My Easter contribution

It's been ages since I've posted, I was lost for a time and couldn't post anything. Blogspot confuses me sometimes.

This is my Easter contribution. He is crocheted from sugar and cream dishcloth cotton, and his name is Clyde. I designed him myself. He has no facial features, I just couldn't decide, maybe at another time.

I love Clyde's friendly chickens, especially the yellow one, who, if you push down on her, her wings fly up, and she squeezes a bubblegum egg from her bottom. Cute huh?

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter holiday.

Green Inchies, Dog Hair, and Crocheting

A busy crafting weekend for me. The weather has been very snowy and cold, so what better way to spend a weekend? I joined a "green inchies swap", where you have to make 1" x 1" mixed media squares, in green in honor of St. Patrick's Day. I made 114!!!! Even tho' they are small, that's alot!!

A friend I met on a group I belong to, swapped some chiengora, for llama fleece. It is from her huskies and malamutes. I washed it up and mixed it with some wool, and it is spinning up beautifully. Looks like angora to me. Very soft!

Crocheted 3 dischloths in a different pattern than I have tried before, very easy. And found a really cute pattern for a headband of crocheted shells. I also made up a few bookmarks in cotton.

One more crochet project I tried that I haven't done before, I crocheted wire and bead jewelry. I have lots of beads, and and bought a wire sampler last summer at a flea market, so it worked out prefectly. I think turned out rather nice. I'll have to try other colors too.

I have been recycling a 100% white wool sweater from the thrift store that I got in the bargain bin for 25cents. There's a "ton" of yarn in it. I'm going to try some new dyeing techniques when it is all unravelled and skeined. Can't wait.

Guess I should call this blog "shaylacanknitcrochetspin"!

SP10 Questions

SP10 QUESTIONS

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Any soft natural fibers, wool, cotton, bamboo, silk, llama, alpaca, exotic fibers. The only yarns I don't like are scratchy ones, whether they are natural or acrylic.


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a fun needle holder that looks like a large tube with a cover, but most of my needles are in jars on my desk, or being used in projects.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I've been knitting and crocheting since 2nd grade. I have been knitting and crocheting off and on ever since. I learned from a neighbor, because I wanted to knit clothes for my Barbie.


Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? intermediate

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? amazon


5. What's your favorite scent? musky, spicy, patchouli mixes, citrus.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? of course Favorite candy? tootsie roll pops, any lollipop candy, and dark chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I love spinning. Knit, crochet, knifty knitter looms, drawing, reading, rubberstamp, journaling, ATC's, altered books, collage, watercolor painting,

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like the "top 40" type music, alternative, blues, jazz, classic rock

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I love color, the brighter the better. Pinks, lime greens, jewel tones are nice too. Don't care for pastels.



10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I live with bf and 14 housecats. All rescues. They are my babies, and I love them dearly. My daughter is grown and lives in Anaheim California.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? all

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? socks, dishcloths

13. What are you knitting right now? socks, dishcloths for St Patrick's Day

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I love handmade gifts


15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I prefer straight, my socks are all on 4 dpns, any kind, bamboo, aluminum or plastic is fine. Of course, rosewood needles are wonderful.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? no, but I would love a yarn winder.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? about 9 months

18. What is your favorite holiday? halloween

19. Is there anything that you collect? teapots, vintage jewelry, drawing pens

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?no subscriptions, I just purchase magazines as I see them. I'm always interested in knitting, crocheting, drawing books. I'd love to have the knitted and felted hedgehog pattern.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I'm always open to new techniques and crafts of any kind, but I'm not interested in sewing at all.

22. Are you a sock knitter? YES~!!! What are your foot measurements? I wear a childrens size 4 shoe and a womens size 5.

23. When is your birthday? September

CROCHETED SOCKS?

The weather outside is frightful, and the socks are so delightful.....don't know the rest of the words or I'd go on. The temperature here this morning was -18. The high so far is -6. That's a high????? Tonight's low is suppose to be -23. I can hardly wait!

The car was not the least bit interested in starting this morning, plugged in or not, so I got to have a holiday from work. That means free knitting day! Or in this case crocheting. I love knitting socks, and saw a book about crocheted socks. I was going to buy it and then I thought why not just wing it. How hard can it be to make a tube, leave a space, make another tube, fill in the heel space, and viola! a sock. This is what I came up with. They fit perfectly and I love the color. The yarn was from a hat and scarf set I picked up at a thrift store for $1.99. And it's wool to boot!! What more can you ask? There is lots of it left so I can KNIT a pair of socks from it too.

The second sock is calling my name, so I better get at it.

YFC Questions

What type of yarn do you knit with most often? wool, natural fibers, worsted weight, sock weight

Is there any type of yarn that you would love to try but haven't yet, such as bamboo, banana fiber (seriously they make it - although I've yet to see it in person). cashmerino, camel, yak, bamboo, soy silk

In your opinion what is a luxury yarn? Cashmere, or any unusual handspun fiber

Is there any type of yarn or fiber content you dislike or would prefer not to receive? I like it all as long as it's not scratchy

What type of garments do you most often knit? socks (do they count as a garment?) and shawls. A few baby sweaters.


What types of knitting books do you enjoy? Ones full of creative ideas. I like the ones with inspirational stories too.

What is a color you like but rarely or never buy yourself? I love all colors, the brighter the better, no browns, or black.

If you were pregnant and had to name your baby a fiber, what would her/his name be? Cria

Do you spin? yes

What is one fiber you've never spun? cashmere, camel , yak, bamboo (I know, that's more than one)

If someone in your family or a best friend had to describe you in one word, what would it be? creative

Please tell us one odd thing about you. I can't stand anyone touching my neck

What was your favorite cartoon when you were little. Roadrunner, still is a favorite

Do you have animals? If so, please name them and tell us a little about them. Oh my, I have 14 cats, all in the house, they are all rescues. I have this sign flashing above my house that says "sucker" and all the strays seem to gravitate to it, because they know I will give them love and a good home. I am a dog person too. but had to put my 14 year old german shepherd to sleep last year because of bone cancer. I miss him.

And last but not least, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? California, my daughter lives there and I could be near her.

I'M STILL ALIVE AND KNITTING

Contrary to popular belief, I am still alive and knitting (among other things). Got new glasses yesterday. That was fun. (ack) Picked the best of the worst, and I guess they are actually cute. They are RED metal frames. Kind of squarish. People who see me will not say, "oh, you got glasses." They will say, "WOW! what cute glasses!!" They have personality that's for sure!

See my new little friend? Isn't she cute? I picked her up on ebay. I haven't spun on her yet, maybe this weekend. I have tons of fleece, and bought some more bumps from Leighton Farms (again ebay) and can't wait to start!

An update on my friend who is in a coma. Things are about the same, slight improvement. He is on the therapy floor now, and they are working with him 3 hours a day. The best therapist of all? A spaniel who has worked with with hospital for 11 years. Yes, a dog! Wonderful isn't it? Animals have that special power, and I think if anything helps it will be his kids, and that dog. We pray and hope for the best.

MY SOCKRET PAL STRIKES AGAIN!!!!

Look at the beautiful stuff my sockret pal sent!! I love everything!! Snacks, yarn, origami paper, candy....what a lucky girl I am!!!!

I haven't posted in awhile, sorry, have been busy with work, holidays, and also some sad news. A very dear friend of mine was in a horrific car accident and is in a coma. It happened last weekend, and he is making baby steps in getting better, but we still aren't sure what will happen, if he will ever wake up, and if he does, what he will be. We just pray things will be ok.