Yes, you read that post title right, I have finally entered the world of handspun yarn. I’ve been wanting to get into handspinning for a long time now, after seeing so many knitters create beautiful, one-of-a-kind yarns, but didn’t have the money to buy a spinning wheel. Then a few weeks ago, I found out that you can spin your own yarn without a spinning wheel, using a small device called a “spindle.” It’s basically a hand-held wooden dowel with a round piece and a hook attached, weighing anywhere from half an ounce to 3 ounces. The lighter the spindle, the thinner the yarn you can create.
I was able to acquire two spindles (one top whorl, one bottom whorl), some fiber and a getting started book from someone on Ravelry a few weeks ago and started trying to figure it out. Of course, I was making it a lot harder than it actually is in the beginning, and after a forage for YouTube videos and countless hours of scouring the web, I started to figure out how to use the thing. Or so I thought.
My first yarn turned out okay. I had the basic mechanics down, but I still needed to learn the finer techniques. My first yarn came out to be a very uneven, slubby, glorious 11 yards, which barely made a cowl when supplemented with another yarn. But I’m still very proud of it.
Then I went to visit my friend who got me kick-started into spinning who was able to borrow a wheel for us to practice on. Thank goodness for her because I was much more lost than I thought. After showing me better techniques on how to prepare the fiber for spinning, called drafting, I have become much better on the spindle, as you can see in the picture below:
And, and, I was able to try out the wheel. One word: LOVE! I’m in love with the wheel, which I had no doubt would happen, so I’m saving up every dime I can in order to buy one. I have my eye on a nice, portable, folding one that will be more practical for someone with tight living quarters (if you can call a spinning wheel practical, that is, but I digress).
So now, not only will I have a yarn stash, but I will have a fiber stash as well.
“There was a large mushroom growing near her, about the same height as herself; and, when she had looked under it, and on both sides of it, and behind it, it occurred to her that she might as well look and see what was on top of it.
At the beginning of the year I decided to challenge myself to attempt using up all of my sock stash. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to be able to reach that goal, but thanks to summer I’ve definitely made a good dent.
Dad’s Socks
This was my celebratory cake that I ate after I found out that I got a job at a bank as a Teller. I’m so excited about this new job, even if it’s bittersweet to leave Michaels Craft Store, where I’ve worked for over three years. New phases are always exciting and scary at the same time.
There may have been some celebratory yarn purchase as well, but I’m declining to admit it with pictorial proof.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be tucked away in a cozy log cabin somewhere in the snow-covered mountains, with a crackling fire, a mug of hot chocolate, and a cozy blanket? Yeah, instead it’s July, which feels like being in a fire or a hot beverage or under a heavy blanket every time I step outside. So making this knit Log Cabin blanket last month definitely wasn’t fun as far as the temperature goes, but fun as far as the knitting goes.
Anna was nice enough to send me a signed copy for helping her test knit, so mine arrived in the mail yesterday.
The pattern I tested was for “Grouchy Couch.” This pattern was actually a one-of-a-kind piece that she had made, and due to overwhelming response for the pattern, she ended up including it in her book. From the first time I saw Grouchy, I knew I had to do this pattern, so when I saw it as an option for testing, I responding immediately.
This was a fun and challenging project to complete. For my piece, I decided to leave the cushions off, due to the fact that I was over my finishing deadline, and also because I think I overstuffed my piece a bit. I still think it turned out great, and I have some tiny object sitting on this couch on my knitting book shelf.
Being a huge fan of Anna’s over the years and being privileged to test knit for her on a regular basis, it’s hard for me to find one favorite pattern in her new book. So here are a few:
The photography in this book is great, as are the patterns. The whole layout of the book works well together, and the extra info about how to make toys and design your own add that extra special touch to this book. I can’t wait to make more Mochimochi toys,
Today’s temperature reached 115 degrees where I live, and by any standards, that’s just plain HOT. Just because I live in Arizona doesn’t mean I actually like the heat here. In fact, quite the contrary. I would rather live in a colder climate, as evidenced by my obsession with knits and crochets, but we don’t always get to choose where we live, do we?
I could tell I was getting a really bad case of the summer blues when I started the month of June knitting these items:
A lace beret and matching fingerless mitt set. Not really a necessity for June, but I couldn’t resist making these cute patterns. I needed reassurance that yes, the cold will come back in a few months, and then I’ll be able to wear stuff like this.
If you don’t hear from me ever again, you’ll know where I am.
Here’s the proud mama at her baby shower opening up the blanket just shortly before baby’s arrival. Congrats, friend, on your sweet baby girl.
When I found out that Heather’s best friend was going through the same loss as myself with the death of her brother, I knew I had to make her a shawl. I don’t know why it had to be a shawl, but I knew I had to make it. I already knew the pattern I wanted to use, and I got started right away.
Although the calendar doesn’t say that it’s officially summer yet, last week we hit the triple digits here in Arizona, which means that summer is well under way in our books. Luckily the weekend cooled off just a little bit, so I was able to wear this beauty to church on Sunday (air conditioning is wonderful for wearing summery hand-knits inside that would otherwise be useless in Arizona).
I only had 400 yards of yarn, which was a little less than the pattern, so I shortened it a bit by leaving off the last repeat and shortening the ruffle. It turned out a great size, just enough to drape over the tops of my shoulders and just enough to be fastened with a pin at my neck. During the winter I’ll be able to bundle it up around my neck to look like a cozy green cowl.
Kountingsheep 