I finished some more things - so want to post while I remember to. First off, the Owl Hat for DGD#2... This went really quickly - except sewing 36 buttons on. It's cute and she loves pink and purple and birds... so I have 2 of 3.
Then with empty needles I decided I wanted something for me. My feet have been cold - so socks...Hermione's Everyday socks by Erica Lueder. I downloaded the pattern from Ravelry and here is my progress this week:
Unfortunately the greens that are in this have disappeared and turned to blues. And I've misplaced the label so I'm not sure who the yarn is from. Bummer.
I don't really like doing top-down socks. I'm always afraid I will run short of yarn before I get to the toes. The only solution is back to the leg part and make it shorter then do the heel flap, turn, gusset and all that again. Working a toe-up sock - well if you run short, the leg is shorter - no ripping. I like the texture of this sock so may do the pattern again - but will go toe-up.
Last, spinning.
First there was one... well I'm now at two down and one to go:
Now to start bobbin number 3 then re-wind and make a 3-ply yarn - for socks if the yardage is enough. I've been reading and re-winding the yarn back to another bobbin evens out the twist. I can get rid of the little twisty bits sticking up which can hose up the plying.
On a final front, I have wanted to get some bread going. One that needed you to start one day and finish the next. I groveled a bit and got a recipe for Ciabatta from Mark at The Back Home Bakery. I started the Poolish last night and got up early today - just to see if it worked. It looked just like the picture I saw. Then I measured out the main bread ingredients today, mixed and folded and let it rise. More folds and risings. Cut into four, rose again and baked. Voila!
Oh this is good - exactly what I wanted and tastes even better than I thought it would. All I have to do is work on the shaping a bit - and not have to rescue baking sheets from the freezer. So when these are cool, the 3 above will be wrapped and frozen - we can enjoy maybe 1 per week? At least that is the plan until himself gets a taste...
Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving to all in the U.S.
Let's see if I can manage to update monthly and improve from there.
I finished some socks.. and some others with photos not taken yet. I started a hat for another Christmas present. Have about 3 hours more work and the knitting is done. Then I have to buy and attach a bunch of buttons.
Next task will be 2 more handknit gifts and some thoughts for gifts for other family members.
I've also been spinning... This is some superfine merino and I'm almost 2/3rds done with the first 4-oz braid. This will be a three-ply yarn suitable for socks I hope.
I also have been using and trying to learn to use a supported spindle - Russian style. The fiber is a merino wool/alpaca blend. I'm learning but it is going slowly. I'll try to get some better photos next time around.
The last entry is probably the most awesome to me. Cheekwood Botanical Gardens has had an exhibition of the glasswork of Dale Chihuly. The gardens were open both day and evening hours. So I got to see these:
This was truly a spectacular show. Yesterday was the last day but the memories and photos I have will live with me always. For those with a lot of time on their hands, check out the artist's website here. At the bottom are links to see exhibitions, installations and schedules of what will be where. Trivia - the ceiling in the lobby of the Bellagio in Los Vegas was done by Chihuly.
The last photo is showing what we've been finishing up now. The killing frost has hit and we have finally put up the last of our peppers. These are mostly mini-bells - the gold and orange ones with a few others included as well:
So until next time, Enjoy
