Nuclear Knits: Where knitting is the bomb!

I've been in a bit of a funk. Trying to finish up projects. KAL's on the needles always make me feel like I HAVE to work on them. Patterns and books and projects just not calling to me - until now. Yesterday the Fall Interweave magazine arrived. There are a number of patterns that not only beckon but demand to be knit. I now need to spend some time this weekend getting everything in my stash sorted to work on them. I washed the "ice cream" spun yarn. It is still damp (the weather here is just not cooperating). It is sportish weight - if not a tiny bit bigger in sections (now that I take a harder look). I'm totally interested to spin up the other 4 oz to see how my work varies. I've decided to make a hat for my self out of it and the only question is - what pattern? I've seen a couple that I like ... but I'm still digging for the perfect project.

I finished spinning the other 2 oz of the Neapolitan yarn last night. I even got around to plying it. And ... I hate it. The ply looks messy to me and not tight enough is spots and the brown on pink looks - funky. I'm going to have to talk with Anne about methods. I'm a bit depressed about it. I still have to wash it (maybe this will help??).

I had a goal last night to get another 2 oz done of the Neapolitan. I probably got 1 oz done. I'm just amazed at how much is in a 4 oz bag. I think I'm going to have to double check it. I spun for over an hour last night and there was no way in hell I was getting 2 oz done. Goals - totally over rated!

I've decided to use the sausage approach to my red tank and butterfly pullover (working on them little bits at a time to get through them). They are both just knit for inches - which is sometimes really hard for me to focus on. As for the sock KAL that is on the needles I'm making progress. Trying of course to decide how long to make the sock before I start the heal. It says to knit till 3" shorter than the total length you want. I was thinking about doing 10" total - what do people think about this?

I got some Frabjous Fibers hand dyed blue faced Leicester Top (made in Vermont). This color is Neapolitan. I have 8 oz of it and am just getting into spinning it. It has a very very long staple and is very different from the merino I've been spinning lately. The question is to eat it with neapolitan ice cream or salt water candy?

I have been making slow progress on my new toe up KAL sock and the pullover that I've been working on. No photos as of yet. My question is this - do you ever get into the slump where you are inspired by a lot of projects you see - but when you work on them you are very uninspired? Currently my projects just seem to be wrong. I'm wondering if other people ever feel this way.

A girlfriend and I are doing a KAL from the new Socks From The Toe up book. This is On-hold and the yarn is from Liberty's Yarns (which if you haven't checked out you should - oh she has lovely stuff!!!). Lily is what it is called. I'm trying a new toe type - Judy's Magic Cast-on. It wasn't heard but the description in the book was lacking and the stitches were a bit tight the first time - had to be frogged and redone.

I'm still trying to work my way though all the brown merino that I got a while back. I got another bobbin done and am working on the second. Bend really enjoys spinning! I'll have to figure out gauge and decide what to make with this new yarn!

I hope that Anne finishes up her socks soon as well. My goal was to finish these up this weekend - and thank goodness I did. I guess I'll have to cast on another pair of socks today :) Details: I got the kit from Knitters Brewing ($24). It started July first and I finished today (July 19th). I love the heal and toe of this sock (toe up sock). I might actually use this as my new standard toe up - that is how much I loved it.

I got the heal and the start of the second safari sock done today. I'll get a bit more work done tonight. I was really hoping to have these socks done by the drive home today - not the case though. Goal, to finish up these socks this weekend.

I finished the safari zebra sock (first one) on Saturday night before we left. I cast on for sock two in the car and have made a bit of progress. My goal is to finish this sock up this week.

Yesterday Jill stopped by my office with a trash bag full of fantasticly soft alpaca fleece. All of it is this gray color and mostly carded out (just a tiny bit of vegitable matter in it). I can wait to spin it! Thanks Jill!!!!

Here is the merino top that I spun on my Kromski. I'm not terribly happy with how poofy it came out. I'm wondering if I should ply on my Kiwi since it really tightens stuff. I'm going to have to chat with Anne about this. Also I'm a few inches into my Safari KAL. They are just flying by. My goal is to have sock one finished on Sunday and cast on for sock two while traveling in the car.

That is right. I'm in love!!! Anne helped me with the final setup for the new spinning wheel and it is perfect. After I do one more bobbin and double ply it, I'll post photos of the comparison. The wheel is so smooth and I can spin as fine or as thick. It isn't over twisted and looks incredible. Ah... A tool that works really well!! On another note the safari KAL is coming along. I'm still not sure I like the pooling or color - but I'm giving them a chance.

I posted about how they f* you at the drive through - and then read this comic this morning. Pop culture always seems to catch up with me.

I just downloaded an app for my iPhone to publish to the blog. I'm interested to see how this comes out. I started the Safari KAL and am worried about the pooling. I've heard that other people are also getting pooling - but mine seems pretty bad. Hmmmmm.