in keeping with progress...

My all time favorite story now is called "Wide Awake" by Angstgoddess003. She.is.a.literary.genius.yo. No really!   Her Twi-inspired fanfic has become quite the cult classic where twilight fanfiction is concerned. The character development is amazing, the story: haunting and gripping--I just can't say enough good things about it. And pst... those in the know could tell you that this story is where all the cookie & unicorn references come from. yes... unicorns are our friends, peeps ;) 

With that being said, I made the Bella Mittens by Subliminal Rabbit with the malabrigo worsted that Maylin sent as a project. I call this project: "Hood up, Head Down Mitts" in keeping with a fave phrase from the fic. And why yes, of course those are white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.... ;D

johnny sex hair hat for the win! ^_^

so yeah, here is one of my latest favoritest FOs. :) This is my "Johnny Sex Hair Hat." I wear it ridiculously often especially for living in a putrid hot climate.... N-E-wayz I digress.... It was inspired by the pretteh pictured here:

 

mmm.... RPattz.... ;) In the Twi-fanfic "I Love L.A." by feathersmmm, her character Grace refers to her character Rob as Johnny Sex Hair... oh the lulz... So when it came time to name this WIP, (and cuz it's a hat too, yo...) I thought this quirky name would so work ;) 

The yarn is the bomb diggidy! This is the single ply merinocean handspun from Gherkin's Bucket in the "Supermassive Black Hole" colorway... SQUEE!  XD My first time working with handspun too, and it was so loverly ^_^ I made the Verity Hat by Ysolda Teague. It's a  slouchy beret pattern that is a fun, fast and easy knit. I found the most adorable pewter filigree button to accent it, as well! 

Cripes! Where Have I been?!

       So yeah, I have been very naughty (busy really) and have neglected my blog... :( Bad Squib!!! >:P But in an effort to recap the last couple months here are some updates. The holidays were very busy with the swappin. Not only did I do a Christmas swap with Skeinqueen7 (see previous post), but I also did Christmas swaps with Dreamsinfiber, Maylin, and Emil. Of course I'm a dunce and did not get pics of all my swaps. ::sigh:: But here are a few that I did. 

   In addition to Xmas swaps, I also helped moderate and participate in the Love Bites Valentines Vampire Swap 2009 on Ravelry. We had over 50 members sign up internationally!! All in all, I think it was a success :) There are also pics listed here of the parcel I sent to my swap recipient, and the one I received in turn. 

This pic is of the amazing package I received from Maylin in France, yo! For our Xmas swap/True Blood  vamp swap. There were so many amazing goodies inside!!! And since we are both hardcore Twilight fans as well, She was sure to include some also Twilight items, too! Here's what I got: 

• 2 hanks of the Opal Harry Potter sock yarn in the Ron (luv ron!!) and Dumbledore colorways,
• two super soft and squooshy hanks of Malabrigo worsted (hooray! My first Malabrigo!)
• Lavender wands that Maylin made herself, that when you rub in your hands, releases the scent (I stuck them in with my stash!)
• audio books
• music
• the pattern for the Bella Mittens by Subliminal Rabbit
• friggin espresso from Italy!! no, srsly!!! (ZOMG!!!!)
• Freesia scented soap and honey/olive scented soap from Greece 
• Russian Earl Grey tea
• dried mango yummies
• and three hanks of her own hand-dyed colorways!! Friggin' gorgeous and luxurious I might add; "Claudine", "Bill", and her amazing lace in her vampire blood colorway.... LOVE
• Dood yo, I so gots spoiledz!!!! ^_^

 

I also got a phat package from Erica that had the most amazing collection of books. I have already used the Creepy Cute Crochet book to make the Nosferatu!! ^_^ She also sent 2 hanks of malabrigo sock yarn in the most gorgeous red that are destined to become the "Hoor Hose" using the "Zum Dirndl" pattern by yarnissima. There was a lavender sachet, as well, and another hank of pretty variegated sock yarn, and some stitch markers. Oh! and she also knitted me a set of the most adorable HP house colors Xmas ornaments!! There was more, but I can't remember right now. Bottom line; she spoiled me too!! :D

And then Emil sent me a lovely package from Finland that included samples of Finnish yarn, a cute little owl purse, the most beautiful pair of fair isle fingerless mitts, and some Finnish candy!!! Oh, and an adorable lil Santa ornament!! ^_^

And here is  pic of all the cool goodies I received from my swap sender in the Love Bites Swap. :) I got a hank of Maylin's gorgeous Merino tencel in the "Forks" colorways!! Yay!!, the most delish whole bean coffee, the most awesomest lip gloss that I LURVE, some rad tunage, some yummies, and necklaces, and other little bits and bobs of cool! 

And Finally, here is a pic of the package I sent to my swap recipient in Finland for the Love Bites swap. I was a doofus and forgot to take pics before sending everything out, so photo  credits go to my recipient!! ^_^ I think it's so cute, too--she named the dragon, "Lars" and the Nosferatu "Bruce" hehe... I also made her some nice thick "Bella Mittens" --and FYI: "Lohikåårme" is Finnish for dragon. ;)

shop update

AS POSTED ON RAVELRY:

Ok, hi everybody-- sorry about the product hiatus of late; things have been busy (and continue to be) on both a personal and business level. My DH had been on a business trip since July 18th and has returned home recently for a brief 2-3 weeks. So unfortunately, I do not foresee many shop updates 

in the immediate future. 

I can say with some certainty that it appears that the "All Hallows 

Eve" sock kits were a success. I look forward very much to seeing what everyone makes with them. It was also a treat for me to make the little notion pouches; I had been an avid quilter before starting FFtC, and it was a "warm fuzzy" to revisit my sewing machine. ;) 

Here's a look at the upcoming events for FFtC:

• I have invoiced the "Socks of the Bard" and "Time Machine" club members today for their October shipments. It's time to get the ball rolling on the next set of colorways, already! :)
• I have recently filled all outstanding custom order requests, so if you have made a custom order please check my Etsy shop or convo me with further questions. 
• I have 4 more colorways to release for the limited series: "Horrors of History: Torture Through the Ages." I want to get these out fairly soon in time for October, so keep an eye out if you are interested. Again, these colorways are 1 hank, OOAKs and they'll be listed unannounced, first-come-first-serve. Still to be released are: "Scold's Bridel," "Brazen Bull," Heretic's Fork," and "Judas Pyramid."

• I will be adding two new original colorways to the shop soon. These are "Cherry Streusel" (gearing up for fall yummies!), and "Hagrid's Pumpkin Patch." The latter will be a primary/complimentary combo so that there will be a majority of yardage in the rich pumpkin colors, and a mini hank in the contrasting dark greens used for contrasting heels and toes, or whatever. Please convo me if you are interested in either colorway as I only plan to make one of each as I normally do. :)
• And for the big announcement-- I have TWO NEW ORIGINAL LIMITED SERIES TO DEBUT!!!

1. "The Feminine Mystique" will be a set of nine self-striping colorways based on female traits/wiles. ;) Colorways will be "Flirtatious," "Virtuous," Dignified," "Romantic," etc. Unless I receive requests for theses, I only plan to make one of each, so grab them quick! ;) I will post again when they are ready.
2. "True Blood"--this one I'm over the moon about! :) I've recently started watching the new HBO series based on the "Southern Vampire" series by Charlaine Harris, and reading the "Sookie Stackhouse" books, too, and I am HOOKED! I actually read both of the first two books in a 30 hour marathon read last week!! I will be releasing colorways inspired by the characters from this mythology in the merino/silk base and lace weights. So there will be approximately 440 yds of fingering weight yarn per character in the merino silk. I'm still working on the lace weight stats. I, myself, am planning to make a "Shetland Triangle" shawl in the "Sookie Stackhouse" colorway in the merino/silk as a knit-along with my friend Chrissy, who is also test knitting the colorway. I also want to make an "Icarus Shawl" with the "Bill Compton" colorway in lace weight. Again, I will base yarn production on interest for these colorways. Here's a picture collage of the first colorway, "Sookie Stackhouse":

In Need of a Good Laugh?!

OMG, i just found these links curtesy of a fellow Raveler's "about me" section. I almost sprayed my monitor and keyboard with coffee-- these are hilarious! All fiber-enthusiasts should appreciate; but steer clear of fluids while you surf.... 

• What Not to Knit
  
• What Not to Crochet
• You Knit What 2

shop update

Well, things have been busy in the world of "selling yarn". I received 2300 yds of fingering weight yarn yesterday and dyed it all! :D I made 5 new colorways:

• Leigha: A custom colorway for a Raveler in shades of bright and pale pinks and springy grass greens.
• Poisoned Apple: Originally intended for the shop, but couldn't stand to part with it ;) It's a lot like wicked but with one color change-- It's Black, hot pink, cherry red, and lime It's from the Once Upon a Time Series and based on the tale of "Snow White."
• Boys of Summer: currently for sale at my Etsy shop. Surfer-themed with oceanic blue, and sunset colors.
• Hansel & Gretel: based on the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale. Dark forest greens, woodsy browns, bright golds and flecks of red. Sold today to Zyd! (She also bought Little Mermaid).
• Little Red Riding Hood: Also based on the macabre Grimm Brothers' tales. This one has dark forest greens and deep, rich, reds. Sold to Dreamsinfiber, and special order requested by Zyd. 

I will be adding new colorways soon as well, in varying weights this time. Here's the scoop on the future hues:

1. Odysseus Sails: From the "Globe Trekker" series. Based on the adventures of King Odysseus from Homer's "The Odyssey."
2. The Frog Prince: Brother's Grimm colorway from the "Once Upon a Time Series."
3. Snow Queen: Han's Christian Andersen tale from the "Once Upon a Time Series."
4. Pompeii: From the "Globe Trekker" series.
5. Atia of the Julii: first colorway in the new "All Roads Lead to Rome" series.
6. Rumpelstilzchen: Custom request for Zyd. 
7. Morgan Le Fey: From the "Once Upon a Time Series"

Good Grief, Charlie Brown!

Well, I just realized that I'd been so busy with dying yarn, test knitting and making swaps, that I haven't posted any of my recent WIPs or FOs! :/ So, here's the 411: I finished my "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes" socks with my Sunshine Yarns in the corresponding colorway. I used the pattern "Mad Color Weave", by Tina Lorin. I also whipped up a pair of socks for little Zach with some scrap yarn today. It's the "Toddler Socks" pattern by Bonnie Franz. Additionally, I worked up a couple test knits (more info in May), and began the birthday swap for Dreamsinfiber. Above is a photo collage of the WWW socks and Zach's pair. 

To see things in a different light

The pun was definitely intended in this title. ;)   I wound the four "Fresh From the Cauldron" cakes today at Lambyknits' house, and she graciously offered to take some pictures with her wonderful camera. The natural lighting, and high resolution produced stunning results  that showcased each colorway beautifully! Thank you so much Shawna for all your help, and just for being a great friend! :)

New Colorways are ready!

Pygstitches introduces its new line of hand-dyed yarn called

 "Fresh From the Cauldron"!

Here are the new pics of the first four colorways of my hand-dyed yarn. I plan to open an Etsy store soon. Meanwhile, please send all requests and inquiries to Jenpyg@aol.com

I plan to make colorways based on various themes or series. Two of the series are featured here with these four colorways. These hanks were custom ordered by Bindifry and will ship out tomorrow! 

New original colorway series:

• "Globe Trekker" --colorways inspired by various locations and or cultures around the world
• "Raid the Fridge" --colorways inspired by food or beverage
• "Saturday Morning cartoons" --colorways inspired by famous cartoon characters
• "On Broadway"-- colorways inspired by famous plays and their characters and scenes
• "Once Upon a Time" --colorways inspired by whimsical fantasy and fairytales
• "Flotsam & Jetsam" --for the random, uncharacterized colorway.  i.e. semi-solids, custom requested, and HP colorways

Pictures:

"Dublin Black" from the "Globe Trekker" series

"Crazy Curry" from the "Raid the Fridge" Series
"Gooey, Caramel Fudge Sundae" from the "Raid the Fridge" Series
"Maharaja" from the "Globe Trekker" series

*All of these also fall under the "Flotsam & Jetsam" series, because they were custom requested colorways, as well.

In the Words of Napolean Dynamite: "Heck, Yes!"

Okay, so recently I was able to talk my husband into letting me convert our never-needed guest room into my "Craft Room Extroardinare" ;) Besides, the project is mutually beneficial as it gets my stuff centralized into one area as opposed to "infecting" the whole house, here and there. I have been working on it in spurts and raided my 7 year old's room for shelving (tee-hee). I snagged his fabulous bookcase (which is normally empty anyway, because all his crap is normally strewn all over his floor) and it's a perfect place to store and display all my yummy yarnie goodness. :) I have all fingering weights and sock yarns on the top shelf, sport/dk weights and novelty yarns on the second, worsted aran a bulky on the bottom two. All of my craft books and patterns are on the very top (which you can't see yet). When I have the room completely finished, I'll post some more pics. 

Ginevra Molly Weasley

Pattern: "Simply Ginny Socks", by Anna Peck

Cast On: 3/14/08

Cast Off: 3/17/08

The Big Tease

Here is a sneak-peak at the "Simply Ginny Socks," designed by Anna Peck. 

Cast on: 3/14/08

Mocha Latte Lace

Here are the finished pics of Kim's "Uzume" footies. I haven't gotten them to her yet, because my little one has been very sick, he has croup. Hopefully I can meet with her sometime next week. I hope she likes them. I was supposed to make her 2 pairs from this colorway, but I guess all the yarn-overs in the pattern hogged a lot of yarn, so there's not quite enough. So instead, I ordered some pretty plum tweed to make her some cabled ankle socks. I think she'll like them; purple's her favorite color.

Bellatrix socks are done.

Here are the final pics of my Bellatrix socks. Now I'll just be concentrating on finishing Kim's Uzumes. Official stats:

Title: "Bellatrix at the Department of Mysteries"

Cast on: 3/2/08

Cast off: 3/8/08

Pattern: "Bellatrix", by Gigi Silva-a.k.a "Monkey Toes"

Modifications: Size 1.5 circs for cuff and instep, size 2 for  sl1/k1 reinforced heel, size 1 for leg. 

One down, one to go

I'm 75% done with this project. After Bellatrix, I still need to finish Kim's Uzume socks and then I will be working on some projects for my Ravelry groups. Luckily, some of the projects will fill requirements for multiple groups. I want to make Anna Peck's "Simply Ginny!" socks in either Sweet Sheep Sweet Sock "Pink Cherries" or Claudia Hand-painted's "Peppermint Mocha", and from there, probably Monkey Toes' "Nagini" socks in Knit Pick's "Leprechaun."

update on: "Bellatrix at the Department of Mysteries" socks

"The woman stepped forward, away from her fellows, and pulled off her hood. Azkaban had hollowed Bellatrix Lestrange's face, making it gaunt and skull-like, but it was alive with a feverish, fanatical glow."

--Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, chapter 35, p. 783

WIPs

I've got two pairs of socks on the needles right now. One is the Uzume pattern by Monkey Toes, being modified into ankle socks (in the CTH "java" colorway), and knit up for my friend Kim. The other is a pair of Bellatrix socks by Monkey Toes, I'm knitting up for myself. The Uzume is fairly tedious and slow going, where in stark contrast, the Bellatrix is knitting up like a dream! I've been wanting to do this pair in this colorway ever since I saw the yarn and the pattern. I originally wanted to use this yarn for my Monkeys, but I had trouble with pooling and gauge, so I used the CTH "earth" instead. I'm glad I did, because I think that this colorway and pattern are the perfect match, now!