Knitting with hand spun

I have been spinning for about a year now. I don't always spin everyday, or spin for long stretches of time, but I do really enjoy the process. Perhaps you remember my how to: make a turkish spindle. Spindles don't have to be particularly expensive, though they certainly can be. Fiber can be obtained for very little (or sometimes no!) cash, or you can purchase rarer, more processed, indie dyed stuff. This search on etsy can give you an idea.  

 When Tour de Fleece 2013 ended, I did a round up post. In that post, I showed a beautiful green yarn I spun. For the first time since last Tour de Fleece, I have knit something with my hand spun! 

These lovelies are made with yarn I spun using 100% BFL from Greenwood Fiberworks in the Adirondack colorway. I did a 2-ply, and got a sport weight. The mitt pattern is Reciprocation by Michelle Hunter. 

I consider these mitts my first project knit with my hand spun. The first yarn that I made was thick and thin, and I made a mug cozy. It is nice, and does keep my tea hot, but... It is garter stitch. There is nothing wrong with garter stitch, mind you, but I wanted to try something a little more complex with my hand spun. So I did cables. Yay cables!

Don't worry that this trend in spinning but not knitting with it will continue.  The spinning project I am currently working on will eventually turn into a 3-ply fingering weight that I intend to make into socks. (Working toward numbers 27 and 28 on my 101 list.) I am almost done with the singles, and can start plying soon.

101 in 1001 - 6/101 complete, 11 updated

I haven't forgotten about this list; no, I have had it in the back of my mind, and have even added to it. More than that, I have made progress on it. Since more than half a year has gone by since I started the list, lets see how I am doing so far.

101 Things in 1001 days
Start date: 24 January, 2013       End date: 22 October, 2015

1. Complete 50 pairs of socks - 17/50 pairs,  updated: 8/8/13
2. Publish 5 patterns
3. Make 10 pairs of socks for me - 5/10 pairs, updated: 8/8/13
4. Make 3 sweaters - Sweater 1 completed 2/14/13, updated: 8/8/13
5. Finish  lion brand homespun lapghan
6. Finish sock yarn blanket -32%,  updated: 8/8/13
7. Finish MSYB - 12%,  updated: 8/8/13
8. Finish all the repurposed arm warmers
9. Finish Steve's quilt
10. Finish 4 rag rugs
11. Spin or gift all the fiber from Carrie
12. Fit into my size 5 jeans
13. Type [x] story
14. Attempt to get published
15. Clean the storage room
16. Document 52 weeks of decluttering - Week 19, updated: 8/8/13
17. Learn to dye
18. Spin enough of one yarn to make a sweater
19. Make ^that sweater.
20. Record and post 100 podcasts
21. Pare down books DONE July 2013 - 3 daiper boxes, 7 large paper bags gone
22. Completely clean desk area
23. Finish watching Supernatural
24. Read WoT series
25. Make soap
26. Knit 10 Cookie A patterns 1. Kai-Mei, updated: 8/8/13
27. Spin yarn for socks - Have singles more than half spun, updated: 8/8/13
28. Knit ^those socks
29. Attend a fiber/yarn retreat DONE June 20-23, 2013 Zombie Knitpocalypse
30. Do yoga 3x a week for 3 months
31. Read LotR (audio books okay)
32. Make an entrelac project Done Aug 3, 2013 ziprelaxagon socks
33. Knit something with beads
34. Do a colorwork knitting project - started June 10, 2013, updated: 8/8/13
35. Attempt a sweet tomato heel DONE April 25, 2013 cursed cable shorties
36. Read A Song of Fire and Ice- currently listening to "A Storm of Swords" updated: 8/8/13
37. Read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books
38. Visit Rachel
39. Make bagels from scratch DONE Spring 2013 using the recipe from Make the Bread, Buy the Butter
40. Finish the blue journal and the black journal - blue journal full, updated: 8/8/13
41. Write up the Peter Pan story
42. Learn Tunisian crochet
43. Make something with a Latvian braid
44. Make baby blankets with the yarn that has been set aside
45. Make Becka's corset
46. Read all of Grimm's  fairytales
47. Finish writing the sequel to [x]'s story
48. Drive for a Michigan Trip DONE May 2013 - made the drive home from Michigan by myself
49. Make a project with corrigated ribbing
50. Drive to NJ to visit Becka's parents
51. Build a side table for my craft room
52. Plant a garden.
53. Harvest a meal from the garden.
48-53 added, 54 - 101: TBD

I'm up for suggestions to add to my list

101 in 1001

A podcaster I just started listening to had a really cool blog post once upon a time. She listed 101 things she wanted to accomplish in 1001 days. I think this is an awesome idea, so I'm going to try it. Below will be my list. When you read it, you will probably say, "Uh... that is not 101 things." That is a correct observation. I am having a difficult time coming up with all 101 things, and would love any suggestions you might have. I will update the list as appropriate.

101 Things in 1001 days
Start date: 24 January, 2013       End date: 22 October, 2015

1. Complete 50 pairs of socks
2. Publish 5 patterns
3. Make 10 pairs of socks for me
4. Make 3 sweaters
5. Finish  lion brand homespun lapghan
6. Finish sock yarn blanket
7. Finish MSYB
8. Finish all the repurposed arm warmers
9. Finish Steve's quilt
10. Finish 4 rag rugs
11. Spin all the fiber from Carrie
12. Fit into my size 5 jeans
13. Type [x] story
14. Attempt to get published
15. Clean the storage room
16. Document 52 weeks of decluttering
17. Learn to dye
18. Spin enough of one yarn to make a sweater
19. Make ^that sweater.
20. Record and post 100 podcasts
21. Pare down books
22. Completely clean desk area
23. Finish watching Supernatural
24. Read WoT series
25. Make soap
26. Knit 10 Cookie A patterns (Kai-Mei socks count; kids' socks don't)
27. Spin yarn for socks
28. Knit ^those socks
29. Attend a fiber/yarn convention
30. Do yoga 3x a week for 3 months
31. Read LotR (audio books okay)
32. Make an entrelac project
33. Knit something with beads
34. Do a colorwork knitting project
35. Attempt a sweet tomato heel
36. Read all the Game of Thrones books
37. Read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books
38. Visit Rachel
39. Make bagels from scratch
40. Finish the blue journal and the black journal
41. Write up the Peter Pan story
42. Learn Tunisian crochet
43. Make something with a Latvian braid
44. Make baby blankets with the yarn that has been set aside
45. Make Becka's corset
46. Read all of Grimm's  fairytales
47. Finish writing the sequel to [x]'s story
48 - 101: TBD