I've been knitting dishcloths lately.
I found a new pattern I really like - even better than the Peaches and Cream Ballband pattern. It's a waffle stitch pattern. I like the way these dishcloths come out a bit thinner. When I wash dishes, I personally like a little bit of a thinner dishcloth. I love to make dishcloths as gifts, and I actually have never used a handmade washcloth, but these ones are tempting me to keep some for my self!
The last one I made with orange yarn and a yellow/white ombre yarn, alternating to make stripes. The striped look really appeals to me - I'll definitely be trying that again.
It was fun when I was looking for my needles to make dishcloths again- (I hadn't knitted any since February)I found a complete dishcloth and an almost finished one that I'd completely forgotten about - so it was kind of like a bonus to have more finished dishcloths!
Here are some pics of my dishcloths and also of something with strings of a different kind - my mandolin! (I play guitar and mandolin)

Koolaid and Easter egg dye fun!

These are pictures from a few weeks ago. Dying with Koolaid is fun, and it smells great too! The colors were actually more vibrant in real life than in the photos! The red and the orange/red pink stuff is KA, and the bright orange, the green, and the blue are Easter egg dyed. (The EE dyed fiber reminds me of Muppets!) There is also some handspun yarn I dyed as well.
After the fiber dried, I carded it - some with hand cards, and some with my drum carder.

What have I been up to lately?
Well, last week my family and I took a 4 night "vacation" to another town. We had lots of fun going to thrift stores and a flea market. (my all time favorite activity) The kids got to play in the pool at the hotel, which is quite a treat for them. We had a lot of fun. I was able to find some crafty goodies, which I am looking forward to making something with soon! At the flea market, I found what must have been someone's entire bead stash - and got it for quite a steal. So lot's of beading fun in my future! (That is if I can stay off the internet long enough to get something done...)

I really wanted to post some pics of what I did this past weekend, but I couldn't upload them onto my computer. I need to get the software, or upload them on a different computer then put them on mine.
Well, anyways, I've really been enjoying being on Ravelry. I enjoy reading all the stuff on there. I find it very inspiring to have a community of like-minded fiber lovers!
So I guess I'm going to have an excuse from now on called, "Ravelry made me do it!" Ha Ha.
I was reading messages about dyeing with Koolaid, and also Easter egg dye. I got out some singles I'd spindle spun, and some carded batts, and even some uncarded, but washed wool, and had some fun. Back in 2006 or so, I tried dying with Easter egg dye, but just kept the colors straight from the package, no mixing. This time I tried combining a few colors. I was pretty pleased with the experiment. I liked how the ee dye colors were more toned down, rather than the neon-ish colors you get with the straight-from-the package dye. Next time I go to the grocery store, I'm going to stock up on lots of Koolaid for more dyeing fun in the future! Yay!

Hey, I joined Ravelry. Looks like it's going to be a fun place to hang out. I hope I don't get too addicted! It's almost too much of a good thing. Ha ha. All those knitterly type people all in one place! Kind of like an online knitters Disneyland.

Haven't been blogging much lately. Truth is, I really would rather read everyone else's blog in blogland, than to write in mine. Ya'll are so interesting!
As far as the hat I started in my last post, well, I never really got anywhere with it after that. But I have been doing some other creative things - mostly non-fiber related. I've been painting small paintings on 5x7 inch cards to give out to people. I took an entire day last week to make a collage. I also recently made a beaded necklace and matching bracelet. Yesterday I skirted and washed wool. So that's all the latest with me.

You Are "delete"

Some people might try to say you're standoffish and aloof. You prefer to think of yourself as a person of few words. You like to live simply, speak simply, and act simply. It's all about editing. No wonder you're the first person your friends call when they need a mess cleaned up!

What Keyboard Key Are You?

Last night after my last post, I actually started a project. I started a hat in the round in blue Lion Brand Homespun. Something easy and mindless....works great for me. (We'll see if I actually finish it, or if I decide to rip it out, he he)

Not much fibery goodness at my house lately - just haven't been inspired to knit lately - but I did spend a little time today sprucing up the blog a tad, and reading several blogs that I enjoy.

I read on Joanne's blog (http://www.joanneseiff.blogspot.com/) that she has a book out called Fiber Gathering. She is currently on a book signing tour. How exciting is that? I'm looking forward to reading this book. I'm looking forward to attending a fiber festival someday.

Our local county fair has a  wool event every year, and I've been to that once.

I'm BaaaaacK!

Loooong time no post heh? Probably thought I fell off the end of the earth, or at least the cyberspace...

Well, to make a long story short - my family and I set out on an adventure. We left our big house and got rid of lots of stuff and took a trip. The trip took us all over the country and eventually to a beautiful place on the Pacific Coast. (that we'd never heard of prior) I have to say that God led us here.  We live and work at a Christian retreat center. And this part of the world is so incredibly beautiful. We are just amazingly blessed.

I tried last year to get back into this blog, but I couldn't remember my password, so I created a new one and made about 2 entries. I didn't have a computer readily available - so it was really pointless for me to try to blog.

Someone recently gave my family a computer, so I may have more time and ability to blog, plus, I just (obviously) was able to get into this old blog and restart! Yay!

So, hello old friends and new!

God bless! 

PBnJ

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

I'm going to go ahead and make this my last post, at least for a while. (I don't know how long)
We've got lots of packing to do here at PBnJ's House. Preparing to move, getting rid of lots and lots of stuff. Probably almost everything but bare bones....

Thanks ya'll for reading. It's been fun. You ladies that have commented are so sweet. I'll miss you.

((((Hugs))))

I'm baaaaack!

Tee Hee. I crocheted a small bag out of the pink and gold homespun yarn. I may felt it some time. I like how it turned out. (My hope in my homespinning is restored!)

I also started a washcloth out of dishcloth cotton. A white and a varigated. I like how it's turning out - I think I always do, because it's different every time. The yarn does fun things when you work with it. I love how the colors of the varigated yarn changes throughout.

Well, that's all for now. Have a great day!

A visit to the Frog Pond.

I am just finishing ripping out my green LB Woolese sock. Why? You may ask. Well, it was a wee bit tight in the instep. I tried it on again last night and just didn't like the way it felt. (Like cutting off the circulation slightly! Ugh!) I don't feel comfortable dumping my sock rejects on someone else at this point. (i.e. someone with slightly smaller feet) LOL.
I have a theory that this pair of socks was holding up all my other knitting inspiration. I think subconsciously I felt I needed to finish this pair before starting another, yet I didn't want to finish something only to have it not fit. Solution - rip it out. Yay! Now maybe I am free to start something else without any subconscious guilt.
I think I would like to try a toe-up sock, perhaps using 2 circs. Looks like an interesting method. I saw a few links on Cara's blog (January One in the sidebar) in one of her entries this past week for Turkish cast on. Looks like a winner.

Since I wrote last I completed a dishcloth-like object, (to use up the last of the Cottontots yarn) only I added a knitted strap type thing at the top and added a button - so you can hang it up - like on the fridge door or a cabinet door or something. I like how it looks flat, but I'm not so sure it will hang nicely. LOL.
The hat I started for Grandpa. Ugh. Pbbbbbbt! I even added a different color stripe in the middle and still ran out of the gray (main color) yarn. Plus it is a bit snug. Maybe I'll finish it off or maybe I'll rip it out - but I don't think it'll be for Grandpa. Oh well, I wasn't liking that scratchy acrylic. Yuck. Ya know, it takes the same amount of time to make something crappy out of crappy yarn as it does to make something nice out of nice yarn. So I'll be remembering that in the future.
I plied my pink singles, and then plied them with some gold thread for effect. Well, somehow I got started plying the gold in the wrong direction. (which un-plies the other yarn... Ugh)
It just feels that everything I've tried to knit or make the past few days just comes out yucky. Like the stars aren't aligned for me or something, LOL.
Oh well. I'm sure knitting will perk up in the future. Just gotta go with the flow, right?

And just a heads up for those who (actually) like to read my blog... there is a possibility that the House of PBnJ may not keep our internet connection when the next cycle comes up - prob. sometime during the 1st 2 weeks of next month. So, if I mysteriously disappear - I'm probably fine- just not online anymore. So on that note - I just want to say that I've enjoyed meeting all of you knit bloggerly people, especially everyone who's read and commented on my blog. Thank you all so much. I wish I could just hug ya'll. I feel that you've enriched my life somehow.
And to everyone who has held contests - Thanks so much! I'm very thankful for all the nice things people have sent me over the past few months. I would never have been able to have these things otherwise at this time in my life. So Bless You for your generosity and kindness.

Well, that's all for now. I will try to keep ya'll posted if I know for sure we'll be offline. I would like to say goodbye, ya know.

Well, hope everyone has a great day, and hopefully your projects are going better than mine are lately! LOL!

Here's a picture of my spindle. I made it myself last spring. Yay! It is made from a hard wood dowel rod and a craft store car wheel with a cup hook on top. I think it works pretty well, for being homemade, but I've never tried a "real" spindle yet.
And there is some of the fleece I washed this spring, and dyed with easter egg dyes. Right now I have pink on the spindle, this picture was taken a few months ago. Oh, and the quilt in the background, I made in in 1995. I'd love to make some more quilts someday, when I have more time, space, energy, etc.! oh, and when I can get to my buried sewing machine LOL!

More fibery goodness! Yay!

Today a package arrived all the way from Canada, from Dorothy! It contained 2 skeins of beautiful handdyed yarn and some handmade DPNs and cable needles! (Yes, Dorothy made the needles herself! Amazing!) Thanks, Dorothy! Everything is wonderful!

Well, you're just gonna have to take my word for it....



I tried and tried to post some pictures of fibery goodness that arrived at my house this week, but alas, Blogger would not cooperate. :(

From Mandy, I received a gorgeous skein of Lana Grossa cotton sock yarn color 2213 and 2 sets of handmade stitch markers, very lovely.

From Allison, I received a "Knit Tea Party" which consisted of 2 different tins of tea, one is "white tropics" and the other "mango melange". Also 2 Knit Picks Palatte balls - one in the color "Pool", which is a nice cool blue, and the other is "Mint", which is green, of course. I felt like taking the Nestea Plunge when I received that, LOL! Very nice!

And from Stacey, I received a skein of Malabrigo in Red Java, a skein of Knit Picks Sock Garden in Pansy, some Aran Weight silk in a deep purple color, (wow, I've never worked with silk before), a bag of fiber for spinning, a handmade soap, a handmade bag- works great for socks or other small projects, a Mary Kay zippered bag - inside were 2 balls of Debbie Bliss merino aran, a smaller Mary Kay bag with some creams and such inside, a Mohave California postcard - and I think that's every thing! (whew!)

Am I spoiled, er I mean, Blessed, or What?! Thanks everyone!

Also, thanks for all your sympathies on my burning eyeball situation. I was able to wear my contacts the next day, without problem, thank God! :) So everythings fine in that department!
Oh, and I finished another dishrag, and a hat. I made the hat out of Paton's Divine - it's a Mohair blend type yarn- bulky weight, and fuzzy. The hat came out nice and cushy. It matches the shawl I made a while back. I also cast on for another hat - in gray acrylic. It's to match a basketweave scarf (of the same yarn) I finished a while back. These are for Christmas presents for my grandparents who live in the Northeast. Yay!

Well, that's all for now, hope ya'll are having a great week so far!

I'm Still Here!

I plan on posting some fibery goodness when I get more time. I got a couple of very nice packages recently, so I will write about them. Today when I was going to write this blog entry, I couldn't remember my password! Ugh! I was "locked out" of my blog, like, ya know, locking your keys in your car, or something! Well, obviously I figured it out, or you wouldn't be reading this!
On another note...
Note to self -if you are dealing with fibery goodness of the homegrown Anaheim Chili pepper variety....please wear gloves! These peppers aren't that hot, but I didn't wear gloves when I was removing the seeds. Well, that wouldn't be that big of a deal, but I wear contact lenses. You need to use your fingers to take said lenses in and out of your eyes. Contacts do not feel good in one's eyes when they have come in contact with fingers that have come in contact with lovely Anaheim or any other kind of chili peppers ( similar incident about 11 years ago with a much hotter variety!) Even after many many handwashings and an entire day, the chili oil must still be on my fingers. Ugh! So here I type squinting (no contacts) So that explains any typos!
Oh well, I know you didn't come here to hear about my eyeballs. Tee Hee.
I've finished 2 more washcloths, and am half way through with one more, which will probably be the last one out of the Bernat Cottontots yarn.
I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do in the sock arena. I have lost almost all interest in finishing my green LB Woolese socks. If the 2nd one fits, I'll want to frog the 1st one to make it fit just right. But then I reason, why waste my time on that pair when I have better and nicer socks to make!? Out of much nicer yarn that people have given me! Decisions, decisions! I think I have which yarn I want my next pair to be out of, and possibly a pattern....

Well, gotta run for now! Make sure to get enough fiber! Just keep it out of your eyes, okay? :P

We went for a drive the other day and just happened to see these cuties....and lots and lots of their friends. :) (They're llamas, in case you can't tell in the picture)

Long time no blog!

Not much knitting has been done either. I did manage to finish 2 (yes, only 2) warshrags since I wrote last.
I received a wonderful package from Australia from Clare. http://benbahblacksheep.blogspot.com/ Two skeins of slubby handspun merino. It was so heavenly soft as I took it out of the package. I asked her if she'd raised the sheep herself, as I assumed there was a background story to the wool. She replied, "There is a story to the wool. My father had a 'bush block' which was mainly bush adjoining a national park. This sheep missed mustering for several years and so didn't get shorn. When she did show up her fleece was 8" long. As it was too long for the regular wool sales channels he gave it to me. I had it processed and got back 7kilos of georgous fine white wool. This was about 8 years ago and I am still spinning it up. I only have about 2kilos left now. I am being very careful with the projects designated for this wool as I will not be able to replace it. "

Isn't that way too cool?!

I also receive a package from Karla http://karlacardell.blogspot.com/- a white cake of yarn - very soft, kind of fuzzy, and cloudlike - 90 percent acrylic, 10 percent wool. I'll have to think of something cozy to make with it!
Oh, and I won on Allison's blog contest! Yippee! I get the knit-tea party in a box....sounds like a lot of fun! Yay!

GOALS?

Please check out Allison's blog http://kniterrant.blogspot.com/ . She's running a contest! Yay! To quote her blog - "To enter the contest, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me about a goal you've worked hard for and accomplished, something that you're currently working on, or something you haven't started yet but are planning to do soon."

So please drop by and leave a comment, and congratulate her on meeting her goals too! :D

I'm trying!

To post a picture! (we'll see if it worked!) (looks like it did! yay!) I want to put a picture of my winning entry on Mandy's blog. http://knitster1.wordpress.com/ She wanted entries of creative things done with yarn or completed projects, etc. Well, the first thing that popped into my mind was to dress up the yarn with eyes, ears, and stuff, like Mr. Potato Head, LOL. Well, I won! :D That was a fun competition.
And since I wrote last, the prize from Bunchkin came (see July 17 entry). The yarn is more beautiful "in person" than it was in the picture on her blog. It's a pretty red German sockyarn. (I don't have my camera with me right now to take its pic....)
I also think I might have been bitten by something. A bug. A knitting related bug. A Warshrag bug!! LOL! I started one yesterday just for an easy knit. I'm enjoying how it is turning out. I'm working with the same Bernat Cottontots yarn as I did the baby bibs. This yarn is really soft. Lilac as the main color, and varigated as the second color. I can envision myself making lotsa these for Christmas gifts, perhaps. :D
Well, I was going to try to post another picture, but I guess that'll hafta wait for another time. It's taking to looooooong! :D

May you have sweet fibery dreams tonite! :D