Pinecone Peaks Mittens

This is my first attempt at creating a mitten pattern for my naturally dyed DK weight yarn. Now to write up the pattern so others can knit it if they want. I've decided to go with a National  Parks theme for my patterns because I was so inspired by the PBS series. My bucket list is to visit as many as I can.

Auction Finds

This was one of my purchases at a local auction. I love things made of wood and who can resist an old stocking blocker at a whopping bid of $1. I also was able to snatch up two wooden butter paddles in great shape for $17.

Goat Milk?

My two French Alpine does are still giving enough milk for soft goat cheese's like this French Chevre'. It is seasoned with herbs from my herb garden and rolled in cracked black pepper.

This our new herd sire Castle from Addi-Hill. We are excited to see his offspring in 2012. We will be offering doe kids and milkers for sale.

Dog Biscuits

Found a great dog biscuit recipe, Garlic and herb. I love making my own because I know what goes into them. I had these alphabet letter cookie cutters which worked out great.

Polygonum or Woad

Last Friday, a friend Cathy and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and dyed some yarn with the woad I had grown. The day started with the intentions of dying with Japanese indigo which I picked early Friday morning. When I began reading Rita Buchanan's recipe for dying with my polygonum it stated that very little dye is present after the plant had bloomed. Well, I can undoubtably say how true this is. So, on to plan B. We picked about 1 and 1/2 lbs. of woad and proceeded with the dye recipe. We were able to dye two skeins of Cathy's alpaca and overdye two 4 oz. skeins of yarn, one previously dyed with goldenrod. The results were very beautiful skeins of yarn.

National Spinning and Weaving Week

October 3-9 is National Spinning and Weaving Week. So I've been continueing my stash busting quest in honor of all my fellow spinners and weavers. The fiber of choice is if course BFL and BFL blends. Left to right is BFL/alpaca chunky yarn, BFL/suri(soft and light), BFL/suri with a silk single, plied.