Knittin' Notes

The Difference in Fibers!

Mama Llama Sea Ewe,
Jude, Dip 1

I came up with a really neat colorway by over dyeing a skein 3 times.... I named it Jude. Yes, after the Beatles song in case you are wondering ;)
I had started out with the new Sea Ewe yarn that contains 70/30 Merino and Seacell.

Keeping the exact same formula I ventured into different yarn lines:

When dyeing a new colorway in a skein made of different fibers you are bound to rediscover its beauty!

Mama Llama Original 3ply,
Jude, Dip's 1&2
(dip 1 is always darker and more vibrant)
Honestly this picture doesn't do Dip 1 justice. It is truly a work of art. And this photo captured Dip 2 as is.

Ready yourselves for lots of Fiber Photos as I prepare for Sock Summit!

Checking in

Hmmm, how do I put this? Its been crazy! The end of school, family grads,and a ginormous trade show to prepare for. Yup its been busy around here.

I was touched and proud to be a recent guest dyer for Woolgirl's Embrace the Lace May club package. Sivia Harding is such a talented designer and I don't think many people could make this Mama Llama Lace Cashmere 2ply look any better! Its is simply breathtaking!

The theme is "Charity" and Chris and I were asked to write a little something for the newsletter that goes out with every package. We were very honored to share our life with a special needs child. Donations are being made to Autism Speaks. Knitters are AMAZINGLY GENEROUS!

I feel pretty pressed lately and I hope I can get everything done in time without disappointing anyone including myself. I've been short with the kids and nights seem sleepless with anticipation. I have samples half way done and I fear they will remain that way and never make it to Sock Summit!

I hope to post FO's soon:
Original 3ply swingy sweater -60% done
Socks from the toe up KAL- June socks 30% done
Socks from the toe up -Van Dykes 1% done :(

What Heel?

For some reason I lost my avid sock knitters mojo last fall. Not sure why, it left late in the night and I began tank tops and sweaters that have yet to be finished.... they stare at me every time I pass my nightstand and end tables.... Ugly reminders of how I can't seem to finish anything knit related!

I was digging' on Rav. and happened upon the "Lifestyle Sock" hmmmm, Toe Up? Let me give that a whirl again..... I began with my Judy Becker magic cast on and fell in love! The foot went by in a virtual flash and it was time for the heel... Heel? I hate short row heels! What to do? I tired a "short row hell".... Nasty! I tried my first backwards gusset heel (i favor gussets)... All I can say is that I loved the method so much it left me hungry for more! It's almost a sickness now to finish this sock! It has gone from 16 toe stitches to nearly done in 48 hours... Avid has returned!

In my quest for more patterns to exploit my new found love of toe ups and backward gussets I found this:

And there is a 2 yesr KAL to go with it on Ravelry. Of course book is purchased and KAL has been joined. Mama Llama is even donating a few prizes ;)

I am Wooly now!
A Wolly Woolgirl that is.... I was very happy to get my complimentary package this week.

Koigu!
I'm Koigu crazy lately! I received 6 skein of each of the colors.....

New Mama Llama Pattern Toula

Specs: Test Knitted by Brynne
Yarn: Mama Llama Silky Ewe 1.5 balls
Needles: Sz 7
Bust Size 36 inch, more sizes available

Cute kid photos, just because!

There's Knitting a'Foot

Can it be?
I have to say I am pretty impressed with the Mama Llama Original Sock 3ply if I do say so myself... I Love the stuff for socks but this garment is turning out so beautifully, I couldn't have asked for anything better!

Specs
Yarn: Mama Llama Orig. 3ply, colorway Winter
Needles: sz 7/ 4.5mm
Pattern: Garter Stitch Swingy Sweater

Carmens Birthday sweater cam to a screeching halt when dyeing took over my life for the past few months. I wouldn't call right now a calm, but I have found time to knit while I help Brandon with Jumpstart and Starfall games on the computer.

Speaking of Brandon we went to wait for Hillards bus today and took these pics together.

I made a commitment to myself to get healthy 18 months ago and I've almost lost it all, except for those pesky last 13 lbs!!!! I eat these items in moderation, but I love them anyway... I decided not to admit my Peets coffee addiction, so its not pictured. Whoops!

I plateaued for over 4 months... But this morning hopefully marked a downtrend. Cross fingers!

Have a great Week!

Joyful, Yarn, Goodness

These three words can best describe my week. What would your 3 words be?

Its been an exciting week with a lot of dyeing going on! I received the shipment of Sea Ewe yarn and I got to fill a delayed order, I put a few more things on Etsy and I can't seem to keep the Bounty Ewe in stock! It has given me many reasons to dye this weekend. There is much joy with the thought of spending a day creating new things.

The yarn Fairy, Jen a.k.a Woolgirl, has sent out another spectacular Sock Club package. How does she keep out doing herself? I have never worked with Curious Creek yarn, but I am really looking forward to it. This yarn is SOOOOOO yummy! It differes from the Zen Yarn Garden we recieved two months ago, but is still in that yummy catagorey that we all drool over!

Members are given an "alternative" pattern if you not in the sock mood! Both patterns are truly works of art and they are high on my list!!!!

The Goodness that has come from this week is how things seem to come together. I was generously invited to be a vendor at the World Wide Knit in Public Day event here in Houston June 20th. The t-shirts have finally come in and they look spectacular. I'm having a fabulous time dyeing for retailers and for my sanity as well. I finally got to design a cami/tank pattern and have a test knitter working on it now, and have several test knitters working for booth samples. Brandon will be spend a great deal of time with his grandmother this weekend.....Goodness

All the pretty things

Received a shipment of naked yarn and got to work..... Man, i love these new yarn bases! I felt so pampered while dyeing them..... I focused on solid colorways last night.

And yuppers its for sale.

Silky Ewe -70/30 Merino and Silk...Sock weight...almost exact to Sea Ewe, but was not in this shipment :( Expect next week!

Bounty Ewe -80/10/10 SW Merino, Cashmere and Nylon... Sock weight......very lofty yarn

I had a lot of fun dyeing last night and I look forward to dyeing up about 20 other skeins tonight with some other orders..... I've been having fun creating whatever I want.

Those of you who ordered T-shirts, they are on the way!

I See Ewe'r new T-shirt!

To celebrate Sock Summit AND the the new sock yarn lines Mama Llama has added a few mascots for the occasions.

They will be permanent fixtures of the yarn lines and these t-shirts will be sold from now until Aug.

For anyone who purchases a T-shirt, their name will be put in a hat for a drawing at the end of Sock Summit for some fabulous prizes of yarn, stitch markers, patterns and other cool stuff.

If you will be attending the Sock Summit you can wear your t-shirt and if I see you in your shirt you will receive 10% off your purchase at the Mama Llama Booth.

Can you tell I'm excited?

Cost: $24 (shirt is $22 , shipping for U.S. $2)
The first 8 T-shirts sold come with a glow-in-the-dark sheep stitch marker!

Sizes available:
Small - 36 inches
Medium - 40 inches
Large - 44 inches (I have a 38 bust and wear comfortably, but not too big)
XLarge - 48 inches
2Xlarge - 52 inches
Don't use paypal? Please send me an email to MamaLlamaKnits@hotmail.com an you can pay with Check or Credit Card. Thank you ;)