Wool Dryer Balls

I quit using fabric softener sheets a long time ago. Well, I quit purchasing fabric softener sheets a long time ago. I just did not feel right adding more chemicals into our living space, but still didn't care too much for having my clothes hug me in an unseemly manner. I have tried the DIY softener sheets using coffee filters and Shaklee fabric softener liquid, rags soaked in liquid fabric softener, and those really loud banging around in my dryer plasticish balls that have the sponge inside of them. I must admit, I have not been too impressed.
This weekend I made my own set of wool dryer balls.

Wound and secured

Prepared for washing

Washed & dried 3 times to felt

Wool dryer balls are supposed to save money, energy, and drying time. They contain no unwanted chemicals and are made of 100% Pure virgin wool containing natural oils.

I used Fisherman's Wool from Lion Brand Yarn. The color I had on hand was Oatmeal.

Tator Tot is Born

Finally, our baby Tator Tot is finished! He is a happy healthy monkee based on Monkee Maker's pattern.

My next monkee will be created on the USM.

I'm proud to say that his last stitches were formed while I was watching a Metallica biography.

Ok... this is not Tator Tot... but this is the look I get when she thinks that she is right and I am wrong.

Eden seems to think I may be off my rocker since I told her that Tator Tot is technically her uncle... yet he is a monkee's uncle.... see the looks I get when I try to have a deep meaningful convo with my grandmonster?

Eden's Cape Day 3

I decided this version of the cape should be constructed in three pieces (front, back, and hood). Then Eden decided it needed some white trim.

Yes, Meka has her head on a pillow. She is such a spoiled baby.

I spent most of my Thursday 11-11 weaving in yarn ends and crap-stitching. Couldn't get any photos to load.

Eden's Hooded Cape Update

I was pert near finished with Eden's cape and decided that I did not like the direction it was taking. So... Yep I ripped it our and started over.

Big Daddy downloaded "The Wire" and I worked on Tator Tot through a couple of episodes.

Little Red

Wow! It is after 10 PM and I am just now finishing up an assignment for school.

I did get a few rows in this morning on Tator Tot and started a red hooded cape-thingie for Eden. Over all, it was a frustrating mess!

The was a weekend of darkness and misty weather, the dogs tracking muddy paw prints on my hardwood floors and O my aching back! I did manage to get the floors steam-mopped.

Hey, looks like I was not as unproductive as I thought... GO ME!

Tank Top for Eden

This has been a very dark, very could have been dreary weekend. I know technically, the weekend was over yesterday. Big Daddy was off from work and the kids off from school so I'm call'n it the weekend. Eden was looking at my yarn and picked out a variegated skein that I had purchased to make another tam. She needs another hat like... well... This is what we came up with for my 11-11 project for today.

The yoke an body are knitted separately and then kitchener stitched together. 

GRRRRRRRRRR!!!! It is simply too dark to get a good picture of the tank.

The second row has a few eyelets to give a soft scallop to the bottom.  Then I single crocheted a row along the edge followed by a row of crab-stitch.

The photo is too dark to see the detail... I just had to use it for the Cutie Pie in the pic.

The neckline has a row of single crochet and a row of crab-stitching. The sleeves have a single row of crab-stitching.

The back of the neckline is lower than the front.

Tator Tot is my 11-11 excuse to fondle, bend, twist, and caress fibery goodness today.

Heather has issued a "fibery goodness" challenge that is designed to get one's Mojo back. I'm in... not sure if I ever had Mojo and I'm not sure what Mojo we're tawk'n about but I WANT MOJO DAMMIT!!

Heather's rule of engagement (Yep, I smurfed em... )

11 Minutes for 2011 Rules (For Heather Thompson)

1) I will spend 11 Minutes in pursuit of Fibery Goodness EVERY DAY of 2011.

2) I will make notes and blog entries detailing each day’s pursuit.

3) Thinking about knitting without a specific project will not count.

4) Spinning, hand knitting, crochet, yarn shopping, meeting attendance, class preparation, class time, fiber bearing animal and plant care and collection all count!

5) Reading counts but only if it is pattern, technique, or industry related. Reading a Debbie Macomber book does not count, sorry!

6) Posts must be made daily.

7) Writing blog entries does NOT count!

8) In the event of my death, maiming, dismemberment or significant illness a Doctor’s note will be provided!

9) No quitting just because the MOJO seems to be back.

10) Napping with or blankly staring at yarn, tools and books does not count.

11) Failure is not an option.

I haven't settled on my own rules just yet... I'm tired cuz I stayed up until 3 A.M. watching the last season of Dexter. My back was hurting too much to lay down. WHINEEEEEE

Tator Tot is my 11-11 excuse to fondle, bend, twist, caress,  fibery goodness today.

I have been working on Tator Tot off and on for about two weeks. When the grandmonsters are napping I don't use the USM because the click-click-pop-click is not conducive to speeding up the winding down processes. I do tend to Bondercise quickly! So, I work on hand-knitting projects and Tator Tot is what is filling my relax knitting time.

HE IS TAKING FOREVER!

Tator Tot legs & feet

Tator Tot hands