2006 review - books and fiber

Knitting Books in English
A Gathering Of Lace
Akashya (Colinette)
Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Two*
Debbie Bliss Pure Silk
Debbie Bliss Simple Living
Debbie Bliss The Tweed Collection
Handknit Holidays
Jane Ellison Naturally Noro
Jane Ellison Noro Knits
Knitting Around
Knitting Nature (Norah Gaughan)
Knitting on the Road (Nancy Bush)
Knitting Vintage Socks (Nancy Bush)
Knitting Without Tears
Last-Minute Knitted Gifts *
Norsk Strikkdesign
Romantic Style
Scarf Style
The Knitter's Handy Book Of Patterns
Vintage Style
Vogue Knitting

Interweave Knits Fall 2002, Winter 2003 – Current
Jaeger Book 25 (Aqua and Trinity)
Jaeger Knitting Magazine 8 (Luxury Tweed and Matchmaker Merino DK)
Phildar Tendances Spring 2005
Rebecca 25, 26, 29
Rowan Knitting Magazine 38, 39, 40

Knitting Books in Japanese
100 Aran Patterns (Nihon Vogue)
Keitodama Fall 2005
Nittoni Koisite (New Style of Heirloom Knitting)
Odekakekomono (Knitting Items For A Walk)
Rich More Best Eye’s Collections Vol. 87

Spinning and Dyeing Books
Color in Spinning (Deb Menz)
Essentials of Yarn Design for Handspinners (Mabel Ross)
Hands on Spinning (Lee Raven)
High Whorling (Priscilla Gibson-Roberts)
In Sheep’s Clothing: A Handspinner’s Guide to Wool (Nola and Jane Fournier)
Spinning Designer Yarns (Diane Varney)
Spinning Wool: Beyond the Basics (Anne Field)
The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook

* books that I've actually knit a pattern from


Fiber

Fiber	Color	Weight	Source	Purchased
BFL	Natural	14	Paradise Fibers	January-06
Wensleydale	Natural	13	Paradise Fibers	January-06
Romney	Fleece	80	Treenway Silks	February-06
Cormo	Fleece	80	Cormo Sheep & Wool	February-06
CVM	Fleece	40	White Barn Farm	April-06
Rambouillet X	Fleece	80	Farm	May-06
Merino	Peaches	24	Ashland Bay	May-06
Corriedale-Silk	Teal	8.5	Stefania	May-06
Corriedale	Red	7.5	Stefania	May-06
California Red	Natural	6	Barn	May-06
Merino-Silk	Reds	4	Drafting Zone	May-06
Merino-Silk	Blues	4	Drafting Zone	May-06
Finn	Natural	26	Misty Mountain Farm	December-06

To summarize, I should not buy any more fiber this year. Let's see if that happens, but I can't possibly spin all of it within the year, which means that it'll more than last me till next year's festivals. I'm not even going to try to list my yarn stash, but according to my slightly fudged spreadsheet (since I'm trying to use up stuff and also own cones), I own approximately 185 balls of yarn. I can't even start to think of how ridiculous it would be to try to move anywhere with all this stash.

All in all, last year, I knit more for others than for me, and was very good about not buying more yarn for myself. This year's goal is to:

1. Use up more yarn, while knitting more for myself. Perhaps 30 minutes of knitting and 30 minutes of spinning an evening?

2. Dye some more. I have all the supplies and they are sitting nicely in my cupboard. I just finished dyeing some natural rovings so I'm off to a good start but maybe once every couple of months it would be nice to set a day aside for more creativity with colors.

3. And I'd also like to knit a Zimmerman sweater without having to follow a pattern. The hybrid sweater in Knitting without Tears looks like the perfect one, so my goal is to knit it with my handspun. I think I'm the furthest along processing the Romney fleece so maybe from it.


And finally, Happy New Years to everyone I've met through this blog and etc. last year and good luck with all your fibery endeavors!

2006 review - knits

Finished knits this year:

Asrai (frogged)
Fitted Aran Jacket
Meadow Flowers Shawl (given away)
Wool Peddler's Shawl (given away)
Waterlily Top
other gift scarfs, mittens, socks


That's pretty much it, not much finished this year at all. I'm trying to be more productive or giving than consuming, but am not sure I've accomplished that. I've hardly bought any yarn this year, and gave a bunch away to friends, but have acquired quite a bit of fiber for spinning. I also bought much less books than last year and also have given away some, but will have to tally everything up to be sure. Can you tell that I'm looking forward to the task? ;-)

apology to anyone who's tried to leave comments

I just learnt what comment moderation is. I'm really sorry to all +/- 27 of you who've left me comments over the last 6 months, I had absolutely no idea they were sitting around, waiting to be moderated! I only found out because the new blogger view actually tells you to moderate them. To think I sit in front of my computer every day working on various things and did figure it out until now -_-;;;;

Now that the hectic semester is over (I think it was the worst since I started grad school), I've picked up some knitting. Most of it's intended for family (so can't say what it is) but I did start an hourglass sweater in brown Broraspun, purchased from Webs a long long time ago. I finally finished spinning the green BFL on my spindle and am planning on knitting a shawl with it. And I've taught myself to do two-color knitting with both hands in the last week or so. So at least some fibery things will get accomplished in the near future...

(random photo from Bryce Canyon, Utah)