Queueing up Projects for the summer

As I prepare for departure to my summer digs, I have fight this great fear of not having enough projects with me to knit.  God forbid!  I know, I know, I could buy something, but this year I am promising myself to use my handspun and knit up lovelies from this.  It's a bit of a trick to have the right yardage for the right project as I can't just go "buy" an extra skein or two.  With the help of my Wednesday spinning buddies I have lined up three more possibilities from Ravelry.  Beth, the forever librarian was a huge help on this.
I have some bulky handspun in apple greens, taupe and rust tones that I think this "Faraway, So Close" shawl will work with.  It's on #10 needles or so and has interesting patterns and waves in it.

Faraway, so Close

BFL hand spun plied with apple green merino

 Then for some sport weight to fingering weight hand spun I think I will do this charming Pamuya shawl:

 

BFL Handspun plied with aqua merino

 

Pamuya

Another choice would be for a rectangular shawl, this Fleece shawl should truly challenge my lace knitting skills.  I will be texting my mentors a lot on this one.

 This one is done by elsbethr on ravelry.  I think it is stunning.  Still deciding on the yarn for this one.

Back in the Blogasphere, Finally

I have seriously neglected this space.  I love blogging, so I am at a loss as to why I have avoided writing and posting here.  I have had an exciting and full spring with lots of fiber fun, family and some travel.

Two weeks ago I flew to Baltimore for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, which is purported to be the largest of it's kind in the country.  What a blast!  Hard to see the whole thing in a day.  I went with two fiber friends so it was a party.  I loved seeing Lexi Boerger of Pluckyfluff fame.  She was there selling the new Majacraft wheel, Aura, and just generally being here warm, welcoming self.

The Aura

One of these came to my house in March.  What a wheel.   I love all the possibilities for art yarn.

the RoadBug

Sunday, my friend, Terri, and I were sorely tempted by the Merlintree RoadBug spinning wheel.  Such a cute, functional, truly portable wheel, that will truly fit in the overhead bin of an airplane.  I am now lurking in their Ravelry group.  I mean, I had to walk away for a minute, or I would have handed the man my credit card and run with my new little wheel.  But, since I have a gorgeous new Aura wheel,  I don't think I can justify it right now.   Maybe next month!  I am so bad.  You can get it with a colored wheel; pink, purple or teal.

Back here at home, I have been dyeing scads of roving to have in my inventory this summer along with mohair locks, mulberry silk, Firestar.  I have introduced Art Yarn Spinning-with-locks kits to the shop.  These have been a hit.  I love spinning art yarns so it seemed natural to share the fun.

Tide Pool Art Yarn Spinning-with-locks Kit

I also am carding art batts with new ease on my Big Tom electric carder.   Friend Mary enabled this acquisition by saying I was going to have shoulder problems with my manual carders.  Well, we can't have that!  So I sold my Fancy Kitty carder to friend Terri.  Saved her having to buy one off of Ravelry.

The Blues Artsy Batt

Toast and Marmalade Artsy Batt

The Louet Classic carder is packed up to ship to my summer address so I can feed my fiber frenzies while I am there.  An Ashford Traditional wheel already lives there along with a bulky flyer for art yarns.  I am set.

Writing again feels good.  Now I need to get that sketching journal cranked up again.  The fun never ends.  Life is good.