Chicken Herding Fiber Dying Yarn Spinning Knitter, with the hats to prove it.

The TreasureGoddess Hat


This is the hat I wear while teaching classes on techniques for knitting with art yarn, I also wear it while selling my handspun yarns & fibers at events, and 99% of the time at the lake when I'm relaxing during the summer. It's hard to believe, but this was once an expensive, high quality handmade hat bought at a fancy schamcy hat shop in Cabos, Mexico. I used to think I should've just got a hat off a corner vendor for $10, but I'm sure it wouldn't have taken the abuse this poor, gorgeously ORANGE hat has gone through. I've dyed, spun and knit some amazing fibers while wearing this hat!


Then I went to Mopaca this March, an amazing alpaca festival, complete with the critters themselves AND people selling their fiber. The only issue is I went on the day BEFORE it was actually open to the public due to an error on their website. It saved me money as two years ago when I went I bought an obscene amount of alpaca. BUT there happened to be a cowboy hat stand setting up as I wandered through the building... I ended up with TWO hats. For no reason other than the belonged on my head. Little did I know one would end up being JUST THE HAT for my new occupation!!!


Chicken Herding Hat


Yes, chicken herding. When I came home from my lovely fiber weekend at KAWS, I found the boys smiling. Standing there smiling. BIG SMILES at me. It freaked me out. Then I walked inside and heard "tweet tweet tweet chirp chirp chirp". The man had brought home a box full of 6 little balls of yellow fluff. 6 cute little poop factories. (First photo is 2 weeks old and the other is 3 weeks old, just taken today.)



Yes, we DO live in the middle of the city. No, chickens are NOT approved by our city or homes association. Yes, I am actually HERDING them as they're sort-of contained in a shelter under our porch, which gets good light, shelter from the elements and predators. I take them outside to scratch & peck and free range poop. They are able to crawl/hop/short flight around and then go back into their little pen with food & water & such. They are truly crapping machines. Yet another reason why I don't want my own alpacas. Just think how much poop those things would make!!


My goin-out fancy schmancy cowgirl hat, if I ever actually went out anywhere (also bought at mopaca)


My Knitter Hat
Ok, I admit this one was a bit much, but hey, my new excitement is hanging out with little chickens. See how much I need to go out and USE my goin-out fancy hat?

As actual proof that I am still a knitter, I started Whispy Cardi out of some of my own hand dyed merino wool lace yarn. The colors are most true in the photo of the skeins, but the closeup of knitting shows how there's a lot goin' on in that deep dark green yarn. So far, so good. I HAD to knit this after falling in love with See Jo Knit's amazing Featherweight Cardigan by the same designer, Hannah Fetig.



I'm getting used to this not working in the real world any longer thing. I have to say, it's an adventure and I freaking LOVE it. I'm still looking for a real job, just hoping that it'll not have to start for a while yet.

AND of course my first real jobs are being a mom & a wife. But I'm not sticking any of them up on my head and taking a photo. I figure these hats & a ball of yarn will have to do for now.

KAWS...like Jaws, but with more yarn

Here's a few highlights from my weekend in Manhattan. My class for teaching techniques for knitting with art yarn was SUCH FUN! :) YAY! ART YARN!!

Thanks to fiberTERIan for coming along, sharing my vendor booth and keeping me mostly sane!

PS, I'm working on a tutorial for making those fun felted flowers, should be on the blog in a couple of weeks!! Stay tuned. :)

mo-o-THER!! one of your hands is ORANGE and the other is GREEN! (whisper yelled)

I've found it! I've finally, finally found it! The perfect explanation to use when we're questioned for doing something the rest of the world finds odd and we find just being fibery people!

We were at my daughter's high school-to-be at the pre-tryout cheer meeting. Holy crapamoly those high school cheerleaders are freaking INTENSE. You know what's even MORE intense than them? The cheer coaches & teachers. I was signing us in on the sheet when I heard this "*gasp* OH...My...What?" from the head coach. Lizzie whisper yelled "mo-o-THER!! One of your hands is ORANGE and the other is GREEN!!" I looked at the coach and said, "Oh. Well, I'm an artist." The coach's eyes got big, smiled at us and said "OH, how exciting!" I replied, "Yes. Yes, it is." It was awesome.

(And, yes, that is in fact three empty 1.5 gallon tubs of vinegar in the background. I was dyin' my arse off last week. There's nothing better than the smell of vinegar & wool, baby.)

How many times have you tried to explain your yarn at the office on the desk, in every tote bag and purse you own, your orange & purple fingers (or maybe that part is just me)? The more you try to explain the amazingness of the fiber world, the more people's eyes glaze over and they start backing slowly away from you in a non-threatening manner.

Go on, use it. It works in almost every occasion. Try it. "Oh, I'm an artist." That's all you have to say. It's funny that an "artist" gets instant approval while Crazy Yarn Girls/Boys just get strange looks and lots of gossip in the elevator.



Oh, and for the record? My hands were not "orange" and "green". They were crumbling brick red-orange and pouting peacock teal.

Unemployed!

I suddenly found myself reorganized right out of a job. SO, as anyone that had her priorities straight and finds herself suddenly unemployed, we're making cuts and scrimping and saving. Goodbye fancy Arbonne facial system, hello Oil of Olay. Goodbye shopping at the LYS, hello stash! (thank GOD for a sweet stash) Goodbye big F150 King Ranch Truck, hello rebuilt sad little dented and rebuilt trucklett (from my wreck last year). *sigh*

Hello ski trip. what? Yup. We're going the cheap route, (packing sandwiches, bringing our cooler full of food & drinks, staying free on the husband's points at hotels) but still living large and heading to Colorado with all 4 kids, the hubster and a van full of yarn. YAY! We're only skiing two days, but I figure that should be more than enough as none of the kids have skiied other than hitting the local mini ski place in MO once. I'm looking forward to the 10 hour drive each way. Another YAY! I'm taking ORANGE YARN and lots of it. 10 skeins of noro cash iroha in a fabulous bright and sunshiney ORANGE! I'm taking a few patterns and my knitpicks set of circs and we'll see what that yarn wants to grow up to be. Another AMEN for a sweet stash full of yarn.

The surprise of unemployment is actually a good thing, but it's stressful. We'll get through and I plan to ramp the heck out of the dying & spinning business when I return from the slopes. And as always, I'm knitting on....

Edited to add...I think I'll start the Snow White pattern from Ysolda. It's going to be called "Evil Stepmother" though as I'll be stuck in a van with FOUR CHILDREN (two of them step) and with the history of the overprotectiveness I exude as a mother and the throw-them-off-the-cliff-then-see-what-happens parenting plan of Outdoorsman, I'm going out on a limb and thinking there may potential for a little, um, venting of the frustrations. Just a hunch, but it's probably a good bet.

When life gives you lemons....

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Well, what do you do if life gives you shit? NO, you don't make shit-n-ade. When life gives you shit, you SIT AND KNIT! and knit. and knit. and knit.

Life is very, very good. But there's a LOT of extra stress going on. Thank God for family, friends (here in person and on the innernets) and thank GOD for knitting. It's helped me through so many tough times in my life. I can't tell you how much knitting has been done in hospitals (our family is accident prone AND having a son with CF - cystic fibrosis- means lots and lots of time spent sitting, waiting and worrying.)



It'll all work out for the best, I have no doubt. I've just got to make it through the next couple of weeks and not lose my freaking mind. :) No problem, right?

My project of choice right now is good old garter stitch. Knit, knit, knit, knit, knit. It's soothing, comforting and MAN do I love garter stitch projects. They're squooshy, have good texture and make lovely projects. My project? Another square of my Itty Bitty Sockyarn Bits Blanket (free pattern link on ravelry). For a non-ravelry free download, click HERE

more fibery fun

Strawberry Vanilla Sherbert Superwash Merino


Grape Cherry Bubblegum


Royal Mohair



This one I just spun up but it's soaking in a bowl of warm water with wool rinse. SO, finished photos tomorrow maybe.

Cha Cha Cha Changes....

I will soon have much more time to devote to all things fiber and much less money in which to do that devoting. :) I'm also going to have to change my description on ravelry & etsy. I'm no longer "a good little corporate drone that dreams of playing with fiber all day long." Or at least SOON I will be no longer a good little corporate drone....

It's all good. It's just sudden and freaky and HOLY CRAPAMOLY-ish and all that.

SO, in the meantime, I've decided to ramp up the old TreasureGoddess etsy shop. Here's a few shots of things to put put up there soon...

Silk/Alpaca/Superfine Merino wool roving hand dyed by TreasureGoddess (2 lbs)


Hand Dyed 1001 yards of merino/silk laceweight in Pale Peacock Colorway


Twurple Hand Dyed Sockyarn Teal + Purple = Twurple


Newest curtains :) Superwash Merino...8 sets of 8 oz glorious hand dyed spinning fiber!

New Ennea Collective issue is LIVE, YAY!

AAAANNNNDDDDDD I have a pattern in there too! I have to say, it's one of my all time favorites. I love a delicate lace pattern in heavier yarn. My favorite part is that it's totally reversible! WOO HOO! Please check out the magazine. This is the 3rd issue and there's some seriously cool stuff in there! Articles, patterns, even tips on weaving.



Lattice Ladders Scarf in Ennea Collective and here's the link to the ravelry page Lattice Ladders Scarf on Ravelry. I'd have to say I'd be your best friend forever if you went and hearted it on ravelry..... I'm such a beggar. Only heart it if you actually like it.

Here's a few photos. PS, the yarn ROCKS. It was all handspun from fiberTERIan. Thanks, my friend! She's opening a ravelry shop soon with amazing handspun yarn too, I'll post links once she's in business!









OK the last one you can hardly SEE the scarf. It's the infinity scarf version, wrapped double around as a super cowl. I had to include it as my hair looks fabulous. It NEVER looks like that. *sigh*

The scarf is a fast knit, looks way more complicated than the simple pattern actually is and is FUN! Thanks to the ladies at Ennea Collective for including my design.

PS, there's some seriously cute patterns in this issue. There's a hat that's on my list plus some amazing lace cowls... Check it out! Ennea Collective Online Magazine

Sweet mother, someone stop me!

Have you knit up Shaelyn? A beautiful and FUN knit shawl by Leila Raabe.



I knit one out of some beautiful fingering weight Kauni I had in the stash. Then I immediately cast on for another one out of the rest of the ball. I fell a little short, so ended with 6 rows (3 ridges) of garter stitch and then did my version of a super stretchy bindoff. VERY LOOSELY, I knit one, then slipped that stitch to the left needle. Then I knit two stitches together, then slipped THAT stitch to the left needle. Keep on keepin' on in that way until you're across the whole shawl.



The colors were fabulous and Leila gave little hints of how to count your stitches so you don't even have to LOOK at the pattern. That rocked. It's been a stressful few days at Chez Weasley (everything's fine, just a lot of various crap to deal with). These shawls have been blessings to me. I do have to say it took EVERY part of my willpower not to run out and buy another skein of Kauni to finish the shawl...and THEN there'd be even MORE yarn left over....you get where I'm going with this, right? I saw a whole army of Shaylyn shawls! oh man, I STILL want to go buy more yarn. I wonder how this would look in a lovely solid? I happen to have some orange opal that is calling my name.....

Luke.....there is....another......Skywalker...Shaelyn.....

(The unblocked 2nd Shaelyn.)

Thank You Vicki

Remember that post a while back? The one about how you should think about your yarn in case something happens to you? Well, I am the recipient of some lovely yarn and a knit sweater from a local knitter that recently died. I'm so very honored to have been on her list. Vicki Stopple was an amazing knitter. Technically she was unstoppable. Cables, lace, colorwork, intricate sweaters, amazing. Beyond the knitting, she was a lovely woman, kind and funny. I'm proud to have known her a little bit.

I remember my first few meetings at the Sunflower Knitters Guild. I went to the morning meetings first and was very timid and quiet. YES I WAS TOO! I was a brand new knitter and not actually sure if I'd be allowed at the meeting and scared to bits that I'd have to prove my knitterly skills. Needless to say, the women there were welcoming, kind and funny. Vicki was thoughtful and kind and cracked me up too. She died recently and asked that some of her yarn, books and sweaters be distributed among a few of us lucky ones.

I'm honored to be able to knit with her yarn. I've got plans for socks for my kids, a scarf or two and hats galore. I think she'd like to know that my family will be kept warm by her kind gift.



The most amazing part of all? One of her sweaters, a lovely in-progress cardigan, fits me like it was KNIT just for me. I absolutely love it. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It's a simple garter stitch rib, one of my favorite simple yet classy stitch patterns. I actually just finished a pair of legwarmers using that very same stitch. I need to weave in a few ends, decide if I want to put on buttons or a zipper closure and it's good to go. I actually wore it for two days with all the ends hanging out as I was just so touched.

Thank you Vicki. Your kindness touched my soul. I feel better about the day when I leave my yarn to my friends. Much like those that get more than just warmth from prayer shawls, I feel like I've received way more than just yarn and a sweater. Each stitch I make with this yarn will include good thoughts for the woman that gave me the yarn and the people I'm knitting for.

Wool you be my Valentine?

Ok, I totally stole that woolly valentine from Handmade By Mother but could you blame me? Isn't it amazingly cool? Also, you totally need to check out Handmade by Mother. She finds the most craptastical crocheted & knitted patterns that boggle the mind. I have to say I'm a fan of her Valentine project. Not only is the acrylic crocheted heart vest enough to make you shiver, the model has LESS of a chest than I do. (something that's hard to find). Now, not having a chest does mean you use less yarn on sweaters...good things, but makes it difficult to fill out a swimsuit top. (especially if anyone had *cough* crocheted a bikini out of suede yarn. *cough* *cough*).

ANYWAY, Happy Valentine's Day to one and all. And to all you over-achieving-moms that made your own valentines by hand, caligraphy penned them, hand made the cookies, candies and gifts for the teachers....(oh crap! totall forgot about the teacher's gift. CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!) I have to salute you. I truly do. I did, actually print out valentines for my son from the computer and he cut them out. We stapled a piece of halloween candy on the back of each one. That's handmade and crafty, right? And our kids are still eating that halloween candy, so I'm sure it's still good. I was feeling quite GUNG HO SUPERMOMMISH until Joe asked at 7:14am (we leave the house at 7:16am) what about his valentine box? CRAP! SUPERMOM to the RESCUE! I just happened to have cleaned out my desk at work and FINALLY brought home this amazing red, fancy gift box that I was going to use to package up a Christmas present home..... Dumped it out (there may or may not have been YARN in there)...handed to him and we ran out the door. Sweet. I'd EVEN saved these cute puppy & kitten fake tattoo's in little cute boxes for my daughter to use for her friends. Cheerleader at the middle school now, so all things "cute" are cool now. As she was hopping out of the truck she said, "um, MOM, did you realize these dogs & cats are all in PUMPKINS?" decided to pass on handing out of cute tattoo's after all.

SO. Business as usual at Chez Weasley. Christmas Box for Valentine's Day at the elementary school and Halloween treats at the middle school... Life would be so much simpler if everyone just wanted yarn. Yarn is the EVERY SEASON gift.

Coils and KAWS and MAWS, Oh My!

I'm busy busy busy spinning up a TON of coils handspun art yarn! Why? Well, because I'm teaching at KAWS in April! WOO HOO! Kansas Alliance of Weavers and Spinners has their annual retreat/festival/fiber fest in Manhattan, KS this year, hosted by MAWS (Manhattan Alliance of Weavers & Spinners). WOO HOO!

I'll be teaching techniques for knitting with art yarn and selling at the vendor market too! YAY! The class is called "Getting Looped with Art Yarn" and will cover 3 basic techniques for working with coils, puffs, granny stacks and other funky fun yarny things. The classes look amazing, all types of fibery fun. I just hope to not spend all my vendor table profits on more yarn & fiber to take home just for ME!

Click HERE for info on the conference and class schedule.

PS, I'm going to switch my Sophisticated Coils Art Yarn Hat pattern from FREE to a charge on March 1st. If you'd like it FREE, please download & save/print it out now. Click HERE to download it from ravelry or click HERE for a non-ravelry free download.

it may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a zoo to keep me warm

When it's -2 F outside, I need to get some critters involved. I was toasty warm on my way to work today. Wearing a 1950's mink stole over my head, my down coat, alpaca gloves, wool sweater, merino socks and leather cowboy boots. That plus a seat heater in the truck created pure heaven. Of course, I did get a few "looks" in the elevator.



Later as the day warmed up, I fashioned myself a mink collar (folded the stole in half) and looked much more respectable. It made me feel like a fancy lady, like I should be wearing dresses like Lucy Ricardo and cooking roast for Sunday dinner. *sigh* PS, check out my new smile! I can't recommend my new dentist enough. THEY ROCK! Their theme is "We Cater to Cowards." Sign me up. Many crowns & bridges later, I have some beautiful normal non-hillbilly teeth. Yup. Fancy schmancy fur collar wearin normal teeth! If you're in the KC area, look them up. They do plain old dentistry up to reconstructive surgery (like me). AND they have massage chairs.
KC Dental Arts. My dentist is Dr. Bowen, but all 3 are highly recommended.

Ah well. This is a FIBER blog, right? Sorry about that. Here's a little bit of thick & thin handspun. Warm, woolly and wonderful. Can't you just see that as a snuggly classy cowl?


PS, for dinner we had hot dogs rolled up in crescent rolls. But when you dine with mink on, it's fancy. :)

A lovely weekend

While the menfolk were all outdoors working and playing the day away, I took care of getting that yarn off the curtain rod, reskeined, photographed and such. The older boys were hauling loads of muddy water out of the 4 foot deep hole in our front yard and then mixing concrete to set up for the basketball goal that Santa brought. The younger boys were snowman building, snow fort building and generally causing mayhem with much glee. (About half an hour later, the snowman's head with hat, nose, buttons, etc was found across the yard after it'd been used to launch in a snow war.

My contributions from the weekend....




I tell you, that Jaycee from Insubordiknit is awesome. She set a spark in me two years ago the first time I took a class from her and her latest class just made it worse. I love me some art yarn. I love spinning it, I love knitting with it, I love looking at it. I just love it.

I do love my own little regular bulky two ply handspun yarn too... This one's called "Be my Valentine".


I need to get another project ready for those boys so that I can have another day of spinning!

PS, the girl child apparently was having her own special day. Just found out via FACEBOOK that she's now got a boyfriend, hanging at the mall with her friends. cripes almighty. I know people have survived having daughters. I've seen it. I'm just not sure I'm strong enough. Good thing there's plenty of fiber and plenty of beer. I'm gonna need them both.