Monthly Archives: February 2012

February’s Mindful Fiber Winner

So at lunch yesterday I said to Ellie, “Pick a number between 1 and 33.”

And Ellie said “SIX.”

So I counted down six comments and our Mindful Fiber winner is Sprite of SpriteWrites! (I’m a long time reader myself – pre-Ellie. That’s about as far back as I can remember these days.)

Many thanks to all of you who entered, and to Deb for providing a home and vocation for all of the creatures at Shady Side Farm. And for providing me with an excess of yarn that I can love without reservation.

Next month: bunnies.

Time Crunch

time is of the essence

In the middle of working on the Elephant this morning, I realized that I have two projects that I wanted ready well ahead of Easter. That wouldn’t be a big deal if Easter wasn’t just 40 days away.

ARGH

I’m working on the fastest one to finish first. Thank you all, I’ve got my test knitters for this weekend! (I’m taking advantage of ALL the offers because the more the merrier!)

I say this weekend. That’s only a little bit optimistic.

Out of Committee

SB175 made it out of committee with one no vote (Marc Keahey, in case you care). The Felony charges were dropped in an amendment to mollify the folks who feel like our jails are full enough.

If you called or emailed, thank you.

The knowledge that I won’t write about cockfighting anymore if the thing passes is probably motivational.

More than a Misdemeanor

In Alabama, cockfighting is a misdemeanor.

they deserve better

This is me luring you back in with a cute chicken picture. Read the rest.

Folks strap knives to roosters’ feet and let them have at each other. They gamble for thousands of dollars. They bring illegal drugs. They bring their children. If they are caught and convicted, folks are fined a maximum of $50.

That’s the price of inhumanity in Alabama: $50. This is the weakest penalty in the entire United States for an evening of cruelty.

Undercover video anyone? This article from Mobile has the story in print (there is video too but sometimes it’s better to read than watch). And here is the most recent spot featuring Senator Cam Ward, the bill’s sponsor in the senate.

There are two bills in the legislature this year that will strengthen the penalties for a cockfighting conviction in Alabama. The bills call for an increase to class A misdemeanor for the first offense (fine of $6,000 – spectators included) and a class C Felony for the second. Anyone who causes a minor to attend faces class C Felony charges.

If you are in Alabama, find your state representative and senator and send them a quick email about the need for HB176 and SB175 to make it out of committee and the importance of a favorable vote when they do.

If you aren’t in Alabama, send a quick email to the bill sponsors, Representative Jim Barton (jbarton104@gmail.com) and Senator Cam Ward (camjulward@aol.com), to let them know that there is support outside of the state. You should also feel free to email the committee members (I’ve got a list) and let them know that folks outside Alabama would like to see a stop to animal cruelty.

As an extra bonus: if the bills pass, I’ll stop talking about it.

12 Months of Mindful Fiber: February with Shadyside Farm Studio

Happy Valentine’s Day! There is no better way to celebrate than with yarn. Fluffy, fluffy, pink yarn. I’m getting ahead of myself. First, let me introduce February’s Mindful Fiber.

If you could peek in my wool box, you’d know right away that Shadyside Farm Studio is a personal favorite of mine. After examining my collection, you’d know why: great weight, great spin, great fibers, great farm. Great prices too! If you thought a handspun sweater was beyond your reach, think again.

baaaaa

baaaaaa

At Shadyside Farm and Mill, Deb’s flock of Romney and Shetland sheep graze on 100 Pennsylvanian acres. The flock’s fleece is often spun with fibers from other small farms. The alpaca fiber comes from local small herds. The mohair comes from a little farm with a small flock of goats in Ohio. As for the angora: “I grow my own bunny or buy the fiber from my friend that has a large herd on her farm, she lives near me…her bunnies are very well kept and comfortable..as are mine.”

bunny? are you in there?

There *is* a bunny under there.

The natural fiber processing methods (no scouring) result in a low pilling, long wearing, lustrous and soft yarn. In the studio, Deb blends fresh fibers into handspun yarns of exceptional quality. The natural shades paired with the subtle thick and thin of the spin gives a friendly, comfortable character to the resulting yarn. When used, the low impact dyeing methods present a delightful, earthy pallet of ‘nearly solid’ or heathered tones.

I love this yarn. Can you tell? I want to give you a chance to love it too, so this month’s giveaway is for two skeins of Homespun Bunny in a soft pink.

pink!

The labels just tickle me.

This is a 25/75 blend of German angora and lambswool, both from Shadyside Farm. It has a nice long staple and won’t shed all over the place. I know it for a fact: I’ve used this yarn for toys! Each skein is 4 ounces (245 yards) of fluff. Plenty to make Just Enough Ruffles by Linda Chau. (Ravelry links – The scarf looks just like a Valentine.)

Or if you have a little sweetheart in your life, it’s enough to make all but the largest size of Like Sleeves for kids from Yumiko Sakurai.

LOVE

Yumiko has kindly offered to gift her pattern to the winner!

That’s what I’m making – I bought the rest of the pink bunny for Ellie. If there’s ever a “Like Sleeves for grownups”. I’ll make it for me and wear it to shreds.

To win this Mindful Fiber and your pick of pattern (ruffles or sleeves), just leave a comment on this post. The random number generator will take it from there. For more chances to win, refer your friends and have them mention your name in their comment (this is to raise awareness after all). February’s Mindful Fiber Giveaway will be open for two weeks (until Tuesday, February 24).

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. CHECK BACK FOR MARCH’S MINDFUL FIBER!**

You can find Shadyside Farm Studio on Etsy and at local fiber festivals, most recently the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival. As a special treat, Deb made a coupon code just for Valentine’s Day. Use the coupon code “VALENTINE” to apply a discount to your Shadyside Farm Studio purchase!

I already have all the pink Homespun Bunny (neener neener neener), but there are other splendid yarns to choose from. Like the alpaca dream in old rose or the shetland in lichen. Unless I get to it first.

Sheep and rabbit pictures are copyright Shadyside Farm Studio and used with permission. Like Sleeves is designed by Yumiko Sakurai and the image used with permission. Either pattern will be delivered as a pdf.

Going Places

Elephant prototype finished!

Eugenia

Her name is Eugenia.

They are on the way to Kangarooz, so that’s the best you get for now. I’m really happy with the legs, on the fence about tusks (does she need them?) and ready to knit her through again to take pictures for the pattern!

I’m hopeful that the pattern will make it to the test knitters the first week of March.