I feel so guilty! I'm seriously behind on fibery work, but I've honestly spent the last couple of weeks in a heavy mixture of panic and nausea. It's so hard to get anything done when my stomach turns at the smell of wool- I hope this morning/all-day sickness goes away automagically at the end of the first trimester. I didn't anticipate all of these stomach problems- my mother never once experienced morning sickness, and we're built nearly identically.
My biggest worry is that at my first appointment and ultrasound, my doctor will discover that there isn't even a little bean in the cooker, and I'll really feel miserable/guilty/depressed/disappointed then. I guess if you haven't caught the hint that I'm slightly paranoid nonstop, you're probably getting the picture now. Fortunately, the internet hides a person's flaws fairly well. ;) Aaaand pregnancy exacerbates mental absurdities, as I'm discovering.
I'm going to be attending "1st prenatal appointments" with two different people- my regular OB, and a midwife who does homebirths and waterbirths. After they weigh my risks, I look forward to chosing the comfiest option (my fingers are crossed for the homebirth, though I'll be happy with a baby, no matter how it arrives!) I've always wanted to do a waterbirth too- and the midwife only charges an extra $30 for that, which is the cost of a new liner. When we did the math, the cost of birth under our insurance is nearly equal to the cost of birth at home, which insurance does not cover. I'm grateful to have options.
My apologies to those who are used to more regular Hobbledehoy updates! Since Trevor landed a nice lil job last month, I've felt at ease with taking some time off, but I'm really antsy to start carding more- especially since my job is my hobby and my favorite pasttime. Plus, I miss spinning! It's less nauseating than carding, so I might take a break next week to just spin up a pile of yarns.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
snore
I feel like such a lazy-butt! I spun three yarns this morning and nearly fell asleep during the third. Normally, I would have just brewed a pot of coffee, but today, I took a nap. My wool from last night wasn't dry yet anyhow, so I'm not feeling too guilty. Still, I'm nowhere near my goal of 8 spins.
I'm also hoping to card some batts on my Strauch Petite now that it's firmly bolted to my desk, and stock my shop with handspun and old-school hobbledehoy batts.... but that update will probably be later this week(end).
At some point this weekend, I hit "week 6!"
I'm also hoping to card some batts on my Strauch Petite now that it's firmly bolted to my desk, and stock my shop with handspun and old-school hobbledehoy batts.... but that update will probably be later this week(end).
At some point this weekend, I hit "week 6!"
Thursday, May 14, 2009
peppercorn
After my woolly vacation, I had trouble striking up the energy to work. Two hours after getting out of bed, I'd start fantasizing about leaping right back in. Finally, this past Saturday evening, I felt my eyes start to close around 8pm, and I knew something was wrong- maybe that pesky sinus infection wasn't completely gone, or maybe it was a little flu-bug. Halfway though a CSI episode, I leaped off the couch and took a home pregnancy test, mostly so I could have a guilt-free vodka & rootbeer before snoozing through a artsy film Trevor had picked out to watch next. Aaaand, surprise surprise- it was positive!
Just three weeks before, we had been informed that my hormonal levels were too wonky to conceive easily, and that I'd have to go to a specialist nearly an hour away for fertility treatment. I hadn't had a cycle start (sorry for the TMI, folks) since February, and a blood pregnancy test came back negative in mid-April, so my positive lil' pink lines really threw me for a loop, especially since I had gone lax about drinking through Camp Pluckyfluff and the week before, and had a few Xanaxes to get me through the roadtrip.
The BETA hcg tests run by my doctor are definitely looking good- my levels have more-than-doubled in less than 48 hours, from 3,400 to 7,000, so I'm feeling pretty confident and hopeful about this little bean, despite being only 5-ish weeks along. My first appointment is in mid-June, and I'm besides myself with anxiety and happiness.
My little "Stottlebean" is the size of a peppercorn, approximately.
The unfortunate news is that dyeing is taboo, for at least this trimester. Trevor just dyed a nice big batch for me this evening (I'm so glad I taught him how to dye earlier this year!) and while his colors are looking fantastic, they're not the colors that I might would have picked. My shop might look a bit odd as I adjust to a work schedule that includes naps, colors of merino that are totally random, and find a way to bolt down my Strauch Petite to a surface that doesn't involve feats of flexibility, like my previous carding involved. Since I also taught my mom to dye, I'm sure I'll have support at home and nearby with the dyeing aspect of my business as I learn about the stages of my little peppercorn.
Oh, and I'm seriously behind on convos and feedback!
Keep your fingers crossed for me, I know it's taboo to announce pregnancy so early, but I'm feeling so fortunate that it even happened at all, and I don't think I could have held it in, even for a few more weeks.
Just three weeks before, we had been informed that my hormonal levels were too wonky to conceive easily, and that I'd have to go to a specialist nearly an hour away for fertility treatment. I hadn't had a cycle start (sorry for the TMI, folks) since February, and a blood pregnancy test came back negative in mid-April, so my positive lil' pink lines really threw me for a loop, especially since I had gone lax about drinking through Camp Pluckyfluff and the week before, and had a few Xanaxes to get me through the roadtrip.
The BETA hcg tests run by my doctor are definitely looking good- my levels have more-than-doubled in less than 48 hours, from 3,400 to 7,000, so I'm feeling pretty confident and hopeful about this little bean, despite being only 5-ish weeks along. My first appointment is in mid-June, and I'm besides myself with anxiety and happiness.
My little "Stottlebean" is the size of a peppercorn, approximately.
The unfortunate news is that dyeing is taboo, for at least this trimester. Trevor just dyed a nice big batch for me this evening (I'm so glad I taught him how to dye earlier this year!) and while his colors are looking fantastic, they're not the colors that I might would have picked. My shop might look a bit odd as I adjust to a work schedule that includes naps, colors of merino that are totally random, and find a way to bolt down my Strauch Petite to a surface that doesn't involve feats of flexibility, like my previous carding involved. Since I also taught my mom to dye, I'm sure I'll have support at home and nearby with the dyeing aspect of my business as I learn about the stages of my little peppercorn.
Oh, and I'm seriously behind on convos and feedback!
Keep your fingers crossed for me, I know it's taboo to announce pregnancy so early, but I'm feeling so fortunate that it even happened at all, and I don't think I could have held it in, even for a few more weeks.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
BATTlings + fleece pickin's
As I've been teaching myself how to use my new Supercard aka "The Beast," I've been whipping up gobs of loaded practice batts. These batts are then torn down into smaller sizes, and jumbled up into sets of BATTlings, which I've got an excess of at the moment. Eventually, I'll add more of my old style of batts, carded with my lil Strauch, and I'll probably start carding smooth loaded batts too with The Beast, but until I'm really good at packing fiber on the Supercard- these little BATTlings are my new favorite fibery dessert.
As I play with my new carder, I'm also juggling lingerie bags of greasy fleece in my washing machine. I can't believe how difficult the alpaca fleeces were to wash- the fine fibers held onto EVERYTHING, so after the washings, I had to re-pick through both fleeces, shaking out all the little veggie matter bits. Tater tot's fleece is now ready to be drum-carded, and I've already made a 3.3 oz. excessively fluffy batt from it, but I can't really show it off until it stops raining. Maybe tomorrow.
As I play with my new carder, I'm also juggling lingerie bags of greasy fleece in my washing machine. I can't believe how difficult the alpaca fleeces were to wash- the fine fibers held onto EVERYTHING, so after the washings, I had to re-pick through both fleeces, shaking out all the little veggie matter bits. Tater tot's fleece is now ready to be drum-carded, and I've already made a 3.3 oz. excessively fluffy batt from it, but I can't really show it off until it stops raining. Maybe tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
roving!
Okay. Two posts in one day, only because I'm really really excited about the roving I'm pulling off of my Supercard!
Honestly, I thought I could pack more than a measly 2-3 oz. on it, but so far, no such luck. I guess that'll take practice and lots and lots of burnishing. Also, I'm wondering if my fluffy merino is to blame. Many of my fiber buddies have told me that my merino is the floofiest (which is probably due to how I dry it, snapping the fibers gently when wet so the roving is quadruple thickness when dry.)
Here's more (!!!)
The above roving was carded with the colors lined up in stripes, so that when I pulled the roving off, each color gently transitioned into the next. I'd love to do a whole line of transitioning rovings, once I finally master the beast, which is a little frightening still.
I've also carded 7 sets of little mix-matched battling bitts: tiny batts that add up to 3+ oz. in weight, heavy with the add-ins such as bamboo, soysilk, and alpaca. Unfortunately, my pics of the lil' batts didn't turn out so hot, so I'll be re-shooting them and listing them in my shop tomorrow.
Honestly, I thought I could pack more than a measly 2-3 oz. on it, but so far, no such luck. I guess that'll take practice and lots and lots of burnishing. Also, I'm wondering if my fluffy merino is to blame. Many of my fiber buddies have told me that my merino is the floofiest (which is probably due to how I dry it, snapping the fibers gently when wet so the roving is quadruple thickness when dry.)Here's more (!!!)
The above roving was carded with the colors lined up in stripes, so that when I pulled the roving off, each color gently transitioned into the next. I'd love to do a whole line of transitioning rovings, once I finally master the beast, which is a little frightening still.I've also carded 7 sets of little mix-matched battling bitts: tiny batts that add up to 3+ oz. in weight, heavy with the add-ins such as bamboo, soysilk, and alpaca. Unfortunately, my pics of the lil' batts didn't turn out so hot, so I'll be re-shooting them and listing them in my shop tomorrow.
camp pluckyfluff + MDS&W
I was in a haze of fan-girl awe at Camp Pluckyfluff. Seriously, I think I might have majorly embarrassed myself more than once with ridiculous squeals and nonstop blushing during the lessons. For starters, I overpacked my suitcase of fiber. I mean, seriously overpacked.
This may have been why traveling by train was so difficult. I swear, if it weren't for the kindness of random non-Amtrak-employee strangers, I would have never made it off and on the trains from Harrisburg to Philadelphia to DC. Oh, and a big thank-you to Molly, who picked me up at Union Station and allowed me to stay at her home (where I was treated to the most delicious meals created by her husband, and gobs of snuggles from her cuddly beagle). During the camp, I had a chance to brush up on some art yarn skills and learn a couple of new ones. Aaaand, I got to meet up with fiberpeople that I really admire! 
(left to right, Wild Hare, Molly Miller by Appt., me, and Gnome Garden)
I'm happy to say, Camp Pluckyfluff has resparked my love of crazy-spinning. I don't think I'd ever quit my squishy single plies, but maybe I'll re-examine my (failed) New Year's resolution of an art yarn each week.
And then Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. Whoah. This was my first year attending, so my mom and I decided to turn it into a wee vacation. On Saturday morning, I had bought two fleeces before the festival even officially opened: a surprisingly soft Lincoln fleece and an organic BL/Corriedale cross fleece. Then, I ran into Tara (blondechicken) at the "fleece maze," where I picked up a deliciously lustrous black and silvery Lincoln/Corriedale cross fleece and a sproingy dark Rambouillet/Columbia fleece.
Later that afternoon, I nabbed two alpaca fleeces: one is strawberry-blonde, from an alpaca named Tater Tot, and the other is beige/white (?) from an alpaca named Love Song. Both alpaca fleeces are softer than any alpaca fiber I have ever felt before. And thankfully, they're both almost finished with the arduous washing process. Other fibers I picked up include 4 oz. of German Angora, a small bag of "peace" tussah silk, 1.5 lbs. of neppy mill-ends (which are creating really funky batts), 1 lb. of tencel (which I just dyed bright coral red and chartreuse), and 8 oz. of babydoll roving. In total, I came away with nearly 30 lbs. of fiber, a nasty flu-bug which has migrated to my lungs, and the awesome experience of colliding into several fiber buddies that I adore, such as KnittyDirtyGirl, CosyMakes, Loop, and more!
The day after I came home, my 3-drum Supercard showed up, so I'm pretty sure my next post will be a gushy-ramble about the way it processes my fiber.
This may have been why traveling by train was so difficult. I swear, if it weren't for the kindness of random non-Amtrak-employee strangers, I would have never made it off and on the trains from Harrisburg to Philadelphia to DC. Oh, and a big thank-you to Molly, who picked me up at Union Station and allowed me to stay at her home (where I was treated to the most delicious meals created by her husband, and gobs of snuggles from her cuddly beagle). During the camp, I had a chance to brush up on some art yarn skills and learn a couple of new ones. Aaaand, I got to meet up with fiberpeople that I really admire! 
(left to right, Wild Hare, Molly Miller by Appt., me, and Gnome Garden)I'm happy to say, Camp Pluckyfluff has resparked my love of crazy-spinning. I don't think I'd ever quit my squishy single plies, but maybe I'll re-examine my (failed) New Year's resolution of an art yarn each week.
And then Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. Whoah. This was my first year attending, so my mom and I decided to turn it into a wee vacation. On Saturday morning, I had bought two fleeces before the festival even officially opened: a surprisingly soft Lincoln fleece and an organic BL/Corriedale cross fleece. Then, I ran into Tara (blondechicken) at the "fleece maze," where I picked up a deliciously lustrous black and silvery Lincoln/Corriedale cross fleece and a sproingy dark Rambouillet/Columbia fleece.
Later that afternoon, I nabbed two alpaca fleeces: one is strawberry-blonde, from an alpaca named Tater Tot, and the other is beige/white (?) from an alpaca named Love Song. Both alpaca fleeces are softer than any alpaca fiber I have ever felt before. And thankfully, they're both almost finished with the arduous washing process. Other fibers I picked up include 4 oz. of German Angora, a small bag of "peace" tussah silk, 1.5 lbs. of neppy mill-ends (which are creating really funky batts), 1 lb. of tencel (which I just dyed bright coral red and chartreuse), and 8 oz. of babydoll roving. In total, I came away with nearly 30 lbs. of fiber, a nasty flu-bug which has migrated to my lungs, and the awesome experience of colliding into several fiber buddies that I adore, such as KnittyDirtyGirl, CosyMakes, Loop, and more!The day after I came home, my 3-drum Supercard showed up, so I'm pretty sure my next post will be a gushy-ramble about the way it processes my fiber.
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