Fiber!!

Warning! Very Picture heavy.

I laid down this afternoon because I was getting tired and when I got up, R said that I had a box. No, two boxes! Big ones! I got my alpaca fiber!!!!!!!













I ordered them from Angel at Maryland Alpaca Farm. Wonderful lady, great to work with, and reasonable prices. She sent me some Suri and some Haucaya. I told the colors I was looking for and here is what she sent me. The Suris - Panty Raider, Magruder, and I think Seamus. The Huacayas are Georgianna, Jasmine, George, and Titanium.

Georgianna.









Jasmine.









George.









Panty Raider (the first thing I said when I felt this was "silky" and then saw what the name was!He is the darker one on this page









Magruder.









Titanium.









Seamus. Neck fiber only.










Thank you Angel!

flicking locks

This is how I flick locks. It works for me at this point in my fiber journey.

I got this Alpaca fleece off of Ebay. I got a really good price for about 4 pounds I think. I have had it for about a year now. When I first got it, I opened the box and smelled cigarettes. Phew!

So I grabbed a large handful and washed it. I don't remember what soap I used but I used soap and hot water. It took about 3 days to dry completely indoors.

This is one half of a pair of 120 count hand carders for Howard Hand Cards. I got them here on Ebay. Good prices and fast ship!










Setup. I usually work in front of my computer as I really don't have space anywhere else. I do put up my keyboard and such so fiber doesn't get them.

Pile of fiber. When I washed this bunch, I didn't know about trying to save the lock formation, but it worked out this time.

Waste bag. Will be used for stuffing down the road.

A lock. The tip is on the right and is lighter and you can see some second cuts on the cut end.










I press the tips lightly against the carder and pull towards me. Then I turn it over so I can get the other side of the tips.



















Flip lock over and do the same for the cut end. See the second cuts?










Repeat above steps until nice and open.

Basket with flicked locks.













I hope that you enjoyed this!

Week 2 Question

As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

When I was a kid, every summer my grandparents would take me up to Washington State to visit Grandma's family. We stayed in a place called Maryhill, WA. Across the road from us was a peach orchard. Since we knew the family that owned the orchard, we could go pick after the pickers were done. Those peaches were so sweet and juicy!

This week's question

Sp12 has weekly questions for us to answer. I believe that I am late this week. The question is:

What is your favorite summertime drink?

Well, since I live in the desert, it is water. Ice cold. No ice though, just put it in the freezer until it almost freezes. Other than that, iced tea.

eh

Sorry for the lack of regular posts. Just haven't felt up to it.

R is out of town, was supposed to be back yesterday, but something came up and he won't be be back for at least another week. I was upset when he told me why, but now it is to "whatever". I haven't been feeling all that great. I am moody. I really don't want to talk about it over the internet, but I had to say something to someone.

I have startistis. I have started a crochet shawl and knitted scarf thing. The shawl is being made up as I go, trying to see if I can make what I see in my head. The scarf is "My so called scarf" in sock weight on size 10s. It looks pretty good. Nice an airy without too much. I thought about blocking it out when done, but when I dry block it, I don't like it. Loses all stitch definition. It isn't curling too much right now.

Thank you for listening to me vent. Thank you.

It's only words

I saw this on a blog that I read from time to time.

It's Only Words
You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.
No.
Explanations.

1. Yourself: me
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): sweet
3. Your hair: wavy
4. Your mother: ok
5. Your father: sick
6. Your favorite item: cheezits
7. Your dream last night: nightmare
8. Your favorite drink: tea
9. Your dream car: Bronco
10. The room you are in: den
11. Your ex: unhappy
12. Your fear: depression
13. What you want to be in 10 years? nursing
14. Who you hung out with last night: pets
15. What you're not: Healthy
16. Muffin: chocolate
17. One of Your Wish List Items: yarn
18. Time: 11:39
19. The last thing you did: meeting
20. What you are wearing: comfy
21. Your favorite weather: cool
22. Your favorite book: knitting
23. The last thing you ate: sushi
24. Your life: trying
25. Your mood: anxious
26. Your best friend: R
27. What are you thinking about right now: house
28. Your car: Bronco
29. What are you doing at the moment: Typing
30. Your summer: hot
31. Your relationship status: good
32. What is on your TV: Nothing
33. What is the weather like: hot
34. When is the last time you laughed: yesterday

Copy.
It.
Do.
It.
Post.
It.
:)

more questions

Some more questions for my SP12 and Summer of Yarn spoilers:

Age: early 30's
Favorite color? to wear - jewel tones, to knit - any color
Do you prefer cats, dogs, or some other kind of pet? I prefer cats but have both
Do you play an instrument? If not, which is your favorite to listen to? I played clarinet, flute, and saprano sax in highschool but haven't played since
Favorite flower? carnations and pansy
Favorite foods? salty and chocolate (not necessarly together though)
Favorite season/time of year? anytime but summer here in the desert
Favorite day of the week? the day after my last day of work for my week
Are you a morning person? no
What is one thing that makes you happy? my boyfriend and my pets
What is one thing that irritates you? clutter
What is one personality trait that really impresses you in others? honesty
What is one personality trait that really irritates you in others? nosiness
Country or Countries you’d like to visit? Ireland

SP 12 questionare

SP12 Questionare!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like most yarns, I don't have a LYS in town, so my "knowledge" of different yarns and fibers is small. I really don't care for acrylic yarns but they have their place.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
In a wooden toolbox my boyfriend gave me for Christmas last year
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned several years ago, but didn't really keep it up. Relearned about two years ago via the internet. Probably intermediate.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, Amazon
5. What's your favorite scent?
Clean and citrusy
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes, anything chocolate
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I bead, quilt, sew, and crochet. Yes, I spin. I have a few spindles and an Ashford Traveler
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I mainly listen to Country music, but like most music but rap. Yes.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
To wear, jewel tones. To knit, any colors as long as they look good together
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my boyfriend, we have four dogs and three cats
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
yes, yes, yes, and no
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Baby things, hats, scarves, sox
13. What are you knitting right now?
three pairs of sox, a shawl for me, and a secret project for a good friend
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
yes
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I have both, I use both. Straights, I love my Lantern Moons, and circs - Addis
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
yes to both
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
A sox that I just frogged from about two years ago
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Other people's birthdays
19. Is there anything that you collect?
yes. dogs, cats, dust bunnies, yarn, fiber, nursing books, Ansel Adams.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have a lot of "knowledge" of the different yarns out there, so really anything would be very appreciated! I have been eyeing EZ's books.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Continental knitting and colorwork
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, ball of foot - 9", length - 10.5"
23. When is your birthday?
In April
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Yes, theknittycrafter

Also, please know that I am unable to wear scented lotions. Also, anything with a mohair % of 25 or more and I sneeze the whole time I am knitting and wearing it.