getting there

Hello ladies. I don't know why but i am suddenly amazed it's only Friday. I thought yesterday was Friday and now I feel like I have a bonus day! That coupled with the fact I only just realised it's a long weekend... bliss! (yes, the medications might be making me a little vague)
In true Spider form, realising that I was never going to get to wear it until i finished it, I have really knuckled down with Vanessa. I finally finished the front piece last night and decided to do the neck-line ribbing and join up the loose cross-over flap so the piece wouldn't get stretched while it languished in my knitting basket.
This is how much knitting i got out of one 200g ball of Bendigo 8 ply cotton.
And this is the bodice section calmly awaiting sleeves.Oh, and devil bunny wants apple.I also got my hair cut yesterday. First time in about 11 months I think. It was getting pretty dire. I tried one of the hairdressers at the Narrabundah shops and it was ok. I had a trainee shampoo and blow-dry my hair and that was something of an ordeal. Most painful shampoo ever and it took her about 45 minutes to blowdry. And then the hairdresser would correct her and then asked me (nicely) if she could show some styling techniques... i left looking like a weird cross between Barbarella and Fran Drescher. AND $80 lighter! I used to get my hair cut at RJ's in Qbn and they were really good - always did what you wanted, good advice, really know their stuff. And a haircut never cost me more than $55. Did a lot change in the last year or am I being naive. It just seems like a lot - it ain't as though I had foils or anything. Just a cut. took her about 20 minutes...

Anyway. At least I'm starting the new school year with a bit more bounce.

Peace out
Ms Spider xo

on "happy" bunnies

Well, after a good deal of contemplation and internal debate, we now have names for both our bunnies.

The new young master is hereby dubbed Winston, Duke of Cardigan. I know a lot of you were gunning for Wallace but it just didnt fit him. And this way he isn't outdone by Montgomery Megatron III.

Now i have to tell you guys, these bunnies are seriously in love with each other. they cuddle, groom each other, fall asleep spooning.... if i pick one up, the other follows... they chase each other around and climb all over each other. I'm getting stupider by the day as i am forced to endure the mind-numbing cuteness of it all.
(Monty has, i must admit, been doing a bit of mounting... but according to all the stuff i've read it's more of a sign of bonding than of sexual aggression. And Winston just keeps on eating or whatever he's doing and completely ignores the shenaningans. It's pretty hilarious to watch though. What a wascally wabbit!)

Perhaps fortunately for you lot, all my camera batteries are zonked. So i have no new footage of the happy couple and their 'alternative lifestyle' - not that i am going to film anything more hard-core than cuddling for you guys. Though talk about fibre porn!

In knitting news, I have finished the Parrot socks. 5 days. Is that some sort of new record? long leg and all (photo when batteries charge). Monkey is thrilled to bits. The second one did this awesome zig-zag pooling thing all over which the first one didnt do at all. Same ball of yarn, needles, gauge... isn't knitting mysterious sometimes?

I also picked up a sweater i started a month or so ago - the nutmeg cowl sweater by Sirdar from Simply Knitting (old pic showing pattern picture... but could be current because i'm that far into the front piece). I'm using Cleckheaton Studio Mohair and it's knitting up very nicely. I finished the back piece and have cast on the front while we are having a cool day. It's a pretty pattern and 6mm addis make for a swift knit.

I also finished the back piece of my Vanessa top a while ago. I havent finished casting on the front piece, for some reason my brain has an aversion to it at the moment. I'm hoping i will become keen again in time to finish it for the new school year. I think it will be ideal.

In medication news, I'm... hanging in there. Yesterday was BAD. The cooler weather is helping marginally, and i think i might be starting to adjust. I have very little energy however and am not very motivated to leave my house, or even the couch. thank Dog for holidays.

Peace out
Ms Spider xo

introducing...

as yet un-named fuzzy blob.He is about 12 weeks old. Monty ( who is now 8 weeks or so) seems to like him, maybe because he is soft and squishy. No major turf wars as yet.Names being thrown around are: Winston, Franklin, Vlad the Impaler, Rasputin, Wallace, Jack. Oh and Monkey thinks 'Frogface' is a good name but we arent going to dignify that are we?
I think i will just call him whatever comes to mind first until something sticks. Any more ideas are welcome, particularly for possible middle names (cant have him being outdone by Montgomery Megatron III/Monty)

Peace out
Ms Spider

parrot it is

this is the craziest darn yarn. It's quite fun to knit with but i'm glad they're not for me. i think that i might think they are a bit much. I'm not sure though, ask me when i'm less stoned.
And i have been sleeping, despite the heat. not a lot but enough that i'm not totally deranged by now. I haven't been too queasy, just dizzy and.. stoned. really. It could be worse, but i don't know why anyone aims to feel like this on purpose.
Monty says "sup y'all"

Peace out
Ms Spider

PS. told you it was a quick knit yarn. I even did the requested 16 rounds of ribbing.

bunnies are cute - part 1

When it is hot, what do we do?
carpet surf of course.

And when our unkind owner decides to give us a bath, thereby making it cold?Hide in a draught-free room and curl up on a heat pack.
Anyone care to join me in a nice loud "Awwwww!!!".

Also, sitting around and being cute is very tiring.

Peace out,
the clucky
Ms Spider

end on a sock

Bonjour mes amies!
it is 2008. How bizarre is that??
i finished Monkey's secret-ish socks 40 minutes before the new year (phew!) they are Opal Rainforest (first series) 4 ply in Doktorfisch (such an awesome name). I used the slipped-stitch rib pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks and while it was a slow going pattern i think it will be worth it - my monkey is tough on his socks.it's fair to say he is thrilled. I am such a good girlfriend (huge matyred sigh).
A certain someone bought a drum carder a little while ago and i have spent the last day or so servicing it. This has been great fun indeed! though perhaps a little spike-y. I include some carded fibre for your viewing pleasure: hand-dyed crossbred wool, 2 colours of hand-dyed tussah silk, black corriedale and white merino. Yummeh.
and the resulting yarn. this is only about 10 grams, i made a little batt and then used the andean bracelet method to ply it on itself. just playin', yo.

And my new year knitting is not all that thrilling. In the front you may observe about 75% of the second web sock... i think this is going to be gifted but i'm not sure to whom (though if i do finish tonight then i have a fair idea.). And behind that, the sort of pastel rainbow business is another baby surprise jacket (seeing as suddenly there may be demand for such things :p) in my hand-dyed 5ply. It's rainbow self-striping :D FUN.

And in case anyone is wondering what i've been up to....
any questions?

Oh, and Monty has gained about 65g in four days. Thats the festive season for you ;)

Wishing you all the very best 2008
Ms Spider xo

frisbee!

Just in case anyone is suffering from the post christmas blues, here's something to cheer you up :)



In case it doesnt imbed properly, you can also try here.


I can also now give you a preview of my December Lights Tam. I am using my own sock yarn : Kelp Forest against Gothic Princess so i am getting stripes without the effort.

I think i'm in love :)

Peace out

Ms Spider (and Monty)

box-erific

Isn't boxing day the best? no obligations left, holidays... and thinking about it, it's my first day off proper since school ended.
so in true spidey style i did a good deal of dyeing and knitting.
This is the EGMTK optim knit up
Looking like a weird sea creature
And hey presto! folded up to be an EZ baby surprise jacket.
I love it! the yarn is so soft, perfect for a little one with brand new skin and the pattern is genius. It started making sense a bit before half way and then i was able to relax and enjoy it a little more. I've since seamed the shoulders and am hunting down some perfect pretty buttons.

I can also now reveal my secret knitting for my Monkey:
Yes, i only have one finished but i was only knitting when he wasn't around... and i'm only human. plus it's too hot to wear them so i'm letting myself take my time.
I just finished dyeing yarn for my December Lights Tam by MaryJane Mucklestone from the recent Interweave Knits Holidays. I'm using 2 yarns instead of 8 but am using my own hand-painted yarns with long, toning colour repeats so i'm expecting it to look pretty fab.

I'm sure now i have time to myself i'll be be blogging again soon, but until then...
Happy holidays from all of us here!

Peace out,
Ms Spider

christmas came early

As my in-laws-ish are going to hawaii for christmas, we had christmas day with them.. yesterday.
Meet the newest member of my little family (who is currently thumping around behind the couch): Montgomery Megatron III.
the theory behind naming him is this: anyone this cute must be an evil mastermind. So. Montgomery for the very evil and calculation Montgomery burns and Megatron from Transformers: possibly the two most evil people (?) in history.
Monty is rather enjoying himself. He is a mini Rex (not angora: we're going to get him a friend after christmas who shall be more fibre-y) and he is veeeeery soft. Despite not really being a fibre bearing animal... he investigated my stash rather quickly, so clearly he is the right bunny for me.He took a little while to get used to me (partly because yesterday meant three changes in venue over 6 hours) but now we are firm friends. We still need to talk about his toilet habits: christmas lunch is not always improved by smelling vaguely of urine, i've found.
He's going to be a lap-bunny but his hutch is outside (because i have a very good sense of smell and the aforementioned toilet business).
I also finished spinning and plying and this is the EGMTK optim fibre as a fingering weight 2 ply. i've started a baby surprise jacket... which is bending my mind somewhat but i trust her.

Now today we are driving to Sydney to take the out-laws to the airport and are also seeing Billy Elliot (takes the sting out of it somewhat). so Monty will have the day to get used to his hutch and poop everywhere.

Peace out
Ms Spider xo

PS if i dont post again before chrissy: have a great one and thanks to everyone who has been such great support this year. it's been a bugger and having friends is such a blessing :)

PPS if you know any angora breeders could you let me know? we're happy to go on a road trip to find a good bunny.