Jewel's Purls

At The Wheel

I haven't been blogging or knitting much lately because I've been spending a lot of time at the spinning wheel.  I tend to spin in spurts, but lately I've been getting some really even bobbins of singles and near perfect balanced hanks of yarn.   So, I've been enjoying this.  A lot. 

Here is some yellow-gold/green yarn that is Merino roving from AllSpunUp.  She does up some really nice colors.  Here is the final result:

I'm not sure what I'll do with it.  I've been thinking of accumulating yarn in similar shades and making a striped sweater or  Tomten jacket.  Not sure yet.

I also spun some lovely Merino in the colorway "Autumn Joy" that i got from Exclusively Linda Lee.

Again, I'm not sure what do with this.  I suppose once I've accumulated a lot of different colors something will come to me, but for right now all I can think of are hats, scarves, and mittens.  Anyone else have any suggestions on what do with bits of 200 yards of handspun???

Kilkenny, Stash Augmentation, and a Prize!

I have to start this post with one of the most wonderful things that has happened to me in a long time.  I won a Rainey Sisters Mug!  Woo hoo!  I entered their anniversary contest and submitted my most disastrous knitting story.  It's too painful to go into detail again but you can read all about it here.  My morning coffee definitely tastes better in a Rainey Sisters mug.  Thanks, Susan and Sally!

The Rainey Sisters are just so cute.  Look at Susan's Kauni cardigan.  This weekend it was in the 80s and I can't fathom wearing wool right now.

Okay.  Knitting content.  I've been merrily knitting away on Kilkenny.  I've finished the front and back and am doing the sleeves together at the same time.  I like knowing that when they're done Kilkenny is just about finished.  It seems to take forever to do them, but I know they'll be identical. 

There has been much stash enhancing going on in the last few months.  I hold Lorraine mostly to blame.  Her birthday was last week and in honor of her birthday I purchased more yarn.  I think it was a wonderful tribute to such a dear friend, don't you?

Here is the latest from The Woolen Rabbit:

From left to right:  Scarlett Devil lace, Scarlett Devil sock, Calendula Sock, and Tequila Sunrise sock.   Scrumptious. 

And here is the latest from White Willow:

From left to right:  3 hanks of Snowflake lace, Sandstone rose sock, and Spot sock yarn.

That's about it for now.   A quick drive by blog post is better than nothing, no?

The Singing Trio

I found the most adorable piece of art on Esty that needed to live in my home.   The photographer calls it Sheep with Backup Singers and it's simply adorable.

Equally cute and at some point will be hanging next to the singing trio is this little cutie.  Doesn't it look like he's smiling???

The artist is Allison Trentelman.  Her website is www.naturemandalas.com or her Etsy shop is www.naturemandalas.etsy.com.   Go there.  You undoubtedly will find something that makes you say, "Awwww!"

I’m Busy Excel-ing

I bought one skein of yarn that I just could not resist.  I was thoroughly twitterpated, verklempt, smitten, besotted, love-struck, head-over-heals-in-love with this yarn.   It is from White Willow, and it's some sock yarn called Coalminer's Daughter.   First of all, the yarn is incredibly soft but the real killer?  She includes a little stitch marker and a lavender sachet.  So, when I opened it, felt it's softness, and smelled the lavender scent, my leg was twitching like Thumper.   Did I mention it was pink?

Anyhoo - I've been busy working on my promise to myself to go through my stash.  I have been doing just that.  Yessiree - I've been cataloging the yarn I want to keep and putting yarn in a box that I plan to give away.  So far, I haven't come across any yarn that I feel is worthwhile selling, although I've barely scraped the surface of my woolly stockpile.  Excel is my friend.  We're going to be spending a lot of time together.    How are your resolutions coming along?

About Time

So, I started Luskentyre earlier this year drawn to its pinkness.  And then it decided to go on vacation while I did other things.  Luskentyre finally got a body and all that's left are the sleeves.  I'm really happy with how this has turned out.

I may have been buying some gorgeous sock and lace yarn on Etsy.  Since I believe that shipping multiple things in one shipment saves on the postage and packaging, I may have bought these:

Autumn Oak Sock Yarn

Desert Rose Lace Yarn

  A SophistiCat Bag because Meems is very elegant and sophisticated. 

This is a quick post.  We've been sick with colds chez Purls and tomorrow it's back to work day.