Wicked Progress

There's been a lot going on around here these days, including some knitting. I'm so close to being finished with this sweater and I'm super excited about it. This has been a very quick, very enjoyable knit. I love how it is knit so I can try it on as I go. I added about three inches to the length and plan to repeat the neck crossover pattern at the bottom instead of the seed stitch hem called for in the pattern. This seems to be a common modification made by many people on Ravelry that have knit this sweater. I love this so much that I think i'm going to make another one. Next one will be long sleeved and a bigger size. This is a cute fitted knit and I want another long sleeved, slightly baggy version. Hoping to get this finished up today.

I'm really happy with how this dye job came out. So far I can't see any difference in the different skeins. For this sweater I fingerpainted four skeins of worsted in purples and then did a grey immersion dye over top to darken it up a bit. I'm super pleased with how even I was able to get this yarn.

Stayed tuned for some news/updates regarding my plans for Rocket Yarn...

The Known Universe

Just found the most amazing video on the Astronomy Picture of the Day site. Take 6.5 minutes and go watch this. Amazing.

Leaving the Biz

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook or are a member of one of the various fiber groups on Yahoo you probably already know this by now. I am leaving the fiber arts business, at least for a while. Who knows what the future holds but my family has a new plan ... one that I am very excited about. Unfortunately it does not include the time and space for Rocket Yarn. I've had a great ride these past few years. I've met a lot of great people and learned a whole lot along the way. I really appreciate all the encouragement and support I've received throughout this time.

I marked everything in the shop down 20% and surprisingly enough, most of it has already sold. As soon as it warms up around here I will dye up the rest of my undyed stock and list that in Etsy at 20% off as well. It has been unusually cold here in Florida for an unusually long period of time. This Florida girl just can't work out in that cold. See picture of frozen dog water below ... taken about noon. I still can't believe it myself. I may get some batts made up and listed in the meantime. We'll see how it goes. I have a part-time teaching job that starts on Monday and I have no idea what kind of time will be wrapped up in that. I'll also be spending a lot of time researching and planning for our future. Being an aerospace engineer in this economy with the uncertainty hovering over the space program is not going to be easy but I have to try. At least we live in a good state for it and my husband is willing to move. We are actually looking forward to moving because there is just not much going on in this little town we live in. It's time we move somewhere so we can put both of our engineering degrees to use.

More updates to come ....

*~*SALE*~*: 20% Off Everything, Spend $50 and Get Free Shipping

Just marked my entire shop down 20%. Help me clear out current inventory and make room for new things coming in January. Also, spend $50 or more and I will refund your shipping cost. Note all prices in my Etsy shop already reflect the 20% discount. Sale ends 1/1/10.

Rocket Yarn on Etsy

Be Part of the Revolution

Lexi Boeger, aka Pluckyfluff, made a big announcement on her blog ... a handspun yarn exhibit at Galleri ZINK in Lillehammer. She is looking for people to contribute skeins of handspun yarn. Check her blog post for details. I will definitely be contributing a skein.

Phat Fiber Secret Santa Swap Package

I received the most wonderful swap package yesterday from Maple of North Star Alpacas.

My swap package contained:

- 4 oz of alpaca roving

- lovely white alpaca/merino yarn

- tencel fiber

- soysilk fiber

- a sachet that smells wonderful

- yummy smelling tea

- Creative Spinning book (has some gorgeous pictures in it, really a great coffee table book)

- and the cutest little sheep necklace you ever did see ...

Thank you Maple for the wonderful swap package. I love it all! :o)

Wicked Knit-a-Long

I dyed up some of my new worsted weight superwash merino base yarn to knit Wicked with. A friend of mine has this pattern in her queue as well so we decided we would start our own little KAL right after Christmas. Anyone is welcome to join and you don't need to use Rocket Yarn to participate. I started a thread in my Ravelry group for us to use to post progress and share tips and tricks, etc. You can find the Ravelry thread here. You can also post progress on my Facebook page here if you are not on Ravelry.

Here's the yarn I dyed for my sweater. The skein in front has been reskeined.

More Mini Knits

These are so much fun!

The larger of the two blue socks is knit from the mini sock pattern I linked to a few posts ago. I like the size a bit better than the small one. I think I'm going to add a cuff to it next time.

Facebook URL

I achieved 100 fans on facebook and now have my own shortened url: www.facebook.com/RocketYarn

Yippeee! :o)

Mini Knits

I've been on a mini knits kick here recently. Great for using up leftover sock yarn, great for Christmas ornaments and just plain fun to make.

Free mini knits patterns I found online:

Mini Mittens - I haven't made these yet but I plan to soon.

Mini Sweater - This is the pattern I used for the sweater in the picture above.

Mini Socks - Different from the pattern I used for the sock above but I plan to knit this one too.

Have fun and as always, Happy Knitting!