kitty: Abyss isn't ready for her close up yet, but the final piece of the puzzle just arrived

Linen Ribbon and Linen/Cotton Gauze fabric from Linnet

LINNET Linen Ribbon DELAVE 25mm winter grass - Click Here Linen & Cotton Triple Gauze Check - Click Here

The Abyss Jacket has been off the needles, sleeves set in, and ends all woven in for a couple of days now. I am so excited about it, but I have had to wait for the linen ribbon to arrive from JP. The other problem is that it has been setting on the blocking board trying to dry for days. Ohio weather has not been kind to this task. Olga suggests that you run a piece of ribbon behind the snaps/ tabs for added support, but not just any ribbon would do for my special sweater.

kitty: Happy Ada Lovelace Day

	Dear Programmers... Have you hugged your favorite fiber artist today to thank there craft for lending itself to the skill set needed for the FIRST COMPUTER PROGRAMER, Ada Lovelace a weaver and mathematician??? Happy Ada Lovelace Day, “an international day of blogging to celebrate the achievements of women in technology and science”. Woman in science have long been undervalued for their achievements. So today it the day to raise awareness of the presence of women in science and technology and to remind men in technical communities that women are unquestionably capable of great achievments and we deserve there respect. I for one remind every programmer and hacking friend, that the first programmer was a woman and a weaver. Thank you Ada.... Priscilla
National Physical Gallery, Teddington.

kitty: New project on the needle, Abyss by Olga Buraya-Kefelian

Name: Abyss Jacket Designer: Olga Buraya-Kefelian Pattern Book: Ori Ami Knits Fibers: Habu Textiles A-1 2/17 Tsumugi Silk / 3 cones of colour # 32 (Avril colour code), 3 cones of colour #40, 6 cones of colour #46 in 2 dye lots Needles: 5mm / 8

It's slowly coming along, though I am not going to make it for St. Patrick's Day (No I wasn't trying for the date, but my neighbor asked me when she saw the sweater while I was taking photos. It really made me laugh). I have about 3 inches before it is time to break for the underarms. So far I am absolutely loving the design and the fabric that it is creating.

Essentially the 4 colours are creating a really complex tweedy green which I am ecstatic about . I can not wait to see how the sweater turns out. I am quickly in need of some dressy spring clothes so this will be perfect. Beautiful design Olga. :)

kitty: Boye Electric Ball Winder: To buy or not to buy is the question?

Boye Electric Yarn Winder

Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder White Manufactured by Boye Price: 89.99 found on Ebay for 23.99 New Description: BOYE-Electric Yarn Ball Winder. This machine is convenient and quick: eliminate tedious hand winding and easily wind hanks of yarn into center-pull skeins. This machine winds all sizes and weights of yarn. The Yarn Ball Winder features a suction cup to securely attach it to work surfaces; adjustable speed; labor-saving motor that means less stress on your arms hands and wrists; create flat bottom balls that stack neatly; rewind messy partial skeins into tidy center-pull skeins and wind thin yarns together to create custom sizes or colors; machine is light weight and compact so transport and storage are easy. The instructions include details for use and care. Machine measures 5x10x7in. UL listed (E215890): Input of 100-240V; 50/60Hz; 0.6A and Output of 12V; 2.0A. Imported (Found on Amazon)

One of the things that I hate to do most in knitting is wind a ball of yarn. I can not tell you how many times I have found myself cursing about how much I hate the task. I know some people love it and find it therapeutic, but I am not in that camp. So when I first heard about the Boye Electric Yarn Winder I was really excited about the concept. I had seen the more expensive electric yarn winders but I had not wanted to invest the money in one to be honest. A couple of months ago I lost my manual yarn winder someplace in my office. I looked and looked and couldn't find it. (I found it the day I ordered the electric one.)So I couldn't bear it any longer, I started to look on ebay for a new one. I ran across Ritz Camera liquidation company who was selling the Boye Electric at a highly reduced price. So I figured it was worth a shot. So the good.... Well I don't have to hand crank to wind the ball of yarn. Oh... It is an electrical gadget, and I am a gadget girl. The Bad... The motor just isn't strong enough for the task and I was expecting any second for that all to familiar smell of burned out motors. It is not capable of pulling the yarn off of my swift without manual intervention. I had to stand there and pull at the same rate that the yarn was winding to get it to form its very loose ball. I then thought, well maybe it wasn't designed for this task. So I decided to have it rewind a hand wound ball. That probed to be disastrous. It first pulled off a chunk that got knotted only to be followed by me setting there manually pulling off the yarn to be would from the ball. (This is not a task to be preformed with 2 helpful cats) The next problem is the ball that it produces, though neat if very loosely wound. I have to wonder if it will be able to hold its shape while knitting a project.. As a whole, though I have only used this twice now, I would not recommend buying this device. Even though I had read a lot of very good reviews, bottom line I found myself spending more time winding then I did before on a task I hate.

Habu Item XS-32, 20/18 bamboo, colour 5

kitty: Mia's Christmas Scarf

Mia's Christmas Scarf item #: Textured Shawl Recipe Pattern: Orlane - Ravelry Link Fiber: Plucky Knitter 55/45 Cashmere Silk 2ply Colour: Upsy Daisy

So I am pretty late in getting this to Mia, but with all the nightmare weather and deadlines galore I can finally get to the PO today. So I thought it was safe to post photos of it. It isn't much of a surprise since Mia has known about her Christmas gift even before I left for London. So here are pictures of the finished scarf. And obviously I love the concept of this textured shawl recipe since this is my third version of the shawl. Indigo Hand Spun - Textured Shawl - Habu Textile A-1B Kakishibu Tsumugi Silk

kitty: looking forward to knitting for fall 2010

Squeal... Have you been following all the amazing knitwear for Fall 2010 that has been hitting the runway? As you can tell from this post, the Prada Socks have really caught my eye. Something about the very chunky cables running up the front of the socks really intrigues me. Particularly with the leather skirts and simple shirts. Looks Like fall is going to be really exciting for knitters this year. Prada D&G Pringle of Scotland Missoni Salvatore Ferragamo Y-3

All photos were taken from Style.com from there coverage of the Prada Fall 2010 Runway show.