Saturday Harf

Today was a great Satuday. Besides the fact that it's a 3 day weekend, there was also a sale at one of my favorite local yarn shops. Borealis Yarn Shop is having a 3 day sale, and let me tell you it's dangerous. I went early this morning and got there minutes after the door opened. I have to say I didn't spend as much $ as I was thinking I was going to. I mostly got things for my Secret Pal 8 buddy and a couple of skeins to finish my Harf. But, I'm sure I'll be back before this long weekend is over.

I also got to do a little bit of dyeing today. They are all Merino and each weigh 4 ounces. They turned out great...if I may say so.

I thought since my blog is called Aisha Knits and Spins, I better post one of my knitting projects. I've been working on my Harf for a little while now and I'm almost done. The funny thing is, I'm finishing it on a weekend were the tempeture is 90 degrees! Here is a picture (above). I'm knitting it in Diameito, it's 70% Wool, 30% Alpaca. I used 4 balls and the pattern comes from Spincycle Yarns.

I have the spins!

Here are a couple of new ones. I have kind of been sticking to the basic spinning techniques. I haven't been doing my regular style. But what is "my regular style"? I am working on Navajo Plying. As you can see in the skein with the autumn colors.

Sheperd's Harvest Festival

Today I went to The Sheperd's Harvest Festival!! It was great. My mom and I went and met up with a couple of my friends. We spend 5 lovely hours there today. We saw almost everything. Two barns full of vendors, llama barn and the sheep breed barn. Here's a picture of the stash I got today and a couple pictures of the festival. I'm going back tomorrow for an Intermediate Spinning class. I'll post more about that later.

It's later now and I'm home from my great class. It was taught by Jerry and Loretta Pedersen from Blackberry Hills Farm. I learned how to Navajo ply, spin cotton, flax, mohair and dog hair. Here are a coule of pictures from my class.

Also, here are some of the vendors I really liked: Great Wool, Wool n' Weave Fiber Arts Studio, Riverwinds Farm (715)667-3499 they have great price on Merino, Hidden Valley Farm and Blackberry Hills Farm.

Spincycle Yarns!

This handspun yarn is awesome! I just got my delivery from Spincycle Yarns today and inside was this beautiful yarn. It's 100% Merino, 120 yards and it's called Ishtar. I have been meaning to ordering something from them for awhile. By looking at their very nice website you get a feel for this team of spinners. Here's a quote from they're site: "We hand-dye each batch of fiber to reflect the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. All of the yarn is spun on our foot treadled wheels, as we rock out to music in our studio. We travel to market, shows and sheep/fiber farms in a station wagon powered with bio-diesel, a veggie oil based fuel. For all other missions we ride our vintage cruiser bicycles. We are committed to bringing you funky, fresh yarn, to keeping your knitting original, and to delivering the knitting inspiration!"

I also got the Harf pattern, it's a hood and a scarf. I will post a picture when I'm done with it. The picture of the tattoo was on they're website. The sheep with the pirate patch and knitting needles is they're logo. Thank you Spincycle for my beautiful yarn and very cool pattern!

Secret Pal 8 is almost here! I decided to sign up for this very cool "club". They pair you up with a spoilee and a spoiler. Over 2 1/2 months you spoil a stranger and someone spoils you. Now this is a knitting thing, it's not completely random. I'm excited for it to get going. I have to post the answers to my questionaire so my spoiler can find it.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love to knit with unique handspun yarns. My favorite wool in the whole world is Malabrigo. I don’t like synthetics.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? My mom made me holders that roll for all of my crochet hooks and knitting needles. She’s awesome!
3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I’ve been knitting since I was a kid. I would say I’m intermediate level.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No, but I should look into that!
5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Lavender and Rose Water, but not together.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I do have a little bit of a sweet tooth. I love milk and white chocolate. Mostly I am a salt person.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I knit and spin. Right now I’m really into spinning. I work at a bead store, so I really don’t need any beads. I also like to sew but I haven’t done it in awhile.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I like all kinds of music. Right now I have the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in my CD player. I guess I like pop/rock/indie rock.
9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? Colors I like a lot: Turquoise, Olive Green, Fuchsia, Sea foam Green. I’ve also been getting into more natural colors.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I live with my boyfriend and his cat Sophia.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I live in Minnesota so I wear all except for ponchos. Not that I’m against the idea.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Bags, hats, scarves and funky accessories.
13. What are you knitting right now? Flowers
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like Straight and circular the same. I like wood and bamboo.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes
17. How did you learn to knit? My mom taught me
18. How old is your oldest UFO? Um..I've been working on a vest for my dad since December:( I keep getting distracted.
19. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
20. Is there anything that you collect? Drop spindles and yarn, but not on purpose
21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get
your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Geez I’m not sure. I have subscriptions to Spin Off and Vogue Knitting.
22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Cables
23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am not a sock knitter
24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) July 21st