I took a journey this past weekend and of course it involved yarn shops! But that was not my main purpose although it was a delightful part of the weekend! I ventured on my own........yes ......did I say I was by myself? No children......not a single one and let me tell you that I can not remember being alone for more then a day in a very long time. And it was odd and yes.....I talked to myself and  missed home and all my little ones but it was also lovely and I was not always alone because I had headed north to visit with my oldest daughter who is on an internship in Canada.

I left Thursday for the 7 hour drive and got through a good part of the second book in the Outlander series. It made the time fly by and I enjoyed the ride. Thanks to Holley at English Girl Canadian Man who I found a few weeks ago right here on the Yarn Along I had some yarn shops to visit and a few sites I wanted to see.  Hand knit Yarn Studio was a cute little shop with beautiful yarns in Hamilton where I picked up a skein of indigo dragonfly yarn in the colorway Tickle Fog......sooo fun!

 I hiked Bruce trail and saw Albion water fall in Hamilton

 I also walked along the Water trail in Burlington which was lovely


 We headed into Toronto on Saturday and visited the Toronto Textile Museum which had an education room filled with all types of looms and drop spindles. Then we also visited the ROM. My daughter Emily and I also visited Spun Fibre in Burlington and we really enjoyed their selection of yarns and fiber. I picked up some Malabrigo nube fiber in the colorway poison and also some Regia sock yarn.


 While in Canada I finished my simple toe up SKYP socks and I was happy to get them off the needles. I immediately cast on for a pair of tube socks for Hannah Grace who is growing so fast I think that is all I will be making her for a while so they fit longer. We have been reading nothing but this adorable book I picked up at the Textile Museum. It's called Feeding the Sheep by Leda Schubert and is about a little girl following her mom and learning all about wool from the sheep to the sweater. So sweet and the illustrations are lovely. Perfect for us moms that love fiber!! 


And of course a few photos from this proud Mom of my girl doing what she loves! She has been in Canada for over a year now but only has 2 more months and then she will be home. For a time before she heads off again.  Here she is riding the horse she has been training.




Well my post had a lot more then yarn and reading but

Joining Ginny over at Small Things for the weekly yarn along. My needles were flying this week and I have finished my Pebble Beach Shawlette.This shawl was a dream to knit and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a light and airy shawl that has an easy to memorize pattern but is interesting enough to keep you going. And did I mention it is a fast knit!!








I used Sunrise Fiber Co. classic sock in a beautiful gradient set of mini skeins in the colorway Escape. It is an indie dyer shop on etsy and I am finding myself heading to etsy more and  more to find amazing yarns in these indie dyer shops. I also found a neat little blog that searches out those little shops and let's you know about them and the treasures you will find there. It's called Indie Untangled and I am really enjoying finding new little shops to explore. Check it out!

I also cast on for a pair of Simple SKYP socks. Toe up and 2 at a time and I just turned the heels so they are going fast. I think I am a big fan of toe up 2 at a time it just seems to be working for me!

I actually do have reading to share this week! I had to see what all the hype was about  with everyone chatting it up and having KAL's all about The Outlander Series. So I decided to download it on Audible and it has been my knitting reading or should I say listening all week. I really want to get the first book done before I see the first show. I'm about half way through and am really enjoying it. I can not remember the last time I read a book just for pleasure. I'm usually reading something for homeschooling or parenting or Christianity. I think part of the reason I am enjoying it so much is the narrator is English and she is wonderful to listen too! It's a great book especially if you love historical fiction.

It is a rainy day here today and so I am going to grab my tea and my knitting and while the kids play board games I will set off around the yarn along links to see what everyone else is up to. Happy knitting!

The past week I have been recovering from the Tour de Fleece and was able to pick up my knitting needles again. I finally finished my Jaywalker socks and immediately cast on another pair of socks. I grabbed one of my Tour de Fleece finished skeins .....a 3 ply in BFL. They just about flew off my needles! I took them everywhere including the lake.  I knit them 2 at a time and toe up. I did a simple vanilla sock with a fleegle heel and since I knit from both ends of the ball the colors are fun and don't line up and I am ok with that! These are going to be my most favorite socks.....they fit perfectly and are so warm and squishy......it's socky love!!
 

Ravelry notes here

I also cast on for a new thing......About  month ago I picked up some adorable mini skeins in a gradient from Sunrise Fiber Co. they are  beautiful shades of blue. I happened upon the Pebble beach Shawlette the other day and knew it would be perfect for this yarn.
 

Ravely notes here

 This month at my spinning guild meeting one of the members taught a workshop on Kumihimo bracelets which is a form of Japanese braiding. It was so fun and I came home and taught some of my kids to make them. They are now braiding up bracelets like crazy and having a blast. I used embroidery floss for my daughters but my boys are using cotton yarn and they are coming out great. There are many sites on the internet to learn how to do this and get supplies. I can see myself using up bits of leftover sock yarn to make more.


I'm deciding what audio book to listen to next....I'm sure I will find some great ideas as I go through todays links on the Yarn Along! Happy Knitting!!

Hi there......can you believe it is the middle of July already? This summer is flying by! This post is going to be more about making yarn then actually knitting with it! I do have a few projects on the needles that I am trying to finish up but this past month has been all about my spinning. I've been participating in Tour de Fleece on Ravelry and it's all about spinning while the Tour de France is pedaling! So we are in our last week and i am really happy with all that I have accomplished so far!

One thing I did challenge myself to do was to finish a spin on my support spindle. And I am very happy to say that this week I did just that! I started with this beautiful Hicaya Alpaca and merino silk blend and ended up with this very fine lace weight yarn......I spun the singles on my support spindle and then plied them on my wheel. My daughter has already claimed this for a shawl project she wants to do.




And here are a few other skeins that I have finished so far.........




I have been having so much fun during this tour in the teams that I am on......if you are a spinner you should join in on next years tour it really pushes you to get spinning!! I'm sure I will be back to more knitting next week and I will show you the sweater that I just cast on for! Because really it will be sweater wearing time again before we know it!!

It has been a busy week........very full of fun and of course a little bit of knitting and spinning!



I cast on for something new yesterday! I have been wanting to start Haligarth ever since I first saw it on Ravelry. I am using some alpaca fingering in a warm cozy brown. After casting on and getting about 20 rows in I was not happy with the very loose yarn overs and so I ripped back and started again but knitting through the back loops of the yarn overs this time. I am much happier with the fabric now and I know once it is blocked those yarn overs will bloom beautifully!

I also cast off and had a photo shoot of this great sweater! It's a test knit for Sezza Knits and it's called Umberto. You can read my blog post all about it here.



I am also gearing up for the Tour de Fleece!!! It starts this weekend! I will be spinning for 3 teams and I hope to get alot of fiber spun up! Here is my pile of yummy fibers that I will be diving into!!


I am still knitting away on my Jaywalker socks......they are a great project to take to the lake where we go to hang out and cool off! Here is my view as I relax and watch the kids........



Summer is in full swing and we are getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July on Friday! Barbeque's swimming and poolside knitting are definitely in my future! Happy knitting everyone!!!


Joining Ginny over at small things for the weekly yarn along......here

Who knew that knitting for this boy could be so much fun....who knew how much he would not only enjoy the knit but the numerous photos mama wanted to take so she could show everyone that knit.

I love it when a project totally comes together and to top it off the person it's for is just as excited as you are  about it!!!

I jumped into this test knit for a boys sweater  Umberto by Sezza Knits. I already have a few of her patterns and have enjoyed the ones I've knit. It's a boys sweater with a nice cable detail on the front. It's also bottom up and has short row sleeves. I have never done short row sleeves but was able to easily follow the instructions in the pattern. I used Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leiceister in a DK weight. The pattern will not be released for a few more weeks but look for it as it is a fun and great looking knit!

I guess my boys are feeling left out of my knitting lately as they were fighting over who I was knitting the sweater for. There might be a few more Umberto Sweaters in my future.

Christopher is thrilled with his new sweater! After blocking it has a tiny bit of room for growth and since he is growing like a weed I am happy with that. The photo shoot was a blast and he totally worked the camera.... who knew he was model material!







So happy with the way this sweater turned out......now what to cast on  next??

I am here and as usual my resolve to blog more was an epic fail this past month. Oh well what can I say......I am here today and can't wait to share what's on my needles!
I did blog last week about my hand spun shawl project that I just completed! Please look here to see all about it. Yes I may be bragging a little but it really is my favorite project ever!

I also started another pair of socks last week. It's the Jaywalker pattern and they have been a fun knit. I am almost done with one and then will cast on for the other. I'm using a funky opal yarn...my first time using it and it's so fun to see how it knits up.



I got in on a test knit for a boys sweater so that was cast on last week as well and I'm using Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester. I am loving this yarn....very soft and squishy! I am also loving the pattern, it's a Sezza Knits pattern and is very well written. My boys are excited that I am finally knitting something for them!



I have also been gearing up for Tour de Fleece. I spun up this nice skein of BFL in the colorway Beach ball from Three Waters Farm.


 I have also pulled out my support spindle and I've been working on Storm Cloud a huacaya alpaca, merino and silk blend from The Painted Tiger. It's like spinning a cloud and I am really enjoying it.


I am loving Audible and just downloaded a devotional book by Timothy Keller called Galatians for you. It takes you verse by verse through the book of Galatians.
I looking forward to jumping into the Yarn Along and seeing what everyone is up too!! Happy Knitting!!