In The Bag

It's time for my weekly breakdown of crafting and crazy!  This week has another busy one with several things done in "in the bag"!

30 September, Friday
Last Friday I finished sewing the two bags that I was working on.  I must say that I really like how they turned out.  I had picked up this weird pink and clear button and I was wondering what it would eventually end up with.  It turns out that it was *perfect* for the smaller of the two bags.  The more I look at it, the more I love it. :)  So here they are!  They are both for sale; click the links if you are interested.

 

The return of peace

Things have indeed been chaotic at my home this summer.  My kids were on top of each other and fighting.  Meanwhile I was trying to push my fiber business off to a start.  I had spinning orders to fulfill, a pattern I wrote, tested, remade, and tested by others, and finally released.  My fiber graphics have become fairly popular and I've sold several orders. Oh, and I've been photo journaling my art projects before bed every night.
 

Today school started again.  I have one kiddo in public school in a special needs class and that is working *wonderfully* for him.  My oldest kiddo I homeschool, and now I'm working on paperwork to get my youngest into preschool.  I hope I can get her in so my oldest and I can get some work done in peace for a few hours.

Recently I've joined in a craft swap hosted by my favorite podcast Knit 1 Geek 2.  I was inspired by my spoilee (the secret person I am spoiling that I will not reveal online) to create yet another knitting pattern.  I am *so* excited about this one but I can't reveal my concept yet.  I can get it done before the deadline if I'm quick, but I would really like it to go through test knitting first if I can.  So, I've pulled in a friend to help me with part of this project and she is just excited as I am!

I can show you a little bit; below are a few swatches I've knit, and above is my stack of research books. :)

Oh, and yesterday, I stuck my toes and spent a little money to promote my latest pattern on Facebook this week.  I'm curious to see how that goes!

Every yarn has a story...

Meet "Moody Cloud"

This yarn marked the beginning of my love affair with spinning.  The pencil roving had glorious color and an intriguing texture that made my fingers itch to work with it.  With my birthday money I bought the fiber from a friend, and borrowed her drop spindle.  With a few pointers we were off and running.  My arms ached but I still wanted to keep going.  I loved the transitions of one color to the next, fascinated with the whole process.  My children watched me wide-eyed as I played with color and fiber.

When it was time to ply I had so many variations that I could try.  I decided that I wanted to wind the single into a yarn cake and ply the center pull with the outside strand and just "see what the color does."  This was the best part!  What surprises I was in for.  Purples with purples, purples with pinks, and pinks with pinks.  Such a fun way to blend color.

Then I learned how to set the yarn by "thwacking" it.  Haha!  Such fun!

Now it's your turn to pick up the story.  Take this yarn home and write the ending.  Will the yarn become a purse?  Someone's toy?  You decide!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/243428978/handspun-yarn-moody-cloud?ref=shop_home_active_2
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Handspun by Rachel's Cozy Knits & Designs
Fiber content: 100% wool
Color: "Moody Cloud"
2 plys
125 grams, 282 yards
13 wraps per inch, DK weight
Spun January 2014
Hand wash in cool water. Air dry.