Tag-Archive for » handspun «

28
Aug 2010

Baby Surprise Jacket

admin

I took a lot of knitting when we went on vacation and had lots of fun knitting and also doing a bit of yarn shopping.  As for knitting, I took several projects but the real project was the EZ Baby Surprise Jacket.  If you’ve never made one, go and run to get the pattern, some needles and some yarn and give it a try.  It’s an addictive pattern and you have to sort of have blind faith that it all work out and turn into an actual garment when you’re done.  and, one row adds after the other and it grows and grows and you just can’t put it down.  It works with all kinds of different yarns but it really is attractive with handspun……… I’m already plotting for several more with one of them that will be made from some handspun that softly shifts from a dark to a light tone of the same colour family.

So, here is my first finished baby surprise jacket and believe me, there will be more.  I don’t think I’ll have the patience to do the adult version but I’m looking forward to other small ones!!

EZ Baby Surprise Jacket - Handspun Yarn

I finished it off with the cutest little heart buttons that I had at home.  I did run out of handspun and I had just shy of 300 yards, knitted on 4mm needles so I’m thinking I need a bit more next time.  I did go out and find the lovely coordinating commercial yarn to finish it off and it actually finished it off so nicely that I might always finish it off with a solid colour…….. don’t you think?

Category: Finished Projects, Knitting, Spinning  Tags: , , , , ,  Leave a Comment
05
Apr 2010

I have so much to catch up on

admin

it’s insane!!!  How could I be so blog lazy for so long???  Did the Ravelympics take everything out of me?  Well, I don’t know but I think part of it is that there is so much going on that the blog always gets the least attention.

I guess I’ll start way back when and go in little spurts untilI catch up……..

After the Ravelympics were done, the first thing I did was finish a pair of handspun socks with some gorgeous handspun from Crown Mountain Fibres.  This had been sitting in my stash for a bit but socks seemed like the thing to cast on.  They were a great knit:

Socks and Fingerless Mittens

Knitted on 2.5 mm Hiya Hiya stainless steel needles (my recent most favourite needles) and just my basic top down sock pattern.  The yarn was the gorgoues SW Merino in She’s Like a Rainbow – 3 plied.  I had quite a bit left when I was done so I decided on a quick pair of fingerless mittens.  I love the set!!!

It’s Easter Monday.  We had a lovely long weekend and I’m cherishing that today is another day off for us.  I’m trying to get all kinds of creative things done around here including some chainmailleing, some picture taking, some weaving, some knitting and some spinning.  My current project on the wheel is some super soft baby camel/silk which is a pure pleasure to spin. 

I will try to keep the updates coming over the next few days!!!!

Category: Finished Projects, Knitting, Sock Knitting, Spinning  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment
28
Feb 2010

Go Canada…….. Go!!!

admin

While the Canadian Hockey team was getting ready to go into overtime at today’s fantastic last sports event of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, I was sitting at my computer, officially crossing the Ravelympic finish line with my projected.  I finished……… YEAH!!!

Here is the collage of my finished handspun Multnomah – it is such a fabulous pattern.  I know I will knit it again – with handspun or with some of my commercial yarns.  It’s a great little pattern.

Ravelympics 2010 - The The Finish Line - Multnomah Shawl

It was a fabulous 2 weeks.  I wish I had taken in more of the action but it seemed a rather large challenge getting around all the people with the little creatures.

I feel accomplished that I got this project done.  During the week, I have to tell you more about my fun shopping trip to my fave LYS, 88 Stitches

Category: Finished Projects, Ravelympics  Tags: , , , , ,  2 Comments
14
Feb 2010

Ravelympics Progress

admin

Nothing much to say today.  The weekend went quickly.  Hubby and I went out for a nice Valentine’s Day dinner (by ourselves) last night.  That was nice but in my own selfish way, I was a bit disappointed that I was left out in our little gift exchange.  We always have a little gift for each kid and I had something special for hubby….. but I guess that’s what happened when your birthday is only a week later.  I really should have bought that camera bag that I really wanted last night for a treat.  I’ve also been scouring Etsy all day today searching for fibre but I really don’t need any new fibre and nothing I just “HAD TO HAVE” popped up today.  So, I am just giving up for today.  Going to try and get the kiddies to bed now and then going back to spinning on my Ravelympic project.

Here’s my progress.  First, still on the bobbin and second, first bobbin is done and showing the rest of the fibre to be spun.

Back to work tomorrow.  The weekends are always so short.  Once I’m done the spinning, I can take the knitting on the road so I’ll be able to make some progress at lunch time and other times even though I might not always be at home.

Category: Ravelympics  Tags: , ,  Leave a Comment
12
Feb 2010

Opening Ceremonies

admin

The Olympics have officially begun.  I thoroughly enjoyed the ceremonies on TV with the exception that the kidlets were not particularly quiet.  They are in bed now……. yeah!!!  I think I am headed there soon, too.

With the opening ceremonies over, I have just spent the better part of the evening starting my Ravelympics project.  Yes, when I came home tonight, my wheel was empty.  The fibre was sitting in my spinning chair and Bugsie was just waiting.

Bugsie waiting for the Workout

As it was time, I used the scale and started dividing up the fibre, trying to get close to having equal halves as much as possible.  It always takes a bit of juggling.

Capri - Ravelympics Fibre

The lighting in my house does not make for great evening photographs but you get the idea.  This is gorgeous fluffiness.  Over the cours eof the evening, I have spun about 1/2 of the first bobbin.  I’m not sure how far I’ll get this weekend with the spinning.  It’s a busy day tomorrow with our regular activities plus hubby and I are going out for a bit of shopping and a nice Valentine’s dinner.  The way the day tomorrow is shaping up, I won’t be home much.  Unfortunately, I also had to bring home some work so I will have to do some of that on Sunday.  Ideally, I’d like to be done with the spinning by about next Wednesday, ready to cast on for the knitting portion of the project around Thursday or so.

Let the Games begin!!!

Category: Ravelympics  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment
17
Jan 2010

Knitting with Handspun

admin

It feels so good……. I’ve been finishing some stuff!!!

I finished knitting my handspun Lacy Baktus scarf.  I really truly enjoyed this pattern.  It’s a quick knit and although, it looks fabulous in commercial yarn, I loved the fact that it looks equally fabulous in handspun yarn.  The yarn I used was my first ever low twist single ply yarn.  I had my doubts whether it was even a knittable yarn once I had soaked and slightly felted it but alas……. the pattern lent itself perfectly to this yarn.

Here are some finished object shots.  I didn’t measure the dimensions but it worked out very nicely.  I think I had around 400 yards or handspun, maybe a little bit more.

Handspun Lacy Baktus

Lacy Baktus in a Bush

And in a fit of finishing, I finally finished this gorgeous pair of handspun ribbed socks made from a fabulous merino/bamboo/nylon blend.  They were a super quick knit because I knit them on 3 mm needles as my navajo plied yarn came out a bit thicker than fingering – probably a heavier sportweight.  I love the colours and how they turned out.  The fibre came from Fat Cat Knits.

4 by 2 Ribbed Handspun Socks - Spring is Calling

There’s something to be said about socks that are a little bit heavier weight.  They are not great in shoes but they sure knit up super quickly.  I did those toe-up on two circs.  You may teach and old dog new tricks, yet.  I do admit though that even in a toe-up sock, I’d rather knit a gusset style heel.

That brings me to spinning and knitting and the upcoming Ravelympics.  Having the Olympics so close to home, inspires me too make sure I participate in the Ravelympics.  The idea of the Ravelympics is to pick a project that will challenge you.  I know I could easily knit a Multnomah during the duration of the Games but I figured my challenge would be to spin for and then knit this beautiful little shawl.  I have now made a decision on the fibre and it will be this gorgeous blue SW Merino/Bamboo/Nylon blend that I just received from the lovely Julie of Julie Spins.

The official day to start is during the opening ceremonies of the Games.  I can’t do much until then but train.  As my training I’m thinking I might try and take a similar fibre and see if I could succeed at a low twist single because if I can, that’s what I’d like to spin for this shawl.  If not, I’ll go to my standard 2-ply because I know i can do that, almost in my sleep.  Mind you, having talked about training, there are a lot of other fibres I’d like to spin like my Crown Mountain Farms January and February fibre club shipments and some other beauties.

But anyways, come back and watch my progress during the Olympics.  As a preview, here’s the fibre I have chosen:

Ravelympics Fibre - SW Merino/Bamboo/Nylon

Today was JR’s forth birthday.  If you’ve been around for a while, reading my blog, back in its old,old home, you’ll remember the stresses around his preemie arrival and then 2 years later his surgery and difficult recovery.  Now, he’s my big 4-year old boy….. it’s hard to believe how fast time flies!!!

Lipstick Boy - Happy Birthday Bud!!!

Category: Kidlets, Knitting, Ravelympics, Sock Knitting, Spinning  Tags: , , , , ,  2 Comments
23
Sep 2009

Warm Fall Colours

admin

It is fall, even though the temperatures are still warm.  This is my favourite time of fall……….. when we still have nice weather, before the west coast rains set in.  Just in time for the fall weather, I finished this scarf.  The warp for this scarf was done in Diamond Yarn Foot Loose which I picked up at my favourite LYS (88 Stitches) while the weft is my own handspun.  It started out as a Merino roving from All Spun Up  It’s a yarn I spun last year.  I’m not so much into browns and greens myself but I sure love how it worked out in this woven project.  The scarf is about 6″ wide and somewhere around 72″ long. 

The pictures show it off best:

On a Fall Day Scarf

On a Fall Day Scarf

On a Fall Day Scarf Detail

On a Fall Day Scarf Detail

 

On a Fall Day Scarf - Just Another Angle

On a Fall Day Scarf - Just Another Angle

I’m definitely enjoying this weaving thing.  As for knitting, I seem to be relegating myself to dischcloths these days and my current spinning project is a gorgeous SW Merino from FatCatKnits is progressing nicely but rather slowly.  I’m also finding myself needing to set more jewelry time aside because shows are coming up……… very quickly………. and my inventory is a tad on the low side.

Mind you, I also did just receive an order of 4/8 unmercerized cotton from Camilla Valley Farms to inspire my weaving a bit more.  There is some I want to attempt place mats with and a table runner I’d like to try.  As well, the natural colour is meant for warp to weave some coasters and place mats with fabric strips.  We’ll see how that experiment goes.  Here’s what arrived today:

Unmercerized Cotton from Camilla Valley Farms

Unmercerized Cotton from Camilla Valley Farms

Well, that’s about it for now.  One last thing, I know my own fault but I think I’ve had my first buyer who got me sucked in………. apparent pay pal troubles, so friendly and nice, a custom order that was needed on a certain date for a special guy…. and let me tell you, getting the order “just right” took me a lot of back and forthing…….. so on the promise of that international money order and not wanting to disappoint, I sent the items.  Well, I really don’t think I’ll ever see that money order.  If I do, I’ll let you all know but if I don’t, I’m hoping that Karma will take care of it.  I know, I know……….. stupid move on my part but I went soft for a moment.  Lesson learned.

Category: Weaving  Tags: , , , ,  2 Comments
27
Aug 2009

Weaving #2

admin

Weaving #2 Project is finished.   The “In the Forest Scarf”.  It came together by using some commercial fingering weight leftovers from a sweater (Sandnes Sisu) in two shades (dark and light) of an olive green and then some fabulous Merino/Bamboo handspun.  I bought the roving from Allspunup and spun it early in my spinning days.  It was also basically a fingering weight in shades of green with some steely blues mixed in.  The warp stripes stripe boldly, the weft stripes along softly.

I’m thinking my sock summit splurge was a good investment, don’t you?

Category: Spinning, Weaving  Tags: , , ,  One Comment
28
Jul 2009

Spinning in the Heat

admin

Well, I’m not, I must admit…………. I haven’t spun since Sunday.  I don’t usually complain about the heat because I tend to like it nice and warm but the kind of heat that we’re experiencing right now is a tad beyond comfortable in our non airconditioned home.  And I really, really hate the fans blowing on me.  So, I’m really not doing much in the fibery department.  Althought I did just separate some beautiful Falkland from Fat Cat Knits but I don’t think I’ll be able to start spinning it tonight.  It’s already late anyways.  I might play with it and get it all prepped for spining but that’s about it.

I did finish my last Tour de Fleece yarn and it was a fabulous Merino/Bamboo blend from AllSpunUp, another favourite seller of mine.

Beautiful Merino/Bamboo Blend

Beautiful Merino/Bamboo Blend

I got around 500 yards at about 20 WPI and in the top left picture of the collage is a mini navajo plied skein since I had so much left over on one bobbin.  It seemed like it took forever to play but I love the finished yarn.

Oh, and shall I whisper it…………. I’ve sort of been bitten by a new bug……  I can’t stop thinking of trying my hand at weaving.  I’m just slowly working on the hubby to see all the benefits of brining a cute little (well, maybe not so little) rigid heddle loom into the house.  Hmmm…. how long do you think that convincing business will take me?  As long as Christmas?  In the next month?  Now, when I get my mind set on something…… that’s how I got the spinning wheel. :-)   Maybe if I don’t spend all my hard earned cash at the market place at sock summit?  Like that’s going to happen…………..

Have a great night.  If it’s hot where you are, find some relief in a pool or in some air conditioning.

Category: Spinning, Weaving  Tags: , , , , , ,  Leave a Comment
19
Jul 2009

Spin, Spin, Spin

admin

This weekend, I finished my 2nd Tour De Fleece yarn.  This one was a lovely merino top hand dyed by Bee Mice Elf.  Laurs is a lovely person to deal with and I have quite a bit of fibre stash from her.

This fibre was just shy of 4 ounces and I ended up with around 280 yards of a sport weight yarn.  I quite like how it turned out but I think I will part with it and offer it up in my shop, once I measure the proper yardage and yarn weight etc.  It might be up later today or it might take a day or two before I get my act together.  It’s supposed to be a relaxing day but it’s not starting out to be a lot of fun.    The kids are fighting over the TV, hubby rented a U-Haul truck to take dry wall waste to the waste disposal place and the kitchen is a mess from not cleaning up after our company last night.  But enough whining.  Here’s the lovely yarn:

Tour de Fleece - Yarn #2 - 100% Merino

Tour de Fleece - Yarn #2 - 100% Merino

The next Tour De Fleece yarn on my wheel is a Merino/Bamboo hand dyed by All Spun Up.

Category: Spinning  Tags: , , , ,  2 Comments
« Previous Entries