SourCherries

This Fiber Life

When I decided I wanted to learn how to spin I knew it was something I really wanted to do. I spent many hours looking at other's handspun and I just had this itchy fingered feeling. It was really something I had always dreamed of doing. I was so excited when I first got my wheel I could hardly wait to start spinning. I was definitely ready to start producing gorgeous yarns... and while I don't think I've attained anywhere near what I want to with spinning, I'm very happy with my progress. Each new yarn off the wheel is a delight- something I would be happy to knit with (even if I haven't knit with very much yet).

I treated myself to joining a few fiber clubs when I first got my wheel- something I would highly recommend because it has pushed me out of my comfort zone both fiber wise and sometimes colour wise. Hello Yarn's club was one that I was very happy to join and while this yarn was one that I loved the colours of, this fiber had pushed me out of my spinning comfort zone. It's 21 micron count merino and was much harder for me to spin and get even. Although, it did make a soft and fluffy yarn that I love. It's really fun to squish that big skein too.

Maldives 21 micron count merino- 5 oz- 2ply- thick and thin.

Lately, I've been thinking about weaving as well, especially after seeing such beautiful images around- here, here and here to name a few. I haven't been thinking about it seriously though. Just as a little thought in the back of my head that I would maybe like to try it some day. Well, I came across a 40" counterbalance, four harness floor loom for sale in my community for practically nothing ($150). It's not a new loom, and it also hasn't been used since 1994, but it all seemed to be intact. Obviously, I bought it. I don't think I'll start learning to weave right away. I'd like to do a little research first- and I still have to put it back together (I had to take it apart to get it down my basement stairs), but hopefully, I am going to learn.

Toning Things Down a Little

I had a great post all ready but my computer ate it... sometimes life happens like that. Anyway, tonights handspun is brought to you by the colour brown-

This is 4 oz of humane lincoln x merino from dyed by Insubordiknits. The colorway is called Earthdigger. This yarn really taught me the importance of washing my handspun to set the twist. This photo is prewash, but I finally got around to washing a bunch of handspun the other day and this one just fluffed up in the most beautiful way. When I get a chance I'll have to take pictures. In person, for me the change was quite striking.

There has also been a little a knitting going on. It was my dad's birthday today and to honor the occasion I knit him a Koolhaas hat.

These aren't the greatest pictures because at nearly 4pm on what is almost the shortest day of the year there is hardly any light left and me and my new flash are still getting acquainted. I do like this one of my dad though and thought I would share with you all.

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat from Interweave Holiday 2007
Yarn: The Fibre Company's Road to China (delish)
Needles: Size 6 throughout
Mods: Knit a couple of rows of extra ribbing

Shade Your Eyes

Because, It's Electric!

This is 4oz of Falkland, once again from Funky Carolina. These colours  just seemed perfect for my friend Patty who gets credit for being the person who first talked me into learning to spin, so this was gifted to her. Fortunately, I see Patty all the time, so I'll be able to see what she makes out of it. I can't wait. I have really enjoyed the Falkland wool- it has a long staple and so is easy to spin evenly but is still soft and fluffy.

Spinning and Spinning and Spinning...

Windowbox Light

For people who view my flickr stream regularly this will come as no surprise, but I've been spinning a lot lately. I think there is finally enough backlog to do a yarn a day this week- I thought it might be fun, and since I've been spinning so much there hasn't been any knitting. Today's selection is 100% fine adult alpaca hand dyed by Funky Carolina. The colorway is called Windowbox Light. I'm still a little obsessed with alpaca and this is no exception. It's so soft, shiny and beautifully coloured. I have no plans for knitting this yarn- I think I will keep it as a yarn pet for awhile until I find just the right thing.

edited to add: I am going to look at a used floor loom tomorrow. I'm so excited! I don't really know if I want to commit to weaving in a floor loom sort of way, but this sounds like a pretty good deal and I have a weaving friend who's offered her help with getting it set up and running. Any thoughts?

Good Swaps Gone Really Good

Swap Package

This fall I participated in a little KAL you all might have heard about... the Fingerless Mitts for Fall KAL. I hardly knit any mitts, but I did participate in the small swap also hosted by Keri. My partner was Amy from barefootrooster and she did a super job of picking things I'd like. First off she picked yarn in my favorite colour to knit my mitts out of- it's also superwash and they fit perfect and are super practical. She also included some really cute totes (how did you know I needed those), some supermerino (can't go wrong with artyarns) and a mix CD full of songs from some of my favorite artists and also some new ones that I really like.  All in all, a really fun swap, I'm so glad I participated.

Edited to add links and photo of Calvin sniffing my photoshoot. He kind of went crazy with the smelling and rolling around on the package goods for a few minutes. I think he must have smelt something good.

Chevalier Mitten

Chevalier Mitten

One down, umm three to go. I was making these for a gift... but it's so awesome I'm keeping it for myself (selfish knitting really doesn't happen that often around here- honest). I still need the gift though, so I need to make another pair. Will it happen? The yarn is Coeur d'Alene Alpacas 100% alpaca (local farm) and I'm using size 5 needles.

Oh Yeah.... I Have A Blog

Ha... sometimes I forget about my blog. I do like my blog, but I am ever so much better about keeping up with my flickr and now, my Ravelry pages. I've had a somewhat busy November. Work, gearing up for the holidays and little spats of general feeling-under-the-weatherness have kept me pretty well entertained. I managed a very quick two day trip to Seattle over Thanksgiving with Jeff to see his family. We stayed at the Westin with his sister Paula. It was fun- I got to see/do fun touristy Seattle things I hadn't managed in previous trips. There's a flickr set if anyone wants a peek.
Of all things, I've been knitting socks lately. I discovered knitting two socks on two circulars and I am in love. I get a pair at the end. It's quite fun. Without further ado- Pair number one.

Charade Socks. I used Artyarns Ultramerino 4 in colour 131 and size 1 needles. These took about a week to make. I love them. I still haven't worn them. I might give them away so right now they are at Harmony as a sample while I decide. 

Pair number two are the Waving Lace Socks from Favorite Socks.

The yarn is Zen Strings Bambewe and I used size 0 needles. I'm really enjoying the two at a time thing and have more pairs planned- right after I finish a big secret project I'm working on.

Seduced by Fall

Autumn Scarf

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the smells, sights and sounds. I also love that it is a great time for knitting. I have also discovered that it's a great time for spinning. Last week, or maybe the week before I started and finished a great fall scarf. It's just a basic chevron stitch alternating Noro Aurora and Grace Silk and Wool.

I love it and wear it obsessively now because it goes with everything I own.

I might have also been doing a little celebratory fall shopping on Etsy. Here we have a box bag from For Lily.

And inside there just might be a pair of Charades in progress.

UFOs Continue

I've had lots to blog lately, but as usual I'm being really lazy at least with the blogging. The rest of my life has continued busily. I've continued with the UFOs, even resurrecting some really old ones. I've also been spending time with my spinning.  The Wool Peddler's Shawl is finally done... this is a very blatant copying of Kirsten's lovely version.

 

Pattern: Wool Peddler's Shawl from Folk Shawls
Needles: Size 6 Addi Lace
Yarn: Artyarns Ultramerino 4 3.1 skeins, Colour 120
Mods: Different yarn and needles, so really none.
I thought this was going to be a really tiny shawl, until I blocked. I think it probably grew 30% in size with blocking. Garter stitch is stretchy.

Spinning continues- I think I'm getting a little better as far as consistency goes, but mostly I'm just having a ton of fun. So, I'm trying not to think about it and just enjoy. I think more technical spinning might come for me later.

You can click the photos for more detail.