Love the Fingerless Gloves!

For the "Treats with a Twist" swap, I made a pair of "Susie Roger's Reading Mitts".  I just love these mitts - they are very elegant and warm - especially when made from Alpaca.   It takes only about 140 yds. of yarn - in a DK weight.  

I will DEFINITELY be making more of these!  (Including a pair for myself!)  I think what I like the best is the picot edging on both the wrist and fingertip sides of the mitts.

 

I also did a lot of spinning this month.  I spun up 4 ounces of black Llama from Linda at Graustuck Farm.   I love the richness and drape of the Llama yarn.  

I still have another 4 ounces to spin up.   I haven't decided yet what this will "grow up to be", but whatever it is, I need to select a pattern that will complement the drape of this luscious yarn!

The Weaver's Weevil

What a fabulous morning - starting with a gorgeous sunrise!

At our Foothills Spinners and Weaver's meeting today, we had a wonderful presentation byRebecca Fox, the author of  The Weaver's Weevil. 

She showed a number of samples from the book and talked about the process, timeline, and a bit about the costs that go into publishing a book.   The presentation was fascinating....and the samples were absolutely gorgeous!

I can't wait to dive into some weaving and try out some of the tips Rebecca had for using up stash!

Sharon graciously hosted the meeting....along with her furry side-kick.  Mmmmm.....soft fluffy Angora!

Apples! Apples! Apples!

Earlier this month, Stephanie gave another canning demo sponsored by the Lovettesville Co-Op.  This time, the focus was on fruit butters and applesauce.   We made the sauce and butter in the crockpot!   How cool is that!  Stephanie makes it all look so easy!!!  (Somehow, when I try the same things at home, it takes me a LOT longer!!!!)

Yesterday, DH and I went to Crooked Run and picked tons of apples!   A few Yorks, but mostly Mutsu and Jonah Gold apples.   I spent all day today scrubbing, cutting, and cooking the apples in three separate batched  for Apple Butter, Spiced Apple Sauce, and Plain Applesauce.   These were all done with the skins on - added vitamins and fiber!    Once it's all cooked up, I used an immersion blender to mash it all up. 

 

I think I'm set for the winter now!

 

Nuno Felting and Sheep

Today was a fun-filler fibery type of day.....

It started early in the morning at Jen's where our rug hooking guild had enlisted Susan from Earth, Wind, and Fleece Farm to teach us how to Nuno Felt a scarf.   The weather was beautiful and we all had a lot of fun creating our scarves.   Here's my finished scarf....

....and a closer view of each edge.    I haven't trimmed the yarn yet as I haven't decided how long I really want it to be.  It's still a work in progress.

 

Once I was done with my scarf, I headed over to Sharon's for her Farm Open House.   She raises California Reds.   I love sheepies!

 Aren't these three adorable?

A friend of Sharon's was at the farm as well....demonstrating dying with walnuts.   Whew!   The cooking yarn really has a pungent smell!     

The dyed yarn is a nice rich brown. 

My final photo....I can't resist a shot of my adorable pup.  Bandit sleeps in the most intriquing positions!

A Sweet Hat for a Sweet Baby-to-be

Rod's cousin Dani is expecting her first baby in December....a little girl.  I went to Butterfly Hill and purchased a skein of ultra soft Alpaca yarn from Catie's flock of alpacas and knitted this up as part of her shower gift.  The pattern I chose was "Baby Leaves" by Paula Dean Nevison.

It's so incredibly soft!  PLUS....Alpaca is naturally hypo-allergenic - most people are not allergic to it AND the wool does not have the barbs that wool does, making this an excellent fiber for babies!