I think I’m in love…

If you’ve been reading for a while, or know me in person, you know how intense my desire to surround myself with handcrafted items is. I’ve done a few general review posts, showing some of my favorite Etsy shops and items. Recently I’ve been taking this determination to the next level by trying to purchase from local, California based, indie sellers as often as possible.

Several months ago I took the handmade hygiene plunge and ordered a vegan deodorant from Hiromi at Soap.Etsy.com. It arrived in a little bag full of her bar soap samples. She was quick to email me, letting me know everything I needed to know. Because I (at the time) lived about 60 miles south of the Soap HQ my mega-hippy-super-commie-vegan-deodorant arrived within a couple of days. What happened next? I converted.

It’s been a slow process due to the woes and restraints of a student budget, but I’ve been putting more and more of my hard earned cash into the pockets of people that truly deserve it. I bought I great piece of art (above) from Caitlin Kuhwald, who lives/works/creates in Berkeley. More handmade soap, from Savor (a San Franciscan!) which I absolutely adore (below) in a sweet, yet tart, Rhubarb and Raspberry scent.

What do you think will happen next? I’ve been eyeballing shampoos and conditioners from Gudonyatoo, coasters from Greenchairpress and the skirts made by Idea2Lifestyle. I’m wondering when I’ll have a falling down, abusing my wallet gleefully, and what I’ll get in the mail the following week.

Here’s a sneaky peek at tomorrows update

At 5pm Pacific I’ll list these four skeins in the etsy shop. From the top down they are…

102 yards heavy worsted/light bulky superwash merino, in pretty shades that make me think of storm clouds threatening to ruin your picnic.

118 yards worsted south african fine, lucious purples, pinks and hints of mint, chocolate and sky blue.

98 yards heavy worsted/light bulky superwash merino, it looks like the verbena flowers in my back yard.

162 yards worsted BFL in chocolate, taupe and a bronze/gold. This one is really fantastic!

Update on Thursday Evening!

I’m really excited by how well Little Red Bicycle is doing thus far. I love that friends are spreading the word, that I’m so inspired by the potential in working for myself that I’ve ordered supplies for dyeing and have begun cleaning up my studio. I even organized my office (sort of…) and have made up a list of things I need to buy, things I want to have, and have set up all sorts of automated doodads.

My Ravelry banner went up in the forums today, and it just makes this entire process that much more real. People have begun stashing the yarns they buy, and I know that once someone knits with my handspun I’ll really feel that victorious sensation I’ve been waiting for.

Featherweight Cardigan, by Hannah Fettig (rav link)

This week is going to be a busy one. I’ve got most of the yarn for Thursdays update soaking, I’m determined to finish my Irtfa’a shawl and move on to the easy-peasy tassels for Michaels long-awaited Dr. Poo scarf.

I’ve rediscovered my motivation to knit via a simple cardigan pattern, pictured above. The cardigan only takes 3 skeins of Malabrigo laceweight (!), which can be had via The Loopy Ewe for a mere $27. Sounds like a deal, right? So, my plan is to churn out the WIPs that have been eating away at my will to knit and then reward myself with this cardigan.

After that it’s back to the salt mines, I need to finish a pattern with the Nemo sock yarn. I went through, did all of the math, charted the pattern, and as I was knitting it up I realized that what I was doing was far to complicated to really show off the pretty colors of Wendees yarn. Back to the drawing board.

Pig Wrastling

WIP Wrestling and Tour de Fleece are going on right now. I’ve been trying sooooo hard to keep up with both. Here’s what’s been going on:

WIP:

* working on my Irtfa’a shawl, that was abandoned long, long ago. I’ve added three inches to it thusfar.

* four other projects are in waiting, as soon as the shawl is done I’ll get to them. First in, first out!

TdF Team LSG:

* I’m leading team LSG in TdF, and it’s inspiring! A few people are using this as an opportunity to learn new techniques, spin more evenly, spin for projects, or get back into the habit. Our collective goal is to spin every day. So far, personally, I’ve done at least two hours a day.

Little Red Bicycle news:

Tomorrow there will be an update at 6pm PST with four skeins of handspun:

Top: Superwash Merino, heavy worsted.

Middle: Two skeins of South African Fine, worsted weight

Bottom: A bright and happy yellow BFL, light worsted/dk.

Mmm squishy

More than 220 yards of worsted-to-bulky/aran-weight superwash merino in colors reminicent of baby afghans and pastel easter candies. $26, tomorrow at 6pm Pacific.

Yummy.

little red bicycle south african fine wool 260+ yards, available tomorrow at 6pm pacific at the etsy shop: littleredbicycle.etsy.com

The skein listed today was spoken for in less than a minute, which had me near tears when I received the email from etsy with the title “Purchase from Awesome Person!”  Tomorrows skein is my absolute favorite for this entire 5-day string of updates.

Approximately 265 yards of a worsted weight south african fine wool, dyed in brilliant chocolate, eggplant and taupe colors. While I was washing the wool earlier this week all I could think about was just… keeping it. But, I can’t. I have another skein to myself.

The update will go up with this single skein at 6pm Pacific tomorrow, same time as the updates for the rest of the week. Think you’ll be able to snag this before someone beats you to it?!

http://littleredbicycle.etsy.com

Wednesday, July 1st sneak peak!

230+ yards 100% merino wool in a teal/oxidized copper color

Todays skein disappeared within half an hour. Do you think the same will happen here? 230+ yards of handspun worsted(ish) goodness. This is a really nice squishy, almost crunchy, yarn.

Will be listed at 6pm Pacific, free shipping until July 4th.

http://littleredbicycle.etsy.com

Grand Opening of Little Red Bicycle!

Are you ready?

6pm Pacific, June 30th 2009.

Five skeins in 5 days, each with more than 200 yards to work with.

Free shipping during this celebration!

http://littleredbicycle.etsy.com

Sometimes knitting doesn’t cut it.

Hand embroidered project for a friends birthday. Stalin, wearing a bunny suit, stitched on a fine cotton cloth. Available on etsy.

Around.

A week ago a spinning wheel arrived at my door.

Since then I haven’t been able to get arsed into doing anything.

You know, aside from the obvious.

From the top:

Yarn Love Marianne Roving in “Bayfield Apple” 411 yds, 2ply.

FatCatKnits Falkland Top in “Green Onions” 320ish yds, 2ply.

Pigeonroof Studios South African Fine in “Bronzed Teal” 500+ yds, 2ply.