A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama

I have jumped into the world of Ebay, against my natural inclinations, to see if some of my non-starters from Etsy.com will find better luck there. The inner workings of Two Waters Fiberworks are deep and unfathomable, are they not?

In much more exciting news, check out this weekend's find:



2400 yards of lace-weight lopi that my Uncle Dennis sent my grandmother from Iceland when he was stationed there 25 years ago. The label says that it is "The Original 'Alafoss Lopi Crystal-Fleece" produced in Iceland and mothproofed with "Eulan." Research reveals the same yarn being made by the same company today, under the name "Plotulopi." The company's art gallery is worth a look, in addition to the yarn.

I've made a swatch on both size 3 and size 5 needles, as you can see here:



This yarn calls for a really special project. It is sturdy and springy, with a slight hand-spun look to it. I've been searching for Icelandic lace patterns, but without much success. Any suggestions?

Zippy is coming along nicely. I have reached the point where I am increasing for the hips. I'm using raised bar increases, since they seem to complement the k2tog and ssk that I used for the shaping decreases above the waist. I'm really enjoying this KnitPicks Wool of the Andes. I wouldn't want to wear it against my skin, but it shows cables really well, and is a pleasure, though slightly dry, to knit.



At this time of the year, Lily wishes she was a longhair cat so her paws would be warmer.

Shop Update

I have updated the shop with four new sock yarns, including my favorite, Vermont, which reminds me of spiced apple cider and L.L. Bean and Maple Syrup and all the things that make the Northeast so Northeasty.

$4.99 Merlot

So here we have a pear poached in spiced w--- sauce with chestnuts and sweet cream. Am I crazy, you ask? But of course!

Tim had to buy the w---, since I am contractually obligated not to. I won't even spell out w---, since who knows who may be reading this. So, for the record, no, I did not, on this day, purchase w---, nor did I poach pears in it, nor did I eat sauce made from this same, heat-dealcoholized w---. Nope. Not at all.

Or DID I?

Knitting has been slow but steady this week, as I have begun a new sweater in response to the intermittent frigidity of my new classroom. After the second day of having to blow on my hands to be able to type my lesson plans, I decided that wool was in order. Lots of wool. So an order to KnitPicks was made, and Wool of the Andes was purchased in various colors. I present "Zippy," a top-down cabled raglan with stripes and other knitted vagaries.



We shall see how she goes. I am still debating what to do for the hem, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Hmm...I sense a new cliche in the offing. "I'll knit that hem when I come to it" seems an apropos addition to my vocabulary.

Your assignment: Read the next chapter in your textbook and define all the bold terms in your own words. Oh, and use the phrase "I'll knit that hem when I come to it" at least once in your conversation each day. Cheers!

Shop update

There are five new yarns available in the shop, including two superwash sock yarns, two 100% Merino sock yarns, and an 880-yard skein of %100 Merino laceweight. These yarns came out even better than the last set, so I hope you enjoy my new colorways. Three of my favorites are:


Carnavale - a superwash sock yarn.


Cady Ridge - this is the laceweight yarn, and there is also a superwash sock yarn in the same colorway. (See the inspiration for the name here.)


Slytherin - for a bit of devilry (100% Merino sock yarn.)

Hah!

Just to show you that the internet doesn't know everything (in case you were in doubt) I give you by birthdate profile, inspired by Claudia:

Your Birthdate: December 27

You are a spiritual soul - a person who tries to find meaning in everything. You spend a good amount of time meditating, trying to figure out life. Helping others is also important to you. You enjoy social activities with that goal. You are very generous and giving. Yet you expect very little in return. Your strength: Getting along with anyone and everyone Your weakness: Needing a good amount of downtime to recharge Your power color: Cobalt blue Your power symbol: Dove Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Anybody want to guess which of these things about me isn't true? I'll give you a hint: There are nine things on this list that are nothing like me. Cheers!

Wow!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, everybody who is buying my yarn! I can't believe it! I'm so incredibly grateful and just--ecstatic! Keep the joy flowing, my wonderful readers and customers (Eek! Customers!). Shop, buy, and knit.

Two Waters Fiberworks Grand Opening

Today is the grand opening of my new shop, Two Waters Fiberworks. I've had it live for about a week with some handspun, and have already sold two skeins! Today, however, is the day of the official launch, as I have posted seven newly dyed skeins of merino sock yarn, including:

"Bombay"


"Ravenclaw" (to complement the ever popular Sunshine Yarns' "Gryffindor")


and "Bermuda"


I have always loved playing with dye, and I'm so excited to be able to offer my dyeing experiments to the public! There are few people who can make their hobbies profitable, but I hope to be one of them.

The way I figure it is this: It's not like everybody on Etsy.com isn't starting with the same base yarn, so the real choice has to be based on color and price. So buy Two Waters Fiberworks yarn, and supplement my starving-teacher income!

What's all this?

Go see the shop! I’ll have an official launch as soon as I can get some sock yarn dyed and up on the site, but for now you can take a gander at some of my handspun and check out the fabulous banner my wonderful husband created for me.