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FO : Winter Blues

06 Mar

With cold temperatures, little sun, and now 10 + inches of snow on the ground, I am ready for winter to be over!  I want sunshine, warm days, and relaxing outside.  I want to hang up my winter coat and not look at it again for several months.

But one of the wonderful things about winter is that I get a chance to wear my hand-knits ALL THE TIME!  I have lots of hats and scarves, but I really wanted to make something new for myself.

 

Beautiful Blue!

 

  • Project : Winter Blues Hat and Mitts
  • Pattern : “Slofoc” by Anne Hanson (Knit Spot)
  • Yarn : “Druscilla and Dickory” (Handspun by Tina!)
  • Made for : ME!

 

I’ve been holding on to this yarn for almost a year.  It was a gift from Tina, and as it is such beautiful handspun, I knew that I would have to save it for me and just the right project.  I’m a huge fan of Anne Hanson, and all the patterns that I’ve ever knit, designed by her, have been a joy.

I will say that these turned out a wee bit big, but not too large.  The hat is big and slouchy, so I can wear it over my hair when it’s up.  But the nice thing about this pattern is that it can be easily adapted for any yarn weight, so I would love to try it again with some sock yarn!

 

So pretty!

 

 

 
2 Comments

Posted by on March 6, 2013 in FO

 

Spin-In

03 Mar

I do love a good day trip!  Today, the three of us headed to Charlottesville for the Stoney Mountain Spin-in.  I didn’t get a chance to attend last year, so I was really excited to make it today.

But first …. breakfast, and a good friend (who I don’t get to see nearly enough!)

 

Chan and Little Miss

 

Chan hadn’t yet had a chance to meet Little Miss, so this was a precious breakfast.  She was loved on and, of course, smiled for all the attention.

And Chan showered us both with gifts!  We missed Christmas and my birthday, as well as Zoe’s birth.  It’s always hard to co-ordinate schedules, especially with a child.  The gifts were so very thoughtful.  Thank you, Chan!

 

A hand-knit sweater and toy ball for Little Miss, two types of roving and some goats milk soap for Mommy! (And the neighborhood cat approves.)

 

After a delicious trip to IHOP, it was time to head over to the Spin In!  Barbara Gentry, who owns Stoney Mountain Fibers, always hosts a great event!

Most of the ladies there were from the local C-ville area; I was the only odd man out.  But everyone was so nice, and wanted to love on Little Miss.  It was totally cute, let me assure you.

 

Spinners

 

Carding some pretty roving

 

Lendrum wheels were pretty popular, as well as Ashford and Schacht.  It’s always interesting to see different wheels and watch spinners and their different techniques.  I didn’t get to stay as long as I would have liked (it is almost a two hour drive, one way,) but it was a great day and I’m glad that I went.

 

I always look so serious when I’m spinning.

 

I’m working on some BFL from ‘Fat Cat Knits’.

 

What did you do this weekend?  Did you take a trip, or just relax at home?

 

 

 

 

 
2 Comments

Posted by on March 3, 2013 in Spinning

 

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Blogiversary The Third

22 Feb

Wow!  This will be my third year here at Mrs. Darsie’s Menagerie!  While I’ve had several blogs in the past, I really feel ‘at home’ here.  And while I’m not able to blog as much as I would like these days, I still enjoying sharing my life and passions with you, my readers!

I’ve met so many amazing folks just from having a blog, and in turn, I get to read their posts.  There are some amazing, crafty, and talented folks out there, let me assure you!

So, to celebrate, I’m offering a little give-a-way!  Two skeins of Plymouth Happy Feet sock yarn!  All you have to do to win is to comment on this post, about what you like the best about my blog, or anything you would like to see me add to my posts!

 

Lovely yarn!

 

Thank you, lovely readers, for visiting and commenting.  I enjoy writing the posts, and I hope that you enjoy reading them!

 

 

 

 
4 Comments

Posted by on February 22, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

Belated Birthday

22 Feb

On February 17th, I turned 30.  While this isn’t really that old, in the grand scheme of things, I still feel a little ‘twinge’ when I really think about it.  I mean … I’m not in my twenties anymore.  What does this really mean?  I still haven’t figured out the answer to that.

But I can assure you that I had a lot of fun celebrating!  We had a joint birthday party for my friend, Brandon, and me.  He’s only a few days younger than I am, so we thought that we would celebrate this milestone together with a Doctor Who themed party!

 

Awesome TARDIS cake!

 

We also dressed up as Doctor Who characters!  I went as Rose Tyler, John as Jack Harkness, Corey as The Eleventh Doctor, Tory as Amy Pond, and Brandon as Tom Baker’s Doctor.

 

Tom Baker, eat your heart out!

 

Oh, and Little Miss went as a Dalek!

 

EXTERMINATE (with cuteness!)

 

One of the best moments of the day was when I asked Corey to be Little Miss’s godfather, and to take custody of her, should anything happen to John and I (and my parents are not able to step in.)  Corey said yes, and now I can rest a little easier knowing that if something terrible happens (heaven forbid,) she is going to be raised by someone who will raise her the way we would want.

On Sunday, we headed to The Coach and Horses Tea Room for a birthday brunch!  Oh man – what an amazing place.  The house that the tea room resides in was built, in 1780, and is just breathtaking!

 

Earl Grey Goodness

 

There were scones, tea, fresh fruit, and meat pasties!  Everything was so delicious, and it was wonderful to see some friends of our family that I don’t get to see that often.

 

Laura (Emy’s mom) and Little Miss

 

My parents and Me

 

John and Me

 

I was totally surprised when the owner and his wife came out from the kitchen with a birthday cake for me!  Trust me; I tasted as lovely as it looked!

 

Yummy!

 

I also received a lot of yarn and a few Knit Picks gift cards, in addition to the Lendrum spinning wheel!  It was a wonderful birthday, and I’m so thankful that I was able to spend it with my family and friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1 Comment

Posted by on February 22, 2013 in Friends and Family

 

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Ten On Tuesday

05 Feb

Ten Things That You Miss From Your Childhood

  1. My Grandmother.  I miss her every day.  I have so many amazing memories of her that I’ll never lose, but I still wish that I could hug her, laugh with her, and watch her hold Little Miss.
  2. My Grandpa.  My Dad’s father was such a huge influence to me, especially when it came to music.  He encouraged my creativity and to this day, I think that is why I’m so crafty
  3. Lazy mornings with my Dad.  When I was little, my dad worked the night shift as a police officer.  When he would get off from his shift, he would take me to Hardees, where we would have cinnamon rolls and tater tots!
  4. Rambo and Socks.  These were my cats when I was a kid.  Rambo was my first pet (why I named him that, I have no idea,) and Socks we adopted shortly there after.
  5. My orange pleather recliner.  I had this great orange recliner chair that I used to sit in a watch TV.  It was totally 80′s and the most hideous shade of orange, but I loved it.
  6. Family dinners.  On Christmas and Easter, my mother’s side of the family would gather at my grandparents’ house.  There would be close to twenty-five of us.
  7. South Of The Border.  Anytime we went south for vacation, we would ALWAYS stop here.  I loved it so much.  Arcade games and cheap souvenirs; any kids’ idea of fun.
  8. The kids across the street.  When I was little, the family across the street had five kids, and I happened to fall in line, age wise, between to two oldest.  We’d play games in the back yard, explore the woods behind their house, and get on / off the school bus together.  Some of my best memories are with them.
  9. Family vacations.  Being an only child, I was lucky that my parents and I were able to take a vacation every summer.  Disney World, visiting family in Georgia, or going up to New England; every year was a new adventure.
  10. My 6th grade English teacher.  Mrs. Gentry encourage me to write poetry, no matter the subject.  She saw that I had a spark, and she did her best to fan the flame.  Thanks to her, I love to write and have three novels (unpublished) under my belt.
 
2 Comments

Posted by on February 5, 2013 in Misc, Uncategorized

 

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Early Birthday (And An FO To Boot!)

02 Feb

In exactly fifteen days, I join the Old Peoples’ Club.  That’s right … I’m turning THIRTY!

Okay, so maybe thirty isn’t exactly old, but I do feel like I’m getting there.  But there is one great thing about my birthday this year.

 

SQUEEE!!!

 

My amazing parents wanted to know what I wanted for my birthday.  I gave them the link to my Etsy wishlist, but apparently that wasn’t good enough for my father.  He gave me a price limit and I knew right away what I wanted!

I’m now the proud owner of a Lendrum spinning wheel!  I was able to get the complete package, which included the bag (on back order,) fast flyer and jumbo plyer.  And let me tell you … this baby is amazing!  So smooth; she spins like a dream.  And with the adjustable hook on the flyer, my skeins are coming out more even.  Not to mention that with the jumbo plyer I can fit my plied work into ONE SKEIN!

Speaking of the joys of one skein, I already finished plying my first yarn on this lovely wheel!

 

 

  • Project : Spice Trader
  • Roving : ‘Cinnabar’ by FatCatKnits – 100% Falkland Wool, 4oz
  • Weight / Yardage : Fingering / 375 yds

I’m not abandoning my Ashford Traddy.  She’ll be used specifically for re-enactments.  She’s resting comfortably in the closet in our spare bedroom.  And the other bonus to having two wheels?  If Zoe wants to learn one day, I can teach her!

I can’t thank my parents enough.  This was an incredibly generous gift, and I love it.  It truly is amazing.

 
4 Comments

Posted by on February 2, 2013 in FO, Spinning

 

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Warm Up Winchester – February

02 Feb

Can you believe it is already February?  I can’t.  And I still need to take down some Christmas decorations outside. (Don’t judge me.  Every chance I’ve had to take them down, it has either rained or snowed.  I’ll get them inside tomorrow.  At least I’m not turning them on anymore.)

With a new month, comes another opportunity to knit (or crochet) hats for Warm Up Winchester!  This month’s featured pattern is actually more of a theme.  Instead of picking specific patterns, I’m asking folks to knit hats with either pink, red, or white yarn, in honor of Valentine’s Day.

 

 

I’m a huge fan of the Able Cable Hat pattern.  I think I’ll have to make a few more of these, and try out the longer brim option.

I hope that you’ll be able to take the time and yarn to make one or two hats yourself.  The folks that will receive these will truly appreciate them.  Many are displaced for various reasons, and quite a few are homeless.  When it is 20 degrees outside, and you live in a tent or your car, a warm hat can truly make a difference.  Especially if it is hand-made.

 
1 Comment

Posted by on February 2, 2013 in Knitting

 

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