Two Big Projects Done

I finished the baby blankets!
This is one of those projects for which I decided that since I needed four blankies, I'd warp for eight. Then, babies started coming early. I could have cut the first blankets off of the loom and tied the warp back on, but I didn't want to waste any of the yarn. So, every free minute for the last many days was spent weaving. I'll have to ask my trainer how many calories marathon weaving burns...?

The pattern is a summer and winter from A Weaver's Book of 8-Shaft Patterns, page 149, #532 and 534. Joanne Hall at Glimakra was a Big Help with figuring out the tie-up on Sophia, my standard countermarch. This is the first time I've attempted a skeleton tie-up on her. Have I said lately how much I LOVE this loom?!   

I ordered the cotton from my semi-LYS in Solvang. Since I have two whole cones of the bleached left, someone's going to have to go back and check her math.

I also finished spinning the cotton I've been playing with on my Suzie Pro. I did this with the stylus. I'd like to weave some yardage with the singles in both warp and weft. I'm not concerned about how fine it is once it's on the loom, it's just getting it there. I have to find some way to keep it under tension so that the yarn doesn't twist up on itself. Maybe I'll try steaming it beforehand. Hmm. Perhaps I should attempt that with some sample yarn, first. I'd hate to end up with a huge tangle and have to toss it all. 

Keeping busy

Of course, I've been keeping busy before, during and after our trip.

I climbed inside Sophia (and doesn't that sound strange) to dress her for some baby blankets.

Knitting daily on t.v. and away I go!

For eight blankets, this is over 900 ends (threads) at 13 yards each.

I knitted up an infinity scarf for my niece. This is just a simple garter stitch with a reversible ribbed cable. And it's a de-stash project! This is every bit of what I had left after I made my Fuse Cardigan.

And what fun this sweater was to knit up! It's knit top down with not a single seam! The design is engineered by Vera Sanon.

It's called the Sara Lace Cardi.

"Must I have my picture taken?"

Dobby and Winky now have Weasley sweaters of their own! This is a free pattern from Ravelry.

And the baby blankets are coming along. They're a pattern from page 149 of A Weaver's Book of 8-Shaft Patterns. Summer and winter is one of my favorite weaves. Look how the one side is a "negative" of the other!

Traveling

What a treat! My husband and I went traveling in Arizona. Our style is to drive until something catches our eye and interest, then we turn off. Walking around Bisbee, Arizona, we saw a sign at the YWCA. 

So, we went down into the basement.

They have a couple of rooms down there where their guild meets. They also have a small shop, library and store room.

My hubby wanted to hold the door for me at the Mini Time Machine: Tucson Museum of Miniatures.

These were in their store.

And this was the attic of the house in the lobby.

Also in Tucson, we went to a glass studio where I found this "rug".

And at the Ethiopian restaurant in Tucson, I found the perfect picture for me on the restroom wall.

This picture was taken in the museum in Pueblo Grande in Phoenix.

About an hour and a half north of Phoenix is Arcosanti.  If you've heard of the Soleri bells, they're made here. We toured the grounds. Then, we went downstairs.

Although I didn't bring my spindle down, I got to visit with a few of the attendees.

My mom, Linda Halabe, had her picture taken in front of her pastel painting at an art show in Phoenix.

I met Tohono O'odham basketry artist, Rhonda Wilson at Tumacacori. 

And I bought some flax at Grandma's Spinning Wheel in Tucson.