Sweet!...

Ken always shakes his head at my gadgets, but even he thought that this one was a winner.  Let me introduce you to my new electric ball-winder.  Yep....electric. :)  I found this one on Ebay...it's made by hague.

As you know I frequently work with lace weight yarns and winding them with a hand crank ball winder usually works fine, but lately I have been having some problem with my shoulder and arm.  I know it is from repetitive motion, but that is the nature of the beast with what I do. 

Last week it was hurting to the point where I had to take a few days off, which I hate to do...but the arm was useless.  It was on that day that I decided I would make my life a wee bit easier with this new gadget....and let me tell you, it is wonderful!  It doesn't save any time when it comes to winding, but it is going to help save my rotator cuff. :)

Coming down the home stretch....

Speaking of arms.....I am on the last sleeve of Acer...wheeeeeee!  The nice part about knitting from the top down, is that I will actually have sleeves that will fit me.  :). 

Margene had warned me that Beaverslide grows when it is washed and my swatch told me that as well, so I went down a size.  I also went down a size anticipating some more weight loss as well.  I don't want another huge sweater...but I know I am probably going to have to give this a hard block as I haven't lost as much weight yet as I hope to. 

I have to admit, I slacked off a bit on the scale in February, but with March here and spring around the corner I am back at it and looking forward to wearing Acer to NH Sheep and wool.

The only thing left to complete Acer other than the sleeve is the buttons.  Do any of you know some good on-line places to shop for nice buttons?  We do not have one single store up here that sells buttons other than Walmart....and I'm not going there. :)

Next on the Horizon....

Now that I am almost finished with my sweater, I have cast on for Maplewing.  With a cast on edge of 522 stitches, I haven't gotten too far, but I am really looking forward to this knit.  I am curious to see how this colorway works with the pattern so it will be fun.

A new sweater is in the queue as well.  I will share that with you next week. :)

Comments

[JessaLu]

*jealous* ;o)

[Renee]

You're busy!!
Looking forward to seeing your Maplewing. :)

[anne]

wow, the sweater looks awesome; can't wait to see it on you.
and the maplewing . . even as a cast-on it looks beautiful!

[Gina]

I see someone already mentioned www.buttondrawer.com. One other is www.movingmud.com. Love the new winder! I am all for saving body parts... Can't wait to see the finished sweater.

[Laurie]

Busy grrl. Must protect the joints. Save 'em for knitting that beautiful stuff!

[Kathleen]

Can't wait to see how Maplewing looks in Mama Mia. I think it will be beautiful. On Etsy there is a button store you might want to look at for your Acer sweater. You can do a search under Thebuttonshop and it will pull it up. I did see some purple buttons if that's the color you want but there are also lots of other buttons you might find interesting. Love your new toy - can't imagine how much fun it must be to watch! What a life saver for your arm and shoulders though. Good luck with finding buttons!

[gayle]

Can't wait to see your Maplewing. That shawl has me completely gobsmacked.
Love the color of your Acer!

[Rene]

You're Acer looks great, love the color. I am making the sweater also, in the Wood Rose heather Beaverslide color. I just ordered some wood buttons for it from ascuteasabutton.com.

[Beth]

Congratulations on your new winder! Maplewing is going to look lovely with your colorway.

[Linda M]

waiting eagerly for my Maplewing kit to be shipped. I hope it won't be too long!

[Jean]

Oh dear God. You're killing me. Now I want one! I gotta buy a house this Summer. I can't spend any more money! lol.
Acer is coming along nicely and I love that you're starting Maplewing. Can't wait to see it grow.

[Melanie]

Acer is looking lovely!

Try buttondrawer.com for buttons. I've ordered from them several times and have been very happy with their huge selection and fast shipping.

[Kathy]

Acer looks great -- I just bought some tweedy green yarn that might be great.

I'm with you on the weight (notice I did not have black boots at SPA either). I am getting back to business though and even got up this morning at 5:20 (I don't like getting up that early) to get on the treadmill before work. Maybe we should try more regular check ins . . .

[Lorraine]

Kim- I don't think you can go wrong with any color.

I hear you about the weight thing- I gained some back, and am having an issue with losing again.

We'll get there.

[Wool Winder]

If I wound as much yarn as you do, I'd buy an electric ball winder too. Take care of your arm.

[Kate]

ohhh.... must.buy.electric.ballwinder! I have been searching for an oversized ball winder... mine can't handle anything over 300yds in worsted.

I know what you mean about knitting *ahem* smaller. My wisteria is planned at 3 sizes smaller than currently worn... wishful thinking for next winter. if my trainer has any say, it'd be 6 sizes smaller...off to the gym for a workout!

[Anne]

Acer looks great! I like The Button Shoppe (you can google it for the link). They have a pretty nice selection and good service.

[margene]

Way to go!! May it give you hours of freedom! Try etsy for buttons...there are eleventygazillion choices.

[Carole]

That electric winder is intriguing looking! Acer is growing, mine is, too, and hooray for starting Maplewing.

[tiennie]

I want to make Acer - that looks like something I would love to wear!

An electric winder?! How cool!