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

New Projects...New Yarn...New Look!

I wanted to share my progress on Hannah's Fall Sweater. The back is done, as is one of the front sides. I have cast on the other side, and I am about 20% done that...then I just have the sleeves and the finish work left to do. I cannot believe how quickly this is working up...I can't wait to see it on Hannah. I am hoping to have it done by the weekend, so perhaps a photo shoot is in order!!!

Friday we got a care package from Craig's parents. Inside were all kinds of goodies, including this AMAZING Alpaca yarn!!! It is so soft and squishy!! They also bought me a pattern for a Heart Lace Scarf...I can't wait to cast on, though I am nervous to be knitting with such amazing yarn. Hopefully I can finish the scarf before Christmas so I can show it off when we go back East.

Last but not least...I got a makeover of sorts this past week!!! Last weekend I got new glasses. I decided on a funky pair of purple glasses...you only live once, right?? Then, this past Friday night, I took the plunge and chopped off my hair!!! I went for an angled bob. It is longer in the front and quite short in the back. So far I have gotten all positive feedback about both changes...I hope everyone is telling the truth! I am still trying to get used to my lack of hair. It will take time, but I am happy I did it!!!

Here is the full transformation

My hair is messy in the "After" photo because I kept playing with it!!!

So, what did I do with my chopped locks?? Well, right now they are sitting on my bathroom counter since they cut my hair wet and I had to let it dry. Either today or tomorrow, I will be mailing off the ponytail to Locks of Love. This is the second time I have donated my hair, and I am so happy that a special child will be able to use it...seems like a no brainer to me...wig for a deserving child, or trash...hmmm.....

Well, I'm off to go work on Hannah's sweater and then perhaps she and I will go play outside. It is a beautiful day in Calgary, and I don't know how many more of these we'll have!!!

Cheers!

Sharon