Friday, February 22, 2013

Fiber Everywhere

As you all know, next Friday commences the National/International Crochet Month, and I'm in the middle of getting ready for a few crochet-alongs I'll be hosting on Ravelry.

I've been preparing for a crochet shawl JAL by choosing patterns and fiber. The patterns are from the three crochet designers who sponsor the shawl group I co-moderate. I'm working from stash, and in the process of making my choices I feel like there's fiber everywhere at the moment - yarn completely covers my coffee table, there's more on the dining table and still more in a few more corners I hadn't anticipated could actually hold any fiber. Nevertheless, I'm happy with the results:



The mohair above is going to become a Snowdrop Shawl;


This is going to be used for my Shell Script wrap; and


Last, but not least, this plate o' goodness is going to be my very own Le Bouquet Stole (about time I make my own design for me!).

I've thus far swatched for two of these. The mohair choices for my version of the Snowdrop is probably the farthest out of my comfort zone - not because it's mohair (you know I love mohair), but because of the color combo. Ice blue isn't usually in my color repertoire, so we'll see how it turns out.

There's still time to vote for a favorite pattern of mine to make along with others in March. There's a mix of paid and free patterns, so definitely head on over and make your selection. At the beginning of next week, I'll announce a winning pattern.

And, in the middle of all the above, I managed to complete another project for publication later this year (which also had a ton of yarn strewn in various places in my space). I haz been yarny busy.

Now head on over to Wisdom Begins in Wonder and see what other fibers plates everyone is dishing up.

Friday, February 15, 2013

A Little Handspun ... and the annual Int/NatCroMo is Coming



So I had a little swap with my friend Nicole over at The Knitty Gritty of Hooking Around in my Ravelry group. My package to her is still in transit, but I received my goodies from her late Monday afternoon. I am super thrilled with this wonderful handspun she sent along:


In the photo on the right is the Corriedale worsted weight; to the left is its' fingering weight brother (150 yards worth). Nicole's spinning has really come along nicely in the last year, and I'm so delighted that she thought me worthy enough to gift me two of her precious skeins. Considering the fact that she also has two little ones romping around at home (one still in diapers), I'm doubly impressed.

In case you weren't aware, March is officially designated National/International Crochet Month. It's always a busy month for me, as I host group a-longs to commemorate the celebration. March 2013 is no different: in my Ravelry group I've started a poll to see which pattern people might be interested in making; in the 12 Shawls Forever Group I'm co-hosting a crochet shawl JAL. In both groups everyone who completes a crochet project and posts a photo of their completed object will receive a free pattern coupon (and the details can be found in each respective group). Sooooo ... if you're itching for some crochet project company, check out either of these a-longs and do feel free to join the annual March hooking party.


Now definitely head on over to Andrea at Wisdom Begins in Wonder and see what other amazing fiber everyone is working with this Fiber Arts Friday. And if you're in the U.S., have a great holiday weekend!