bev & Bill's Camel-Lot Ranch in Sandia Park, NM.

Wonderful Goodies from The Cutting Edge salon.

More pictures in the next post.

About Time and New Starts

2009-02-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

About time I start posting again. I am stuck on a pair of socks, my brother's Christmas sweater and a rug. This first month has been about fits and starts of cleaning out and clearing up, and starting to finish UFO's to get ready to give away or sell or ??

I started teaching my classes the last week of January and so far, so good.
My students are all very nice and have grasped the stitches and techniques so far.

That's all for now. More soon -with pictures. :0)

Friday Flurry of Finished Fiber

2008-10-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

So -I haven't been to knitting groups or anywhere other than Taos for weeks. I have, however, been knitting and crocheting.

Here are all the things I've finished except a light sage colored rug for a wedding present. I'll get that picture this weekend.

Hat w/attached scarf for Seattle charity. Hat for DD's schoolmate minus braids on top and earflaps. It's done and ready for pick-up.

Sirocco coral cotton-linen towel/dresser scarf and crocheted hat (DD and Furball modelling) for Sarah-on-the-bus.

In the meantime here's a wedding present rug I made 'way back. I used navy because that's what I had and the recipient Loved it. The sage one is just like it but I used a smaller hook so it's a little more dense and smaller circumference -3 ft., instead of more.

Orbs in the Stereo! and Knitting.

2008-09-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

What is that!???!!!
ORBS IN THE STEREO!!!!! Speedy and Furball are on the case! Sniffing out pesky Orbs at a moment's notice.

No, not really.... Here are 2 of the pictures we took the day my kitties decided to visit my son's apartment. He lives just down the sidewalk from my apartment.
Bear, Speedy, and Furball followed me over. They came in, looked around, and generally made themselves at home while I visited with DS, his dad, and my daughter.
When I got ready to go home we started looking around for the kitties. Speedy and Furball were clustered around the stereo. We were calling for Bear and heard him, but thought maybe he had crawled in to the closet in the bedroom. (They love that closet for some reason.)His meowing was muffled and sounded far away.

We finally looked paid attention to Speedy when he started pawing at the door of the stereo cabinet.
DD grabbed the camera and took pictures. We really didn't notice the eye glow till we looked at them later.

Below is the one of Bear peering out -"You can't see me- I'm - I'm hiding. Shh..."

Boy, I love my cats. Sometimes they are Too Funny.

Knitting news:

Progress!

In the Ravelry Olympics category

"I TRIPPED, I FELL, I DIDN'T GET UP":

(I totally made that up)

I made a LOT of progress on the back of my brother's sweater. 18 inches out of 25 inches when the neck shaping starts.

I also made progress on a Baby Surprise Jacket due in October. In fact it's almost done. I'm past row 80. Hooray! I can really see it coming together.

I even had an evening of help organizing and de-stashing - of course during the Olympics. Thank you, Lynne and Melissa. What a boost that was.

That's all for now.
Happy knitting.

Radio for a New Earth

2008-08-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Ok - I'm coming out of the closet. For those who don't know me well, I am metaphysical.
There - I'm out.
Deal.
In case you hadn't realized yet, new age is now mainstream. You don't have to be woo,woo to participate. Look at Oprah's programs with Eckhart Tolle.

There is a new radio station being birthed on the internet:
Maia Radio Talk Radio for a New World -metaphysics and new age and all. I can't wait!!!
Look at the gorgeous web page!
http://www.maiaradio.com/index.html

I've been listening to the podcast Stargate to a New Earth. Maia Radio is "a child" of this podcast.
For those of you who are sensing that something's different, something is changing in the world, dive in - listen to the podcast and keep checking in to the Maia site.

In other news, I'm through the ribbing on the Aud sweater and starting to lag in my Olympic Sprint. But I'm through the ribbing. ;-) Now the stockinette sprint for infinity + inches to the armhole decreases.

Below, the daring duo in all their furry glory hanging out by the carder, looking out the door early on a weekend morning -lazing until the flutter of sparrow wings launches them into hunting mode.

Furball left........................Bear right

Bear surveying the kingdom from the second floor, peering out through the walkway bars.

Speedy - he's the largest and the most chicken of the three. "I'm a ninja-cat. I'm not coming in.....
I'm,... I'm,..... a ninja cat. You can't see me!"

"See? You can't see me." Just then someone upstairs came out on the walkway. "AaaaaHHHHH!!!!!! Let me in! Let me in the door!!!!!! I see people!!!!!"

Sunday, Sunday....

2008-08-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

Today is the day I try to do all the home chores that fall away when I teach. When my classes are in session I expend a lot of energy for teaching what I love.When I come home and am faced with never ending picking up and vacuuming and laundry - hauled to another destination and hours spent waiting for dryers that don't de-fuzz- I just Don't have the oomph to do it on Saturdays.

This morning I woke up at a glorious 9:00 am! I don't know the last time I actually slept so late.
My usual time is 5am. :0)

The plan for today is to switch the living room around and vacuum mightily. then start to get my room organized so that this week I can get my stash under control and all put away. As that is happening, I need to cook for the week if I'm going to take lunches to work and have easy dinners when I get home.

I'm acquiring a loom this next weekend and need to make room for it and my Total Gym (yes, I have one and I really like using it.). The TG has had an extended stay in my son's apartment and now it's time to bring it home.

I have noticed a marked lack of strength and energy that I can directly attribute to a lack of exercise and sedentary work environment. When I'm actually doing my work it's very physical involving carrying heavy equipment and standing for hours shooting video, but in between, there is so much time just sitting whether I'm researching or writing or whatever, that it's taking a toll.

We all know what we're supposed to do - eat sensibly, get exercise, drink more fluids, sleep on a schedule. What we give up on so often is the effort it takes to get back to a balance. We forget how much better we will feel if we just DO It.

So today, I going to JUST DO IT. The end for now.
Have a great day, week etc. Happy Knitting.

2008-08-03T08:51:00.001-07:00

Typical Crafting Companion

2008-07-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

This is the picture I put up on Ravelry. This is a common seating arrangement for any of my three cats while I'm knitting or crocheting. I just like it. :0)

Long overdue update.

2008-07-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

My son is home. He did not complete boot camp. He got pneumonia and got better for awhile. He was transferred to a new unit and relapsed when his medication didn't follow him.
So he's home and getting on with his life. I'm still proud of him as ever and that will always be.

So for other news: It's been too long but I attended the East Mountain Fiber Studio and Farm Tour in June. Four of us went together and had the Best time! Of course, I always have fun, but the company made it even better this time.

Here's the link for a past article about the tour and a partial list of participants. My group went to every one except the chicken and other exotic birds ranch. From what I heard later, we really missed a treat. Live and learn, and go next year!

So the tradition is when you go out to Edgewood, you stop at Good Fibrations yarn shop first to see Beth's wonderful range of yarns and other goodies. When you leave there with a map/ brochure of the tour, you can pick which way to proceed.

One of the "must's' is, if you don't stop and eat at China Chef right then, you need to come back and eat, or take something home before you come back into town.

The next "have to visit" on my list is Milagro Moon Ranch. Cynthia and Jim have a great place and are warm and welcoming to visitors. I was privileged to get one of their cria fleeces several years ago and it's beautiful - white and soft and a joy to spin. BTW, they will have a booth at the Taos wool Festival this year. Visit their website and get more information.

Two new favorites of mine are Square Hole Ranch and Rancho Baltazar in McIntosh south of Moriarty, NM. It's really not too far from Edgewood to these two places and they are close together. Such beautiful fiber! I bought 2 fleeces at the first place and several of my friends bought angora and other goodies at the second.

I have more to talk about, but this should do it for now. I have to bring my notes so I have the right information with me.

I'll leave you with the picture of the basket I won from the Tour. I was SO surprised -I never thought I would win. It's so filled with goodies -I need to bring the list so I can give the proper credit.

Joel Called! and - A Sad Day for the Fiber Community in Albuquerque.

2008-05-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

Joel called - he got to San Diego in one piece. I hope he's doing well. He'll be in boot camp for 13 weeks. I'm so proud of him and will continue to be.

On a sad note - a wonderful needlework shop here in town is closing. I have knitted with a group there for three years. It's been so welcoming and cheerful. Great friendships and much learning has occurred there. We in the group will miss the owners a lot. There are economic and health issues that have precipitated the closing. I wish the owners well and pray for their ease and comfort in a very hard time.

It seems that creative interests always feel the impact first in hard economic times and this is one of the results.
My classes have seen fewer students as well recently. It's an up and down cycle and this is a "dip in the road."

That's it for now.
Knit on!

The Few, The Proud...

2008-05-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

May 5, 2008:
He volunteered. He wants to serve his country. He believes in protecting us. I couldn't be prouder of him.

It was tough to see him off Monday, but I'm so excited for him. He called briefly today to say he got to boot camp. His dad says he sounded matter of fact.

There's Crafting After Work today here and I'll go for awhile. I brought my spinning wheel but no roving to spin. My mind is swiss cheese this week.

I'll be better for having heard that Joel called.

More soon.

Second Socks Done

2008-03-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

This pair of socks seemed to fly off my needles. Only about three weeks instead of months. Does stitch count and ease of knitting the pattern account for the speed of this pair? These are somewhat smaller and closer to the pattern size.
Possibly it stems from learning so much about turning the heel and gusset that made these go so quickly.
I don't know what, really. I just know I got them done really fast -for me.
Yay!

Hat - go figure?

2008-02-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

This morning's Lime 'n Violet had a Chain Letters column about the "go figure" objects in your life. Dawn's is a hat that any one of us, had we made it, would think, "that thing?!" I have one too. I made this hat for my daughter YEARS ago -11years or more- and I wash and dry it in the machine whenever. It's not my favorite -it's made from Jiffy for goodness sake. It used to be fuzzy -not any more.
I get compliments on it all the time. No, DD never wore it -way too big. So I wear it all winter and this year "lined" it with an eye-watering neon orange (safety orange) hat and my alpaca Panta headband. I know I look like a doofus, but my ears are warm.
The pink variegated hat in the pic below is the one I'm talking about. This picture is several years old. The hat looks rattier now. LOL

A Snowy Day - again

2008-02-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

Today is cold, snowy, and I'm SO ready for spring. I 'd like to see more snow in the city, but I doubt we'll get that much. So Let's get on with Spring!!

I posted on the group about this book I ordered. You'll see why from the cover.
Here's the link:

http://www.bargainyarns.com/yarn/Imperfect_Books-Basic_Knit-3829.html

See what you think and let me know.

I finished the first pair of alpaca and silk socks.

Cuff Detail

The cuff detail picture is closer to the true color of the socks - a creamy white. They are going to be so warm. Just perfect for the recipient.
More later.
Knit on!

I love this site. It's always good for a laugh.

2008-01-25T12:36:00.000-08:00

moar funny pictures

Socks Update and Learning Curve

2008-01-23T13:50:00.000-08:00

Diagonal Rib Socks in Paradise Fibers 50-50 silk & alpaca.

I have the heels on the first pair of socks turned and I'm starting the home stretch. These socks are for a friend.
I have learned so much doing them. I had to figure out more than I bargained for:
the pattern is for an average women's foot and the socks have to be larger than that. I've done More MATH this last week than I've done in a year. When I do the next pair I'll have the notes to make it easier.
I had the heels turned the week before last, actually. I had one of my knitting group whose feet are close to the same size, try them on for reference. OMG! They were too big. I had to frog about 2 1/2" and do them over. That set me back yet another week.
Something else happened with them this morning. See, I"m doing these toe-up. If you google the pattern it's cuff down. So I'm to a place where I can knit in pattern all the way around the leg. No the stitch count is off. I'll fiddle with it tonight and that's all the time I'll take. Other than that, it'll be ribbing around the back and pattern on the front where it shows.
Deadlines in knitting: I need to NOT give them. I really have learned about myself -I don't do knitting deadlines well. Even the most interesting pattern gets boring to me after awhile. I need the leeway to put one project down and work on another one.
I am definitely a process knitter -not a project knitter. That's not to say I don't finish anything - I do. I can see that when I gather FO's to show my classes.But WIP's are much more likely to be lying around my apartment waiting to be worked on for a bit.

My classes start this Saturday. I got all the supplies in and will put them together tonight. I put together "kits" for each new knitter. That way everyone had the same start and doesn't Have to spend anything extra till they're ready. They also don't start out with Homespun or fun fur or black yarn -my personal 3 big challenges. :-)
So that's it for now.
Check me out on Ravelry -I'm just getting started on putting up my stuff.
Thanks, you know who you are, for finding me and adding me to your friends list. I added you to mine today.
More soon.
Happy Knitting.

Rug details - crummy photos

2008-01-08T06:52:00.001-08:00

Boy, I can't take pics inside anymore -they're getting worse, not better. Sorry, but it does show the detail for the waffle stitch. I made this one from light and dark sage Red Heart yarn held together. The edging is rows of each color to frame the body of the rug.
The picture below accented by 2 of 3 cats, is to show the general size. Big enough, but not So big it will be hard to find a place to put it. About 3ft x 2.
This rug and the triangle in the last post are the same stitch.

2008 Resolutions and FO's from Christmas

2008-01-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

Repeated from my comment to Lime'nViolet's Daily Chum today:

"Happy New Year! Knitting Resolutions -
1 - Organize my stash more: I teach5 classes per semester, spin, and knit with several groups. I start out well organized until my classes start and then yarn and patterns and stuff end up everywhere. I work full-time and teach knitting and crochet on Saturdays, socks on Wednesday nights. I have 2 closets in my room and one is more than full of fibery stuff. Some of my stash is more than 10 years old! Time to knit or give it away.
2- Finish some of my 12+ UFO's. That rug yarn scarf from the 70's (gasp!!!) needs to be finished and worn or begone.
3- Teach at least one workshop for a conference, fiber festival, or "event" in the US this year.
4- Save up for a Robin wheel.
5- Start planning and saving to attend Stitches West, Estes Park, and or Rheinebeck in 2009.
6- Get my Ravelry space up and running. Addendum: January 17th, 2008, I got my Ravelry account going. Yay! My name is JeannieF so look for me. Hooray!
That's enough for now. (Oh, my gosh...)
;0)
Oops -one more:
Knit up the 12 pairs of socks I have waiting in the sock yarn stash. "

So here's one of the rugs I made over the holiday season. It's crocheted in a waffle stitch. What a great stitch. I taught myself to crochet with a pattern 25+ years ago using that stitch. It's just double crochet and post double crochet. That's it. It looks so complex but it's soooo easy. I redesigned the shape of the rug this time, a triangular shape instead of rectangular, and left off the fringe. I rushed the photos so you can't see then detail very well - sorry. I have another one coming up in the next post or so that will be better.
It went to my boss who lay it beside his bed so he has something "cushy" under his feet while he puts his shoes on in the morning.
He said he took the rug home, put it by the bed and it's just right. He went in the other room and when he came in to do something later, his daughter's little wiener (sp?) dog was lying on his back on the rug! 'Guess he'll have to share it now.

I have two scarves I'm crocheting but thy're not ready to photograph quite yet.

Oh, man! I just realized I said nothing in my resolutions about crocheted UFO's etc.
I think the same thoughts and intentions can apply. I must say as I think on it I only have 3 crochet UFO's. A hat with a boyfriend curse, a wrap that I probably will frog ('cause it ain't that cute), and the last of 3 rugs I made for Christmas.

My spinning resolutions -ah, yes - spin all of my roving up and work on plying, more even singles, and spinning sock yarn.

Ok - I'm done for today. I'm tired just reading these resolutions. Ha, ha.

Happy New Year and HAPPY KNITTING everyone.