Arizona State Fair 2017 Results

I didn't get a chance this year to go see the fair and see how I place.  I did pretty good.  My handspun got 2 first place and 1 second place.  My knitting got a first place and a fourth place.

Last of the Sample Knits

A sample knit cowl.  I had to send it on waste yarn (ran out before the end of the pattern).

A sample knit hat.  I added a pom pom but didn't take a another picture.  I liked how this came out.

This is a shawl with my handspun yarn.  I hope I don't run out of the red/black.  It takes 3 colors.

This is part of the Kindness KAL.  I need to finish by March.  KnitCircus is donating $5 for every shawl finished.

 Love how this sock blank is knitting up!  It's from Gale's Art.

This is what is on the wheel.  Superwash Merino from Nest.

More Sample Knits

The last of them for the year!  Excuse the ends.  I usually weave them in after they are washed.

Needles:  Size 6 circular

Yarn:  Swans Island Natural Colors Merino Worsted in Fig

Pattern:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blackberry-mitts

Needles:  Size 2 and 4 circular

Yarn:  Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in  Kimono and Pick Your Poison

Pattern:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hank-7

Needles:  Size 7 and 9 circular

Yarn:  Swans Island Natural Colors Merino Worsted in Fig

Pattern:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beloved--aran-

Almost 3,000 yards!

I finally finished this HUGE Mermaid Blanket for my daughter.  It took almost 3,000 yards of yarn.  It's worsted weight held double.  I couldn't knit on it during the hot Arizona summers.  I'm so glad its done.  She picked the colors.

Since I finished one blanket, I couldn't help but start another one.  This one is a patchwork one.  It will be a nice small project to take.  I hope I will able to sew all the squares together when I'm done.  I don't like sewing knitted pieces.  Pattern:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/patchwork-triangles

Here is another test knit hat.  It shouldn't take long to finish.  It will be interesting to see if the pattern gets lost with the variegated yarn or not.

Wish Me Luck!

It's that time of the year again, County and State Fair!  Since I've won First Place in both fairs, the pressure is on to win again.  Last year I won Best Spinner.  I hope to win that again.  Below are my spinning entries.

On the left is Bee Mice Elf 100% BFL.  In the middle is Into The Whirled 50/30/20 Alpaca/Merino/Silk Blended Top. On the right is Loop! bump  Merino, nylon, and Angelina.

I didn't finish a pair of socks.  I've been just knitting vanilla socks so for the first time I didn't enter socks.  The socks usually win so I'm a bit worried.  I decided to submit some of my test knit hats instead and 2 shawls.  The dark blue green one is huge and took a long time (no rest rows on the back).  I hope to find out the results in November.

Ambah Designs

I first met Ambah during the Indie Design 2014 Gift-A-Long.  She was a moderator there.  She was so nice to me.  I knitted these fingerless gloves.

Then I test knitted http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lamina-wrap

I was luckily enough to test knit for a second time and it seems that I picked big wrap projects!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alinda-wrap

Then I knitted up this pattern with my handspun.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kallara

Third times is a charm!  I'm testing knitting a hat and it should be done tonight.

I hope to get a chance to test knit again!

Progress Shots

I have lots on my plate right now.  I need to finish a KAL.  Hopefully I won't run out of yarn before I can bind off.

Here is my latest shot of my Tour De Fleece progress.  I think I have a couple of days before I ply.  It depends on how much time I spend spinning.

Here is my progress on my test knit hat.  I signed up for it since a hat usually doesn't take much time.  I like how its coming and you will be seeing more of this pattern.  You will definitely see a purple version.  It's nice that I can use leftover yarn from other hats.

Does this hat's color look familiar?

This is my test knit shawl.  It's at 29 repeats.  Only 19 more to go and then the decrease.

Another Test Knit

I am a glutton for punishment!  I have a HUGE shawl (over 1,000 yards) test shawl that needs to be done by the end of July.  July is Tour De Fleece for which my goal this year is just to spin each day.  I missed one and will probably miss a couple more days due to travel.  Then I decide to sign up for another test knit.  I have to say though that both my girls wanted a hat from the test knit.  I hope it will go fast.  I did managed to finish the brim last night and it should be quick after the color work.  If you want to check out the pattern, look here:  http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/knit-wit-designs-fans/3458834/1-25#22

When Is It Finished?

I considered my project to be done when the knitting it done.  I don't weave in the ends till after I block the project.  Some knitters don't consider an item done till its washed, blocked and ends weaved in.  I don't like blocking.  One of my issues is that I don't have much floor space to block.  Shawls take a lot of space.  I finally got around to washing & blocking a bunch of shawls that I've finished.  A few of these might be entries for the County and State Fairs.

Never Ending Cycle

I have some FO but then again I feel the need to start new WIP instead of finishing more WIP.  It's my cycle.  Eventually I will finish these projects.  LOL!

I started this hat is Jan. It's not hard I just get bored of the 5 rows of purl and then 4 rows of knit for 8 times (I was suppose to do it 10 times).

This was a KAL for May so I was happy to get it done before the end of May.

I'm almost done this scarf.  Again only 4 row pattern but I get bored easily and I don't like working with heavier weight and bigger needles (it hurts my hands).

I'm happy to say that one sock is done.  A good start to the 2nd one.

My last of the robots for now.  This is number 3.  I have 2 more to do for my daughters but that will be later since I get tired of doing the same patterns too.  LOL!