Ladybugs & Yarn

I discovered tonight that felting knitted items in communal washing machines tends to draw strange looks, at least if you repeatedly lift the lid to poke the fluff within with a wooden spoon. I also discovered that Fleece Artist BFL takes an eternity to start felting, so after my tote bag emerged from the washing machine looking only slightly smaller and a lot fuzzier, I tried something else: hand-felting! It’s a great workout for the arms, plus getting to flail around and fling water everywhere is kind of fun, too. And it does work–there’s no stitch definition left on the tote, although I have yet to decide if it’s felted quite as much as I’d like. I may stick it in the bucket for another go-round tomorrow.

Socktoberfest is starting off well. I’ve just turned the heel on the first of a pair of gift socks I started Sunday night. I know Dad’ll like the navy blue Regia tweed I’m using, and I think he’ll like the interesting-but-unfussy railway stitch pattern on the leg. I’ve been meaning to knit him a pair of house socks for ages, and his birthday is the perfect excuse.

I may possibly have taken the bus all the way up to Trinity yesterday in search of beads for a Black Sea hat. And I found them–perfect little pearls to go with my light sage green Baby Cashmerino.

It’s getting late, but there’s some lovely soft instrumental jazz on the radio, and I think I have time for a cup of tea.