tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36152685661012767912024-02-19T19:12:29.649-06:00Stone Hill Ranch - The FarmBreeders of high quality Icelandic Sheep. Wool and specialty fiber sales. Gourmet Icelandic meat. Pastured poultry. Personal interests include spinning, knitting, crochet, felting, any type of fiber arts!!Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-73736501224603058292010-04-12T07:58:00.008-05:002010-04-12T16:19:23.918-05:00and it begins.....<div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICRIarakooxebSoL_d7UxNL2tKwW0BPwuS3VlaSPiD5zYCdOLK7Iv9ife3EYaNhYCOoSy5ZFOv0Q16YMJWolaqcfUY4XlXssET2qhoSBPeOD-siEogT5xysq3P1Z80POKNaseR35iT48/s1600/IMG_2883.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459356566153112546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICRIarakooxebSoL_d7UxNL2tKwW0BPwuS3VlaSPiD5zYCdOLK7Iv9ife3EYaNhYCOoSy5ZFOv0Q16YMJWolaqcfUY4XlXssET2qhoSBPeOD-siEogT5xysq3P1Z80POKNaseR35iT48/s320/IMG_2883.JPG" /></a>Welp, springtime is definitely here! There's new life all over the farm and we're all just lovin' it :-) We herded all of the Icelandics into the lambing pens and all of the Icelandics managed to get out the very next day haha! We went down to fix the situation and one of our Merino/Icelandic crossbreeds decided to lamb on pasture (oops). The babies are adorable and the wool feels <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">TREMENDOUS</span></strong>! I'm anxious to spin them :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div><div><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaqDbZFzsjNUXrnYthJYwvbl5qIAEzPpC8NMzRFFJXp8Z4hoeWTTDiu7KhnKEyZfcca-QDt7Pu5W2bS5FxVnjkvwEQJuO0UymLcN0mgBIImz-gJgD0kITfUi60IPd7e-4R9YKREN8U1o/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459357402486170834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaqDbZFzsjNUXrnYthJYwvbl5qIAEzPpC8NMzRFFJXp8Z4hoeWTTDiu7KhnKEyZfcca-QDt7Pu5W2bS5FxVnjkvwEQJuO0UymLcN0mgBIImz-gJgD0kITfUi60IPd7e-4R9YKREN8U1o/s320/IMG_2884.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQUkTMRLUGSmDuGA0CpSxmAuQG3yw2VASe3oj9uJYFyaFwz4iIY0PfqD8JhU1qjHqprkl9D_3_5-DFv2rhZVaAFvGkwOV7YFo_K8E2iZHnKbBjhRdiPRPCB4l4alWy7z8Xdrh51pgJlI/s1600/IMG_2886.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 261px; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459357409327906098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQUkTMRLUGSmDuGA0CpSxmAuQG3yw2VASe3oj9uJYFyaFwz4iIY0PfqD8JhU1qjHqprkl9D_3_5-DFv2rhZVaAFvGkwOV7YFo_K8E2iZHnKbBjhRdiPRPCB4l4alWy7z8Xdrh51pgJlI/s320/IMG_2886.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="left">We lambed some Merino/Icelandics back in January and the results are varied so far. We were able to produce a single coated fleece from the black male, but the female retained the dual coat.... both are *incredibly silky*! Strange thing: The black fleece is thel, the white is tog on both animals?? Go figure. The conformation on the male seems to be representative of Merinos (low, barrel bellied), but the female is a spitting image of an Icelandic....hmmm.</div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-RzmEUmArEzSR8Ff-Y3yD66B-2HgM4SlGrtgq5PhsF0Ylg0iGB0i97LRs0IdBzNQXJz9ObYeWTrX6yJgtyNmISATjcBxlL860Io7rMLNMgCF9Tm6PP9EgcwLFIjf9VdU8R_OOb_d2_Q/s1600/IMG_2889.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459359739643884802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-RzmEUmArEzSR8Ff-Y3yD66B-2HgM4SlGrtgq5PhsF0Ylg0iGB0i97LRs0IdBzNQXJz9ObYeWTrX6yJgtyNmISATjcBxlL860Io7rMLNMgCF9Tm6PP9EgcwLFIjf9VdU8R_OOb_d2_Q/s320/IMG_2889.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Lyndsay's Hampshire babies are doing well (born Jan./Feb.) and she's already at me to take a trip to Missouri for next years breeding ram.... go figure :-)<strong><em> Damn, we need a new barn!!!!!!</em></strong></div></div></div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-69053294641964137182010-03-20T10:11:00.003-05:002010-03-20T10:16:10.316-05:00Missing the Olympics....<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABQa8p4WcQ5sDxfd5tVcilSni3r0BPtezTpyv_vfSXq5yVSTNkaVHR7Hqi17QfjcHVHcpkce7cerVtTGu25BwAfNOSzM9QSo9Is1A2AD0XSxy0ee9x8voYQxoSno_vzTFuXk-GQe38nI/s1600-h/IMG_2809.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450734854366686450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABQa8p4WcQ5sDxfd5tVcilSni3r0BPtezTpyv_vfSXq5yVSTNkaVHR7Hqi17QfjcHVHcpkce7cerVtTGu25BwAfNOSzM9QSo9Is1A2AD0XSxy0ee9x8voYQxoSno_vzTFuXk-GQe38nI/s320/IMG_2809.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="left"><br />We're all missing the olympics around here.... I decided to make some hats for next year that have that kool emblem :-) One down, six to go. Lyndsay and I want the one that Lyndsay Vonn was wearing (same colorwork, different design).</div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-5634616994299382792010-02-28T07:01:00.005-06:002010-02-28T07:18:19.682-06:00Sean's SweaterOh for the history of this sweater....... I *<strong>absolutely</strong>* HAD to finish this sweater that I started a LONG time ago. Too many times I almost frogged it and then I remembered where the fiber came from :-) The black yarn is a blend of my girlfriends Llama and one of our original Icelandic breeding ewes (since deceased). The memories I have of those animals still make me smile :-) The ladder pattern is made of angora----again from one of the Angora rabbits the kids used to play with. It's funny how memories can keep you going!!<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV8aDYxGjLzIG4TBfnHRk4uf6MHrpQAQ_JY2qPnIdYk6V-4NQIbLd82ZoslxyIY3hlWZe8MhwkhiYXj5LW6CdauhWMb50ypg10lak20ZaZYnDgsPzaEgQHIIeVHSeU7dic3YWO0CYMf4/s1600-h/IMG_2768.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443281244174275986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV8aDYxGjLzIG4TBfnHRk4uf6MHrpQAQ_JY2qPnIdYk6V-4NQIbLd82ZoslxyIY3hlWZe8MhwkhiYXj5LW6CdauhWMb50ypg10lak20ZaZYnDgsPzaEgQHIIeVHSeU7dic3YWO0CYMf4/s200/IMG_2768.JPG" /></a><br /></div>I'm <strong>not</strong> all that happy with the sweater (one of my first). I lost the pattern and had to improvise---and spin more yarn. I really did a POOPY job with construction.... ah well, live and learn. Sean is happy with it tho'!! Now he has an ice skating sweater like the other kids :-) Since it took me so long to finish his sweater, he's first on the list for next years sweaters!!Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-72938352113292151712010-02-24T16:59:00.006-06:002010-02-24T17:14:49.833-06:00Swatching the Cortina<div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRWgL7k_Yk8Zxd8CvQKtpHJy_3PUIeOGgntd12Lf8ck_kTQibCBZLBnyoCrTs0xTgjZ-CC6aDGozcOFh8oNoJzBDaV3Ol6lAS0dTnp4XoG8q8QjbQxJEKD_LX5QahdCfq1PVqxGMJygY/s1600-h/IMG_2763.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441951414635442322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRWgL7k_Yk8Zxd8CvQKtpHJy_3PUIeOGgntd12Lf8ck_kTQibCBZLBnyoCrTs0xTgjZ-CC6aDGozcOFh8oNoJzBDaV3Ol6lAS0dTnp4XoG8q8QjbQxJEKD_LX5QahdCfq1PVqxGMJygY/s320/IMG_2763.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PakCQPL7NGOGuzkJDMbZizQE4HGAtQeDMZYtAivso8jzVk0txvqxZPDUMrLFViyZ3sf25Fn-WPSTdMcVsFo8WT2NbwO7HQ7rbrj2389tAFe6GPfGHSBaidmmz5I2WG6v_QyZZWhFD3k/s1600-h/IMG_2762.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441951416462630434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PakCQPL7NGOGuzkJDMbZizQE4HGAtQeDMZYtAivso8jzVk0txvqxZPDUMrLFViyZ3sf25Fn-WPSTdMcVsFo8WT2NbwO7HQ7rbrj2389tAFe6GPfGHSBaidmmz5I2WG6v_QyZZWhFD3k/s320/IMG_2762.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left"><br />It's finally swatched!! I went back and forth over what colorway to use.... I'd originally planned to use my Icelandic, then I didn't think the colors looked right, now I'm back to using my handspun yarn :-) It's funny how different a project looks once you swatch the pattern. I hafta say, there's not alot of contrast, but I like it.<br /><br />I'm using the Dale of Norway Cortina pattern but I'm sure I'll have to make some pretty major adjustments due to the yarn guage difference and my aversion to steeking. I'm not overly worried, re-engineering is my specialty. The variegated green is from some Merino roving I purchased and the brown is Birla (one of my AWESOME Icelandic breeder ewes :-)</div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-9398582245202709382010-02-22T08:57:00.006-06:002010-02-25T06:32:42.018-06:00Fair Isle Mitts & Hoodie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEy9KT6AS1c2zz7liANpn1mIN778OKt4inHVNekbDKEj8t6b9ADvILj175O0MCijC-Qphgza1ebeUVI3ltgwwJ_RTVBnEl6wezj1ybvDfsiZ0pgzkIxXU9seTr8wnANHC74Qh8wHMv8HI/s1600-h/IMG_2751.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442157393939439474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEy9KT6AS1c2zz7liANpn1mIN778OKt4inHVNekbDKEj8t6b9ADvILj175O0MCijC-Qphgza1ebeUVI3ltgwwJ_RTVBnEl6wezj1ybvDfsiZ0pgzkIxXU9seTr8wnANHC74Qh8wHMv8HI/s200/IMG_2751.JPG" /></a><br />They're done!! I completed my fair isle gauntlet mitts in 4 days flat..... which is a HUGE accomplishment for me haha :-) It was such a simple pattern, I think I'll make some for my 'lil sister. I used the following fibers: Gray mohair, white mohair, French Angora rabbit, black Icelandic ewe. They're WICKED warm and too comfortable. I may shorten up the gauntlet if I make a pair for someone else, but I like the long ribbed gauntlet-----I typically wear a wool sweater outside, so the big mitts really keep my arms/hands warm.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p>Sean's hoodie is pissing me off again...... it's working its way back to the bottom of my knitting basket. The entire sweater is complete, however, I purchased the wrong zipper for the front so now it's just sitting up in the loft on my sewing machine. We're snowed in right now, so FAT CHANCE of me making it to the store for a new zipper anytime soon...... that's what happens when you take 4 kids to the sewing shop (I couldn't concentrate for ANYTHING). I started this sweater a heckuva long time ago (and have since lost the pattern) so I'm kinda makin' it up as I go. I'm not overly pleased with the ribbing around the hood, but it'll work. The darn thing is curling so bad at the front opening, I'm not sure if the zipper is going to look right..... RIBBIT, RIBBIT.... I hear a frog.</p>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15854862326847327956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-39776757283522384952010-02-09T17:27:00.007-06:002010-02-13T07:00:09.814-06:00More Babies !!<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpwEMR0J__wTot4T5wtDddjNBcS1Nqx3WbkVEctLgfoNQNtFjuFggI8ckfIDTTPH716j2zP92nhYUZtx4x479a7qD_IqWZDGeU78zorEYBSGOUsGA0RZhQkmmwZdyvL9MaVNbKmk5WvA/s1600-h/IMG_2705.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 252px; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437711167096868578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpwEMR0J__wTot4T5wtDddjNBcS1Nqx3WbkVEctLgfoNQNtFjuFggI8ckfIDTTPH716j2zP92nhYUZtx4x479a7qD_IqWZDGeU78zorEYBSGOUsGA0RZhQkmmwZdyvL9MaVNbKmk5WvA/s200/IMG_2705.JPG" /></a></p>I got my cross breeds!! We crossed a moorit Merino female with a white Icelandic ram and boy did we get cute little babies :-) The black one is a male and the white one is a female. They seem to have wool like an Icelandic, but time will tell. I'm anxious to see if they maintain the dual coat. Last year, we crossed a Hampshire female with an Icelandic male and the tog went bye-bye, however, the wool was like a brillo pad (haha).<br /><br /><div align="left">Both of the babies jumped right up after they were born and acted like they were already a week old!! The kids won't leave their hands off them :-)----They have these fat little faces!!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49beZBrfQa3OSE_DfjjjVqbbgD7fHReF6i8uQo-MeCffm-1ei9OtR3mkEIBdggMAPzKXujSeykUG0NjRRCC9buU8DrefIjcluRUVIdzvjeG0qjRpaY3E9gQmFPYd_d3qzbgGb7KEMrO0/s1600-h/IMG_2708.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437711182583136418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49beZBrfQa3OSE_DfjjjVqbbgD7fHReF6i8uQo-MeCffm-1ei9OtR3mkEIBdggMAPzKXujSeykUG0NjRRCC9buU8DrefIjcluRUVIdzvjeG0qjRpaY3E9gQmFPYd_d3qzbgGb7KEMrO0/s200/IMG_2708.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4cZQRanMHVKFcDqqWCynbjrwM78a5VX8FIX0Mqk_eOb7uaVhHy4q0UmehTuYg8SHVT6b5Zeq-FHXALnxfX3Thcwa_tmk-FDVLhRQnmDE_SKFyIoNKCIzprBHKS9mzevBNvg4kYAKH1g/s1600-h/IMG_2707.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437711178893668722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4cZQRanMHVKFcDqqWCynbjrwM78a5VX8FIX0Mqk_eOb7uaVhHy4q0UmehTuYg8SHVT6b5Zeq-FHXALnxfX3Thcwa_tmk-FDVLhRQnmDE_SKFyIoNKCIzprBHKS9mzevBNvg4kYAKH1g/s200/IMG_2707.JPG" /></a></div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-73914762631175215722010-02-09T17:20:00.010-06:002010-02-09T18:10:43.754-06:00Blocking the AandF<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge70U8-IRIW-sqKlMEWfSYO8EV4kMED0F6-wnZp8sbaxf3ZMNNMwr1vYwfurdIboa8oGwLJR8HHNmgoNHuqYyKszNg759FGwbVWKETzGXkNzSopHyJYu39A4pd1D58tMGpeTyZtqiZqI8/s1600-h/IMG_2724.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436396985527391058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge70U8-IRIW-sqKlMEWfSYO8EV4kMED0F6-wnZp8sbaxf3ZMNNMwr1vYwfurdIboa8oGwLJR8HHNmgoNHuqYyKszNg759FGwbVWKETzGXkNzSopHyJYu39A4pd1D58tMGpeTyZtqiZqI8/s200/IMG_2724.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>I'm *so* incredibly glad that some of my fellow ravelers talked me into blocking my sweaters. Can you believe that I've never blocked a single sweater I've made? The kids steel the sweaters the moment they're off my needles-----no time to block.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J9uYLGBr8z0lxrVX8K46wgK1Eiwf92fZXxYajaM1eJRroYbPbTAcGibfiHVQRYAJPKCmk_RnFtP821jUWuoS240x7tYBHNkEsh3VfBLjD5S0drnuCuk8lfHP0prATGFhCtZpqcGSHuI/s1600-h/IMG_2725.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J9uYLGBr8z0lxrVX8K46wgK1Eiwf92fZXxYajaM1eJRroYbPbTAcGibfiHVQRYAJPKCmk_RnFtP821jUWuoS240x7tYBHNkEsh3VfBLjD5S0drnuCuk8lfHP0prATGFhCtZpqcGSHuI/s1600-h/IMG_2725.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436397386644021522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J9uYLGBr8z0lxrVX8K46wgK1Eiwf92fZXxYajaM1eJRroYbPbTAcGibfiHVQRYAJPKCmk_RnFtP821jUWuoS240x7tYBHNkEsh3VfBLjD5S0drnuCuk8lfHP0prATGFhCtZpqcGSHuI/s200/IMG_2725.JPG" /></a></div><br />I have one front panel left to knit (it's almost finished) then I'll put the <div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J9uYLGBr8z0lxrVX8K46wgK1Eiwf92fZXxYajaM1eJRroYbPbTAcGibfiHVQRYAJPKCmk_RnFtP821jUWuoS240x7tYBHNkEsh3VfBLjD5S0drnuCuk8lfHP0prATGFhCtZpqcGSHuI/s1600-h/IMG_2725.JPG"></a></div></div>thing together and throw on the ribbing. I think I'm REALLY going to like it :-) I found this thing called a <a href="http://www.camillavalleyfarm.com/knit/woolyboard.htm">WOOLY BOARD</a> and I think I need to have it. Right now, I'm using kids foam playmats and T-pins. Welp.... it's off to the barn I go to see if I have any more baby hamps !!Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-35288896275732256912010-02-03T06:55:00.004-06:002010-02-03T07:55:02.669-06:00The Sheepdog<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCJ7MD1OSsCZ030PDcAScCNsG-zOoWTiOJfLTWZFvQXKxtzY6giISomwopT6jvBoAOSQXf39Mt2CToh1CPz2Zdsx4mcAjFKLAp5IGWioPMIGD-Rg_3GrZwAwoAfBmJDK-tHYml5tvb8o/s1600-h/IMG_2703.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434005180957074338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCJ7MD1OSsCZ030PDcAScCNsG-zOoWTiOJfLTWZFvQXKxtzY6giISomwopT6jvBoAOSQXf39Mt2CToh1CPz2Zdsx4mcAjFKLAp5IGWioPMIGD-Rg_3GrZwAwoAfBmJDK-tHYml5tvb8o/s320/IMG_2703.JPG" /></a> </div><center><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Lamb(left) & Kirby(right)</span></strong></center><br />Oh for dogs and their sheep. It's already happened, we've got a lamb in the house. Not sure why it happens, but we ALWAYS seem to host a few baby Hampshires in our home during lambing season. No other breeds end up in my house..... only Hampshires. They're not very stealthy boogers when they're born, but they sure do beat the pants off any other breed once they're grown.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwHCg8tMf1N3_bqT0qrZSj8L2CfnlGi853Sy6Fo3AIeN5MT-SdbGRwg7nB2lIIVk7CZ5-8C-jOmrK4iorNuqbPsKkvQ-DiBPFoiJo7CHYGTGr-MSauHiQkGtK5Q8R92RI2A0bkamgDG4/s1600-h/IMG_2662.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434011373867852306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwHCg8tMf1N3_bqT0qrZSj8L2CfnlGi853Sy6Fo3AIeN5MT-SdbGRwg7nB2lIIVk7CZ5-8C-jOmrK4iorNuqbPsKkvQ-DiBPFoiJo7CHYGTGr-MSauHiQkGtK5Q8R92RI2A0bkamgDG4/s200/IMG_2662.JPG" /></a><br />At any rate, Lyndsay went to check the moms down at the barn yesterday and came back <span style="color:#ff0000;">ALL FIRED UP</span> about some baby lamb. I trucked it on down there and sure enuff...... we had one with a cold mouth. Up to house she came and I've been tripping over her (and the dog) in my kitchen ever since. Kirby, our French Brittany, has adopted this little <strong><em>'bundle of BAA'</em></strong> and treats her like it's her baby. Mind you, I don't allow animals in my kitchen, EVER. Typically, I run the 'hospital' in my husbands basement shop. Once she can walk..... <span style="font-size:130%;">SHE'S OUTA HERE</span>..... chicken coop bound. Don't ask me how I'm going to separate the dog from her lamb.Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-90993232966167523652010-01-29T06:23:00.008-06:002010-01-29T22:23:16.000-06:00Project & Anxiety Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGHoG_KJdRorO1EQ8U372mc4QXjYR6Mand0VBnzhcNsduJVawXDvJ9pJ4LA5tFckfkUp6jitJeLNZnUhyYrpuO6CqUIsZnDekog86sxNYu_V_94hvxpPKNTmOVc9-HlHzNXInv-N_Fto/s1600-h/IMG_2612.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432139930032102450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGHoG_KJdRorO1EQ8U372mc4QXjYR6Mand0VBnzhcNsduJVawXDvJ9pJ4LA5tFckfkUp6jitJeLNZnUhyYrpuO6CqUIsZnDekog86sxNYu_V_94hvxpPKNTmOVc9-HlHzNXInv-N_Fto/s200/IMG_2612.JPG" /></a><br />Welp, mom's head hugger is finished... I sure hope she doesn't have to use it. We bought her a wig just in case the chemo/rad treatments zap her hair. The <a href="http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/kpatt18.htm">pattern</a> is *super* simple and you could easily crank one out in a few hours.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Bf9sjnHgKKhgPE4PptgiEoMKdcBReVmdbXY06UQja3HhTHHjpcqtpmTYDmR4H6dW-f-vvB345A9OlLgZzbKaGyYjkCSg5f2tNoeK0IXRc38QiALbZjUNBJFYh3e3UXJFOOGED1Ogllw/s1600-h/IMG_2562.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432144996837607026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Bf9sjnHgKKhgPE4PptgiEoMKdcBReVmdbXY06UQja3HhTHHjpcqtpmTYDmR4H6dW-f-vvB345A9OlLgZzbKaGyYjkCSg5f2tNoeK0IXRc38QiALbZjUNBJFYh3e3UXJFOOGED1Ogllw/s200/IMG_2562.JPG" /></a></div><br />My mock <a href="http://stonehillranchsales.blogspot.com/2009/11/abercrombie-fitch.html">'A&F' </a>sweater is coming along nicely as well. I had to reverse the colors b/c I ran out of Shetland. I'm <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>NOT</em></span> doing the whole <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">STEEK</span> </strong>thing<span style="font-size:85%;"> (yes, I'm a pansy-ass).</span> You really must look at the rationale behind my <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>NOT</em></span> wanting to steek:<br /><br />1.) THE SHEEP: I've raised these sheep from babies, nursed them back to health in rough times, busted open ice so I could haul water from a nearby stream for them, shepherded them back (a few miles) when they tried to 'head for the hills', spent an <strong><em><span style="color:#009900;">INCREDIBLE</span></em></strong> amount of money maintaining them.<br /><br />2.) THE WOOL: Hubby then carefully removes the wool---<span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>NO</em></span> 2nd cuts and <span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff0000;"><em>NO</em></span> crap attached. Then I sort the wool and spend and <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">INORDINATE</span></strong> amount of money getting it processed.<br /><br />3.) THE WHEEL: Now I spin the wool on my <a href="http://www.ashford.co.nz/spinning/kiwi.htm">'lil Kiwi</a>. Then I ply it, then I soak it, then I dry it, then it's onto the swift and ballwinder.<br /><br />4.) THE NEEDLES: <em>FINALLY</em>, I get to actually knit with the stuff!! YAY :-D<br /><br />And now I'm supposed to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>CUT HOLES IN THE blankety-blank SWEATER</em></span>??? I'm having an anxiety attack just thinking about it. I can just envision me doing this (sweat on my upper lip..... theme song to JAWS in the background) Ok, breathe deep, get centered..... maybey we'll try it on the next sweater... <span style="font-size:85%;">or the next</span>...<span style="font-size:78%;"> or the next.</span>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-35437937730770334162010-01-25T05:43:00.007-06:002010-01-25T16:59:11.967-06:00The Hamps Are Here!!!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRxPJ6ZgXm2PSJdcFqhLNXxBZu7AYH7hBQYUmBP-b1levB34AytQ1VXooLcDKVjlYqKSTV8LxH_wD3qoJ08pNOLEmDoRcqn8p6nzpOWD2yfi6v2uuXs0wAMlcmmPC8khvV4PJTe9oG-Q/s1600-h/IMG_2623.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 255px; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430653236408760162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRxPJ6ZgXm2PSJdcFqhLNXxBZu7AYH7hBQYUmBP-b1levB34AytQ1VXooLcDKVjlYqKSTV8LxH_wD3qoJ08pNOLEmDoRcqn8p6nzpOWD2yfi6v2uuXs0wAMlcmmPC8khvV4PJTe9oG-Q/s200/IMG_2623.JPG" /></a><br /></div>Well, we're off and running with baby lambs as of yesterday!!! Our Hampshire sheep begin to lamb in January and will continue through February. We also have some Merino sheep that we've crossed with Ilex (Icelandic ram) that will be due in January/February timeframe. The last to lamb are always my Icelandics-----Easter time is when they 'pop' :-)<br /><br /><br />'Sister' had her twin boys yesterday morning. They weighed in at 11lbs & 12lbs and have really <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>GREAT</strong></span> butts on them!! Last year, we bred our Hampshires to a ram that had a bony butt, and hence, most of the babies came out with scrawny butts and skinny legs. This year, we bred the girls to my friends ram up the road. I think all but one took. Hopefully, everyone twins and Lyndsay will be able to have a choice on who to show in 4H :-)<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t3ftGZuUd-7tP1IRIUs55DKA0qu1NuawVMaqEvxnnOf_4KznlZxXR52lD6spENN5Z_3vvFhtV59qPGmbKVPGKEjk9M-_bv5coK_4aR2BWZLx97GOE9aUHd1yYjlYJSCeD1yQBGoDMKg/s1600-h/IMG_2619.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430654890086337218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t3ftGZuUd-7tP1IRIUs55DKA0qu1NuawVMaqEvxnnOf_4KznlZxXR52lD6spENN5Z_3vvFhtV59qPGmbKVPGKEjk9M-_bv5coK_4aR2BWZLx97GOE9aUHd1yYjlYJSCeD1yQBGoDMKg/s200/IMG_2619.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_q2Zj7ew0rDj1jBC_T1jcPYvrrU2EVDO4R7LzkaNzBrhtZxG9bekjlTt2dgD-nVAEF89UHRlUkEdvRSjTNGjDstyfISJ_UGefQP6eu3P59qa9JH51LRXLEc3gvM-oi94s_WAdWCRkgw/s1600-h/IMG_2621.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430654167998253730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_q2Zj7ew0rDj1jBC_T1jcPYvrrU2EVDO4R7LzkaNzBrhtZxG9bekjlTt2dgD-nVAEF89UHRlUkEdvRSjTNGjDstyfISJ_UGefQP6eu3P59qa9JH51LRXLEc3gvM-oi94s_WAdWCRkgw/s200/IMG_2621.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO56mzOW_cTCwYCsxNnXqOLrI06O_VjmHOqTygEl5Oy92nNgJPt0-8kmpAv0o9ovAD5fEGQpaiSN85Qhw054Lxc9VJHwMrCYMnD3rgD6fa8WDunEGi8S5yPEwmZnTRNAFUe2meWZVX4qE/s1600-h/IMG_2622.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430654164981811810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO56mzOW_cTCwYCsxNnXqOLrI06O_VjmHOqTygEl5Oy92nNgJPt0-8kmpAv0o9ovAD5fEGQpaiSN85Qhw054Lxc9VJHwMrCYMnD3rgD6fa8WDunEGi8S5yPEwmZnTRNAFUe2meWZVX4qE/s200/IMG_2622.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="left">I'm going to take a few of the Hampshire fleeces to the processor this month and have them made up into quilt batts. Hampshire sheep are a mutton breed..... not wool, however, their wool may be a cheaper alternative for quilting batts.</div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-46796405854743030122010-01-04T15:26:00.007-06:002010-01-04T16:03:01.429-06:00Good Bye 2009<div><div><div><div><div>I forgot to post some year end projects I finished within the past couple of weeks. I'm really looking forward to my projects for next year (I'm sure the list will be long). </div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>I had a great time making all 5 facemasks-----the <a href="http://stonehillranchsales.blogspot.com/search/label/facemask">pattern </a>is so easy and a great 'between project' relief. No more frozen tears on the kids' cheeks!! I tried to get a little more fancy with each mask I made :-)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9GUSBUbDbx0eXm1cENomyatDW9AwoVyIcNHKzQFYeiY-_UwhlK8Z56VXDjEProIwd63iDPQ6GWDDlPZTBum15CkE46WB1bbaAvX-pqBmhJq7dK22T-sVX2bmkGDWZr-PHag-lXilVus/s1600-h/IMG_2519.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 177px; HEIGHT: 131px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423001689159886722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9GUSBUbDbx0eXm1cENomyatDW9AwoVyIcNHKzQFYeiY-_UwhlK8Z56VXDjEProIwd63iDPQ6GWDDlPZTBum15CkE46WB1bbaAvX-pqBmhJq7dK22T-sVX2bmkGDWZr-PHag-lXilVus/s200/IMG_2519.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZOQ_5jwFNS8L9_rc0Vf6LpSAFEvLldGNu9EO7FOh0RBmdlYO_Z43SUlDAtI2FjosfUvOViQUeo8oF9HgeuHffyIoW2Qg3QJW9iTVjI8IaLPkPdDH2jZ0w8sYJiRfS-FTZ2-ph8yUPW8/s1600-h/IMG_2391.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 119px; HEIGHT: 164px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423001705475234194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZOQ_5jwFNS8L9_rc0Vf6LpSAFEvLldGNu9EO7FOh0RBmdlYO_Z43SUlDAtI2FjosfUvOViQUeo8oF9HgeuHffyIoW2Qg3QJW9iTVjI8IaLPkPdDH2jZ0w8sYJiRfS-FTZ2-ph8yUPW8/s200/IMG_2391.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe_IAl1cPTBPoafMO92bJhaV2xIyQs90h2y5mou-arjk9GdHDY2h9jxY4NwVwNreNxc5IktWyEyJTUqRuABOHBYxO0XVN3Jx0QdoSf-B_Hyft7d_ahK5-Vm_8tqpNrA7_TrwyuWYcKH8/s1600-h/IMG_2498.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 181px; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423001699995180370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe_IAl1cPTBPoafMO92bJhaV2xIyQs90h2y5mou-arjk9GdHDY2h9jxY4NwVwNreNxc5IktWyEyJTUqRuABOHBYxO0XVN3Jx0QdoSf-B_Hyft7d_ahK5-Vm_8tqpNrA7_TrwyuWYcKH8/s200/IMG_2498.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div>Lyndsay's Fair Isle sweater was, by far, the most challenging project of the year for me. I didn't do steeking and didn't follow the 'Fair Isle' rules, but I still had fun and it turned out ok. I'll definitely do the seed stitching again.</div><div> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLHwx5MWGcxDmWLC9hL-q9-8ZhHxcumebKHH8nwWUhoQAsLhvWoTYWAqHajJXC4U2Orw-oxLMUbwZF93ga5FDmjkbv6lcQHa8-haraEM2yiqGb-K0o50StXheFyWhz8bOYi0oMQScSAs/s1600-h/IMG_2517.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 201px; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423001691722839474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLHwx5MWGcxDmWLC9hL-q9-8ZhHxcumebKHH8nwWUhoQAsLhvWoTYWAqHajJXC4U2Orw-oxLMUbwZF93ga5FDmjkbv6lcQHa8-haraEM2yiqGb-K0o50StXheFyWhz8bOYi0oMQScSAs/s200/IMG_2517.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXYcVnx9OpD3Q56Rz1ddHW09Hy0rHXBw6LogmpdbTRdPh-BlzQ7Ij8QPDGy_k3FKPbh7nkklzgtKfkAEu51z53ufYTocpqSJpOcqELN9X6YTMbs3bHx-rdYms2_rEgKl4YgN9VeFK7FU/s1600-h/IMG_2520.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423005663429193090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXYcVnx9OpD3Q56Rz1ddHW09Hy0rHXBw6LogmpdbTRdPh-BlzQ7Ij8QPDGy_k3FKPbh7nkklzgtKfkAEu51z53ufYTocpqSJpOcqELN9X6YTMbs3bHx-rdYms2_rEgKl4YgN9VeFK7FU/s200/IMG_2520.JPG" /></a><br />I really don't even want to post the silk roving tube scarf..... it was a boring project and I'm not to crazy about knitting with silk roving/hankies. I should try spinning it on the wheel next time... maybey it won't stick to my hands so much. The tube scarf pattern is one I made up on the fly..... you really don't need a pattern for a tube scarf :-)</div></div></div></div></div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-26084780623320156432009-12-29T08:32:00.007-06:002009-12-30T20:46:17.605-06:00New BeginningsAwwwwrighty then!!!! I've decided to get a little more organized with my projects (haha)..... <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry </a>has some <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">AWESOME</span></strong> tools for <em>'knitting project management'</em>. I'm really getting into it---right down to joining some <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>GITTERDONE</strong></span> kinda group contests :-) Let's hope it helps. At any rate, here is a sneak preview of some of my 2010 projects:<br /><br /><div><div><div><div align="center"><a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19204284/27092_01_900_x_square.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 75px; HEIGHT: 75px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19204284/27092_01_900_x_square.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19204593/fair_20isle_20sock_square.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 75px; HEIGHT: 75px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19204593/fair_20isle_20sock_square.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19203932/2685655102_553e974373_square.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 75px; HEIGHT: 75px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19203932/2685655102_553e974373_square.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19209595/cover8701_1__square.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 75px; HEIGHT: 75px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19209595/cover8701_1__square.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19209525/8-2_medium_square.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 75px; HEIGHT: 75px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/StoneHillRanch/19209525/8-2_medium_square.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">In addition, I'll FINALLY be knitting the following items: Daddy's sweater, Dale of Norway headbands, Lana Grossa felted slippers, Scarf/Hat for mom, and Lyndsay's 4H project. Yeah.... ok, I'm starting to believe I'll finish these by the end of 2010. All of these projects are part of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/10-in-2010">10 in 2010 </a>Ravelry Group I joined. OHHHH..... the best laid plans :-)</div></div></div></div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-64496522566029549832009-12-09T08:14:00.012-06:002009-12-09T12:28:00.415-06:00The Day the Earth Stood Still<div><div><div>Well.... so much for my knitting/spinning projects. The boyz came in from trapping the other morning and had frozen tears stuck on their cheeks. "<strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I'M COLD..... MY FACE IS GOING TO CRACK OFF</span></strong>". Now, you have to understand that the 2 boyz in question are 6 and 8 years old and are *avid* trappers-----out by 6am in the morning, regardless of the weather, to check their traps.<br /><br />I'd been thinking about facemasks for quite awhile but <em><span style="color:#ffff00;">REALLY</span></em> wanted to focus my efforts on the 'correct' technique for Fair Isle knitting (yep, steeks and all). To make a long story short, I put all other projects down, and began the facemask scarf project. I'll post the pattern below. Now, you have to understand, I'm not a pattern kinda gal..... I knit to dimension, not to a pattern (which is why fair isle is gonna kill me and I don't do cross stitch). The reason I call it the "Scarf Facemask" is b/c the ribbed portion of the mask is quite long and serves as a scarf.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhPRJKcBid33kWHQFDZIyXdMg20r0JidtJ6POW07t9ZhaatJhqU4m4x3rPLtQB8bmzNDZ8uU-ZKF8npVRlfrz5b2cZi-fOOvCFK4eL-dWHPp-VQgLOLcFDyULDK_pHx2wJkITUMV9d0Y/s1600-h/IMG_2391.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413253234000449266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhPRJKcBid33kWHQFDZIyXdMg20r0JidtJ6POW07t9ZhaatJhqU4m4x3rPLtQB8bmzNDZ8uU-ZKF8npVRlfrz5b2cZi-fOOvCFK4eL-dWHPp-VQgLOLcFDyULDK_pHx2wJkITUMV9d0Y/s200/IMG_2391.JPG" /></a><br />I knit the first mask without any 'doo-dads' just to get a base pattern. Then I began knitting some fair isle on the masks so I could practice the technique. I've done a few fair isle projects in the past..... but broke all the rules :-) The mask is SO incredibly easy to make, albeit, it looks like that creature off 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' haha.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><hr /></div><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">PATTERN: Scarf Facemask </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">size - small (21" head)</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Size 10 - 6" Circular needles (or size needed for guage)<br />1 set size 10 double points<br />Guage: 3.5 stitches per inch<br />Yarn: Well, I had to chew up some of gramma's acrylic stash (<strong><em>a.k.a. GAS</em></strong>) but my kids avoid acrylic like the plague (not warm enuff), so I used a strand of handspun wool and a strand of acrylic.<br /><br />Cast on 60 stitches (increase co by 4 stitch increments to get larger sizes). K2 P2 ribbing for about 5 inches (this is the scarf portion of the facemask). K in round for 3 inches. Cast off 18 stitches (for the hole), knit to end. Cast on 18 stitches and rejoin. K in round for 4 inches. Switch to double points when it gets too tight. (K2 together every 4 stitches. K one row) 3 times. (K2 together every 3 stitches. K one row) 3 times. Close top of hat. </div></div></div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-77992823724597712292009-12-04T20:29:00.014-06:002009-12-08T08:12:38.528-06:00The Vest (cont.)<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNcv83JL5WZMHa7HmYSjobHlnlPymqbG_MpIRbago3K36rRrzIWbe_lI7qpi-QffG9ymm1HS-OC_rk4yAKrftLhTEHySHmue5idDQhcuj8tI3XUOaRlsIGF7ozmofUn4-WnkHvXyeBzw/s1600-h/front.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411576403354833266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNcv83JL5WZMHa7HmYSjobHlnlPymqbG_MpIRbago3K36rRrzIWbe_lI7qpi-QffG9ymm1HS-OC_rk4yAKrftLhTEHySHmue5idDQhcuj8tI3XUOaRlsIGF7ozmofUn4-WnkHvXyeBzw/s200/front.jpg" /></a><br />ok.... now I'm thinking a cross between the A&F sweater vest and the American Eagle sweater vest (right), only not so long. I like the collar on the AE vest (not so floppy)...... but I absolutely HATE the whole zipper thing. I think it's kool the way the Fitch sweater closes but I'm really not into the leather belt over a bulk weight vest-----can you say 'FAT'? I'm thinking about a closure that looks similar to a small oriental hairpic..... I think I saw one in Filati. At any rate the pick would make use of the knit, but I can already envision losing it.</div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ahX4fzHa-XG9YGGDJu8Sss3WsR69Gawym48MWFAeoa_WlHw4_9NTGSOKKFNx_ObULQgr4FuJv5TuNUE5Afu-HfMmdT23ecSvNs7K7vHbPSWll4fpJ44_2iwep7gEDVTh5eTr9nGMfzs/s1600-h/IMG_2373.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411588066111091506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ahX4fzHa-XG9YGGDJu8Sss3WsR69Gawym48MWFAeoa_WlHw4_9NTGSOKKFNx_ObULQgr4FuJv5TuNUE5Afu-HfMmdT23ecSvNs7K7vHbPSWll4fpJ44_2iwep7gEDVTh5eTr9nGMfzs/s200/IMG_2373.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb04z_WR2nGTpAFrKVyxz4pMLDxzZqjbMCybSf52NO6cQhUnsgDQOXlZTlQwC_j-8JoEQMv1ufp74zNAYzbbW6TVCnbCogwPQr26vDiyYZU1JW4ha0P3cpRLQRg7YxGBZu6eiXLFPxR4/s1600-h/IMG_2372.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411588072561658162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb04z_WR2nGTpAFrKVyxz4pMLDxzZqjbMCybSf52NO6cQhUnsgDQOXlZTlQwC_j-8JoEQMv1ufp74zNAYzbbW6TVCnbCogwPQr26vDiyYZU1JW4ha0P3cpRLQRg7YxGBZu6eiXLFPxR4/s200/IMG_2372.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><br />Remember that nasty Shetland? Welp, it looks awesome, but it lost some of the 'unspun' look when I set the twist. I decided to knit a swatch using one strand of the Shetland and a 2-ply strand of Petey (one of my Angora goats). So...... it'll be a wool/mohair blend vest. The mohair really softened up the Shetland and added quite a bit of shine.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411580265606327970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P-A6icdFVuwSNpMYHzE45lPUxLdh20Z2f1fl2b3Lzlt2sA5iy-sdZ9gVN6t-ircZNF_TBklcmPyF3GLF_1B65E_WZ6I9kMavV3jBUYHGLhMi_4oj8mc4aGQJoU1lPLfLah5AKQq8Wpo/s200/IMG_1027.JPG" /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">'Petey'</span></strong></div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-11028028225587579162009-11-28T07:40:00.005-06:002009-12-04T08:03:31.763-06:00Abercrombie & FitchOK..... anyone who knows me, KNOWS that I LOVE A&F. If I were younger, and had fewer wrinkles, I'd work there. Ryan and I decided to brave the crowds on Black Friday and pay A&F a visit.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFVwzNdWaE_3mOmr9FE1n9wTvXYGXYnDSFBIOsjiJ9w4SBiP7Dk-0kx9LtEzN3zCpO13xwRseUx_jl37VwKCIDL_1KvLfPXHKq6LXYcingNVbh19apjluemolaVkXkaPHbnnBqbFrwkI/s1600-h/afsweater140.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411379643364484162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFVwzNdWaE_3mOmr9FE1n9wTvXYGXYnDSFBIOsjiJ9w4SBiP7Dk-0kx9LtEzN3zCpO13xwRseUx_jl37VwKCIDL_1KvLfPXHKq6LXYcingNVbh19apjluemolaVkXkaPHbnnBqbFrwkI/s200/afsweater140.jpg" /></a><br />We were greeted by 2 hip looking young adults as we entered the store. We were 'Oh So Focused' on finding a sweatshirt for Ryan when out of the corner of my eye I spy this MAGNIFICENT sweater vest. All hopes for Ryan's sweatshirt went out the window as I tripped over myself getting to the NEW FIND. Where's my camera when I need it??? I really didn't need the camera, as the sweater was so basic. Stockinette stitch in fat handspun singles..... high, thick-ribbed collar.... no finishing on the sleeves or waste. This sweater had to take all of 1 hour to make. The price tag?? <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">$140.00 US</span></strong>.<br />HELLO..... ANYBODY IN THERE???<br /><br />I'm off to the races. I came home and immediately dug thro' my roving stash. Staring me in the face was that crappy ole light gray Shitland..... I mean Shetland. Now, I have nothing against Shetland wool, however, this particular roving I purchased (years ago) was processed VERY poorly. Nonetheless, this roving would do the trick. I spun about 4 oz. and it was so much fun :-) All lumpy and imperfect!! I'll re-create that A&F sweater vest !!Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-31603697968805028592009-11-28T07:10:00.000-06:002009-12-01T07:45:56.399-06:00Fair Isle updateWell....you should get a load of this wonderful seam.... I'll NOT post a pic! Horrible looking >:( It pays to do a little research b4 you start knitting. Come to find out, Fair Isle is typically knitted in the round with a couple of little tricks for matchup: <a href="http://fairisleknitting.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-and-tricks-pass-it-on.html">Jogless Color Knitting</a>. This tip satisfies the 'type A' in me, however, <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">I'M NOT RIPPING DOWN</span></strong>...... I refuse. I'll 'rig' the seam til it satisfies me. In addition, I'm told that Fair Isle is knitted in a tube...... no accomodations for sleeves. You simply <strong><span style="color:#000099;">CUT</span></strong> (haha) a place for the sleeves and then onward 'ho'. I don't think so---that sounds dangerous. I'll be the more 'progressive' fair isle knitter and leave the scissors in my knitting basket.<br /><br /><br />I'm avoiding the neckline of this sweater. It scares me. To seed stitch, or not to seed stitch..... that is the question. I truly hate necklines. Necklines are the part of the project that, if done incorrectly, can make the sweater scream <em>'HOMEMADE by someone that doesn't know what they're doing' </em>(not that I ever know what I'm doing). Case in point: <a href="http://stonehillranchsales.blogspot.com/2009/11/particulars-on-ryans-sweater.html">Ryan's sweater</a>, I love the sweater, but the neckline stinks.Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-59587032503298303132009-11-20T17:58:00.000-06:002009-11-28T06:51:09.296-06:00Hankie-Pankie with silk roving......OH YAY :-D----knitting with silk hankies is such a wonderful experience when you have sandpaper hands. This will be my modest attempt at describing how to knit with silk hankies.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa6bmcz67h58t2F193QamXnD-bKrcIIUr-Dsi9jOJ5Xb6RKJc3lxC2LB7uPaScVB6FQQqwf8zcTR3batU0xau6ALSgF7WyImp4MVANioCrflrh9qH5Z6FZbOfBzRj3vT53u3fQ7yRLUI/s1600/IMG_2307.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406353237056363970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa6bmcz67h58t2F193QamXnD-bKrcIIUr-Dsi9jOJ5Xb6RKJc3lxC2LB7uPaScVB6FQQqwf8zcTR3batU0xau6ALSgF7WyImp4MVANioCrflrh9qH5Z6FZbOfBzRj3vT53u3fQ7yRLUI/s200/IMG_2307.JPG" /></a> First off: PUT LOTION ON YOUR HANDS. If you have dry hands and try to spin or knit with silk, you'll end up with a hairball mess! I bought my hankies at a fiber show awhile back and I stuffed them in the bottom of one of my many roving bins until I mustered enough courage to try this.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqWivy8Q48-CqerJewt-6xgG4XtvoqWYBEchlo52pVddttsOAvwnoYmlcp52yYzY_aQfrYF6zRsZSGMWEtzFGFbUmwz5Mg1njNkSitcSsdDR3mmvAxvbfmoWbIjsJwXZMaiVp5LU6XXs/s1600/IMG_2310.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406354490215281186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqWivy8Q48-CqerJewt-6xgG4XtvoqWYBEchlo52pVddttsOAvwnoYmlcp52yYzY_aQfrYF6zRsZSGMWEtzFGFbUmwz5Mg1njNkSitcSsdDR3mmvAxvbfmoWbIjsJwXZMaiVp5LU6XXs/s200/IMG_2310.JPG" /></a>Silk hankies look just like a pile of hankies when you get them. You need to pull them apart (gently) as you use them. Once you've completed this <span style="color:#ff0000;">MONUMENTAL</span> task, you will draft your roving. Punch a hole with your thumb in the center of the hankie. Then, insert your other thumb and <span style="color:#009900;"><em>PUUUULLLL</em></span> the hankie until you have roving of the desired thickness.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><br />Snip the silk roving at any point so you have one long strand. Now the fun <em><strong>really</strong></em> begins. I would suggest NOT using bamboo needles.... or any wooden type needle as the silk grabs on to rough surfaces. I made this mistake and it took me about 20 minutes to knit one row. Cheap aluminum needles work best. Since I wanted to knit roving instead of spun silk, I used larger needles (size 11) to get the full volume effect of the roving. Now, g'head and begin casting on and knitting. </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx7Yf_EyPcHvWtNWGcQkQdL6lp78uoCB6I-Rg36eBGZqukcNdDYaHZKlBRozTRV6ySK1gkDRSipi1iYyFhHPw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />UH-OH----run out of silk did you? Welp, put your knitting down, go to the bathroom, get another cup o' JO and pull apart <strong><em>another </em></strong>silk hankie and start all over again. But how do you attach the next piece of silk roving you just made?? Hmmm..... wet your fingtips and roll the two ends together is the best I can tell. You don't have to worry about the "fingertip wetting" procedure if you're working with spun silk. At any rate..... you just keep moving along, <span style="font-size:180%;color:#330099;">hankie</span> after <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">hankie</span> after <span style="color:#ff6600;">hankie</span> after <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">hankie</span> after </span><span style="font-size:78%;color:#009900;">hankie</span>...... until you've finished your project.Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-63437153292260066732009-11-20T13:01:00.000-06:002009-11-28T07:03:39.515-06:00Lyndsay's Sweater<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCU9Z-4DYY9Ev3Y25qed1seAvgogbVwhPSq0fW9PqwB_QyNMKca3mz0gudl8B76-QDxcM0Z6yoaJAvEEosryAb9-7HIApgTfQny8A6Hv6b8KwfDMJ4rm8Ek0hA5NOrb1jDHw0ngQqJ_Q/s1600/IMG_2301.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406263612715427458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCU9Z-4DYY9Ev3Y25qed1seAvgogbVwhPSq0fW9PqwB_QyNMKca3mz0gudl8B76-QDxcM0Z6yoaJAvEEosryAb9-7HIApgTfQny8A6Hv6b8KwfDMJ4rm8Ek0hA5NOrb1jDHw0ngQqJ_Q/s200/IMG_2301.JPG" /></a> I bought some beautiful Merino variegated roving from the Blackhawk Spin In this year and decided to use it for Lyndsay's sweater. Yes, I spun another 2-ply bulk yarn. Knitting goes much quicker for me with bulk yarns (too many sweaters to make :-). I used a seed stitch pattern on the bottom and will duplicate that on the sleeves and possibly the neck. The sweater will have drop shoulders.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3NhrOOg0XLcEfE1AtJrgUSM3N4NZYRBb9SZzQ_4nnlbIDomRC14NVXgGKw6kETjnktK5MbE-iat2CI0s8cwvQwL10EwCoHAAaOftDX19JiMhfP-YUCgTD9v6uy9qZyyE3uRke0ZNshY/s1600/IMG_2304.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406265415011307490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3NhrOOg0XLcEfE1AtJrgUSM3N4NZYRBb9SZzQ_4nnlbIDomRC14NVXgGKw6kETjnktK5MbE-iat2CI0s8cwvQwL10EwCoHAAaOftDX19JiMhfP-YUCgTD9v6uy9qZyyE3uRke0ZNshY/s200/IMG_2304.JPG" /></a></div><div>I used the same reverse fair isle technique but with a snowflake pattern that I copied from one of Lyndsay's old sweaters. The black and white yarn are both natural Icelandic 2-ply bulk weights from my own sheep. I spun each in Lopi. Hopefully I'll finish it soon.... I have to put the fair isle in at night when the kids are sleeping or I'll screw it up royally !!! Once again, I use the black stripe as a divider for the mirror pattern.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I'm using circular needles up to the pattern, at which point I knit/purl. I tried using circulars for the whole sweater (easier) but then I have to hide the match-up. I don't think taking the sweater off the circulars is going to make the pattern much more appealing to the eye (uniform pattern around the bodice) b/c of the seamwork that will need to be done...... we'll see.</div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-77621020858488569322009-11-10T09:36:00.000-06:002009-11-28T07:01:58.359-06:00Particulars on Ryans Sweater.......<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Finished Product </span></strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402500269904419058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsgThenJ_a6La3Sh5kYMFoKGKDZRv2-aLg1FW3QbUid3C4JXKoEn8zJ23IheZ6AE23ZCIrYxYl3W0idt726EOR9a0zvzqs1m-rwFfhs7zmuH84uKmDkES7D-jGQoy9Ja3sqQGxeZGaOE/s200/IMG_2248.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">Here's a comparison of the fair isle pattern next to the actual.... I modified it a bit to suit the sweater. I used a red line as a 'separator' in order to reverse the pattern colors.</p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o7Qy3ETxzHeJesAfoZIpQaV2r2_30FbabMv2SEkgKWxpujoqV4Q28bLn_9Wm6NWiMDYvl1THrv-guH0ucuuCrJzobsp_IZkCmjqqGztrZf8AZHHf-i7ZfqJUk3hgRHDZ2GS_3XF145Q/s1600-h/IMG_2249.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 161px; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402505467381719090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o7Qy3ETxzHeJesAfoZIpQaV2r2_30FbabMv2SEkgKWxpujoqV4Q28bLn_9Wm6NWiMDYvl1THrv-guH0ucuuCrJzobsp_IZkCmjqqGztrZf8AZHHf-i7ZfqJUk3hgRHDZ2GS_3XF145Q/s200/IMG_2249.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHwkAgSSON2QsYSLbbq14cCO7M5lCwjksWdIwwucmVZ9CxmBx8DoPHm48NyciY0yTGUeqBZfb1X_vtC-JuPN8QCfjlfs13oyV0WE2NrUZhaBpJSzmxm_2RnIBzHWo_NT2RMJkxGmjRVo/s1600-h/IMG_2252.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 156px; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402505473677183586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHwkAgSSON2QsYSLbbq14cCO7M5lCwjksWdIwwucmVZ9CxmBx8DoPHm48NyciY0yTGUeqBZfb1X_vtC-JuPN8QCfjlfs13oyV0WE2NrUZhaBpJSzmxm_2RnIBzHWo_NT2RMJkxGmjRVo/s200/IMG_2252.JPG" /></a><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o7Qy3ETxzHeJesAfoZIpQaV2r2_30FbabMv2SEkgKWxpujoqV4Q28bLn_9Wm6NWiMDYvl1THrv-guH0ucuuCrJzobsp_IZkCmjqqGztrZf8AZHHf-i7ZfqJUk3hgRHDZ2GS_3XF145Q/s1600-h/IMG_2249.JPG"></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o7Qy3ETxzHeJesAfoZIpQaV2r2_30FbabMv2SEkgKWxpujoqV4Q28bLn_9Wm6NWiMDYvl1THrv-guH0ucuuCrJzobsp_IZkCmjqqGztrZf8AZHHf-i7ZfqJUk3hgRHDZ2GS_3XF145Q/s1600-h/IMG_2249.JPG"></a></p>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-70257168639613846392009-11-07T22:56:00.000-06:002009-11-28T07:02:59.194-06:00Grrrrrr....... that darn hoodie is going to find it's way back into a ball of yarn !! I started it about a year ago and lost the pattern. All I have left to finish is one sleeve and some ribbing.... easy enuff, right? WELL..... I began knitting from the cuff up and screwed the whole thing up. I stuffed it back into my knitting stash and that's where it's going to stay until I can stand to look at it again.<br /><br /><br />On a brighter note, I've finished Ryan's sweater and he was able to wear it to his ice skating get together (he looked handsome for Hannah). It's such a simple pattern and that's exactly what I need right now. I'm 'cyphering' out how to use the same pattern for Lyndsay but on a bigger needle with thicker yarn . I spun some oversize variegated wool top-----wool top, what's with that?? What kind of wool?? Nope, doesn't say what kind of sheep, only that it's <em><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>WOOL TOP</strong></span></em>. Alrighty then, it's just an amalgamation of wool that's had the holy crap processed out of it ?? At any rate, I'm going to do the same reverse fair isle with a snowflake pattern. I'm just a little concerned about the bulk of it all.... that bulk yarn can make some sweaters look sloppy. I spun up some bulk Icelandic Lopi from one of my older sheep to go along with the <em><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>WOOL TOP</strong></span></em> :-) Call me anal, I like to know the breed of animal I'm spinning :-)<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T9dtkZJ7fGPNj76k2c121rPKSxxDHzR0M0yRfryW6HHUOi8ud0eX-c4BOVAaP-NebwiiNYxM7kV6qgs0QfJSw4rN8lcwUBwJySUHyBDCeSXkHc2rXt9hS8vj8kikydfhFmlqxbJ9_1o/s1600-h/IMG_2230.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401600593692280146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T9dtkZJ7fGPNj76k2c121rPKSxxDHzR0M0yRfryW6HHUOi8ud0eX-c4BOVAaP-NebwiiNYxM7kV6qgs0QfJSw4rN8lcwUBwJySUHyBDCeSXkHc2rXt9hS8vj8kikydfhFmlqxbJ9_1o/s200/IMG_2230.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><strong>Here are the stats:</strong><br />2 ply (12) Black Icelandic Lopi/Black Llama blend<br />2 ply (12) White Icelandic Lopi<br />4 ply red acrylic from Gramma's stash :-)<br /><em>**I have no idea how much I used of each. I ran out of black and had to run down to the barn and tackle a black ewe for more fiber.</em><br /><strong></strong><br /><div align="center"><strong>CREDITS</strong></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUOkk216qyqxMUXgxh0JuwpoIf3WaN0juL-9Hfcav9Vafxc0eec_HkWlw7m0JFxyOB1kJZwjL87bXQ1d7dsv5OCjbWMvkilsU9AN_eXvqfgBEwjUBoBJ9hOibBGLsEHskl9vdFAEv-Bw/s1600-h/IMG_2218.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 156px; HEIGHT: 124px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401603135486772386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUOkk216qyqxMUXgxh0JuwpoIf3WaN0juL-9Hfcav9Vafxc0eec_HkWlw7m0JFxyOB1kJZwjL87bXQ1d7dsv5OCjbWMvkilsU9AN_eXvqfgBEwjUBoBJ9hOibBGLsEHskl9vdFAEv-Bw/s200/IMG_2218.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmORdFpFZBDLqBg7aaLNeSsGfg3xxOra0ReiMD9DKmBbW14XaFPz3yrPSdJ3nrbAr9js6zEsqAmuosPe49O_yokNxeYBc5QFigMjYz8SPwZf0cvhPuhuspZ_NnBS-0iIITmyVo4hM1Po/s1600-h/IMG_2193.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 159px; HEIGHT: 122px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401603140178986738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmORdFpFZBDLqBg7aaLNeSsGfg3xxOra0ReiMD9DKmBbW14XaFPz3yrPSdJ3nrbAr9js6zEsqAmuosPe49O_yokNxeYBc5QFigMjYz8SPwZf0cvhPuhuspZ_NnBS-0iIITmyVo4hM1Po/s200/IMG_2193.JPG" /></a> </div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-78906126213630434002009-11-04T10:38:00.001-06:002009-11-28T07:00:35.738-06:00Spinning Birla<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga34r-y6_kDkQbSl6q12lyd_pB738osIfatYAas_sNh5qpJ-SmXmifyOm5ZYA3GnDhnKHfT1yRVQzqtL3HpXlAGAZ0WiVubYxe2PO0sU9TxZEPawbNzBJ5YUr2zEY9FtQ_nvWPzifbCUg/s1600-h/IMG_2227.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 137px; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400297767339597250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga34r-y6_kDkQbSl6q12lyd_pB738osIfatYAas_sNh5qpJ-SmXmifyOm5ZYA3GnDhnKHfT1yRVQzqtL3HpXlAGAZ0WiVubYxe2PO0sU9TxZEPawbNzBJ5YUr2zEY9FtQ_nvWPzifbCUg/s200/IMG_2227.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJObVYeUPP8Tl-R8S0ewCL6x6iUdB4vltXhTfbMSz5RbX6GNibJwH9LXrAlu7jn87lVeZsK-WlkTFznhTiWFGri9FRz_QodLSc9b5ygcKpfUqgjNfv-jc7Dzp-A3tT_QT-PoD8HViYgew/s1600-h/IMG_2228.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 131px; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400297766353623986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJObVYeUPP8Tl-R8S0ewCL6x6iUdB4vltXhTfbMSz5RbX6GNibJwH9LXrAlu7jn87lVeZsK-WlkTFznhTiWFGri9FRz_QodLSc9b5ygcKpfUqgjNfv-jc7Dzp-A3tT_QT-PoD8HViYgew/s200/IMG_2228.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div>Birla's wool is OUTSTANDING !! I pulled the tog prior to processing and it's as soft as silk. Her wool is actually a much brighter red, but pulling the tog makes it look a milk chocolate color. I forgot how satisfying it is to spin her :-) It's about time to knit hubby a sweater.... not sure what kind, but Birla will *definitely* be a part of it.<br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZK6Upj42NaFkVtfY0FN36M8e4V-vNnkoMlEKTDzR91q8ZCR8HVqe5Vel04r5oUf_4MxOyh7SzAksgI3mXUm3G8Dmf-Ktrdn5sMNyZaJaLN5zkzKMJ9SJWHF2U382IO3EVo2gWJ9Lc6s/s1600-h/IMG_2221.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400297772587038434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZK6Upj42NaFkVtfY0FN36M8e4V-vNnkoMlEKTDzR91q8ZCR8HVqe5Vel04r5oUf_4MxOyh7SzAksgI3mXUm3G8Dmf-Ktrdn5sMNyZaJaLN5zkzKMJ9SJWHF2U382IO3EVo2gWJ9Lc6s/s200/IMG_2221.JPG" /></a><br /><strong>BIRLA</strong> </div>Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-18808205559339530422009-10-31T11:36:00.001-05:002009-11-24T10:25:41.017-06:00Current Attempts :-)<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgaPcAARvYFn2dlYUML7Q8Lk4oKTAHn2uSmiPUfrTXGHcPHzvzqWAluET4AgU4qrgJ7a8cLYeXghmbhteS7YTGOiVI52nx27SOiEYUtcjXzriOstbKsavHT7gGITOjTB2blsz0ZCqo-k/s1600-h/IMG_2195.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 142px; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398807808576268834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgaPcAARvYFn2dlYUML7Q8Lk4oKTAHn2uSmiPUfrTXGHcPHzvzqWAluET4AgU4qrgJ7a8cLYeXghmbhteS7YTGOiVI52nx27SOiEYUtcjXzriOstbKsavHT7gGITOjTB2blsz0ZCqo-k/s200/IMG_2195.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3zCHtja1bSavdkiR_JGz7q4PvsurullWZo5mDi0bG0zPIGLeXaL4t3CoyYO7DdcOZS6Uymkzd3oUCNLa4eCkMLEnh1CgKobytxUeQx4CBAFUp9m4sshUgrF-MdojB86q791N0fGL_qY/s1600-h/IMG_2196.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 159px; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398808513448119570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3zCHtja1bSavdkiR_JGz7q4PvsurullWZo5mDi0bG0zPIGLeXaL4t3CoyYO7DdcOZS6Uymkzd3oUCNLa4eCkMLEnh1CgKobytxUeQx4CBAFUp9m4sshUgrF-MdojB86q791N0fGL_qY/s200/IMG_2196.JPG" /></a> </div><center></center><div align="left"><br />I've been working on this hoodie for quite awhile..... I keep changing my mind about button holes or zippers. The black fiber used is a handspun mix of Black Icelandic Ewe & Sarah's Llama. The ladder pattern is made of my late English Angora Rabbits. The sheep didn't like the bunnies running around in the barn, hence, they've gone to a better place. My son now runs French Angoras..... who WILL stay in their pens !!</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHjX5QQp_e3N04WQV33CUUUhGw_ttr7j_0-z__W7HN0ovOOgP-pvO3zHdImAJAl9Pgq1w-LzWnpnU09HpqIjy9CuyfjNnHyZIh8NDLswOR18Z4NftVZ1dN0oURkPa9V0iQf8lxx-Yfuo/s1600-h/IMG_2197.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 148px; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398810291161387282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHjX5QQp_e3N04WQV33CUUUhGw_ttr7j_0-z__W7HN0ovOOgP-pvO3zHdImAJAl9Pgq1w-LzWnpnU09HpqIjy9CuyfjNnHyZIh8NDLswOR18Z4NftVZ1dN0oURkPa9V0iQf8lxx-Yfuo/s200/IMG_2197.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz389V5S7rI9amqm4fEVLZgNS6wk130cGmPaT5gxdYDrwNfLVvtJRlleOXAgt0meVZoc_feX484sCftSREjGSxgmNPiR2Fum7TtmRaVtDWOrjbgZNGPcjPVKO9i3W6t7PqK6m3yqwWcQ/s1600-h/IMG_2198.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 173px; HEIGHT: 131px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398811553922459586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz389V5S7rI9amqm4fEVLZgNS6wk130cGmPaT5gxdYDrwNfLVvtJRlleOXAgt0meVZoc_feX484sCftSREjGSxgmNPiR2Fum7TtmRaVtDWOrjbgZNGPcjPVKO9i3W6t7PqK6m3yqwWcQ/s200/IMG_2198.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />My next project is Ryan's new sweater. I decided on a Scandanavian Fair Isle pattern but I'm not to crazy about the arms. I much prefer drop shoulders as the kids wear their sweaters as coats and they need the extra room inside. I used White Icelandic wool for the background and Black Icelandic wool for the pattern. I threw in a little red acrylic from Gramma's stash :-)Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615268566101276791.post-24357063450349212062009-10-31T10:12:00.000-05:002009-10-31T10:34:13.436-05:00The Woolen Loft......Well, my plans for not marketing wool this year have certainly gone awry. Originally, we'd planned to 'JUST PLAIN ENJOY' the year and attend various wool markets and classes across the country. However..... my loft (where the wool is kept) and my husband are whistling different tunes :-) Not to mention all of my loyal friends and customers who are 'crying' for that MARVELOUS Icelandic fiber. At any rate, just to let you know, I have fired up the fiber sales part of the business for current fiber stock and spring 2010 reserves (I'll post pics of the 2010 lambs in April).<br /><br />Unfortunately, I have no livestock for sale at this time. After only 2 weeks of marketing, we sold half of the herd: UNBELIEVABLE. It's great to see the number of folks who are interested in our sheep. We'll undoubtedly have more for sale in Spring 2010 and I'll be sure to include you on the presale mailer. The downsizing has been a wonderful (but sad) experience. A smaller herd fits our lifestyle right now.Stone Hill Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04566205933584189975noreply@blogger.com0