So this week I’ve been doing quite a few things – it’s been a busy week (and a half) or so, but a good busy week, although I feel like I’ve only gotten a fraction of the things done that I’ve wanted to.
The week started out with Calgary Expo – this is my annual venture into the craziness of one of the biggest cons in the country. While I wish there was more focus on comic artists, I always have a good time regardless. I’m not a big crowd person, but for four days of the year I give myself over to the mob and move with it. Highlights this year were seeing John Cusack, Garrett Wang, and Bob Morley panels. I also got myself a new Netrunner expansion that is also a campaign mystery (we played one game already and it’s going to prove to be a long campaign, which is awesome).
I really like Netrunner – if you haven’t heard of it but are into really intricate card games, definitely check it out. It’s like Neuromancer but in card game form.
But cons and crowds aren’t the only things I’ve been doing.
First up, was on our way back from Calgary, I was super excited to visit Custom Woolen Mills!
I wanted to visit for a while, but at two-plus hours from me, I knew the drive would have to be done on a trip back from Calgary. I got a peek inside where the working machinery is, and poked around at all their breed samples. I came away with six to spin (one pound each) and I’m really excited to get to work on these.
I ended up getting Clun Forest, Columbia, Ile de France, Tunis, Texel, and Shetland (brown). I guess 6 lbs is enough, right?
After getting home (and taking a day to relax – an absolute must after a crazy 5 days!), I made the appointment I’ve been dreading – my tetanus immunization. It’s been about 20 years, and while I think immunizations are important, I’m also really scared of needles. Like, really scared. But, washing my new fleece has been a powerful motivator, so I booked the appointment and went in.
Then when I got there they sprung the MMR vaccine on me to (there’s a mumps outbreak in my area because people aren’t getting their kids immunized – don’t get me started). Knowing there was no way I’d come back, I got them both done at once. While I was laying down with my husband holding my hand because I’m a big baby.
But, the good news is, the very nice nurse who was a real sport, gave me the go ahead to start processing my fleece (she said I probably still had antibodies anyway from the last booster) – so that’s going to begin in earnest now that I know I won’t be getting tetanus. Yay!
I also finally got around to finishing a bunch of yarns that I’ve been hankering to do, but needed some warm days and a bit of time to accomplish. It really just started warming up here, and trying to dry hanks of yarn outside when the high is 2C wasn’t going to work out too well. We may have had a late start, but with summer upon us now I’m gearing up for a lot of outside time.
(click the images above to see the full size)
From left to right:
- 1. Alpaca/silk blend, 2 ply, 15 WPI, 259 yds. This is by far the happiest I’ve been with any yarn yet and I absolutely adore it.
- 2. Alpaca, 2 ply, 11 WPI, 217 yds. A little thicker than I wanted, but I spun it several weeks ago while still getting into the swing of spinning again. Even still, I’m happy with its consistency, and I’m looking forward to making a comfy small shawl with it.
- 3. Merino, 2 ply, 17 WPI, 139 yds. I got good yardage and it’s really consistent, so I’m quite happy with this skein.
- 4. Corriedale, 2 ply, 12 WPI, 214 yds. This was my first attempt at chain plying, and it’s not totally consistent all the way through. I fulled it like the dickens and I’m relatively happy with what I got, despite them being my first skeins plied this way.
With warm temperatures here, I’m itching to get outside. I have the garden to spruce up for planting, fleece to wash and dry, and more skeins of yarn to spin and thwack. Winter always makes me feel like I’m in stasis, so when the warm weather comes I get a wee bit nutty for going outside. I’m prepped for a pretty awesome and busy summer, with lots of projects on the go, and I cannot wait to dive in feet first.