B is for Boy...and some more spinning!!

Hey hey!!

Well, I've been a busy girl. A few days ago I started a new baby blanket. A good childhood friend of mine is due with her second boy in May, and I wanted to make her something special. Originally I had thought about giving her the Baby Sophisticate sweater that I made...until I remembered that she won't need any sweaters for a May baby...so, I bit the bullet and just asked her what she wanted. She asked for a blanket...so here you go.

It is all garter, but made on the diagonal with an eyelet edge. I also added the two white stripes to the end for a bit more visual interest. I have a long way to go, but it shouldn't take long. This is perfect TV knitting since you don't have to look at what you're doing. Hopefully this one will go to the "done pile" before too long!!

I have also been spinning some more. I spun the rest of the Field Berries fiber I had...and I loved it so much I went to Shuttleworks and bought some more! I also picked up another bobbin so I can make more than 2-ply yarn.

This is also Louet fiber...in the Cactus Flower colorway. The one thing I am learning about this fiber is that you have no idea what it will look like spun. The colors melt into each other and the vibrant colors almost become more jewel toned when you spin it. I can see why so many people spin their fiber and then dye it...it is the only way to truly know what the colors will look like. For me, I like the surprise!!!

Here's what I spun before dinner tonight. Things are looking much more even, don't you think??

Well, I'm off to add a few rows onto my blanket. Hubby and I are watching "Cool Runnings" and having fun seeing how much Calgary has changed since they made the movie. I definitely have a whole new appreciation for the movie now that I live in Calgary. When I first watched it as a kid, I never in a million years imagined that I would someday be living here! heck, I don't think I even knew where Calgary was!!!

Have a great rest of the weekend!!!

Cheers!

Sharon

I Made Yarn!!!

Well, I don't know if it qualifies as actual yarn, but I did make it!!! Last night I finished up my first mini-skein of handspun. I have no idea what the yardage is...it isn't much. I still have a bit left of the original fiber...I just got antsy and wanted to try plying.

So, for those of you who have no idea what the process is...here is my interpretation...

First, you get some pretty fiber from a good friend...

(This is Louet Northern Lights in Field Berry color)

Then you spin it on the wheel and hope to not destroy it too bad...
(it is called a single at this point)

After you make two or more bobbins of singles, you ply them together...I did two ply since I only have three bobbins. told hubby last night that once I can start spinning thinner singles, I want to get another bobbin so I can do three-ply.

Then you wind your plied yarn onto a Niddy Noddy
(that is after you practically tie it up in several knots trying to figure the foolish thing out!!!)

Then you take a pretty photo of it...

(in case you ruin the hell out of it during the next step)

After that, you wash it in hot water, then cold, then you beat the heck out of it! Apparently the beating is supposed to make the fibers "bloom".

Then you let it dry overnight and this is what you get...

YARN!!!!!

(Or as close as I can get until I practice more!)

Here's a close-up...

So, I know that I have a LONG way to go, but I am pretty happy with my first attempt. Now I have to measure how much I have and attempt to make something with it. I'll keep you posted on how that goes!!

Cheers!

Sharon

Meet Charlotte!!!

Hey Everyone!!

I'd like to introduce you to my new friend...Charlotte!

Charlotte is an S10 Louet spinning wheel...isn't she pretty???

Since I've lived in Calgary, I have met so many people who spin. I never thought much about getting into it until recently. A friend of mine has several wheels and is always looking to expand her collection...well, she saw this beauty online for sale and asked me if I was interested.

So, I'm not one to brag about money, but I have to share this awesome deal with you all!! The woman wanted $200 for the wheel...according to several spinners on Ravelry, this is a good price for a used wheel. Then, when I got back to the woman, she told me that there was a broken piece on it, and she was knocking the price down to $89! At that price I had to at least go look at it. So, my friend Tamara and I went to see it today. Sure enough, the cap that holds the treadle to the bearing on the wheel was not holding properly. Tamara didn't think that the part would cost much to replace, so I took a chance and bought it. We drove right down to Shuttleworks and had Cal take a look at it...wanna know how much the new piece cost?? LESS THAN TEN BUCKS!!! I ended up getting the piece, another missing piece for one of the bobbins, and a niddy noddy for $30!!!

So, I cleaned her all up and this is what she looks like! Thanks to my friends Cara and Tamara, I have some beautiful fiber to work with. That, combined with my new ball winder and swift, I should be good to go!

I'm off to do some research online about my wheel...hopefully I'll have some photos to show you of my "practicing."

Cheers!

Sharon