Author: denisemor

Nautical Knitting on the Zodiac was awesome- here’s me standing watch at the helm

And Abby the boat cat taking over my bunk-

We had great classes with Mary Scott Huff- all about stranded colorwork and steeking. I fell in love with this sweater she brought as one of her samples

And I managed to get my alpaca hat done while I was onboard (yay!)

Since I’ve been back, I’ve gotten back to felting- five more sheets done!

And finally circled back around to put faces and decorations on my two new lamb puppets.

I’m really close to finishing my Forest sweater vest, but it’s on hold for now as I’m getting some things ready for the Bow Market Fiber Day- which is coming up fast! Hope to have a couple more lamb puppets done by Aug 22.

Have a great week!

Just back from a conference in Portland, where I made sure to support the local yarns shops in downtown-

That’s some lovely Rambouillet roving from Fierce Fibers in Hillsboro, OR from Pearl Fiber Arts, and

a big ‘ole hank of Galler Yarns Heather Prime Alpaca in Deep Turquoise from Unravelled. Yum.

I’ve been wanting to get some more felting done, and got as far as layering the fibers, but way too hot out to be playing in the sun with hot water. So for now they are just rolled and awaiting their transformation.

And, now I’m headed out on another adventure- this time on the water. Nautical Knitting on the Schooner Zodiak! I just got the most important part of my packing done- my current project (alpaca hat) and materials for the three classes that we’ll be having onboard with Mary Scott Huff

My yarns, needles and notions organized, and I’m ready to set sail!

More felty fun in the works- I’ve been working on a chicken pattern, and I think I’m finally on the right track. Here is my prototype-

This one is in some quilted cotton from the fabric stash- since I didn’t want to waste any handmade felt in the design stages. The head will look decidedly more chicken-y once it has a beak and comb, but those are add-ons after the primary assembly. Bok bok!

I’ve also got a couple more lamb puppets newly assembled, waiting to get their faces and other styling. One Shetland and one Border Leicester-

Am so excited about making up a bunch of these guys in different natural colors.

And in real, live sheep news, I’m happy to report that Daphne seems to be getting along nicely with the rest of the gang. Here they all are enjoying some apple branches the other evening-

And, she actually came up and took some alfalfa pellets from my hand yesterday and let me scritch her on the top of her head. Such a sweetie 🙂

There’s a new face in the pasture this weekend! Meet Daphne-

This sweet little girl came to us from McIntyre Family Farm, just east of Sedro Woolley. She’s Icelandic, and has such a lovely dark fleece. Here she is getting acquainted with the pasture gang-

They gave her a little bit of a hard time her first day, but now she seems to have taken on Felix as her mentor.

So that is super cool. Good Boy, Felix! 🙂

And as if that wasn’t enough cuteness for one post, the little felty sheep puppet from last week now has a face- and a name. Meet Posy-

I am really pleased with how her embroidered grass and flowers turned out- and it’s a great way to use up little bits of leftover yarn.

Other projects still in progress-

Forest at approximately 75% is going really well- onwards to the neckline shaping!

And alpaca yarn yarn- 3 oz of white and 4 oz of brown. Plan is to work some of it into a hat for Bill, the Alpaca herd manager at Maxwelton Aerie.

Thinking of a Stripey hat, but am still open to other options.