A Whirled Yarn

We are going green Baby!

We have been trying to reduce our carbon footprint dramatically and are feeling pleased with ourselves (though we still have a way to go).  We replaced all our light bulbs with the CFLs.  You know, those funky, coiled ones that cost about 6 times more than the regular ones.  And guess what!?  They are so worth it!!!  They last like 5 years and our energy usage has been cut in half (although Whirled Son #1's slight boredom with the Xbox may also have something to do with it..).  We also recycle nearly everything.  All the basics, ...plus Mr. Whirled revels in taking most larger things apart into their recyclable components.  I really just need to get him a blowtorch and let him make us some yard sculpture.    We've started a compost pile for kitchen waste (we already have "Manure Mountain" on the back forty) closer to the house so that it is not a major, tick-filled chore to take it out.  I'm weaning myself off the dryer (clothes line drying takes a little advanced planning...not my strong point).  We never use hot water for clothes washing and I never heat dry the dishes.  We have also started trying to eat organically and locally.  I will be posting more on that issue as it can take quite a bit of detective work to find local food sources.  A wonderful resource is LocalHarvest.org. 

We still have a long way to go.  We are participating in the Low Impact Week Challenge and have quite a few areas to work on.  Especially water usage (I have just got to turn that faucet off when I brush...I am so lazy!) And what to do about cars when you live 5 miles from town (or 15 miles from work) and there is no public transport to speak of and can't afford a lovely new hybrid? (I really, really want a hybrid, sigh).  And there is plenty more.  So please join us, if we can do it, so can you (believe me)!  It's fun, saves you money and makes you feel really good. 

Of school and wool...

Well, I'm back...I hope.  What a spring!  My website has been sitting empty while the rest of my life has whirled like mad!  First, since mid-February, I have been homeschooling my eldest.  He is a fantastic, sensitive and wicked smart kid who just could not deal with third grade.  He said he felt "uncomfortable" and cried every day.  He had a hard time sleeping, acted like reading was a chore and was cranky and fussy with everyone at home.  I never in my wildest dreams imagined me homeschooling (okay, maybe when my son was 8 hours old and I was not going to let anyone else touch him, let alone send him to kindergarten in five years!).  We had a blast...an absolute blast.  And I learned so much!  Plus he could sleep again, he played and had fun again, and read like a maniac. Of course, I got nothing, nada, zip of anything else done.  But now school is over, he has his 2 best friends in his class for next year and life can get back to normal ....yah...right.

Remember my pathetically coiffed sheep? 

Well I have been scouring, scouring, scouring and picking, picking, picking and carding, carding, carding.  Then I start all over again.  (I could really be flying through this if other people in my house didn't need to eat and wear clean clothes.)  I've been thinking about doing up a scouring tutorial since I do it all a little different than everyone else...we'll see.

We have also decided to become a little more self sufficient here at Settlers Farm and be committed to reducing our footprint as much as possible.  I will post more on that soon.

I recently (as of yesterday) finished two sweater projects that have me so happy!  First is Simply Marilyn from an old issue of IK.  Of course I didn't use the same yarn (Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Bulky) I used good old Lamb's Pride Bulky.  I couldn't get the same gauge, so I adjusted that.  I also thought their measurements were huge, so I made it much smaller. Despite all that, it came out looking just like the picture!  And I love it!  And the weather turned all nasty so I could wear it!  Joy, joy, joy!

I also finished this one from the same IK.  It was really quick and easy.  It called for Berroco Zen, but I had Colinette Giotto.  So I adjusted for gauge again.  It came out awesome...not so cute lying on the table...but very cute on.  Bring on the miserable spring weather!