And for my next trick...

Two posts in one week.  Then I will probably disappear for a month, but who knows?

I live in an apartment in a sort of historic building.  There's been a ton of work on the place, as it had fallen into serious disrepair over the years.  The last two HUGE projects involve recreating three porches: the main front porch, with a nice little porch on top of it for me (if I want to climb out the window), and a fairly large side porch, again with a second-level porch that attaches to my apartment.  I decided today I'm really looking forward to the side porch.  I access it through French doors, much easier, and I think I'll be able to sit on it in my nightgown.  I like to be outside, but I don't always want to interact with the other seven apartment dwellers on the backyard patios.  I like alternatives.

I mentioned in my previous post that I really need a small, mindless project to work on, and I think I found it.  I had started the Tuxedo Top from a last-year's IK last fall, and didn't get too far.  Right now it's just back-and-forth stockinette and the occasional decrease.  I think I can do it.  By the time I have to do the front plackets and some lacy bits, I should be back on my stride. Though I must admit, the bright orange Trekking XXL is calling my name, for its color alone.  Socks now?  Hmm.  Not sure.  I usually do have a pair going, since they're so easy to transport.  Maybe if I leave the yarn on the table tonight, it will speak to me by morning.

(I'm lucky to have a cat mostly uninterested in yarn, believe it or not.  Mitzie doesn't like tuna water or other people food either, and best of all, doesn't like wet cat food!)

Uh oh, I've been spotted!

FiberFollies said she was going to come on over and check out zee blog, so perhaps I should put up a new post.

Not that I have anything to say that anyone else wants to hear.  It has been a little less than jocular around here lately, with not an awful lot of fiber-related activity going on.  I think if I tried knitting or weaving it would be SO VERY TIGHT I'd end up frogging it anyway.  So tonight I watched a Hammy Hamster DVD instead.  That's the complexity level I can handle right now. Never heard of Hammy?  I believe it's a Canadian production; we used to watch it as kids, since we could pick up the CBC from Toronto, even in my dinky little hometown.  Think small rodents and RC vehicles.  And very simple plot lines.  Very simple.

Hopefully in the next few days, things will perk up some.  I do feel the need to start a new project, but it needs to be just right.  Thought it was going to be a Debbie Bliss lacy cardigan thing, but it's taking way more mental prowess than I can give it.  Spinning might be the trick instead.  Productive, yet less taxing.  Perhaps even meditative, and I could sure use some of that.

Have you seen me anywhere?

Hmmm, must be I can only blog in the wee small hours of the morning? Maybe I should try when I'm more awake. I'm sure I would be more irresistible that way.

Obligatory Why I'm Doing This Statement: I knit. I spin. I weave. I teach. But what seems to turn my crank is writing. It comes in fits and starts. I couldn't tell you right now if there will be an overwhelming fiber theme here. It's likely. But I like to ruminate on other stuff too. So don't be surprised by anything that comes out my virtual mouth. It'll be mostly clean, at least.

Just so you know, if you're a fibery kind of person: I am unabashedly a natural-animal-fibers gal (I count silk in here, though I know the structure is different). Nylon and acrylic and lycra have their places. Cottons, linens, and the newer plant fibers are good, but not always my favorite (though I think Wick is tres cool). If I knit with all-acrylic, it had better be GOOD acrylic.

And to get it out of the way: I prefer wood and bamboo to metal needles (in many, but not all situations), circs to straights (usually), and am most likely to knit sweaters, socks, hats, mittens. Not a dishcloth kind of gal. Not much into novelty knitting, though some of those cupcakes knocking around are awful cute. Prefer texture knitting to colourwork. Can knit left-handed and right-handed for stranded work, but usually throw with the right hand. And I'm pretty fast for a thrower.

My wheel is a Jensen Tina II I bought used from a friend. People looking for a wheel for the first time, get the best one you can afford. I will never tire of Tina, and she is rock-solid and easy to spin on.

I weave on an Ashford 20" (I think) Knitter's Loom. It's the newest addition. I'd love to have a floor loom, like a Baby Wolf, but then I would have to sell the sofa. Don't think for a moment that I haven't considered it! My apartment is too small to have much company over anyway, so why not?

I've dabbled in natural dyeing too. I quite enjoyed it...I love the element of surprise. But I need to work out a better yarn supply system, and I think when it warms up, my attic will become the drying room instead of my too-tiny kitchen. More to come there.

And yeah, I crochet. Learned it long before I knit.

Don't hold it against me. :-)

This is what happens when you can't sleep.

I already had the gmail account.

It's 1:07 AM, EDST.

I have a blog now.

Hmmm. Coincidence? I think not.