Necia Of All Trades

Because life has been going so fast these days. Well, I’ve been knitting. I’ve been sewing. I’ve been spindling. Not much to show, but what I can, I will.

New Baby sweater on the needles. Will link to pattern once complete. I anticipate another day or so at most.

My blue swap blocks. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. They’re here! My hard work was well worth it. Can’t wait to stitch this baby up.

My men! These 2 keep me sane when they are not driving me crazy! Loving them is a job I never want to be without!

Check JoJo out. All comfortable on my bed, which he’s not allowed on. I had to snap the picture, it was so cute. I only wish I caught the one of him sprawled out on his back with all 4s in the air. For a minute there I thought he was dead. Oh the horror.

And, finally some random coolness:

Yup, the C man has made 2 appearances in one day on the blog.  How’s that for catching up?

Oh and I should probably mention I have an fo.  But of course I havent’ taken pictures yet.  Soon though, soon!  This will feature a series of pictures, because it sure has put me through a lot of changes.

Until next time, Happy Crafting

Necia

Who me? Yea me! I promise it was unintentional. Life has been so dang on busy for me these past few weeks. I’m a Libra, and I strive for balance, and I’ve definitely been feeling unbalanced. But never worry, I’m working on getting my inner balance back as I type this post.

So what have you all been up to? Yup, I barely have time to read my blogs, and those I read, I haven’t even left a comment. Please rest assured I’m making my way around the blogosphere. Slowly but surely.

Since I’ve last blogged, I’ve been working on 12.5″ quilt blocks for a Rav quilt block exchange. I’ve finally finished those and put them in the mail last week. Here is a sample of some of the blocks I’ve made

That’s pretty much it, give or take.  I needed to make 16 blocks, and towards the end, I was tired of blue blue blue.

I gotta say this swap has taught me a lot.  I need more practice cutting for damn sure.  I’ve also discovered I’m a scrappy quilter for sure.  I have trouble following directions, and get fustrated easier.  For quilting to be fun, I have more fun when I do my own thing.

In any event I’m interested in seeing which blocks I receive, and piecing it all together.

I’ve been doing some other crafting, but I will save that for another day.

Happy Craftin

Necia

Like many knit bloggers, I have many wip’s.  I might as well, show ya’ll the progress on one of them, less you think I don’t knit anymore.

When this picture was taken it was currently 15.5″ long.  I’m thinking I’ll need another 10 or so, I’m leaning heavily towards the so inches, to fit to my liking.  This is a super quick project, and I’m sure if I had all the yarn ready to go, it would go much faster.  It also would go faster if I had the proper cord.

I’m currently working on 2 circulars right now, just so the stitches can all fit.  Unfortunately I was never taught this method, nor did I bother to look it up.  I’m not sure if I’m doing a bastardization, or if I’m actually doing it righ.  I”m just letting it flow.  I do have 60″ cords, but because I have so many wip’s, they are currently holding up some stitches.  I wonder if I should start finishing more things.

That’s something for us all to ponder huh? I’m still knitting actively on the Woodland Shawl Stole.  I just picked that up the other day.  I don’t have any pictures, but Im hoping to have it finished by Fall.  Roflmfao.  Who knows, maybe next Wed, it’ll be Woodland Shawl Wed.

Ok, there you have it.  My update.  I’m off to go daydream about something else crafty.

Happy Crafting

Necia

It’s been quite some time since I first attempted to spindle spin. My results were horrific and slow at best. It seemed like a lot of effort for such little output. In enter Lucie, my Fricke, and spinning became better, and a while after that, Suzie the professional came to live with me, and spinning became damn near erotic, and very zen like.

With sheer spinning happiness on my side now, I never thought I would want to pick up a spindle again never mind, buy any spindles. You see, I have quite a few in my collection, from way back when. However, I’ve always been a sucka for pretty things. Many times, these objects are so damn beautiful to me, I barely notice how lacking the function in.

Well pretty won me over again

This is a Jasper Top Whorl spindle from Butterfly Girl Spindles. It’s super light, and is marketed as a lace weight spindle. It was the Jasper whorl that encouraged this purchase. I’ve always had a thing for animal print, and it this didn’t remind me of a leopard in the wild, I don’t know what it reminded me of.

So now I should be happily spindling along on my Jasper spindle, right? Er, wrong! As beautiful as it is, me and this spindle don’t get along all that great. I can’t pinpoint the problems Im experiencing, but I will say it can be user error.

So I’m minding my business, surfing Rav as usual, and I’m all up in the Spindle Makers group, when I seen a spindle that literally made me hold my breath. Not even knowing if these spindles were for sale, I sent the lady a pm, and I was determined to convince her to make one for me. Well guess what. I didn’t even have to beg or whine. She does indeed sell her spindles. Here’s the one I nabbed

Meet Posie!  Well, be still my heart.  I’ve never seen such an artistic spindle.  She even customized the colors for me.  I couldn’t wait to get home yesterday and give it a whorl.  Well slap me twice, and call me Posie!  She spinsssssssssssssssssssssssss and spinssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, going on seemingly forever.  I now own a functional, collectors item.  This pleases me to no end.  This is what spindle spinning is spose to be like!  She’s so light, and I’m easily spinning lace weight if not thinner.  I am just so tickled by this Posie spindle, that I went and ordered another one, and her sister spindle the Lotus.

Posie has really reignited all the possibilities of spindle spinning.  Especially regarding the portability of it! Now unfortunately the artist doesn’t have a web page set up, displaying all these beauties, but I”m sure if you email her, and showcase your interest in a spindle, she might be able to work something out.  Trust me when I say, this is a true winner!

Anyway, if you’re interested in obtaining your own Posie, you can contact RestlessPeasant on Rav, or send her an email at TheRestlessPeasant  At Gmail Dot Com.  Her name is Heidi, and you can totally drop my name if it’ll make you feel better.

Stay tuned for some spindle spun yarn!

Happy Crafting

Necia

My first rag quilt is finally done. All that’s left for me to do is to clip some of the loose threads.

Thats the A side, or side 1 so to speak. Obviously I used the same fabric for 1 side.

Here’s the other side.  All ragged up, and waiting to be folded, and boxed, and shipped to the mama to be.

The blanket measures in at 40″ by 32″, and I do think it’s a good size.  It’s hella warm, as I did end up using batting.  Thinking back, this could’ve totally been done in a weekend, easily!  I don’t know why I insisted on farting around on this one.  Once I sat down and put my mind to it, and got rid of my walking foot, it was easy sailing!  I could totally see a queen size version for my own bed in the winter time.

I need some more little girls in my life, as I had a TON of fabric left over.  I guess I went a little overboard on the flannel, huh.

Ok a brief synopsis.  I used 4 fabrics total, with the most used for Side A.  I would say I used a little over 2yds of fabric there.  All the fabric was cut into 10″ blocks.  Each block was paired together with Fabric A, and then a Fabric B,C, or D.   I sandwiched a piece of batting between each block.  Wrong sides facing.  The batting was cut into 8″.  From there, I sewed a criss cross down the diagonal of each block.  Once all blocks were sewn I arranged in rows of 4, for a total of 5 rows.  I then stitched the blocks into rows using a 1″ seam allowance.  I then stitched the 5 rows together, again using a 1″ seam allows.  I then sewed a 1″ border around the entire quilt.  Finally it was time to get to ragging.  I flipped the quilt to the B side, and started clipping into my seam.  I allowed my scissors to clip, but not clip into the actual seam.  Around and around I went, also clipping the border.  2 washes, and a good drying later, it’s finished.  This was a lot of fun, and I”m really pleased with it.

Next up, is the blocks for my block swap.  I have 2 weeks to get them mailed, and I already know what block I plan on doing.  I purchased 4yds of fabric, in 4 different varieties. I plan on getting started as soon as tomorrow. Wish me luck ya’ll, time is of the essence here!

Happy Craftin

Necia

No, I’m not talking bout the primaries. I”m talking about for the Live Stitch Design Contest. Before you get all click happy, please continue reading my post! If you want to see the pictures scroll down. Do not click on the name of the pattern! One click and your vote is cast, and I haven’t advised you who to vote for!

What did you think I was gonna ask if you voted, without giving you my 2cents? I wouldn’t be Necia, if I did that. Anywho, I’m on the Rosi G bandwagon. Here’s her shawl
It’s called NYC, and it would’ve got my vote for the name alone, if Rosi hadn’t designed it.

So there, I said my peace. Now go vote! For NYC! And, no it’s not a threat or a strong arm, just a SUGGESTION!!!!!!!!

Now back to your regular scheduled events.

Happy Crafting

Necia

NYC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well the weekend has come to yet another close.  I didn’t do much more then bitch about how hot it was, and eat icy’s.  I refrained from leaving the house as much as possible, because it was much nicer inside!

I managed to sew the blocks for the rag quilt.  Now all that’s left is planning the layout, and stitching the rows together.  From there I can get to ragging, and then off to the laundromat we’ll go, to rag up!  I’ll post a picture once the rows are sewn together.  I’ll try to detail each step of the way for ya’ll.

I started the knitting on the Danish Tie Shawl.  I was using size 7 needles, but after awhile switched to size 8’s.  I may even go up again before it’s all said and done.

This has got to be one of the easiest projects I’ve ever done.  Totally mindless, and super easy!  I hope I don’t get bored with it, because this heat, has had me throwing it down many times during the day already!  This will be perfect in the winter.

I love the construction of this thing.  Very faroesesque.  I’ve tried it on already, and of course I have a long way to go, but it already sits very well on my shoulders.

The striping that I’m doing is not at all planned. I’m interested how this will turn out, as these aren’t colors I would normally pair together, but I really want to stash bust for this project!  Your guess is as good as mine, as to what the final shawl will look like.  I do know it’s going to be warm.  Knitting it at a tighter gauge, allows my single yarns to stay in tact, and it’ll also fight any wind should I wear it in colder temps.

I already know I’ll be knitting another one of these.

Well there you have it!  I’ll be back later this week with my rag quilt.  Next up, is swap blocks.  I really need to get to washing that fabric!

Happy Craftin

Necia

I’ve been wanting to knit a Danish Tie Shawl ever since I first saw it in Spin Off! Well after hanging on Ravelry this past week, I decided to jump right in. There is a gal there, trying to complete the shawl within 3 weeks. I believe firmly in supporting people in their knitting/spinning goals, so I figured there was no better way to support her, other then jumping in and doing the same! Rofl.

We’re both spinning for this project, and tempted as I may be to buy more fiber, I’m going to stick to the script and stash bust. I got off to a roaring start today. I was a spinning and dyeing fool. I’m happy that everything I did is dry too.

From right to left, there is oatmeal shetland. This will be my main color, so I really need to card lots more! Moving along we have orange ramboulette, orange cormo, blue mystery wool, green cormo, and green wool/silk!

I do believe I have enough colors, but knowing me, I will throw in some more! We’ll see. In any event, as soon as I finish typing this, I’m going to start knitting. I need an incentive to go card up some more of that Shetland, and being that’s going to be my main color, knitting it all, should be incentive enough.

Tomorrow it’s all about me and sewing that dang rag blanket. Ok and some laundry!

Stay cool everyone

Necia

I believe I mentioned before that one of my inlaws is pregnant. Anyway, she’s due any day now, and it’s said that she’s having a GIRL! Oh goodie! I love making stuff for girls. Yes, I will be the first to admit that I do play favorites, when it comes to gifting my hand crafts!

So, last Sunday I started and FINISHED this. Super easy, and Super quick. I only wish I had enough hooking skills to size up. Oh well, maybe I’ll figure it out, and make another one, down the line!

I used a G hook, and some stash cotton/acrylic yarn. The weight was about fingering/sport. All that’s left is for me to weave in the ends, and to sew on a few buttons! This along with the flannel blanket that I havent’ started should make a very nice gift.

In knitting knews, I’m still working on the Woodland Shawl. I’m finally up to my 3rd and final skein of yarn. I didn’t bother taking pictures, because it looks as before, just longer. I have to prep my charts for the Mystic Light, and then I will start Clue 5. Believe it or not, I still am knitting on Mystic Waters. I work a row every now and then. I figure at this rate, it should be finished within the next 5 years or so.

Keeping with the theme, of knitting from stash, I cast on for something else. Snowflake Fingerless Mittens. I have an ish load of Palette Yarn, and its time to put a dent in.

I’ll get to practice my Fair Isle, so Im anxious to see some progress.  Here’s my meager start .  I’m subbing some of the colors, of course.  I’m using purple, pink, black, yellow, sky blue, blue, and light green.  I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

In household news, I managed to clean up some more!  I’m on a roll here.  I think tonight I will actually cook.  I’m in the move for some sea food, and I think I will attempt to fry some fish.  I hate the way the house smells after frying fish, so I’ll prolly make some cupcakes as well.  Im thinking pumpkin chocolate, or something with peanut butter.  I’m doing everything from what I have, save the fish!

Alright let me get moving!

Happy Craftin

Necia

I spent the greater part of today, rearranging my crap, so that I can better utilize my space.  Instead of doing my sewing in the living room, I’m now working out of the back of the house.  It’s just as tight, but I’m alone, and everything is set up to my liking, and I’m getting shit done!

I decided to break my new space in, my working on my string quilt.  Last I left off, I had 4 more squares to complete for a total of 16.  I was pondering doing 16 more.  In the long run.  my top is 4×4, for a total of 16 squares.

It’s done.  Well the TOP is done, now what?  Obviously I’m going to edge the whole thing in black, and apply probably a black background.  But seriously, am I expected to actually quilt this thing?  I’m getting nervous just thinking about it.

Of course it’s all put away now, and I havent’ even measured it.  Oh well, I’ll break it back out. But, I’m done, for the most part, or at least Phase 1.  I will absolutely do another string quilt, but my next one will have some more order to it.

Next up quilting wise, swap blocks.  Yup, I signed up for a block swap.  I need to have 16, 12.5″ blocks done and mailed by June 30th.  Ya’ll gonna have to pray for me.  How long did it take me to do this one?  Lol.

Ok, let me go knit, or spin, or dye, or something!
Happy Craftin

Necia