H i l a d o r a

Where am I?

2010-02-08T08:14:00.003-07:00

Well....I would love to say that it is just that I haven't had enough down time lately to write, but actually the main problem has been my very very slow laptop...hubby says it won't last this year for sure - which is what I was hoping until we settle in our new home...where my computer will be finally closer. Nope, this laptop may die any day now....so, hopefully I get to write this little post without it freezing on me.

I have been busy setting up my business properly. I am excited to announce that now you can find my hand dyed yarn at a LYS in Wyoming, where my friend Lori at Cowgirl Yarn has so gracefully added it to her yarn menagerie. If you visit Laramie, don't forget to make a stop at her shop. Especially try Monday nights, when the store is open while the local knitters and crocheters gather to share (please say hi to everyone for me!).

I really owe a lot of photos....I have been spinning a lot, especially bulky art yarn. I hope to get my new laptop (hubby surprised me with the news) soon, and then this girl will be on roll finally =D.

I have also been once again drawn to weaving. As my time in my studio remains short, I have been tinkering with my rigid heddle loom and researching on tablet/card weaving as well as portable inkle weaving. You know how we all get in the craze of knitting lots of socks once in a while? well, I am feeling a similar vibe for woven bookmarks =) ha!....here is a wonderful link I found on backstrap weaving while I was researching: http://backstrapweaving.wordpress.com/

My youngest boy is walking, and attempting to run. My oldest is enjoying finger knitting, although I haven't fully convinced him to wait a bit more to use knitting needles...we'll see.

I have received a couple of comments regarding one of my previous posts on a portable picker. I have not forgotten ladies! I am still searching for information, although I am afraid it seems the makers are not in business anymore.

Well, I will keep it short. And my next post shall be hopefully enjoying the joys of a secure and fast computer =)

From my neck of the woods...

2009-09-30T08:53:00.003-06:00

Lately, as time in front of a spinning wheel has become both scarce and precious, I have once again found the joy of the spindle. So, I wanted to share a music video about Andean spinners. The title of the song, which is in Spanish, is "Mujer Hilandera" which literally translates into "Woman Spinner."

On a much earlier post I shared how from an earlier age wool fumes have made it to the core of who I am, thanks to my grandparents' yarn store and small sweater mill. But, my youngest recollection of actual handspinning comes from watching Andean native women spin while selling produce in the local markets. It was always mesmerizing as a child to watch how they filled the spindles with such grace and ease. With a baby on their backs or breastfeeding, while talking to customers, their spindles would just dance harmoniously. I wish I had ask them then how they did it, but alas I remain grateful at my later journey of discovery!

I have been looking for a traditional, Andean-made, spindle for a while. They are called Phusca (or Pushca...the spelling is a mistery as the language is mostly only spoken, and Pushca also means "to spin") and are for spinning singles. The spindles used for plying are called Kanti (which also means "to ply".) I guess I must just visit home again! My mother brought me one used by an Andean spinner she had found along a roadside in Ecuador. I promise photos of it soon. What a simple tool (and much simpler than the ones I get to enjoy, for this one has a made-up shaft).

Anyway, here is a song dedicated to all handspinners out there!

Long sabbatical...

2009-09-14T08:44:00.005-06:00

Wow! It has been ages since I last posted here. Babies, family life, new town....just the busiest summer ever. But now I am slowing coming back with vengeance.
Finally set up my online store at Artfire. I spent some crazy weekends handpainting fingering weight sock yarn (75%superwash/25%nylon). I invite you to take a look.
Pretty soon I will have my handspun for sale there too as well as other goodies.

And, on my next post, I long overdue tribute to the new wheels in my studio, starting with the gorgeous 30" Norwegian wheel - Marie Antoinette - that craftsman James Watson in Canada made for me this year. Just gorgeous...and spins like butter!!...So, photos coming up soon. And, also of my new additions, the Poore sisters (Pipy and Wendy)!

Visit Hiladora's ArtFire Shop

Sharing some more...

2008-12-12T08:24:00.001-07:00

So, this is not fiber related either....but! it's my blog so....I wanted to share this great animation (and pass it along)!

Playing for Change

2008-12-05T09:00:00.002-07:00

I wanted to share this link and video... =)
Playing For Change: Song Around the World "Stand By Me"

Too late partying ... thus the silence

2008-11-10T08:51:00.003-07:00

Well...I feel like I was on standby for many weeks and as much as I was trying to avoid it, the US elections were really having an impact on my daily life. So, after the elections it really has felt as if a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I did party on November 4th...mostly with tears...but were tears of joy. It has felt as if I need detoxification badly =)....so I have been pretty quiet here, recuperating I suppose...

Before I forget, here is a really cool tea dyeing tutorial from Tiinateaspoon. I haven't tried it on my fibers yet, but I am already thinking of some fabulous earthy effects.

I finally finished putting my sock machine together. I have had many mistakes and a hard time getting started + had to stop for a bit since I have tons of projects to finished before the holidays. But I finally picked sock yarn from the stash for a first project, yarn with whom I tried to make peace and reassured it that if all goes wrong I will recycle it and make something nice....I can feel the skein shaking in fear though....

Finished 2 sweaters this weekend...one is a man's shawl collar jacket....huge!!!...the other one a cardigan in laceweight yarn that I have meant to finished for the past 2 years....had too many problems with it so I put it aside for a breather...will post photos soon...

On the pregnancy front....I am having to monitor my blood glucose levels for potential gestational diabetes, every day 4 times a day....it is a hassle and certainly not the way I imagine I wanted to spend my last months of pregnancy. But, that is how things are....each pregnancy is different and this one has brought this challenge for me - during the last one I had major sciatic pain...which now I barely notice thanks to a wonderful chiropractor! It is hard though as I am very anal about what I eat and thus fixing my diet is getting very complex....so in my case it pretty much means cutting off certain foods altogether....(deep breathing)....hubby is being very supportive because he knows this endeavor looks almost ridiculous and since I am not a big person (5'2" and 105 lbs when not pregnant, and an active yogini), it is rather comic to watch me count carbs...

But, I am entering week 31....yeahooooo!!! and I pray for peaceful weeks ahead and a sweet baby in my arms in January.

The NZAK is here!!

2008-11-03T10:02:00.002-07:00

So, my sock machine arrived this weekend =)...
I am excited and a bit overwhelmed....it will be a steep learning curve for now. But, here are some pics...and I will share more as I put it together and begin learning to knit in it =)

Finally some updates...

2008-10-21T07:00:00.001-06:00

Here are some pics of various projects I have been working on lately. First, here is the spindle spun alpaca for the heirloom newborn hat I was writing about:

I used my Greensleeves spindle and ended up with two skeins about approx. 2.5 ounces each in aran/worsted weight. They are soooo soft and tweedy (one of my favorite yarn textures). I used my Handy Andy Andean plying tool and I loved it!!

I also made a jacket for my son Nicolas...he was very excited to try it on - maybe it had to do with it having ships and planes as buttons :-)

Here is my Norsk Strikkedesign Kit....cannot wait to start it!!

And finally, here is a look at my sock yarn stash....the new NZAK will indeed do wonders!!! and will probably be arriving at my doorstep anyday now...

For all charity craftsters out there

2008-10-20T09:31:00.004-06:00

I wanted to share a program taking place in Argentina to knit/crochet squares for blankets to be delivered in empoverished regions of that country. The information is provided in this blog from Ñañakay....it is in spanish....hope you can join too :-)

It is basically about knitting/crocheting 10cm x 10 cm squares with green yarn (any hue and tonality is fine...as long as is green). The squares are sent to the organization and they will put together the blankets and deliver them.

...Feeling the strong desire to give back today....
I went to my Kiva lender page and found that many of my microloans have been repaid so I have more money to lend again...hurray!! And, once my business takes off, I am planning to lend 10% of my earnings in the form of Kiva microloans....hopefully more :-) If you have not heard of Kiva, please visit their site. There is even a Ravelry group called Kiva Loaners if you want to find out more about fiber folks joining in :-)

Cute, cute, cute...

2008-10-19T22:22:00.003-06:00

Maybe is the cold talking (our house is under quarantine...all of us have been sick since Tuesday...sore throat, runny nose, cough, the works)...I stopped by Barnes and Noble today and could not help it. Just couldn't and had to get this book, Stray Sock Sewing...click here if you want to check it out on Amazon.

It is sooooo cute!!! I am telling you, I am taking my sewing kit out to make these adorable softies...

I promised to post pics of the picker....sorry...will do in the next post - with the cold and all I just have been hibernating most of the week. Hubby was out of town (sick as well) and so between trying to take naps, eat for two and care for my little toddler, I have neglected my studio altogether. On top of it all, I found out I have to go next week for a 3-part glucose tolerance test (it checks for any potential gestational diabetes)...which means fasting, drinking sweet gaseous drinks at a lab and getting stabbed 3 times to get blood...not fun - although certainly I will do tons of knitting....if only I could eat something!! Anyhow, I am not happy about it. They had to do the same thing during my previous pregnancy only to find that I was just fine...apparently Asian folks have a tendency to show higher glucose levels (perhaps due to our higher consumption of rice)...so there you go...

I finish spinning some alpaca last week...will show pics next time. The yarn will be used to make a heirloom hat for my soon to be born baby :-)

Pure inspiration...

2008-10-12T09:25:00.003-06:00

I wanted to share an interview of Maggie Smith...a 7 year old spinner and SOAR scholarship recipient!....
....I, for one, cannot spin in my wheel without having to look at my hands more often than she does....
Ms. Maggie has given me this morning a couple of pointers on relaxation and letting go :-)
Cannot wait to show this video to my son...

Oh! and I forgot to mention that I am getting an early Christmas present....an NZAK circular sock knitting machine!!....Now I won't have to knit insanely to warm the feet of my growing boy this winter! :-)

Tummy whirling decisions...

2008-10-03T08:34:00.002-06:00

Considering the slowing down of the last weeks, I feel I am right at the edge of "officially" beginning the inventory for my business. I've been sampling sock yarns for dyeing....prepping all my fibers for carding, and just making sure I have it all ready for the cold winter months so that I can hibernate in my studio and get things done....
I decided to pick a 75% superwash wool/25% nylon blend for my sock yarn base. Originally I was looking for 100% superwash....but after touching and looking at each yarn sample, I just couldn't resist the little sheen that nylon brings to the yarn + the fact that many knitters will appreciate some extra reinforcement....I guess we shall see though...eventually I will ask for reviews and comments from clients to see if the yarn is indeed as good as it seems to be :-)

...I have to take pictures of the picker - it showed up!!....it is really pretty, doesn't really look like the medieval torture device I usually associate with it. This one is made of oak, everything is hidden inside a box frame.....it even has a little sheep ornament on the outside....it is just simply cute!!!
I took it for a test drive with some nasty (and I mean so nasty I was just going to toss it in the garbage) llama fleece....and now it is all clouds....ohhh!! So now I figure that if it can do that to this ugly fleece....then I can only imagine what it can do to my merino, my alpaca, my colored fleeces....

I also got labels for my yarns!...I feel so business-like....the labels turned out quite cute - I hope it is the sign that good things will come :-)

Now some bad things....we've been having some forest fires around here. My throat is just so itchy and dry....I feel like I have a major allergy and we are in the Fall!! My poor little son got sick last week because so much smoky ashy dryness really got on his throat....he's been coughing a lot...poor thing...but he is getting better, and today it finally looks like it's going to rain (knock on wood). Cannot wait for a good shower to clean the air around here...

arrivals and disappointments...

2008-09-23T08:55:00.003-06:00

I received a wonderful shipment from The Sheep Shed Studio....1lb worth of pretty much all the colors of roving they had....just gorgeous and a good start for this winter since I had to slow down on my dyeing this season. Carol Lee at The SSS is just so wonderful and so is her husband. I had the opportunity to meet them before I moved to Oregon, when I picked up my Ashford Country Spinner (they sell Ashford products too). If you ever have a chance to visit them, do so. Every year they put together The Gathering which is a weekend of fiber dyeing, sharing and all kinds of crafty things....this year though it has been canceled as Carol was having health problems.....I hope to get a chance to go next time =) The SSS sells Brown Sheep Mill Ends and they often have big bags (15lbs or more) to sell.....great price and great fiber.

Now...disappointments....I bought a new computer in May as my old laptop was really having problems...getting really slow, a virus took have of the memory and most features were beginning to die on it....But, yesterday I tried to turn on my new monitor only to find that it was on but the screen was extremely dark - something had just died inside the monitor itself....so, what 5 months into use!!??... as soon as I called customer service to request a replacement, the first thing they offered me was a brand new guaranty!!....well, I said, what about "a monitor that works the first time around?..."
....just a reminder of what I don't like in our current society - this idea that time, material, energy can be so easily disposable and there is little care on doing things right and worthwhile from the beginning (here is the perfectionist in me speaking...)

So anyhow...talking about not wasting...do try the mill ends from The SSS....good way to use material that would go to waste and you get tons of fiber to dye and play!!

Broke down...need a wool picker indeed....

2008-09-21T08:46:00.004-06:00

So, for months I kept putting this idea aside. Kept reading reviews of wool pickers but thought..."no...I surely will be fine with my drumcarders and combs..."...until!
I got this beautiful, soft (which doesn't even do it justice) alpaca fleece.....which I washed during my fleece washing frenzy of last week. Got rid of the majority of vm and it surely feels and looks clean....except for the great amount of sand....yes, sand....I shaked before I washed it, after I washed it (twice)....but I can still feel sandy spots....
I know, I know...wool pickers are not necessarily for getting rid of junk....but for opening locks and matted spots. But, I sure feel like it will help me a lot to get rid of the stubborn sand....
I wasn't ready for a Pat Green Triple Picker - heck not even for the plain basic model....the ones from Thomas Creations and Fancy Kitty did sound appealing too, but I was too worried about this torture-like device being around my little tot. Fancy Kitty even has a bench picker....but it was unfinished, and all the pieces (like tops and end boards...which I would definitely need if I want to keep the sharp points out of children reach) are separate orders....it has over 400 points I think, but I still wasn't sure. The price tag as still too high for my current equipment budget (I am saving for a Betty Roberts' wheel you see....if I luckily get to have her make one for me as she does custom orders and only a handful a year I think).
Anyhow...so I went on Ebay and voila! Found two makers of two box-style pickers....they are meant to be portable. The one I bought is finished....it even has a lock.....it only has 115 points, but I think it will work for me....I don't mind passing my fiber twice as I do small amounts at the time anyway....the maker (or the seller I should say) told me that the model may go into retail and even have an ad in Spin-off in the future. So I may have gotten a prototype :-)....here is a YouTube video of the picker I bought and here is the Ebay link...for those of you who may be interested in a similar picker (who knows, the maker may have another one for sale soon)...it's cost was $249.00 plus shipping....
...there is even one by Kaydessa for less...and there are two videos on YouTube about it...I asked the seller of this one some questions but I didn't get a reply at all (such as how many points on the picker, etc)....so I decided to go with the one where I actually had conversation with the seller, just to be safe. But again, here are two (or rather only one now) box-style wool pickers for the mamas out there who just cannot have a swinging sharp device around kids. Mine arrives soon I think....I will send photos when it does :-)

UPDATE 02/08/2010: The Ebay link to the portable picker I bought has expired. The YouTube video is still good. However, if you are interested in more information, the maker, Wayne Halladey, said he would gladly accept inquiries regarding his picker. Just contact him at whalladey[AT]aol[DOT]com
He still sells items on Ebay....under "no1oregon"....so check it out!

Picturing some answers...

2008-09-12T19:47:00.004-06:00

So I couldn't resist...I have a photo meme taken from my friend Maia at Tactile Fiber Arts.... Here is how you play:

type your answer to each question below into Flickr Search
using only the first page of results, pick an image
copy and paste each URL into fd's mosaic maker
blog it!

The Pictures:

The Questions:

What is your first name? Akiko
What is your favorite food? huckleberries
What high school did you go to? Asuncion
What is your favorite color? blue purple red teal green yellow brown orange (all of them... really)
Who is your celebrity crush? Audrey Hepburn (although to be fair, lately I do like Keanu Reeves and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy)
What is your favorite drink? maccha tea
Dream vacation? Old Kyoto
Favorite dessert? bittersweet chocolate gelato
What do you want to be when you grow up? at peace
What do you love most in life? family
One word to describe you? idealist
Your flickr name? Hiladora

Some favorite things this week....plus washing fleece

2008-09-12T17:41:00.004-06:00

I got my Norsk Strikkedesign kit in the mail!! I am sooo excited...will take pics soon :-)
I have been busy washing fleece. I have two romney/coopworth colored fleeces (one almost black and the other grey/beige). I am using new tools and equipment since I don't have a washing machine to use for my fiber purposes anymore. It takes a bit longer to do everything - probably because I am much slower now with my belly :-). But, so far so good.
How am I washing my fleece?
1- fill a tub (rubbermaid tub) with water half way and put the fleece in lingerie bags...and put them in the tub carefully. Let them sit for a day.
2- Boil water using a patio stove (2 burner one) in big stainless steel fryer pots until the temp reaches 150 degrees Farenheit.
3- Fill two other pots with the right amount of boiled water + Power Scour. I do 1lb of Power Scour per 20lbs of wool. And, per each tablespoon of Power Scour I add a gallon of boiled water. I submerge the fleece and let it sit for 20 minutes.
4- Use a spin dryer to spin water out of the fleece
5- Repeat step 3 with less Power Scour...about half the amount (unless it looks really dirty in which case I would put 2/3 the original amount).
6- Repeat step 4
7- Repeat steps 3 and 4 if still too dirty (everytime with less water)
8- Using the boiled water, fill containers with it plus cooler water to make the total temp reach about 120-110 degree Farenheit. Using this temp, rinse the fleece...I usually repeat the rinsing 3 times (so 3 repeats of this step), and after rinsing each time for 5 minutes or so, I use the spin dryer to get the excess water.
9- Lay flat to dry!

Anyhow...since I am absolutely tired from doing these tasks this week, I have really enjoyed my "ration" of coffee (only a cup a day for me right now)...yummy!!

I also had a chance to stop by the local quilt store and got a bag full of leftover fabric strips that I hope to use for some crazy spinning :-)

Finally some studio photos

2008-08-31T08:53:00.003-06:00

So, after months of opening boxes, assembling equipment and just generally dealing with morning sickness and fatigue, finally my studio is starting to come together. Here are some pics below of the new space. I get tons of natural light, which I love!
I am still waiting to hear if my newest toy - a James Watson production wheel....Marie - will be arriving in the weeks ahead....and will have to make room for it....
I also hope to have a little sofa as I would love to have fiberists over for craft time =)

This is my Glimakra 47" countermarche loom.... still need to dress it and begin my first project.

The biz area....and finally my books in one single spot.

The crazy wheel section....the Rio Grande in the back, my Lendrum in the center. The charkha is on the shelving unit and the country spinner on the left....oh, and my rigid heddle loom....also needs a new project!

Some of the stash....

And finally a place for the hardcore carding and blending tools....high away from my son and in one place (no more having to store them after use....yeahhhhh!!!)

Couldn't Resist

2008-08-24T12:02:00.002-06:00

So, I went ahead and bought the kit for the Norsk Strikkedesign pattern I have been wanting to make. I cannot wait to receive it in the mail and will show pics of the yarn when I get it :-)

In the mean time, do check out the blog's sidebar for a new Flickr slideshow with the latest additions of handspun yarn as well as a much needed update on my projects....

First posting from Oregon

2008-08-12T10:30:00.002-06:00

So...finally my studio is almost ready. I got to see all my yarn and fiber again after months of withdrawals.... next time I'll post photos of the latest handspuns....
but for now I just wanted to add that I haven't dropped from the face of the earth just yet....I found out I am pregnant upon arrival to our new home - now I am 4 months and adjusting to the changes in pace....

I must share, however, that last night I was hit with the urge to possibly do 2 knitted projects. One, for those that have already seen the latest Rowan mag. 44, is Botticelli on page 60. The second one, and is one that has haunted my knitting dreams for a while, is The Season of Darkness and Winter Light from the famous Norsk Strikkedesign book....uhm....will I be able to come down from my cloud?....

Blog Lazy......Fiber Happy

2008-03-05T15:15:00.005-07:00

I know I am terrible at writing regularly lately. On top of it all, my computer crashed a couple of weeks ago and while I had backup for my files, I had a terrible time getting the computer to work again.....but here I am, hoping to get a new computer soon (mine is slowly desintegrating).
I've been busy now redesigning my websites (akikooncken.com and hiladora.com) to better match what I think is my biz direction.....let me know what you think.
On the fiber front, I finished spinning some colorful yarn for making a sweater for my son. It turned out a cool worsted to bulky weight....

Here is a pic...although I'll post a better one soon....it's about 10oz of wool/mohair rovings dyed in a crockpot using wilton cake dyes and food coloring.
And, here is a crazy carded roving....mystery wool/mohair/recycled sari silk/costwold curls/ angelina sparkles.....hope to spin this one soon in my new bulky country spinner.

I will be moving to a new home in a couple of months and will finally have a studio space!! I cannot wait.....and will post pics as I fit the space into a studio. In the meantime, I received this link from other fiber pals....for washing fleece in a washing machine. For anyone that has not done this before, these are photos in Flickr that show step-by-step how to go about doing this. I really liked the tutorial and so I am passing it on....so check it out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90813221@N00/sets/72157604014585223/detail/

New Look, New Life...

2008-01-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Finally I've given this blog a fresher look to reflect the new artistic journey in my life. My biz, Hiladora is up and running, and I'll have new fiber items for sale in Etsy.

Tomorrow I'm expecting to receive my new drumcarder!...a Strauch Finest from the Woolery. I can't wait to put it to use...

During the last couple of months I've been busy learning about web design in order to set my my biz site. I definitely feel behind and will probably take a class soon...

...as a way to practice, I am designing the new site for my LYS, Cowgirl Yarn....
If you have any comments about my site, let me know....still learning amd would love some teaching hints!

Fun Amidst the Silence

2007-11-11T07:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know why it took so long to get back to blogging - well actually I do know, but I hoped I could do it sooner....we are already in November!!

So....I have amazing news. During the last months I was able to acquire to used wheels!...a Bosworth Book Charkha and a Rio Grande Wheel....how amazing is this??!! The wheels I was hoping to get eventually....of course, I am absolutely glad that they are used (if you know what I mean).

So, I've been busy assembling the Rio Grande and then taking it with me to our new home.....where it will be until we move there next year! So, I will miss the wheel greatly but it is my only option as I don't have space for it here fully assembled...she is a beauty and I cannot wait to spin on her! (So I suppose the wheel is a "her" now hihihihi).

I've been attending a weaving course (another reason I've been swamped these months) that was fantastic....I really didn't expect to get as much as I got out of it....

I have tons of photos to show...they need to download out of my camera...I got pictures of 20 or so pre-Colombian spindles whorls!....real beauties....I have hunting for the right shafts so that I can use them (any hints or ideas from historical spindle collectors/users?). I also got pre-historic African spindle whorls, also beauties....these are heavier than the pre-Colombian ones....but they also seem sturdier.....I promise photos very soon....

So projects-wise:
- I am spinning sock yarn on a 0.3 oz spindle....got one skein done, need the second (and just like socks, the second is taking longer to get to...:-)). I am using navajo plying, and the yarn is turning beautifully into a light fingerweight. After done with the second skein I will take pics and share the dying process....planning on some possible self-striping if not just variegated colors.....coming soon!
- I am trying to finish my Christmas presents (3 sweaters at this point...the rest is done)....family arrives on the 16th from abroad (so another reason I have not been blogging lately)
- I am also researching on a good floor loom....I have a Krosmki Harp 24" with a stand...and it is fantastic. I would love though to have an 8 harness loom....I will not have too much studio space in my new home (say for a swedish one...like Glimakra...), so probably I will go for a jack-type....I am just having a hard time deciding on widths....

By the way, everyone out there knitting from the East Coast....my sis-in-law is openning a yarn store (she is an expert knitter) in Pittsburg!....here is the link to the store Natural Stitches...do stop by if your close, she has the entire color wheel of Cascade 220 (how cool is that!) and I am sure some beautiful sock yarn too (for the sock knitters out there) and many other goodies...she shared in her blog that they will have an online cart system too (but with a long wait at this point)...however, they will take calls for mail orders!

I've been working also on learning how to use Adobe Creative Suite CS3, to make better websites and stuff. So, within the next week I hope to have Hiladora's new website up and running and actual products available soon too....I had to change hosting provider and am much happier now.... I am a complete novice at this. However, if you like my site and would like something like that....let me know....

Well...I better go now...a child needs his breakfast :-)

Ten things you didn't know about me...

2007-08-20T13:57:00.000-06:00

1. I have been an English knitter most of my life. Recently I learned the Continental method and now I am in love with it. So, now I mostly knit Continental. But, I sit on the fence on this as I love both styles and find them useful.

2. I love Elizabeth Zimmerman - everytime I read her patterns or watch her show (DVD), it reminds me of my grandma and her intuitive knitting.

3. I dream about owning a Rio Grande Wheel and a Bosworth book charkha but for now I have a hard time budgeting for them (all goes on fiber, yarn, dark chocolate, books, cheese....). My current magic wheel, a Folding Lendrum DT, is precious to me and wouldn't part with it.

4. I LOVE dark, bittersweet, 80%+ chocolate....and chocolate frozen yogurt, chocolate ice-cream, hot cocoa (with a hint of chili pepper), mole, get the picture? (I know this is not craft related but I cannot pursue a challenging pattern or project without a bit of this marvelous gift from the gods!) If chocolate is absolutely nowhere to be found, and the only car around has no gas or a flat tire, I would be quite content with manchego cheese and membrillo spread and a glass of cabernet sauvignon...

5. I learned to knit when I was about 8 in Ecuador. My grandparents had a sweater factory and a yarn store (wall to wall yarn...and I mean this was a colonial building with high ceilings...we used to use a very long stick probably 4 yards long with a little hook to get skeins from the very top. This was at the time when there were no labels on skeins - you would touch, weight, stare and that was pretty much it....and the skeins were huge...). I used to spend all my summers as a kid with them and you would've found me at the back acting as a swift or swimming (literally) on recent yarn arrivals. I was taught crochet first but couldn't get it....I just did it too tight and mostly used to hurt my fingers with the hook trying to get the loops. I learned to knit by making a striped vest (no scarfs or hats for me...). I stopped knitting while in high school and didn't pick it up again until my mid-20s when I became pregnant and my grandma was terminally ill....I grieved her passing with my needles.

6. I don't have a favorite color - I love all of them!!...it just depends on the day, the mood, and what in nature inspires me at the moment (like right now I am thinking yellowish-burnt-orange, also crimson/cochineal, and a sort of greenish/purplish-blue that is hard to describe)

7. I am impartial. I use 5 dpns, 2 circulars, and the magic loop for tubulars....I like them all. I love straights (wood ones - although I only own bamboo - and plastic ones (like the Daisys...cute colors....but don't care much for Boye or any other metal ones...too heavy and hard on my hands). I love circulars and with them, any chance at seamless pieces...I own a KnitPicks circular set, a Denise interchangeable set, some Susan Bates and some Addis.

8. I just posted my own online store and gallery in spanish and english, Hiladora (spanish for "spinner"..) - where I hope to feature handspun yarn, woven, knitted and quilted items as well as many other artistic goodies. For now the photos there are just for test - I hope to put items for sale soon.

9. While I am in Laramie now, I will be moving to the Sisters/Bend area in Oregon next year (2008), so I hope I can get to know other fiber artists residing there before I move! For now I know there is a wonderful quilting community in Sisters and a great annual summer quilting festival...

10. I love all things natural and organic. I am attempting to learn more about biodynamic gardening and dream of a wonderful herbal and vegetable garden some day (for now, I must learn to deal with pests....)

Updates...

2007-08-07T19:54:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictorial updates on the sock front (first time sock knitter!!), at my wheel and on the spindle:

Sock: Sockotta, a pair for myself...using the generic pattern by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (by the way, I LOVE the sturdy heel!)

Wheel: yak/wool (planning on worsted weight) for a vest for my DH.

Spindle: Icelandic sheep wool (a gift from the Woolery...) perhaps for socks? although it's a little itchy for my taste....but, this is the finest I have spun on the spindle thus far.

...experiments in microwave dyeing with Koolaid and food colorants...

2007-08-07T19:31:00.000-06:00

So I had rescued yarn...100% wool from a large sweater that was in great shape...I decided to dye it and knit a housecoat for using around home...I dyed it with Koolaid (grape) + red + blue food colorants (dissolved the colors in hot water and vinegar). First, I pre-soaked the yarn in a mixture of water and vinegar and left it for about 3 hours (I don't think it needed to be that long, but I couldn't get to it sooner). I placed each skein in plastic wrap and added the colors/dyes. Then, I wrapped each skein and placed it in a microwave-safe bowl. I put the bowl in the microwave for 2 minutes, then let it stand for about 2-5 minutes, and repeated this process once more. Then, I placed the bowl in my kitchen counter and covered it with a towel so that the yarn would cool slowly - left it to cool overnight. The next day I washed/rinsed the skeins in water with a bit of Eucalan, and after squeezing most of the water out of the skeins, I placed them in a drying net. Now, they are dry and ready for knitting!
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...my prehistoric find...

2007-08-07T18:57:00.000-06:00

I week ago I received past issues of Spin-off magazine and while reading came across 3 different articles on the use of prehistoric beads and whorls. My eyes got huge...See, years ago (I think it was 1999), on a trip to my home country (Ecuador) I was at one of the many antique stores I love to visit while there. I came across what I thought were beads - two of them - and since I didn't spin at the time, I had no reason to suspect otherwise. Well....after looking at the Spin-off magazines and many websites that contain info on prehistoric whorls, I have confirmed it. I am the proud owner of two (possibly Incan if not Canari) prehistoric whorls. Here are some pics of them. I have found a dowel for one of them but I am still hunting for a dowel thin enough (and yet, sturdy enough) for the other one. I have not tried to spin in any of them yet, but the one with the dowel is spinning quite well with support (a ceramic bowl). I hope to update my experiments trying to use them in the weeks ahead...

Is this me?...what do you think...?

2007-07-24T07:47:00.000-06:00

New acquisitions...

2007-07-16T21:49:00.000-06:00

This weekend was the living fiber festival in town. I got sock yarn and met a spinner. She has convinced me into acquiring wool combs and a hackle. So, currently I am researching...the candidates: Forsyth 4-pitch combs and the Forsyth blending hackle....better begin saving for that...

Anyway....I also got great yarn at the Estes Park Wool Market this year. So here is a pic of some of the yarn...I also got yak fiber. My DH wants a yak/wool vest for hunting. Oh! and my DH brought yarn (GGH in green) from OR from his latest trip (now he cannot complain about my stash)....

Finally the farmers' market is here. I got lots of basil plants as well as lavender, and many many other herbs (rosemary, oregano, thyme, etc). I have decided this year to convert my biodynamic veggie garden into a biodynamic herbal garden (a little less work with little ones around....plus I love the aroma!). I got marigolds too - hopefully will help with the pests I have in the planters (which destroyed the majority of my veggies....starting with a gigantic eggplant plant I had....I better not remember...it was heartbreaking). I hope to post garden pics soon...

...unfinished projects...and goodies

2007-07-16T19:59:00.000-06:00

Here is a couple of my unfinished projects: a pullover that I still need to seam and knit the neck edge and Koigu socks (first time using magic loop).

I couldn't help but get this needle felting book....can't wait to make little replicas of my pups!

Another lovely find.....found this fair trade bag made in Guatemala (the embroidery actually belongs to a traditional indigenous Guatemalan blouse....isn't it gorgeous?). I'm planning to use it as a knitting bag.

Love my Lendrum!

2007-07-16T19:06:00.000-06:00

So, finally a second post - sorry! I really neglected this blog.

I got my Lendrum DT and I love it! Thanks for my sis-in-law who suggested to get a woolee winder (which I got a month later), now it works magic! :-)

Just finish spinning my first skein, a mix of wool and chengora (dog hair), and koolaid dyed.

Waiting for my wheel

2007-03-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

So, I had hoped to write sooner, but got caught up attempting to purchase a Lendrum wheel. It so happens that someone stole my identity (third time now), so I had to block my credit card again (it really sucks).
After all the hassle, I will have to wait some more until my new card shows up in order to purchase it.....what a bummer!!
In the meantime, I was going over some clothes I was about to donate, when I discovered a denim vest that I want now to convert into a knitting bag of sorts. I am trying now to figure out the right size and all the materials I'll need. The fabric is in top shape....and my fingers are itching for the need to sew it.....I'll post pictures soon :-).