Blogging for the first time

So, I thought I'd give this blogging thing a try. Hopefully I'll be able to keep posting on a regular basis. Sometimes my Vida gets especially Loco, but bear with me and I'll do my very best.

I have been knitting off and on for most of my life. I learned from my grandmother back when I was about 7 or 8. About every 5-6 years, I would get the urge, knit a scarf or hat or something else simple, get frustrated. Either barely finish or not finish and not even think about knitting again for half a decade or so. I never made it beyond garter and stockinette and had only minimal proficiency at those.

Flash forward to about 3 years ago. All the "fun fur" scarves had just become the rage, and I figured, I can do that. The furry yarn will hide my sloppy, malformed stitches. This time, however, things were different. This time something clicked in my brain, I could SEE how the stitches should be made, and the possibilities beyond novelty yarn that hid my stitches. I could suddenly make stitches I wanted to be seen. Now I'm hopelessly addicted to all things fiber. I learned to spin about a year ago, and that has just further fueled the addiction. There is no cure. My house is being taken over by wool and other fibers in all stages of processing.

As I've gotten deeper into fiber obsession, I've been feeling more and more the need to connect with others who share my love of all things fiber. This has manifested in joining and attempting to participate in several knitting and spinning email lists and joining a semi-local fiber guild. I've started following several blogs and podcasts on a regular basis, but up to now I've not established much of a web presence. Hopefully, that will soon change, at least a little.

Without further adieu, OTN:















This is the almost completed central panal of a christening blanket/shawl. This is the project that has been occupying my attention for the better part of the last couple months.

Here's a closeup of the lace pattern:














I love this lace and decided as soon as I saw the patten I had to do something with it. I have about three more inches to go until it's square, then things get really interesting.

Also OTN:


















After many false starts and a complete change in yarn, I am finally well underway and making progress with my Maple Leaf socks. I like how they're shaping up. I think another 2-3 sets of leaves, then I'll be ready to put in the heel.

Finally, I sprained my ankle yesterday. Minor sprain, but it is to my right (treadling) leg, rendering wheel spinning unwise if not impossible for the time being. I pulled out my spindles, and found this long forgotten spindling-in-progress:














I had completely forgotten about this yarn I started spinning a few months back. Not sure why I put it away and never came back until now. It is a beautiful wool/silk blend roving in lovely blues/aquas/purples/silvers.

It should ply up to a nice laceweight with enough for a scarf or small shawl: