Visit Fiber Monster's store and blog

Hello, With the new design of my store, I decided make a change to my blog. The blog is now here. Please stop by and say hi :)

This week store update

I updated my Etsy store yesterday.  Here's a sneak peek of what you might find at http://fibermonster.etsy.com

..................................................

Recently added to my favorites:

Favorite of the Day

Awww... This is so cute.  And it's their opening day at etsy.  Give them some love, shall we?

www.trafalgarssquare.etsy.com

Spinning anyone?

It's been a long while since I spin anything. Here's the fiber I predrafted a few days ago. It's my own handdyed corriedale. Even though the fiber is very easy to open and I really didn't need to predraft it, I like to do it anyway because I am spoiled from spinning the batts.

Learning to knit... again...

I've been wanting to knit something reversible. This book seems like a good challenge. Have you try brioche knitting? Any suggestions you would like to share?

Fast Lane

I can't believe almost three months has gone by and I haven't been spinning. Until this weekend at OFFF (Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival), I picked up my Turkish drop spindle and started spinning on it. Thanks to my friend, Carol, who helped me get it started.

And I have been spinning on it every day since then. Some days it's 15 minutes. Some days it's an hour. It's much slower than spinning on the wheel yard-wise (for me as a beginner on drop spindle). But it's amazingly relaxing.

Slowness, I miss you. My life has been on a fast lane these past few months. Spinning on drop spindle reminds me that it's time to slow things down every once in a while.

Life is moving oh so fast
I think we should take it slow
rest our heads upon the grass
and listen to it grow
~ Pink Martini

Simple lace knitting with my handspun yarn

I got a few requests on twitter about the pattern of the lace neck warmer I am knitting right now. So I thought I would share it here with everyone since there isn't enough space for 140 characters on twitter post. It is a simple lace pattern that is very easy to remember after you knit a few rows. As you can see, I just start and I am on row 8.

My yarn is lace weight. Size US 8 circular needle.
If you get ahead of me, please let me know how it goes.  It's easier to see the pattern in chart. I will post it later *if* I get around to do it :)

Simple lace pattern
Multiple of 10 + 11 sts

CO: 141 sts
Place marker at the beginning of the round.
Set up row: Knit 2 rows (You can skip this if you prefer no edge)

Row 1, 3, 5 and 7 (RS): K2tog, K3, YO, * K1, YO, K3, SK2P, K3, YO. Rep from * to last 6 sts, K1, YO, K3, SSK

Row 2 and all WS: Purl even row: Knit all.

Row 9, 11, 13, and 15: K1, YO, K3, * SK2P, K3, YO, K1, YO, K3. Rep from * to last 6 sts, SK2P, K3, YO, K1

Row 16: knit

Rep Row 1-16 as many times as you like.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!