First handspun project

So much news.... Shiela's wheel is working well, I've produced the first yarn from Mum's friend's sheep's fleece, and I have found a nice project to start.

This hat is one of the patterns in a recent issue of 'The Wheel', Ashford's magazine ( http://www.ashford.co.nz ). it's a real inspiration - I got a copy when I ordered some bits and pieces from the Alpaca Spinner ( http://www.thealpacaspinner.co.uk/ )



I love the statement on this pattern 'Size: to fit average head'. I might need to make mine a bit bigger.

This is my first little sample of yarn from the sheep pictured in an earlier post. My spinning is getting better, it's thinner and more consistent. (I made this first sample on the drop-spindle, but you can see that I've done quite a bit more on the wheel now.)

Spinning a yarn

After a bit of a lull on this blog, and with the long Winter evenings heading our way, perhaps it's time to pick up the needles again.

Whippetsgalore and I decided to take an activity holiday with Skylark Holidays. They offer self-catering and B&B accommodation and tuition in a range of activities. The accommodation couldn't be more attractive. This is the Chop House at Willington, Derbyshire. It's beautiful inside and extremely comfortable.



Our tutor for the weekend was the lovely and very talented Alison Daykin. Here she's demonstrating spinning on her wheel.



We started the weekend by learning how to select and wash a fleece, and then began to spin using a drop-spindle. It's a very simple, inexpensive and effective device.



We finished the first day by learning to use a treadle spinning wheel. The gentle, almost hypnotic rhythm of the treadle and simple action of drawing the fleece make this a very relaxing hobby.



Here are some of the results of our labours! I hadn't expected to produce very much yarn (though I had taken some needles with me just in case!) but even using the drop-spindle, the yarn grows quite quickly. The fleece on the drainer is some that we washed at the start of the day, and the yarn hung over the tap is that which we made using the drop-spindle on the first day.


This young lady belongs to a friend of Mum, who was kind enough to give us some of the fleece from her sheep.


You can't tell from the photo, but this raw fleece smells quite pungent. (They're not clean animals.) There are some lovely tones here, from black through brown to cream.


I've been practising using my drop-spindle, but I decided I'd love to have my own wheel. After just a short time I found this eBay bargain. I love my new wheel, though it will take some love and care before it's usable. It was listed as being 'for decorative purposes'. All moving parts move; some bits and pieces are missing or broken, but nothing that can't fairly easily be replaced or mended. It's dull and dirty, but I'll enjoy cleaning, oiling and polishing it.



Some initial research (a lunchtime spent googling 'spinning wheel') told me that this is an upright design, or 'castle' design (on account of its looks). It's a double-drive and has a distaff (the tall vertical bit which goes way off the picture). This can be set to the left or the right and holds your fleece for you.

Cozy Poncho

I have been snowed in, and along with cooking and watching movies, I have been knitting like my life depended on finishing this project over the weekend. The pattern called for a double strand of worsted weight yarn, but I used a single strand of chunky instead, Encore Chunky which is 75% acrylic and 25% wool, washable. I especially like that it's washable because of the light color. I can imagine spilling all kinds of things on this poor poncho. I had an extra leather-covered button, so I sewed it to the front just to add a little something extra.

Usually when I finish a project, I am so sick of the pattern and yarn I never want to make it again. But this was so quick and easy, and the simple cable pattern made it interesting. I would definitely make this again, although I wouldn't want another snow-bound weekend, at least not until next winter. Here is the free pattern.

added later: I forgot to mention that instead of using two strands of worsted weight, I used one strand of chunky weight. I also made it slightly smaller than the pattern suggested.

Ruby - Finished

Here's Mum (whippetsgalore) modeling the finished ruby bolero. A project seems to expand to fill the available time and this was no exception. We were still weaving in ends as the guests started to arrive! I'm so pleased with the finished item; it fits perfectly and looks very good.



This picture was taken exactly 40 years ago, and had been cleverly added to the top of the anniversary cake so that everyone could see what a fantastic looking couple they've always been! Thank you both for being such great parents and role models. And for a lovely night on Saturday.

Button Scarf

I have been passing the time by knitting a scarf, as if I needed another one. My daughter gave me a couple of skeins of some wonderful wool yarn, so I matched it with a simple basket-weave pattern—just a series of knits and purls—and knitted until I ran out of yarn. To embellish the ends, I sewed on a line of sea shell buttons on each end. It's now my new favorite scarf.

On to the next project. I've got a bag full of yarn that needs to be matched with projects.

Ruby - update

Phew! nearly finished the second sleeve, and on target for finishing the garment in time.

Ruby, ruby, ruby

No, I've not pulled out the Lolita Legs, they're now on hold. I'm so pleased that a very special person has asked me to make her a bolero like my black one.

I'm worried that I don't have long to make it. She'd like to wear it at her ruby wedding celebration, hence the beautiful deep red wool. Trouble is, that only gives me about 3 weeks! I can feel some late coffee-assisted nights coming on!

The back's done, and that's the first sleeve just started.