Spinning; Consistent yarn

ThreadLover Leave a comment

Today, I finally got a chance to spin and here’s what I spun!

Handspun merino yarn_1 4.8.16
Handspun merino yarn

More merino! Look, it’s fairly consistent and my handspun yarn is fingering weight yarn! See! ☺️

image

Also, I ordered a tiny amount of raw Shetland wool from an Ebayer. Say hello to Sissy? Isn’t she cute? I can’t wait to spin some of her wool.

This seller is new to me, so I did not go crazy with the fiber amount, If I like the quality, I’ll be ordering more. I must say she’s off to a great start, she sent me an email a few hours after I made the payment and told me she would try to mail my package tomorrow, but if not then definitely on Monday.

We’re supposed to get some snow this evening, about 2″ and an additional 1″ tomorrow. Sounds like a perfect day to be snuggled up by the wood stove, perhaps eating chowder, spinning, reading and bonding with my daughter as she serenades me with her guitar.😍

 

Knitted Knockers: Knit prosthetics

ThreadLover Leave a comment

Yesterday, this organization came across my Facebook feed. Despite the slight embarrassment at the name, I must say I’m intrigued with the organization. Since I do enjoy knitting and donating to those in need, I bookmarked the website and returned when I had time to learn more about Knitted Knockers.

I most likely will start making some of the knit prosthetics so they can be distributed. I will check at my local organizations first, to see if they have a need for them. If not, I’ll send my knitted knockers to the organization.

If you need guidance, there’s a video tutorial, broken into three parts, to assist you while you make the knockers.

Knitted Knocker Tutorial – Part 1

Knitted Knocker Tutorial – Part 2

Knitted Knocker Tutorial – Part 3

Spinning, dyeing and reading – 4/6/16

ThreadLover 2 Comments

Brr… is it chilly! I’m wondering where spring might be hiding? Last evening, the temperature dropped to 29F, and today it’s in the 40s. I’m not complaining, I’m still outside gardening and enjoying life and of course I have been spinning, knitting and dyeing.

Handspun dyed yarn_2 4.5.16
Handspun yarn that I dyed with Wlton’s icing dye

Yesterday, I dyed the above handspun yarn. There should have been a third; however that skein came undone in the washer, while using the washing machines spin cycle. I’m undecided if I want to spend the time unraveling to turn into a lovely yarn cake. Part of me thinks that I should, the Wilson dye did a lovely job coloring that yarn hank… I just need to find the time to do so.

Handspun dyed yarn_3 4.5.16

I’d dyed the above last week.

Handspun dyed yarn_1 4.5.16

Since I was on a roll with my Boye electric yarn ball winder, I decided to turn a few more of my handspun skeins into yarn cakes. I did not dye this yarn.

Merino wool and silk
Merino wool and silk

The fiber was already dyed when I made the purchase. See, this is what some of my yarn looked like before it was spun. This colors for this roving is gorgeous!

Handspun dyed yarn_4 4.5.16

Here they are all together, looking quite colorful. I still have several more skeins of yarn to dye from my desiignated handspun yarn box.

Later today, I’m hoping to be able to do some spinning. Monday, I received about two pounds of raw llama that I need to clean. It has very little VM (vegetable matter) and it feels incredibly soft.

Books 4.6.16

Also, here’s a peek at what I’m reading.

  1. The MacArthur Study Bible – I’m rereading the Bible and have just finished reading II Chronicles 3
  2. Breadcrumbs – This is a preteen book. I’d purchased it for my daughter; however, while she’s finishing another book, I decided to read through this one. I’m almost finished and while I do like the book, I feel that it borrows from other books a bit too much. I can definitely see Chronicles of Narnia and the Ice Queen in this book a lot. There were a few more, but they escape my mind right now.
  3. Spinners – I read this book a few weeks ago. This is a retelling of Rumplestiltskin, but from his perspective. I loved the spinning references made throughout the book and enjoyed it so much, that I’m going to read it again.

I’m linking too, Ginny’s yarnalong and Stitch Along Wednesday.

Resources:

  1. Cobberson & Co. – Free handspun yarn labels

 

 

Sewing: Couture shirts

ThreadLover Leave a comment

This week, I’m pulling out a few of my sewing machines. Why? I need to make a project bag for my swap partner. I still have not decided if I’ll add machine embroidery to the bag. It depends.

Woven scarf with 32 Krmoski Harp_1

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’m using some of the loom woven fabric, that I created a few years ago. Thus far, this is my most favorite fabric that I’ve created.

image

 

Also on my “sewing task list” is creating a few shirts for my father. I haven’t made button down shirts in years; however, my interest was sparked when I saw an amazing paisley shirt created by Christopher Nejman. I mainly design/sew dresses and the occasional skirt.

The above book came highly recommended by Christopher Nejman (I’ve written about him below) a member of a Janome users group where I’m a member and also a few members of an Adult Sewing forum where I’m a member. It’s not “adult” because of the content. The group owner is Christian, it’s “adult” because that’s the only type of clothing that is posted there… clothing for adults.

But back to sewing shirts…

I figure my father would be the appropriate guinea pig. He has plenty of suits and shirts; however, I want to spice up his shirts a bit with some patterned fabric. You know I’ll be playing the daughter card; however, I will use colors that he does like. 🙂

 

 

Labels for my handspun yarn

ThreadLover 2 Comments

Today, I added labels to the handspun yarn that I dyed yesterday.

Handspun yarn with labels_1 4.1.16

But first, I wound them with my Boye electric yarn ball winder. I love center pull yarn balls. Afterwards, I covered the yarn with colorful labels. Aren’t they pretty? The labels were printed on card stock. I then used my paper trimmer to separate the labels; there are three labels per page.

Handspun yarn with labels_2 4.1.16

If you check the back of the label, you’ll see that there’s even a spot to put additional information; such as, care instructions, fiber type and yardage. As I already mentioned, these are some of the first handspun skeins I made with my Kromski Sonata. Even with all their flaws. I love them.

This evening, I managed to spin a bit more, while my daughter serenaded me with her guitar. The guitar is the newest instrument that she’s learning. This Wednesday, she received the guitar as an early birthday present. Once her homework has been completed, she’s been strumming her guitar. She started playing the piano at the age of six.

Resources:

  1. Cobberson & Co. – Free handspun yarn labels