On top of that, my garage became a snack for some nasty ground termites so I had to have the ground treated. The house, being much older then the garage is surrounded by those chemicals that have been banned, so I think they don't like it much. In addition, I had signed up for a PV system last year, but due to the end of the year rush I had to wait for this year. So I decided to have the house tented as well. All that bagging and cleaning is not fun at all, but it did encourage me to throw away a lot of outdated stuff.
The PV system took 3 instead of 2 days to install. The first gang got rained out the second day and the next crew had a whole different idea of out to get the wiring from the electric box to the panels. The attic is old and unfinished, and proved quite a challenge. They did a terrific job and I can't wait to see my electric bill! I was warned though, that this is the cloudy time of year so not to be disappointed.
I tried some colorwork out for Valentine's Day using the hand dyed maui yarn. It's a sock weight so I held it double to go with my hand spun. The roving was hand dyed by Christina Potter on Etsy.
I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out. The pattern is mine is except for the top which I found on Ravelry, Gramma K's Fair Isle Tam, by Kathleen Taylor.
Pattern:
The pattern was a RAK from FranceA on Ravelry in memory of Karrie Steinmetz who passed away unexpectedly.
Yarn: Handmaiden, Mini Maiden. A real pleasure to work with.
Downtown Abbey has been a great series this year, again! So much drama, and great characters. Lady Edith herself, can be quite a b*tch.
Pattern: The Parlor Cat, by Sara Elizabeth Kellner from Rabbit Hole Knits
Yarn. Mostly handspun, Candy Corn hand dyed by the Moonlight Baker.
The face is always a challenge. I tried out the crochet cat eyes from Heart in Flight, using sock yarn. They are a little bulge y. I may redo them one of these days. My son says, "That is a very odd cat."
Owen the Owl.
Pattern Big Snowy Owl, by Purl Soho from Purl Bee
Yarn: My own handspun
This was in my queue for quite a while. He is much smaller then the pattern due to the smaller needles and yarn gauge.
Pattern: Scott Pilgrim Hat (The Original Costume Pattern), by Lulu Bee, from lugirl Ravelry downloads
Yarn: some very scrumptious Ravelry Red Malabrigo Rios and white Cascade 220 Superwash.
I hope the red does not bleed!
I took my car in for a bargain service, noise and recall and boy what a surprise. I also found out my care was way overdue for a new timing belt! I don't know much about timing belts, but after consulting various people, I need a new one! Dragon Year is not so good for this metal rabbit, but things will look up in the summer. I'll try to keep a low profile until then. I waxed and oiled Serenity, my Majacraft Rose, and will try to finished up the odds and ends I have before diving in to the new stuff.
I got a great surprise package from the Knitted Brow! This really made my day. That is some lovely Jacob in shades of brown to play with as well as some very special gifts for Totoro! I can't decide how to spin it...try my supported spindel? On the wheel? Do I separate the colors? Fun, fun, fun!
Don't forget the drawing April 1 for knitting related giveaway. Just leave a comment on January's post.
Have a great February!
3 comments:
Oh my! I love this post. So many wonderful things. Your totoro always make me smile - so I'll start with those. The hats are gorgeous. Love the shawl (although as a huge Downton Abbey fan, I find it funny that people design a project with a character in mind even though the character never wore such a garment). And I learned what a PV system is. I didn't know that was what it was called. I hope it cuts your electric bill by a significant amount. Please continue to post about it as time goes by!!
A hat weaving class sounds like so much fun! Can't wait to see the finished hat. :)
Love all of your knitted projects.
Saw them on flickr and loved each one!!
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