Wallet overboard!

Last fall I made a pledge to not use my credit cards to pay for any Christmas items this year. It worked out really well, and I actually went two whole months without charging anything. Unfortunately, all my good went out the window in January. I started buying spinning supplies and quickly racked up a huge tab. Granted, much of that came from my birthday money, but looking back I can hardly believe how much I spent. So now I have to make up for my spending binge by saving more in the coming months.
I have a plan, and it goes like this:
- No unnecessary spending for 6 days, followed by a $20 personal shopping day.
- Repeat until cc's are paid off.
- Watch the grocery budget and determine if costs can or need to be cut.
- Finish up the miriad knitting projects that I currently have and "shop the stash" for new projects.
- I also have fiber to spin that I can designate for any exciting new projects.
- The next big knitting project will first be a spinning project: I want to spin enough yarn to knit a sweater next winter.
- No more toys for the boys.

We have lots of trips to take this spring, and I need to save for those, too. Wish me luck!

Andrea Toman

Sent from my iPod

The best of both worlds

I have discovered the one flaw with spinning and the reason I shall continue to knit: you can't spin with your feet up! I am totally in love with spinning, and I love that it can be done standing. It's easy to chase kids that way. However, at the end of the day I just want to sit and put my feet up. So back to knitting I go.

I'm somewhat relieved: I have had so much fun spinning I was starting to think I might never knit again.

Andrea Toman

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Post-holiday update

Holidays are fantastic! This year I was swamped with todos, parties, and knitting. The highlights of my gift list include an iPod Touch from DH, and a knitpicks kit from my knitting pal(thanks Katie!). I've finished the first 10 rows on the kit - it's a fair isle bag that requires fair isle purling as well.

My family gave me cold hard cash for Christmas and my birthday, so what do you think I did? Why, took up spinning, of course!

I bought a Boswoth Midi in tulipwood. I have also picked up a variety of fibers, including Corriedale, BFL, Rambouillet, and soysilk. I'm still waiting for a blended batt, but everything else it here.


So far I have spun and plyed the Corriedale and pre-drafted the Rambouillet. The Corriedale is severely overspun in places and moderatly thick and thin, but overall I'm quite pleased with my first product.

The Rambouillet has a much shorter staple length, but it is softer and far loftier than the Corriedale. It held together quite strongly when I was pre-drafting it. It's fluffy! My goal is to spin it a little thicker than I spun the Corriedale, with a goal of worsted weight singles for a hat. I want to work on getting it much more even overall.

Sent from my iPod

Finally, some progress.

The buttons are on! All that remains is to sew on the loops.

I can't wait to wear it - I've already planned out my whole outfit to go with it. Is that obsessive?

Also, I stopped by Tuesday Morning yesterday and added this Laines Du Nord to my stash.

The color is a little off - it's more of a teal/emerald color. It's very vibrant. They also had a dusty rose and a lavender color that I'm considering returning for. I've already decided to make Fetching from www.knitty.com. My sister might go for them in lavender. :)

The last 100 miles

Do you ever get the feeling when you're driving someplace that the last 100 miles are the longest? That's how it's been for me with the Estes Vest. A month ago I was diagnosed with a skin condition on my hands that has prevented me from knitting much while I wait for it to heal. So my knitting time has been cut in half. No, make that 1/10 - it's been decimated. So I'm really surpised that I've made any progress at all.

I'm happy to report that despite these difficulities, I have finished the I-cord edging, bought the buttons, and crocheted the loops. All that remains is to sew on the buttons and the loops, then weave in the final ends. Unfortunately now I've lost my sewing needle and my spare is in the room with the sleeping (and sick, he has a cold) baby. So it probably won't get finished tonight, either.

I'm trying to decide what I want my next project to be. I'm excited about the Gathered Pullover from the Winter 2007 Interweave Knits. I'm thinking of using some Louet Sport from Pieces of String in Moorhead - she's clearancing out her yarn to make room for more finished products. I think Fern Green would be a great color on me!