"The Knotty Spinster"

New Spun Golden Retriever yarn

2010-07-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

Better late than never post. Gee I haven't posted since 09. Well, here I am again. I have been working my 2 jobs as usual and I have been spinning and teaching spinning classes around my town. Here is a picture of my latest for a very nice lady in The Woodlands. Its her Golden Retriever hair. I got over 300 yards of it spun for her. Its two ply and I think turned out really well. Had to share it with you all. I have also been working in my yard and trying to get flower beds started. My daughter and her husband and grand-son put up my swing near my patio and I really love it. I will post a picture soon of it.

I hope to write more soon but life does get in the way. Enjoy my picture of the yarn. If you haven't tried spinning dog hair..give it a try. Really nice to spin. It also isn't mixed with anything like wool. I have done some with mixture of wool and it was nice as well but this is straight dog.. Enjoy

I've been a Stranger!!

2009-11-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

Sorry everyone who has checked my blog. I have really been bad but busy at the same time. I have been working so much just haven't had time to post anything. I now work 2 1/2 jobs. One is my day job and one a shoe store and one a funeral home. I also have been teaching spindle spinning and soon a spinning wheel class at a local yarn shop. I also have a new grand-daughter who is now 1 year old. She had a rough start in life with her intestines on the outside of her body but is now doing wonderful and such a happy baby. I have also moved into a smaller house in town and very convenient to all sorts of places and my jobs which is great. Takes less time to clean and more time to do spinning and gourds. Here is a picture of a gourd pin. I have some on Etsy for sale. Also a picture of Miss Jordan last Christmas. Hope you all have a Great Thanksgiving.

New Felted Purse

2008-05-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here is my newest item completed. Lots of ones not completed. Last year I got some beautiful yarn from my boss when her and her husband went to Ireland. I was wanting to do something special with it so a purse came to mind. So I knitted a Bubble Bag with the yarn. Turned out wonderful. I just love the colors and can't wait to use it in the fall/winter.

Not much else going on. Spinning alot. Just made some great contacts to get some free fleece as soon as the sheep is sheared. That will keep me really busy cleaning and preparing it for spinning.

JO JO and Jaycee enjoying the weekend!

2008-05-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

Here is an updated picture of Jonas..now 6 months and Jaycee my 10 year old granddaughter who is learning to play a dulcimer. I just took up playing the psaltery and I have some friends that came over to all learn together. Of course Jaycee wanted to learn.
I had her and Jonas for the weekend. Had lots of fun and lots of exercise which I really need. I did spin some on sunday but nothing yet to show. Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Spinning Away!!!

2008-04-18T13:14:00.000-07:00

Well, look at this lovely blue yarn that I spun up last weekend while I was doing a demo in Independence, Texas at their Wildflower tour. It was awesome and I had a wonderful time. The dulcimer group was playing next to us and you seem to be back in time. We sat on the porch of a dog trot house and the wildflowers were in bloom.

The next is what is on my spinning wheel at the moment. I just couldn't get enough of spinning so I had to start this beautiful Merino/colonial wool. Can't wait to get it done.

Weekend is almost here and I'm baby sitting Jo Jo tonight while my son and his wife have a great night on the town. He is 5 months now and learning all sorts of new things. Then tomorrow I may stop by some garage sales then on to work at my other part-time job.

Happy Weekend to all!!!

Boy, such a long time since I have posted!! Here is my update!

2008-04-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Sorry its been sooo long since I have posted. Well, alot has happened. I have moved into town. Smaller house but easy to keep and a smaller yard. Really different from my 10 acres. My animals have adjusted pretty well. I moved Dec. 14th. I have also had a new Grandson Jonas ( Jo Jo). He is now 4 months. I have taught some spinning classes in a nearby town. I have also done some gourd work and have a piece in our local gallery. Then a few days ago I caned my first chair. My daughter wanted me to do it for her. Of course the pattern isn't quite right but you can sit in it which is all that matters. I am working on felted clogs. I have one done and getting ready to start the other one. I did make Jonas a blanket for his crib. That is about all my knitting that I have had time for. Hopefully will start more soon.

Spinner's Possibles Pouch!!

2007-05-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Well, I have started making these pouches for spinning wheels. They are fun to make and you can really get creative. Here is one of mine for you to see. Its with handspun/knitting yarn and I felted it. It turned out really cute. Its about 6 1/2" across and about 7" tall including handle. You can wrap it on a spindle of your spinning wheel. I have this one on ebay for sale just to see how it goes. Its great for your tools etc. when you spin.

Not much else going on. Trying to garden and watch it rain. We have gotten so much rain lately its horrible. About 12 " the past week at my house. Guess you can get lots of things done on the inside while its raining. Like cleaning drawers etc. UGH!! I would much rather be spinning or knitting...Although watching the last bit of Dancing with the Stars and American Idol is way up on my list after working at my job all day.

Sock Keychain!!

2007-04-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hey, check out this great sock keychain. I got the pattern from "Felt Up" designs on the web. You get the pattern and keychain for a really cheap price. They are fun to make and great with your leftover sock yarn. I used a "0" double pointed needles. You can change out your sock to match what you are wearing if you want. Although I am not that creative. I just have this one but it seems to go with anything and everyone loves it. Even my students at the University. Have Fun!

Wool in Bluebonnets!!

2007-04-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

I though you would all like the picture of my handspun New Zealand Romney wool. While I was in "Independence" I took time to take this picture in some of the bluebonnets. I'm selling this on Ebay. 800 yards. Also here is a picture of a pet deer that my neighbor raised. She is really cute but she can really get into trouble.

Spinning demo

2007-04-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

Hello all, Well, I have been busy with some of my friends from our local Spinning and Weaving Guild. We were doing demos and teaching spinning in "Independence" Texas. Its a small place and well known for Sam Houston settled the first 300 settlers their. Its also along the Bluebonnet trail drive. We were at the dog trot house that was on the tour. Here is picture of Debbie on the porch spinning. She is a new spinner and doing a wonderful job.

Meet "Tyson"

2007-02-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

Sorry,,,I haven't blogged in a while just so busy and sick dealing with this lovely Texas weather and my allergies. My older son gave me this awesome boxer puppy last week and I just had to show you all. I lost my lifelong friend (Boxer..Copper) a few months ago. Jordan came across this puppy and thought of me. Now we have a minpin, lab that just appeared and now this boxer.

Now for my knitting. I am still working on my "Pure" silk sweater...just sleeves left..it has really taken me alot longer to finish than I though it would but it will be finished soon. OK...you know how it is when you LYS gets in new yarn.......I just bought handpainted yarn "Laurel" and getting ready to knit a Berroco Vest. I will send pictures soon. It's my first real splurge as its 400 yds for 35.00. I think it will be worth it in the long run and of course I'm worth it....!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2007-01-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hello all, I haven't been posting since last year and thought I would write. I work at a University and we have been away for about 12 days. Hope you all had a Wonderful Christmas. Mine was great...I had my three kids and their families over. It was great. Got alot done at home also. Painted a bedroom and bathroom...boy, what a job. Now the fun part of decorating them.
Our local knitting group had a pillow exchange and here is the pillow that I did. The button in the middle is a gourd piece. It was great because it went to our only male member. The yarn was his and I knitting this for him. We had a wonderful time at the party with lots of great pillows. Also here is a picture of my kids. Jordan on the left, my oldest Jennifer in the middle and my youngest Quade on the right. He is 17 and think he is already grown...

Pillow for exchange

2006-12-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

Sorry all, been so busy with work and getting my house leveled and of course the holidays. The Local Yarn Guild is having a pillow exchange and I have been working on mine. Here is the picture of it so far. I also have been making scarfs for gifts and getting ready to paint a couple of rooms in my home. Hope you all have a wonderful Holiday...hopefully I will be able to post again soon. Kind of hectic these days but I will try.

Chemo Cap...

2006-10-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

Our local yarn shop "The Hook & Needle" is having a chemo cap athon...for Breast Cancer Awareness. This is my second one to make and then one more and I'm done at least for now. So much going on. I have a list this year of things to make like I'm sure all of you have long holiday list of knitting to be done. I have several on needles along with yarn on my spinning wheel. Tomorrow I'm going with my neighbor to the Mushroom Festival in Madisonville, Tx. I have never been and it should be loads of fun...last year was over 170 vendors. They also have chefs that are preparing recipes with mushrooms and giving out samples...YUMMMM!!

We have had lots of rain the past few days here and nice cooler weather. I'm ready to get my winter clothes down from the attic. Of course crossing my fingers in hoping that they will all still fit.
Well, I'm at work and almost time to leave...Hope you all have a Great Weekend!! Adios

My Very First Sweater!!

2006-10-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

Ok guys and gals...here is my very first sweater in progress. Its from the KnitScene Magazine Fall 2006 issue. Its called the "Magnolia" sweater. Calls for bulky yarn but I'm using Pure from SWTC soy silk. Its really pretty. Our area here in Texas really doesn't call for very heavy sweaters and I can wear this alot longer around here. I have done the back and right front and working on the left front..then sleeves. Can't wait to get it finished.

New Knitting Bag...AWESOME!!

2006-10-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share this wonderful handmade knitting bag that my...ex-aunt's daughter made for me. I already have it stuffed with lots of items I'm working on.

My gourd Art!

2006-09-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in my subject line that besides a knitter that I'm a gourd artist. Thought I would share one of my fall gourds with you. Gourds are really fun to work on, I have been doing them for about 14 years. Enjoy!!

My 4-wheeling kids!!

2006-09-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share a couple of pictures of my sons playing. My older son has this yellow jeep or rather was yellow and him and my younger son Quade went 4-wheeling on our land. I thought this was a great picture of them going over the boulder in our front yard...My youngest is standing up. The same jeep just painted after a hugh rollover when Jordan and his girlfriend/new wife when 4-wheeling with the Texas A&M group. He painted it silver with red...Looks like Jessica is really holding on...I will post another pic. when they finish building her jeep (pink). They just got married in Mexico last week...surprise to us all but I'm really excited as she is a great gal for him. They make a cute couple.

2006-09-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

Just sharing a picture of my new spinning wheel. The Krompski Ministral. Its awesome. I just love the way it spins. I spin early in the morning and evening when I get home from work. Although this week will be really busy. Homecoming here this weekend and my 16 yr. old son told me last night that I need to make a mum for his girlfriend. I had to call a few friends to see if anyone is available to help me make a mum. I have never done one and I know they are really expensive to buy. I have company coming over on Wed night so I may only have one day to make it. Nothing like waiting till the last minute to do this. Oh well,,,I'm sure it will get done.

We are all enjoying this great cool weather we have been having lately here in Texas. Can't wait for the fall. Its funny when its cold we want warmer weather and when its hot we want cooler weather.

Over the weekend my older son and his girlfriend went to one of the Mexico islands and spent a week their. When they came back they told us that they got married!! It was my son's first marriage and her 2nd. She is a wonderful girl and her 3 yr old son is awesome. We are all thrilled and wish them the VERY BEST!! Now to plan a party in a couple of weeks for them. Let's see....what can I knit for them!!!

I'm currently working on a sweater using soy silk, a pair of socks with Knit Picks sock yarn and a bowl which I will felt. I will post those pictures soon. Of course spinning on the side.

2006-09-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
This is my first blog and I'm learning. I am a knitter and spinner and a gourd artist plus I work full time as a Librarian Assistant.