Blog

Back from blogcation (I think).

Trying to bust out of the post-sweater-completion funk.

How better than to start another sweater, right?

First, I ripped back an unfinished object (brioche too-big-to-be-a-scarf thing), then I cast on for a Shalom Cardigan.

The pattern is written for bulky yarn, and is sized for a 32 inch bust.
I’ve modified the stitch count, but since I didn’t really swatch, I’ve no real idea if this is going to fit me when it’s done.

Little Chone was eyeing it during the photo shoot- perhaps he’s thinking it would fit him after spring shearing?

It’s a nice quick and easy knit, so I’m considering this one a trial run. Once I get the sizing right, it will make a nice wardrobe element!

Just spun up another skein of compatible weight, but will probably have to turn out a couple more before it’s done.

Also wanted to mention that registration just opened for the 2013 WSU Country Living Expo!

I’m going to be teaching two classes this year- Basics of Wool Processing, and Spinning Wheels 101. I’ve done the Wool Processing class a couple times, but the Spinning Wheels one is new this year. Plan to cover wheel mechanics and operation, adjustments, troubleshooting common problems and spinning basics. It should be a good time!

This weekend I had planned to go to a fleece sale.

This fleece sale happens every year in early November, and they always have a nice selection of raw fleeces, washed fleeces, dyed mohair, etc. Really beauty stuff.

I usually go and get myself a nice little natural colored Border Leicester.

But this year, at the last minute, I had a flash of clarity, and decided not to subject myself to the temptation.
I realized that as much as I would be excited and happy about acquiring a lovely little fleece, that it would instantaneously become stash.
Stash that I have an obligation to process.

So instead, I decided to dedicate myself to getting the rest of my fall fleeces washed.

I had already washed up the white boys, so here is the rest of the gang

(Weather didn’t cooperate most of the weekend, so they are air-drying in the living room.)

Yes, that is correct. I no longer have any raw fleeces hiding in the closet!
It’s a good place to be.

Also managed to get some of Frank’s Fall fleece carded up.

Now I just have to my next project planned out!

And speaking of Frank, here is a little something you might enjoy-

The Man put together a little slideshow, “Faces of Frank”

Does anyone else have sheep whose color fades in and out with the seasons?

Buttons are on

tag is in

and I have entered a completed date on my Ravelry projects page.

So I guess it’s official.

All that is left is to send it off.
It might be hard to say goodbye after all this time.

But I am happy.
Happy that it turned out so swell.
And happy that I am now freed up to pursue other new and exciting projects!

I have to say, that since last weekends workshop, I’ve really been inspired to work with color.

I had quite a bit of yarn left over from the class

and wanted to practice my two-handed colorwork technique, but decided that I couldn’t handle being tied to a chart.
So I cast on for a cowl to use up my rainbow of leftovers

I love doing this sort of thing.
No counting.
No checking.
Just pick a color and knit.

and it’s going to be so cozy!

This past weekend was  my long-awaited “Fair Isle for Handspinners” workshop down on Whidbey Island, which is pretty fair in it’s own right.

The class was held at Greenbank Farm

and teachers were Elizabeth Johnson (from Shetland)

and Martha Owen (from South Carolina)
.

Elizabeth brought a ton of wool from Shetland- some raw and some washed and mordanted for dyeing- so we had lots of wonderful raw materials to play with. We each got a pack of raw natural colored wools to start.

After that came the color!
Three dyestuffs- onion skins, cochineal, and logwood
yielded a wide range of shades for blending and spinning!

The right yarn for fair isle knitting is a little different than my usual spin-
It’s done long-draw, but with more spin in the single, and a fairly loose ply. So that was new for me.

Another cool thing I learned about was the Shetland Knitting Belt. (sorry, no pictures from the demo)
I think the best thing about this technique is that it frees up one of your hands from having to hold a needle, and makes the of the two working yarns easier to manage. Very neat idea.

We did a little knitting with our sample yarns on day three-
I got a little carried away with all the colors, I think…

Here are some other scenes from around South Whidbey courtesy of The Man.