Scattered WIPs, Scatter Brained

Long time, no blog post! Hello again Fiber Friends!

Its been a while. Truthfully, I’m going through some big life changes and as a result I have relocated back to South Dakota to be close to family for a while. I am stressed, anxious and desperately trying to figure out a job – sadly my creative life is not yet in position to be my day job, though that is always the ultimate goal.

Still, I am working at slowly at my many WIPs.

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Bag from KnitForBrains on Etsy, Pumpkin needle keeper from MollyKleinDesigns on Etsy.

These are just a few of the socks I have that I told myself I would have ready for the cooler weather. I may have to push that back to ready for the snow, but even that may be a bit of a stretch. I started these while still in North Carolina, and when I bid farewell to my Podcast friend Barb of Super Stitchy, she gave me the sweet little beaded witch stitch marker she made herself. So if it does take me longer to finish these, at least I have a fun reminder of a fiber friend.

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My fun little witch marker from Super Stitchy and my MollyKleinDesigns needle keeper. Madeline Tosh yarn.

I had also told myself I would have a sweater done for the fall by now, but naturally, my latest sweater is not yet completed. Just about done with one sleeve and one left to go.

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My own hand dyed yarn in The Evil Eye (purple) and The Poison You Picked (green). Bag by HappyUnicornStudio on Etsy.

I’m loving my new Dense DK base, I have a loose gauge so the more densely spun yarn won’t grow as much as my Plump DK base. I started this in NC as well, and between settling into a new space and the emotions that come with not knowing what my life is right now have slowed me down. I did finish the body while waiting for my baby Jack Russell, Lucy, to come back from teeth extractions at the vet. However, stress knitting, while useful for keeping me from biting my nails and clenching my teeth, is still not my ideal knitting.

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Bag by TwistedYarnAndFiberBags on Etsy and Malabrigo Rios Yarn.

Stress aside, I am happy to be closer to family, and happy for the cooler knitting weather in South Dakota. Knitting out of necessity gives me unique pleasure. I suppose my productivity anxiety is quelled a bit by the idea of knitting practical items for myself that I know will go to good use, and soon. I started myself a hat in the Acres Wild pattern by Kniting Pirate on Ravelry. I’m using Malabrigo Rios yarn and toting it in a phantasmically perfect bag from Twisted Yarn and Fiber Bags on Etsy. We have one week of temporary warm temperatures coming and then October will be in full cool swing, and I will definitely be wearing this hat.

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My WIPs, my mind and my writing are all a bit scattered, and I would apologize, but that just where I am right now. I am continuing to put my best effort into my Sisteresque Fibers Etsy shop, I have added Pre-Order or Dye to Order yarn in hopes of more sales with less unsold inventory about. I have intentions of creating some colorwork hat patterns and a few cross stitch patterns. I only hope my job search and possible job find won’t interrupt my creativity too much, as it is a large part of what is currently holding my sanity together. Tho, sadly, it doesn’t pay for health insurance. Sigh.

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I will end on a lighter note and say that I am grateful to the fiber and crafting community for providing a place to go during the worst of times. Everyone is so supportive and happy to share times in their lives that have been rough – and how the made it thru to the other side. To everyone who reads my blog, supports my content, my shop and my fibery pipe dream, I love you all! I wish you all the most magical fall knitting and I hope your October is full of treats, yarn and many Halloween movies!

Until next circle, Sisters and Brethren,

Love from Haleigh

Don’t Sweat the Small Socks

Welcome back to the fiber circle!

This week let’s talk socks! Over the summer I had tried a new sock knitting technique: four at a time socks inside socks! Wait? What? That’s right. I had two pairs of two at a time socks on the needles, with one pair inside the other. Here’s the YouTube video I used to figure out how to knit a sock inside of a sock:

I had a two at a time sock set going, so I started another and then put the second socks inside the first set. As much as I did enjoy the new technique, I had also started a “part time” job (with commute, its a full time hours away from home and knitting job). I felt drained of time for knitting and the four at a time socks were moving too slowly. And then came the knitting anxiety. There was nothing else for it: they had to be separated.

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My separated four at a time socks in Biscotte Yarns with my Addi Turb Sock Rocket needles. 

Once I had the separated, they did seem to fly off the needles. Of course, I did a spend a weekend working on them, so the extra hours of time did help. I had two pairs of socks done by Wednesday and it felt good!

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So what did I do to celebrate having two pairs of socks done and blocking? Cast on another two sets of socks of course! I know, if I was stressing out about not getting these socks done, why start two more? Well, because I am a knitter. I need to have socks on the go. Particularly now that I have discovered two at a time and the joy of having no second sock syndrome.

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Amazing bag by Knit for Brains, German yarn by the name of Unisono and some //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=sisteresquefi-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00DX8759A&asins=B00DX8759A&linkId=6f096d9d7e950ce9779f37af36177cfb&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Chiaogoo needles.

I made a firm decision not to let myself stress over my knitting. As a reward, I bought myself a positively perfect Nightmare Before Christmas themed bag from Knit For Brains because I adore Laura’s bags! I also went ahead and cast on a third pair of socks. Partly to challenge myself to keep enjoying my knitting rather than agonizing over how many projects I am getting finished.

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Beautiful bag by Nanette Wake, Yarn by Mineville Wool Project, more Addi needles.

I’m loving the yarn I’m using for all of my new on the go sock projects. And I keep reminding myself that a knitter should always have socks on the go. You never know when you will need to keep yourself busy in a waiting room, on a plane or in a car. So why not have a few projects in progress? The world won’t end if you don’t finish them in a “timely manner.”

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One of my finished pairs of socks in Biscotte Yarns.

In summation my fiber sisters and brethren, don’t sweat the small socks. And for that matter don’t sweat any of the things that are meant to bring you joy. I know that can be difficult when you’re having a down day, I’ve had plenty of my own. But we knit because we are looking for the good, we are finding our peace. And yes, we do happen to end up having some magically magnificent socks!

See you at the next coven meeting!

 

So Cute, We’re Dyeing Podcast, Episode 2

Hello yarniacs! I hope your long weekend has been relaxing and full of craft time! Don’t fret that its ending, watch the new episode of the So Cute We’re Dyeing Podcast! I have my friend Barbara, Super Stitchy, back on the scene in her future dye studios for Episode 2: Stuffed Lambs – you’ll have to watch to find out why the title!

Watch on my YouTube Channel here:

Here are all the things you saw this episode!

Yarns:

HalesBee Handmade

Wool and the Gang

Biscotte Yarns

Desert Vista Dye Works

Carillon Fiber Studios

Craftsy Cloudborn

Hey Lady Hey

Wollen Boon

DebbieDuckYarns

Unplanned Peacock Studios

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Patterns:

Gull Beach Shawl (working title) by Barbara of Super Stitchy

Touchstone Shawl by Laura Aylor

Serenity Now Shawl by Jenny Faifel (Craftsy Kit)

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Bags and Notions:

Shop Sew Flo

Truffle Shuffle on Etsy (@truffleshuffle on IG)

Molly Klein Design on Etsy

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Other Stuff:

The Cute Plushie Rams are from Sorbet Jungle

My ‘Wine Goblet’ is from Full Lotus Pottery

Support Spindle and Fiber from FolkTalesPl on Etsy

Bowl is from Spinerosity on Etsy

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Thanks for watching everyone! I will also include some affiliate links for the needles we were using (yes, I do get a commission if you click and buy, thank you in advance).

Don’t forget to check out the sale I’m running in my shop!

30% Off DK Yarn  10% Off Minis, Mini Kits and Stitch Markers

Go to HalesBee Handmade to shop the sale thru June 2nd, 2018!

Have a great week everyone!!

Needles we were using:

Signature Arts Needles

Knit Pro Zings Melodies of Life Set

ChiaoGoo 9 Inch Circs

Hiya Hiya Sharps 

Addi Turbo Sock Rockets

Progress, Plans and Selfish Knits

Good day, friends! Welcome to another entry into the diary of HalesBee Handmade happenings. I have been slowly making progress on a couple of WIPs, and have also made a few selfish knitting plans.

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Richard’s cardigan with just buttons left to go!

My man cardigan for the hubby is nearly ready for wear! Knitted in Brava Sport Yarn from Knit Picks in Cobblestone Heather and Canary (yellow). Since last entry, I have completed the sleeves, picked up and finished the collar, complete with button holes and finished off the pockets. Now I just need to find suitable buttons and throw it in the wash! Not to worry, it’s been intentionally knitted with acrylic for easy care!

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Progress on Mom’s Worsted Boxy.

I’ve also been at work on mom’s special request: the Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli. This is a large, comfy fit sweater; so, I do have quite a larger number of stitches each row. Still, I am plugging away and loving the fabric I am getting! I am using my own hand dyed yarn in my Jack Frost colorway from my HalesBee Handmade shop on Etsy (affiliate link). I have also been testing out my new Knitter’s Pride interchangeable Zing needles from my Melodies of Life set I just treated myself to. I promise to review them later!

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I got my Knitter’s Pride set on eBay (affiliate link), where you can find some reasonably priced sets. Brand new sets of the same Melodies of Life needles are available on Amazon also, and for very reasonable prices. Here’s an Amazon affiliate link: Knitter’s Pride Melodies Of Life “Zing” Interchangeable Needle Set-9 Pairs / 4 Cords / Accessories

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Selfish socks for me! Done in my own hand dyed yarn.

I’ve also felt a need to cast on a few selfish knits. All this working on sweaters for mom and hubby, and after the holidays!? I need something for me. I went ahead and chose a couple of skeins from my shop – again! I may need to slow down using my own inventory – but I do love some of my colorways!

The sock I’ve started above is using my Pick Your Poison colorway, which will be used for the cuffs, heels and toes of the socks. The main body of the sock will be done in my Always Carry Antidote colorway. See what I did there? I know, I’m so clever 🙂 Both of these are on my TwistleBee Sock Base, a high twist sock yarn. They are both available in my HalesBee Handmade shop on Etsy (affiliate link).

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More selfish knitting in my DK hand dyed yarn. Bag from KnitForBrainsDesigns on Etsy.

Last in my entry today is a bit of enabling from Instagram. I saw a knitty friend had completed the Touchstone Shawl by Laura Aylor in three colors rather than one. Loved it! Had to plan one for me! I selected a few more HalesBee Handmade DK colorways (there I go again!) and popped over to Ravelry to get the pattern. My plan is start with my Remnants, do the middle section in Coffee and Pie Oh My!, and finish out with my Chateau de Bleu colorway. I’m so excited to have a shawl for me!

Well, that’s all for this entry, folks! I had better get back to knitting if I want to have more to show later 🙂

I hope you have enjoyed this peek into the HalesBee Handmade life. If you have clicked on the links marked affiliate and made a purchase (which gives me a small commision) then I thank you from the bottom of my HalesBee heart!

Happy knitting! Love from HalesBee!

 

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