feeling poorly

There is a virus running around our floor at work.  I caught it as soon as I got back from vacation.  I know there were few words last week and there may be few words this week depending on how I feel.  Or if the Pixie gets born and I get distracted.  That is a possibility too.

The day we got back from our vacation, I was disappointed that there was not a box waiting here waiting for me.  I had ordered an S size crochet hook to work on very thick rug yarn.  I was planning on using it on the alpaca bumps I had purchased at SAFF.  My Beloved saw my disappointment and made me a crochet hook that is about 10 mm across.  He went through his work room looking for something.  This wood was given to him by his friend Z and he cannot remember what it is.  I know it makes a lovely crochet hook.  That really works well with alpaca bumps.

Here are the dark colors of the alpaca.  A bump is a length of alpaca fiber that is read for spinning.  I had eighteen.  I did not spin them.  I just crocheted them.  We kept making the comment "fiber, fiber, everywhere."

I put an apron on to work with this.  I tracked fiber all over the house.  I also used my whole upper body.  It was a work out. 

But in the end, this is a thick, warm, soft rug.  It is about on inch thick and sits in front of my rocking chair.  I have hopes that it will felt a bit but still keep my feet warm.  I am pleased.

I have actual yarn coming to make a rug.  It is also alpaca so I will have to see what I think.  But I think I have the bestest crochet hook in the whole world!  Handmade for me by my Beloved!

another baby on the way

I was at work one day and bumped into a friend and found out she was pregnant with her second baby.  She is due seven days after the Tall Short Person.  I was hoping to get a quilt done for her and I am working on it but I did get a hat done.  I had a very quiet weekend while My Beloved was taking a course on slip joint knife making (a type of folding knife).  I had brought a lot of small projects and books with me so I could just unwind.  So instead of a quilt at the baby shower, this hat will be there.  I really like the colors.  Still working on the quilt though.

getting ready for winter, if it every comes, or at least the ice rink

Last night was interesting.  i got home from an event with my Beloved and went boom!  He could visually see my crash and I was asleep by 7.30.  The only reason I woke up between then and my alarm going off was to wobble to the bathroom.  And my Beloved followed me both ways because I was wobbling so bad.  It was an interesting evening that I do not care to repeat.

I have been crocheting a lot.  I had enough yarn leftover from the mitts I made to make a hat.  I also added a band on the edge that was an alpaca wool blend that was very soft.

I like that it is big enough to cover my ears and my hair when it is up on the back of my head.  In another words, I like soft hats that are too big.  I keep warm that way.  The Tall Short Person likes it too but this is not for her.  I will be working on Christmas gifts very soon.  

wool mitts

I have been seeing mitts all over the place lately.  At the ice rink.  In catalogs.  I decided I really wanted a pair for myself but I could not bring myself to buy a pair.  I looked at knitted mitt patterns and finally decided to get out my crochet hook.  I had an extra skein of Cascade wool because it saved me shipping when I bought yarn for a afghan for Mr. G (I am planning on putting it in his sling or mei tai).  It is really close to the color you see in the picture.  

I started them, ripped them out, started again, changed them, crocheted some more.  They were definitely a process but I am very pleased with how they turned out.  At the ice rink, you are always wanting to have your fingers not covered in knit so you can tie skates or open water bottles.  But I find the same is true on my bicycle and I can see the potential for rowing (but not for gardening).  I am actually thinking about making myself another pair I like them so much.  A few may end up in Christmas stockings.

Mr G's sweater

I wish you could feel how soft this yarn is.  Mr. G is being born at the end of October or the beginning of November.  He really is not going to need much winter wear because of where we live but he will need a little bit.

I put together a sweater for him.  It is an alpaca wool blend and will probably be much too big all winter but by the time he is really moving and needing real outdoor clothes it will be warm again.

I like how this yarn striped and SOOO soft.  I keep thinking I should make some pants for him too.  I probably will but I will need to get more yarn.