I'm well into my first Baby Surprise Jacket by the famous Elizabeth Zimmerman. The "pattern" really isn't a patttern at all. More like a conversation in a book discussing how to make a BSJ. Fortunately, once again it's Ravelry to the rescue because there's a whole group (a very active group) about this very pattern. Don't know who will get it yet. I'm adding some stripes but I have no idea where they'll end up once it's folded. Oh well, it will be a surprise!

Wheel shopping continues. I went to look at an Ashford Traditional today but a part was missing and although it would be easy to order, I'm not going to buy a wheel before I play on it! I keep coming back to the Kiwi and I could probably afford one new. We'll see!

My first plied yarn. There are definite problem spots but there are also some parts that look like "real" yarn! Yay! Went to my first spinning guild meeting yesterday and got lots of help and encouragement. Thanks to Carla and blogless (I think) Christina for letting me try out their wheels. I learned that I am better than the HitchHiker is showing because I was much more consistent on their wheels and didn't have the problem of the wheel changing directions when I tried to stop.

Here is the skein shot:

Off to try and wash it!

is Lizard Ridge!

But it is now 25% done! It will be four strips wide and this is the first finished strip. It will also have some sort of border but that is so far away, I haven't even decided what kind! I am in love with this project and it's fun to pick out the Kureyon a few skeins at a time! Whew, does that deck need to be stained or what?

Here is my second attempt at spinning. Eeek! It doesn't look much better than the first but I feel like I have a much better understanding of what I should be doing. It's either not twisted enough or it's waaaay too twisted. One thing is for sure....I'm going to need more fiber!

Is this the most beautiful handspun yarn you've ever seen or what?

Okay, so it's not beautiful. It's thick and thin (not on purpose) and way too twisty but it's mine! I spun it on Beth's Ashford Kiwi. It was my first ever spinning experience and with Beth and Carla's help I produced something!

So, I'm now obsessed with spinning and am going to give it another go this weekend with a different wheel so I can compare. I had to buy some roving for my next practice session so I bought this

from Colorful Life on Etsy. She knew I was a beginning spinner and sent all of this as freebies for me to try:

Aren't fibery/knitty people great?

I am still knitting away. Here's a finished Little Pansy sock for proof:

...because I'm knitting socks again!

These are the Little Pansy Socks from Ravelry. The pattern calls for Cascade Fixation and I didn't substitute because it contains a decent amount of elastic and has a lot of "give". I was afraid to try and substitute with a non-elastic-y sock yarn. I decided to go for it since they are low socks (which I love) and at a more sport/DK weight, they are quick. The picture is of the cuff and heel flap. It's an Eye of the Partridge heel.

The second Lola Bunny is finished and will be mailed out to baby Charlie tomorrow. She's due to arrive in late May so there's plenty of time.

Lola is fun to knit and pretty easy. This yarn is gorgeous and worked up well. The way the colors worked out on the face make it look like she has an angry mouth but really there is no embroidered mouth at all. It's much less noticeable when you see the bunny in person.

Now off to more Lizard Ridge!

I really want to learn to spin!

I have a lead on a practice lesson or two from Beth who lives not too far away. I was cruising around Hyena Cart and Julie of 45 North Fluff offered to send me some roving to try out. It's Targhee top (although I'll admit that I don't know the difference between top, batts and roving!). How does it look, Beth?

Lizard Ridge is cruising along some:

It's obviously not blocked yet!

The second Lola is more than halfway finished as well.

This one is for Baby M due in May:

The yarn is from Mosaic Moon at Hyena Cart. If you love indie dyed yarns like I do, you have to check her out. Pictures don't do the purples and teals in this yarn justice!

So even though I have another Lola Bunny and Scooter's hoodie on the needles, I've started in on Lizard Ridge. It's not a new pattern, but I've been eyeing it off and on since it came out!

After Lady Eleanor, I swore I'd never do another large project in Noro Kureyon again but here I am! The color changes can't be beat and once it softens up a bit with washing it's so beautiful that it's worth putting up with the knots and picking out the bits of hay and whatever else.

The equivalent of the first block is done but I haven't done the bind off because I think I'll be working it in four long strips.

Here's a closer picture:

I'm planning to work the next "block" in lighter colors to get that patchwork effect.