Yarnalong: Knitting, spinning and reading

I’ve been making slow progress on the two blankets that I’m knitting.

Knitting: Rib stitch blanket
Knitting: Rib stitch blanket

Surprisingly, this simple ribbed blanket has been given me the most issues since I keep making silly mistakes. Sighs… I’m taken a time out from that until I regain my senses.

Knitting: Tuck Stitch Blanket
Knitting: Tuck Stitch Blanket

I managed to squeeze a few rows of this tuck stitch blanket and am hoping to knock out a few more rows later today.

handspun yarn woolbamboo_3 02.28.16
Handspun yarn: Merino wool, Bamboo and Nylon (60/30/10)

Aren’t the colors lovely? Guess what, it’s my own handspun yarn! Yes… there are overspun and underspun places with this yarn, but you know what? I don’t care! I’m enjoying spinning and, in time, I know I’ll improve. Also, I had fun spinning every delightful inch of this little skein. This is the first yarn that I made, that I’m actually thinking of knitting into something “nice”. Of course the “nice” item will have to be a tiny project. After all, there’s not much to knit with! 😜😆

 

handspun yarn woolbamboo_4 02.28.16

 

I’m a new spinner!

 

Kromski Sonata
Kromski Sonata

 

Almost three weeks ago, I purchased my Kromski Sonata, which I’ve named Ruth, from the Woolery. Since last Thursdays private lesson at the CloverHill Yarn Shop, I’ve committed to spinning daily. I’m really thrilled with the improvements that I’m making. Before long, I’ll be knitting, weaving or crocheting with my own handspun yarn.

Repentance C. J. Miller
Repentance C. John Miller

What am I reading? Repentance by C. John Miller.

“Repentance begins at conversion but doesn’t stop there. It isn’t penance, self-effort or condemnation, but an ongoing attitude for daily living in Christ, says John Miller. In this new edition John’s widow, Rose Marie, adds an epilogue telling of John’s own journey of living out repentance on a daily basis.”

I’ve reread the first chapter a few times. It was recommended to me by a seminary graduate and I’m enjoying it immensely.

The Spinners Book of Yarn Design
The Spinners Book of Yarn Design
I’m also reading The Spinners Book of Yarn Design.
The Spinners Book of Yarn Design_2
I ordered the hardcover version and have been really enjoying reading through the book and looking at some of the projects.
This is my first time joining the Yarn Along, a weekly link up, hosted by Ginny. You can share what you’ve been knitting and reading.

Can’t Hardly Wait: Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival

This weekend, I’ll be attending the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival!

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

I had no idea it was this weekend until a few days ago. I found out about the actual dates of the festival when I went on to their Facebook page. Of course, they had the event date plastered on their page. I completely forgot about it in 2014, and by the time I’d remembered, months had past. I wanted to attend in 2013; however, I had prior commitments.

So even though I knew, after viewing their Facebook page, it did leave me in a bit of a quandary. Why? Saturday is usually the day that my BF and meet and do something with my daughter. Later that day, when I talked to him, he asked me if I wanted to attend the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival! I hadn’t told him about the event. Ok… now I’m impressed. He told me he had seen a sign advertising the event, on his way home from work. It’s being held at the Howard County fairgrounds, which is about five minutes away from his home. It’s over an hour from where my daughter and me live.

I will say that I’m thrilled that he wants to share in my love of fiber arts. The poor man, he has no idea what he has talked himself into. The good news is, that my daughter will be there so even if he does not say, “Opal are you ready to leave?” My daughter will definitely whine, “Mom, can we go now?” Sighs…. kids! 😉

All you need is love…

I finally got around to submitting my site to a few news aggregator websites.

follow-me-on-bloglovinBloglovin’ was one of the first places where I left my mark. To be honest, I have not been in a rush to do this… I’ve been content to write here about the various projects (mainly sewing) that have been keeping me occupied.

In addition, I have not been commenting on any crafting sites… at least not linking back to Threadlover. But I have sporadically commented and virtually tagged my other eclectic site.

This morning, I stumbled upon a post where the blog write linked to one of her first sewing projects. I actually do think I have some of those items. That’s going back a ways though. Let’s see that’s about 38 years ago. My first projects were hand stitched when I was about six years old. I’ll have to dig through one of my trunks to showcase one of those projects, but I do have easily accessible projects in my closed. Those aren’t my early projects, since they were sewn in my twenties, but they are projects that I was very proud of and I still am. I’ll be sure to posts pictures of some of those items soon.

Amazon makes a mistake in my favor

A few posts back, I mentioned that I was expecting a delivery of sewing accessories from Amazon. They arrived on Saturday. Checking my shipment, I found something very interesting… whomever packed my shipment sent me too many Dressmaking rulers! Say what?  I logged onto Amazon, and double checked (even though I was sure that I did not order more than one) and I was right, I’d only ordered one.

Dressmakers ruler_3 11.29.14

 

Instead of one dressmaking ruler, I received six!

Dressmakers ruler_1 11.29.14

 

That was a bit unexpected! Of course, I followed up with Amazon. The customer service rep seemed a bit surprised that I was actually contacting them. She then thanked me for being honest. Since when should one be thanked for being honest? That should be a given.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
Hebrews 13:18
NASB

Anyway, UPS will be out to pick up the extra rulers some time this week.