I finished the green shawl. I ended up designing a border for it and like the way it turned out. Just have to block it and get pics. I still have two other shawls on the needles, both out of handspun and both on hold. One due to the temps and the other due to needing to spin more yarn for it.

I finished Clue 3 of the MS3, last night. At this point, it should be about 25" long x 20" wide, that is about 1/3 the total length of the stole. Mine is about 23" long x 18" wide, so a little bit narrower and shorter, but I don't care.

I finished the first sock of the pair and just have to do the toe on the second sock. When I finish this pair, I will cast on another pair. I have lots of socks to knit :)

I have the green shawl for the Spun Stitches KAL down to the border, but don't have enough yarn to do the border as charted, so it is on hold while I decide what to do for the border.

I got the yarn for the MS3 on Monday and wound it into a ball yesterday afternoon. I was swatching and decided to use size US 2 needles for it. I cast on and got Chart A, the first 50 rows, done. I like the way it is turning out. Had a funny experience, while casting on and working on it. We have been praying for rain, since it has been so dry this spring/early summer. When I pulled the yarn out to ball it, I heard a crack of thunder, then while balling it there was more thunder and started seeing lightening flashes, didn't think much of it as we have been having a lot of dry lightening :( Well...as I started knitting, the rains started! They didn't let up until I had finished the whole first chart, by then it was 8 pm and time to feed the goats and go to bed.

I am down to the heel flap on one sock and working down the leg of the other. They aren't taking long to knit. I just need to spend more time on them.

The shawl for the Spun Stitches KAl is on the third repeat of the lace pattern. I have one more repeat of the lace pattern to do after this one and then the border. I love the way it is turning out and will get pics soon.

I was offered some hand-dyed yarn, instead of waiting for the copper Zephyr, and took my friend up on it. She is supposed to be sending it and the beads to me this week, so I can begin the MS3.

I knitted a small bag for my youngest daughter to use to carry her ID card in, she made the strap for it. The strap is card woven in the same color, plus a lighter shade of it.

Well, I had to rethink the socks. The yarn is just to busy for any kind of pattern stitch, so they will be just plain stockinette. I will use that stitch pattern for another pair of socks, later.

I finally decided on the pattern for the Spun Stitches shawl. I choose the Barbara Shawl by Jeanie Townsend. It is working up quickly and looks nice with the yarn. I'm looking forward to having it, for early mornings when it is a bit nippy.

I am also working on the shawl out of the Chocolate Covered Cherries fiber, it is a thick/thin, bulky weight yarn, that I spun while learning how to spin on my Babe Pinkie wheel.

I am still waiting for the yarn and beads for the MS3. The first shipment of yarn got lost in transit :( and now the color I want is on back order. We are hoping that the first box shows up so I can get my yarn.

Well, the Shetland shawl is on hold...ran out of the yarn for it. But when I get more primitive Shetland roving, I will spin it and finish the shawl. In the mean time, I cast on the Wildfoote Elderberry yarn for me a pair of summer socks. I choose the 8-stitch pattern Arrow from _Sensational Socks_ for them, as it works with the yarn. I decided to try an new method of knitting socks, doing each one on dpns, but both at the same time, work on one to a set point, then work on the other one to that point, working back and forth between the socks, to see if I can prevent SSS.

Still waiting on the MS3 to start and trying to decide what pattern to use for the Spun Stitches shawl.

I FINALLY finished the colorwork socks! No, there are no pics of them, as I was so tired of looking at them, I just put them away for the summer. While I was putting away the extra yarn...I found some handspun Shetland yarn, well it jumped out of the storage bin into my lap and onto the needles. It is now becoming the Barbara Shawl by Jeanie Townsend, a free pattern that you can get here. I wasn't planning on using this yarn as I don't have much, but...it wants to be this shaw. I'm hoping that I have enough yarn to make the whole shawl, if not at least the main body of it and then can do a contrasting border.

I am still trying to decide what pattern to do for the Spun Stitches KAL, was thinking about this pattern, but still not to sure about it. I have the yarn spun, plied and washed. There is 600 yards of it, but don't know the wpi yet. I am making a wpi tool today out of some doweling that I have laying around the house.

Still waiting on the yarn and beads to get here for the MS3 KAL. My friend, Shelly, bought them for me. All I know is that the yarn is Jaggerspun Zephyr in Copper, don't know what color the beads will be. The first clue comes out on June 29, but the list doesn't close until July 6th. If you would like more information go here.

Well, I finally got the heel flap done, the heel turned and the gussets picked up and the gusset decreases done on the second colorwork sock. Now to just get the foot and toe done and I will be done with that pair. I have enough yarn to make me one more pair of socks and four more pairs for Bob, so won't be out of knitting for a bit.

I am almost out of processed fiber, so my spinning is at a stand still, except for the fiber I have on spindles. I need to pull those out and get to work on that Spring colorway again, I really want to get it done and the shawl pattern decided, so that I can get it on the needles.

As to getting my fiber processed, that is on hold for now, as there just isn't the money to pay shipping on it. So, I will see what can be spun from the locks and set that aside to use and the rest will be put away, until there is extra money.

The shawl is on hold until I can get more size 13 circular needles. I'm still plugging away at my sock, got 2 1/2 rows done on the heel flap yesterday. I need to work on it more and get it done. I'm still spinning up the merino as something to do while waiting to get my other fiber processed.

We were given last year's shearing from a ram, about 10-15 pounds of raw unwashed wool to have. I have also been washing up all the other fiber that I've had laying around for awhile. A friend is going to process it for me in trade for some of it. I'll be sending her, wool, mohair, silk, alpaca/llama, angora and camel.

I have a new website for my farm, http://weedeaterfarm.lets-spin.com. Check it out. Anything about the farm will be posted on there from now on. There is a blog for it as well. When the fiber is all processed, I will be posting any for sale on that site.

Well, I am still waiting to bring the goats down. She won't have a trip down until April and Bob is busy taking a class to become a Training Engineer for Schneider. When he finishes the class, he will be taking out new drivers and helping them get experience behind the wheel with an experienced driver. Hopefully when he gets back from the class and taking his first student out, we can get the new goats.

I finally spun up some fiber I've had since I first learned to spin. It is a colorway called "Chocolate Covered Cherries," a dark chocolate wool, with a lot of crimp and mohair that is dyed red. It made a nice thick/thin bulky weight yarn, that I'm using for a simple garter stitch shawl. Here are pics of the yarn and shawl. I am still working on my colorwork socks. I'm on the heel flap of the second sock, just taking my time knitting on them as they cause my hands to cramp, lately. I still have the Berries on the Wagon Wheel spindle, getting it done slowly. I need to get back to work on the Spring colorway, so that I can get it done for another shawl. I have been working on it for about 3 years now, but spindle spinning a pound of fiber takes time.

I got two blueberry bushes and two climbing roses so far this spring. Put the blueberries out by the Ponderosa Pines and the roses are going to go on the south end of the house. Just starting on all the spring yardwork, having to do the pruning and weeding to get things ready for the year.

Well, yesterday the lady that is giving me the buck, offered me his wether pen companion, also. I agreed as I like his color and he will make a nice addition to the herd. He is a reverse badger with white markings. I will be getting the front goat, Hawkeye, and the one on the right, Yazzie, for my herd.

From My goats

I finished the gloves for Sandy. They are nice and thick, so her hands should stay warm when she walks in the cold weather. They are out of Wonderland Dye Works fiber, in the Aurora colorway made with Border Leicester wool. They should last her a long time if she takes care of them.

From Finished Proj...

Now maybe I can get back to knitting on my socks, as well as spinning and having fun with my wheel. I got out my newest spindle last night and gave it a test spin, with Berries, another colorway from Wonderland Dye Works. The spindle is really nice and spins beautifully, it is light and well balanced, perfect for my lace weight spinning.

I was GIVEN a Navajo Angora buck this morning! His name is Hawkeye and he will be two years old this April, so is just old enough to breed. He will be a good addition to my herd, as he is not related to my does and carries color. He is what is know as a mantled pattern, which means that he is white with color across his shoulders, like he is wearing a mantle. I'm so happy that I am able to have him, as this means that Desert Moon Farms is off to a good start. I will add more does to the herd as I can find ones that I like and can afford.

From My goats

I finished Bob's hat in time for him to take it with him. He has realized that I need to modify it a bit to keep his ears covered, so will do that when he gets back. I finished the first sock of my colorwork pair! Now to cast on the second and get it done.

I figured out what I was doing wrong with my spinning wheel and have filled two bobbins with the merino. I will be plying that today. I have two pounds of the merino to spin, and each bobbin holds 4 ounces, so it will take a while to get it all spun. It looks to be about a sport weight yarn, which is nice. I'm still trying to decide what I want to make with it when I finish spinning it. I also want to ply some shetland that I spindle spun, thinking about using it with the denim B&L for another pair of colorwork socks.

Still to cold to do much yardwork, but I am starting to plan a veggie garden for this year. We want to plant corn, green beans, carrots, eggplant (for me), radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, watermelon, pumpkins, peppers (bell and banana), and some other veggies. Getting the list of seeds/transplants made now and have to decide where to put the garden. Once the site is decided, then I will have to dig it up and start adding the peat moss, humus and other stuff to the soil to make it rich enough to grow the crops.

The goats are doing good. They have nice thick coats and I'm looking forward to shearing them in March or April, depending on the weather. I am working on a deal to have a friend card the fiber and blend it either with some wool that I'm getting or some of the fiber from her animals.

Got busy and haven't had time to update, so here goes. First, we got the snowflakes blocked and up, they looked real nice. We didn't get the mini stockings done, but will finish them for next year. I'm on the heel flap of my sock, but doing the colorwork on it is slowing me down. I spent some time playing with my new wheel and got some merino spun on it the other day.

I cast on a hat for Bob last night, it is by a pattern that I'm developing, so can't say anything else about it right now. I am trying to get it done tonight, so that he can take it with him. I cast on to swatch for another pair of long socks for him. I have enough yarn in the stash for 3 pairs of short socks for him as well.

As for Christmas presents, besides the wheel, I got a stereo, a set of Susan Bates sock needles, a pan, $40, 4 long sleeve shirts and a pair of pants. I also got some candy and bath stuff. I spent the money on a scale to weigh fiber with, a small basket to keep projects in (I have 3 now) and other things for me.

I got a spinning wheel!! It was supposed to be a trade, but once it was in the mail, the lady that had it, told me it was a Christmas present! I'm so lucky to have friends like that. :) It is a used Babe's Pinkie, but nice and I'm having fun learning how to use it.

We have most of the snowflakes blocked. Now to get them all hung in the livingroom. Working on mini stockings to put gift cards/lottery tickets/money in, they are white, but each is a different stitch pattern and will have a band of thread crochet at the top, each a different color of thread.

I cast on a pair of socks for me, in the forest green colorway of B&L Durasport, with a band of colorwork in the oatmeal colorway. I'm down to the heel flap already and having fun working on them.

Well, finally got all the snowflakes and bells made, still have to get them blocked. Didn't get the thread tree skirt done, but that is ok, as we didn't get the small tree. Jenny almost has the angel done, she just has to finish the skirt for it.

The gray B&L socks are still on the needles, I have 2 more repeats and the toe left to do, then Jenny will have them to wear. Billy's second glove is above the thumb gusset, still have about another inch on the hand, then I can start the fingers.

Bob got me yarn to make each of the kids a handknit item and his mother a hat for their stockings. The girls got scarves made out of Lion Brand's Moonlight Mohair and Billy got a hat made out of Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Bulky. His mother's hat is out of Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride Superwash, so it will be soft and warm for her, but easy to wash. I got the all made, so now just have to wait for Christmas to see what they think and to make sure the hats fit.

The man who owns the rest of the land in the subdivision, was nice to us and mowed part of the north section of the yard. He was worried about the dry weeds being a fire hazard and the fact that I wasn't able to get them all cleared way. He was out mowing along the roads, so that they were clear, just incase.

Well, I'm almost done with the leg of the second sock out of the gray B&L, but got sidetracked by Billy wanting a pair of fingerless gloves to wear while playing on the computer or gamecube. I had some handspun yarn that called out to be made into them, then I had to find a pattern that would work with the yarn. Found that and I'm almost to the fingers on the first glove :) I'm hoping to get them done quickly as he really wants them. He has never asked me to knit him something before, so these are special.

From Finished Proj...

On the Christmas ornament front, I have 4 more bells to make, a thread tree skirt for the small tree that will go on the dinigroom table and I need to cut out the pieces for the plastic canvas angel, so Jenny can start stitching it up. Jenny has less than 4 rows left on the main tree skirt. So it looks like we will make our deadline of having everything ready for Thanksgiving weekend.

Got the main part of the front weeded, there are some small weeds still, but everything has been weeded at least once since I started after the rains slowed down. I got the newest bed filled in and planted 20 canna lilies in it, they wil be the backdrop for what ever we decide to plant in there in the spring. They should get nice and tall here, since we are far enough south so that I can leave them in the ground all year. I still have 10 more to find a place for, so have to work on that this week.

I got the first sock done, it turned out to long in the foot, but fits Jenny, so she gets this pair. They fit everywhere else, so I will follow the same stitch/row gauge for the next pair, but make the foot shorter. She is working on a pair that is to tight around for her, but fits me, so I get them. They are short summer socks, so will have to put them away for now.

Billy and I got the driveway cleared! Here are pics of the driveway. The first one is looking north along it, the second is looking south along it. The white building is our well house.
Jenny has been helping me on the flowerbed, it is almost done. Then I have to plant the 30 canna lilies I got from a friend. They will be spread out through all 4 of the main beds and I might have to put some up in one of the beds by the house.

I'm still working on Christmas decorations, 71 thread snowflakes, 5 yarn snowflakes and 8 bells done. Still have at least 10 more bells and more yarn snowflakes to do, maybe more thread snowflakes as well. Thinking about some origami cranes to go on the tree, have to talk to Bob about that.

I have finished the leg, heel flap, turned the heel, picked up and decreased the gussets and now on the foot of the first sock of this pair. It is going really fast and looks great. I'm hoping to get sock one done and the second sock on the needles this week. I REALLY need this pair as the leg is longer than my other socks and the weather is getting chilly in the mornings.

I'm still working on washing up Frio's fleece, there is a lot of it and it is VERY dirty, mainly dirt and some VM. It is taking up to 4 washes to get all the dirt out, so this is going to be a long process. I'll be glad when it is all washed, then I can decide what to do with it. I know Bob wants a pair of socks out of the mohair, but with about 6 pounds between the two wethers, I should have enough to make the socks plus something else.

The goats are working their way to the back fence, I get a kick out of watching them browse on the weeds. They nibble here, then nibble there, then back to the first spot for a bit, then they come up by the house to lay down and chew their cud. The backyard should be cleared out by Christmas at the rate they are eating. Then will come the fun of getting fencing so that I can move them to a new area to browse. We still have the whole north lot to fence, so they can have it to clear.

Billy and I have just about finished the first side of the driveway and will start back at the southend on the other side, this week. At least we can get into and out of the driveway now, back when I started on it, there was barely enough room for a SMALL car to drive on it and no place to get out of the car! Two of the flower beds are weeded and I'm working on the area where my lilacs are. I lost two of the ones in front and still can't find the one in the backyard, so probably lost that one too. :( They were my Mother's Day gift from Bob and the kids.

When we start working on the southeast side of the driveway, we will also be working on finding the third big flower bed. The fourth one is still pretty clear, and we are still working on filling it up with dirt, humus, peat moss and gypsum (to soften the ground). We have one end filled up and planted two Purple Fountian Grasses in it. I'm hoping the grasses survive the winter, this will be our second time trying it, but we were told what to do to help it survive.

I finished Bob's sock finally! Now I have one cast on for me out of Briggs & Little Durasport yarn. This is a Canadian yarn and I love it. This will be my second pair out of it. I'm using a pattern called Basket Weave Ribbing out of "Sensational Socks." The yarn is a medium gray with darker and lighter spots and is turning out really nice. I have 4" done already and need to try it on, to check length and fit around my leg.

I started washing up Frio's fiber the other day. I weighed it before I started and had 3 pounds of raw, unwashed fiber. I'll see how much I have when I'm done washing it. His fiber is dirtier than his brother's was. So it is taking more to get it clean. I was planning on washing more today, but it is damp and rainy, so probalby won't get any done.

I have 71 snowflakes done! I was originally planning on doing 4 a day, but life just wouldn't let me do that. I'm hoping to at least get 99 done before Christmas. I have done 3 bells and have to make more of them, plus make some snowflakes out of yarn instead of thread for hanging on the light fixtures. I finished the Christmas stocking out of Holly yarn, it turned out nice.

Let's see, I have been so busy this past week, that I haven't had time to update my blog. I got Frio sheared on Tuesday, about 3 pounds of raw fiber. I'll work on washing it this week, as I didn't get time to last week. Didn't do much crafting this past week or weekend. I did get some Red Heart Holly yarn to make a Christmas stocking with and got it cast on and two rows done, while we were driving to Las Cruces.

Bob brought home fencing, but no posts and we wanted a gate for the new fence. It is around our grapes and I need to be able to take care of them. We went to Las Cruces to look for a weld wire gate kit, this is a tublar frame for you to attach welded wire to and comes with hinges and a latch that are designed to fasten to metal T-posts. The one place that carried them was out :( So for now I'm using a sheet of particle board across the opening to the grapes. With them fenced in, we moved the cross fence back to where we had it originally at the back of the yard, to protect the pine trees we have back there. The fenced in area is about 60' wide x 105' long, so the goats have a lot more space and weeds to eat.

Bob got the supplies and made me a mineral feeder for the goats out of pvc pipe. It works great and the goats seem to prefer the loose minerals over the block we started out with. We attached it to the outer fence near their water tank. We picked up the feeding trough this weekend and put it in the same general area of the yard. The trough will hold a flake of hay, that has been fluffed up, so they are wasting a lot less hay with it.

We found a local farmer who grows hay, a blend of alfalfa and Bermuda grass. They had equipment break down while haying and had some field where the hay grew taller than normally allowed. They call that hay "mature hay" and were selling it for $3/bale compared to $5/bale for regular hay in the field or $6/bale for hay in the barn. We bought 30 bales of the mature hay. That should get me through most of the winter. Bob was just going to get 4 bales of hay from the feed store, but they wanted $14/bale! I'll see what the goats think of the new hay when I'm almost finished with the two bales of pure alfalfa that I got when we bought the goats.