Spinning Karma

I was wondering why my spinning was progressing so smoothly this week. I believe it is because I enticed Rosemary over to the dark side! She's just started spinning and already she is producing beautiful yarn!


I'm working on a Polwarth blend from Joybilee Farm. I had been hoping to see them this year again at Fibrefest as I love their Peppermint soap. They aren't on the list of exhibitors, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Teaser

Yes, it is already promised to someone.

No, I did not buy a new wheel.

Pink, Yellow & Green? Uh oh.

I have a well documented problem when it comes to embracing certain parts of the colour spectrum. I could have gone a full year in blue/white/grey (retrospective is coming).

For the next 2 months, I am going to try to find and use as much pink, yellow and green as possible in my stash.

On the list right now, the baby pink bonnet and bootees for my niece (Dale Book 142),

socks and very bright, cheerful roving.

Any words of advice on spinning the roving? It was sold as one length of green and one length of pink/yellow multi braided together. I'm afraid that when I ply them together I will end up with a mess.

Dusk

A gorgeous batt from Oregon Flock and Fiber 2006 that is quickly becoming a beautiful yarn. I took advantage of our brief glimpse of sunshine earlier this week and snapped a picture. The subtle variation of colours is delightful and it truly captures dusk at springtime in my neighbourhood. The pinks of the cherry blossoms and hyacinths and the moodiness of the sky, trees and mountains.

UFO roundup

The UFO Resurrection Challenge is a bit of a mixed blessing so far.

I've been working on my February UFO project, Pebbles (started the front neck decreases and I've started the armhole steeks). I think I can get the body done by the end of the month and start on the sleeves in March.


I've been working on my old Socka socks (January UFO project) and I've reached the ribbing on one (toe-up) and I'm about 20 rows away from the ribbing on the second sock.

I haven't been working on the Raku Suri Stole recently and I need to pick that up again before it becomes a UFO. It would be cheating to make it my March UFO project so I'll have to go diving in the yarn-room and see what's lingering in there. Something lighter to welcome Spring?


I have at least started on my stash additions from Madrona. This was a beautiful smidge (just over 2 ounces) of superwash merino and alpaca from the Artful Ewe. The Flame's winter hat is looking ratty and I think this will be just the ticket. Manly colours and a soft hand.

Madrona

I'm home, and recovering from too much fun visiting with friends. I had a wonderful time seeing everybody and came home with a wee bit of new stash (I was very good, not as good as Denise, but very good) and some new ideas.

I think these photos pretty much sum up the weekend. (No people shots, I think I was too distracted).

Good friends (Thanks Marti! Bob loves Mini Bobbi)


Beautiful things (One day, I will learn how to make these like Vanessa).


Fibre (Thanks Kerry!)

Im-ply-ing!

I'm really happy that my plying has been improving over the past year. I love my earlier handspun yarns, but they are better suited to lace knitting than garments. Drapey, on the verge of too-loosely plied yarns. More twist in the single was the solution and my finished yarns have improved bounce and loft. Now can I spin for both lace and garments! I think even more twist and I will have mastered sock yarns.

Small successes and a teeny setback.

I've been battling that nasty virus that seems to be lurking around 'most everywhere these days. It's made me pretty grateful for the little things (and some Big Things too, scroll down for the MSF/KWB total).

The Flame's pretty handy in the kitchen even if he insists in making (Spinach) Pie are Squared.


I finished the Flame's first ever pair of hand-knit socks. There are some fit issues to fine-tune but we're both quite pleased. The Flame is pleased with his warm toes, and I am pleased that I did not get bored with knitting men's size 13 socks. They are about twice as long as my little size 6s.


I spun up the first bobbin of Tamarillo for the mind-reading, awesome-cookbook picking Knitbrarian.



I unmasked my Secret Pal! She has designed the most beautiful pair of socks and inspired me to go dye some sock yarn so I can test-knit these babies.

I'm practising Doing this month. Unfortunately, that meant that following the pattern for the Suri Raku was a mistake on my part. For whatever reason, the swatch god(s) decided that while I should use the specified needle size for the squares, and achieve a satisfactory result. I was not meant to use the smaller (yet still specified) needle size for joining the squares. Nor was I to use the next size up. Apparently, I was just supposed to continue with the same needle size. Huh.

Off to the dye-pot.