The Dyeing Spinster

The blog has been pretty slow since I haven’t actually been getting much accomplished…the little man has definitely slowed down my fibery pursuits, but he’s so darn cute that I *guess* it’s okay. =) Recently though I have managed to get some projects going….

I’d like to get the little monkey in cloth diapers eventually so I have knit a Little Turtle Knits Ribby Wrap soaker for him.  It needs buttons and lanolizing. I’m not in a rush to get buttons on it yet though since I only have one cloth diaper sewn!

LTK Ribby WrapOriginally uploaded by The Dyeing Spinster

The weather has finally cooled down here and I realized that the little man probably doesn’t have any hats to fit his big 6 month old noggin. So I have started a hat for him in a tweedy rust colored Cascade 220.  I’m really lovin’ the color of it. I am not using a pattern at all and am just trying to wing it.  His head is 18″ (!) around so I cast on enough stitches for 17″ approx so that it will stretch. I have a gauge of 20st per 4in so I cast on 84 stitches and have so far knit 2×2 ribbing for 1 inch and about 3.5 inches of stockinette. I carefully put it on him occasionally to see how it is going and so far so good.  I think I will knit for another inch to an inch and a half and try it again. I am aiming for something that will be snug on the head but cover the ears…like a skull cap or beanie. Here’s my progress so far:

I might also try to wing some mittens to go with the hat.  We are going to a local apple orchard this weekend for apples and pumpkins and to visit their petting zoo. So I want to get it all done by then. So long as tomorrow isn’t crazy, the hat should be doable. (Of course lack of crazy is not guaranteed though…the little man has his first 2 teeth coming in! Poor lil fella!)

I’ve also got a treat for myself on the needles. I recently visited a new knit shop in Franklin IN called Clementine’s Dry Goods.  (Wonderful shop…the owner carries fabric and yarn, books, needles. The shop is still small but the yarns and fabrics she has are awesome…I purchased Dream in Colors Smooshy sock yarn, some of the other yarns-not inclusive- Mission Falls, Malabrigo, Shaefer Anne, Brown Sheep Naturespun, Louet sport weight yarn. She has an apron class at the end of the month that I hope to attend - 2 weekends and only cost is the fabric! I definitely plan on going back once my needles clear up a bit! PS The owner is so very friendly! And there is an area with couches for relaxing and knitting. Go check it out!) Ok where was I…ah yes my treat…so since I don’t get alot of fiber stuff done, I always feel like I should either be working on something for the little man or something for the biz. But I saw this Smooshy sock yarn and couldn’t resist the colors.

It is Dream in Color Smooshy in Blue Lagoon. Love it! I am knitting a pair of Monkey socks for me! I have been wanting yarn in this color for the little man, but I didn’t have any projects in mind for him in sock weight yarn so I let myself have first dibs on it. =) If there is enough yardage left over he will get some socks too though. hehe

Coming soon on my needles will be a Tomten for the little man.  I plan on using Pastaza in a dark brown that I have in my stash.  I have a sweaters worth of it that I purchased around 2000 to make a cabled sweater for my then boyfriend (now hubby). I didn’t get very far before it went into the ufo pile for a very very long time (so hard to admit it and rip all that cabling out…ya know?). Anyways, I keep imagining a dark brown coat for the little man and while I really have wanted to spin it (I have said color in shetland in my stash), I would also like to have it done this fall lol.  So I remembered the languishing Pastaza. It’s a much better use for it…it really was a poor choice on my part to begin with…if I had completed it, my hubby would have roasted! The man is a furnace so a llama/wool sweater wouldn’t have seen much action.  The little man takes after his Dad, but I am thinking that as a Tomten, it will make a good coat until it gets really cold (if it gets really cold- damn crazy weather!) The little man is about 20″ around so I am going to chance it and make the 27″ Tomten with the 4st per in Pastaza. I’d rather it be extra large than too small! As it is, the boy is 6 months and wears anywhere from 6month to 1yr sized clothing depending on the clothes. So it might work out. I just don’t see a 22″ chest lasting that long. Anyways here is the yarn I will be using:
 

YUM!