Spinstress Wannabe

I am researching right now. And scared.

One of my Christmas presents this year was a drop spindle. A very pretty drop spindle. And a nice little 2 ounce ball of roving. So I have everything I need to try my hand at spinning. I want to. I'm DYING to. But I'm so scared because I know that first attempt is NOT going to be pretty!

I've been reading almost nonstop about spinning and fibers and plying (which scares me almost more than spinning the single does) and I've found that YouTube has an almost endless supply of videos on spinning. I'm ALMOST ready to try it...but I can't. I know I will, I just have to work up the courage.

For those who don't know, a drop spindle is a straight piece of wood with a round piece of wood on one end:

Using combed wool or cotton or fiber of choice, you spin the spindle to twist the fiber, then wind it around the lower portion of the spindle until it is full and you can ball it. That makes a single. You can knit with a single, or you can take two or three singles and ply them together to make a stronger yarn. Plying is actually very similar to spinning the single, you just take 2 strands (for example) and twist them together in the opposite direction of your single's twist. There are so many techniques for plying though!

Once the yarn is plyed, you set the twist by soaking and hanging the yarn...but I haven't read much about this yet, as I really need to at least try step one and two before I worry about that.

In other fun news, through my research I found the NC Fiber Festival, held each October near Asheville, NC. Road trip? I've already hinted around to dear hubby that I sure would like to pet all those rovings and yarn. I'm sure I have the self control to not buy too much. Pretty sure, anyway. I've never been to a yarn festival of any sort and the thought of all that fiber in one place is pretty heady. Hubby has already been assured that he does not have to attend and I will owe him one if he takes me out to Asheville for the weekend :) Hubby is receptive to the idea...I think that's 10 brownie points for him.

Anyway. On the needles now is...nothing, actually! I am crocheting a baby blanket...and remembering why I definitely prefer knitting. It's over half done and very pretty, but I really love my faster projects. I'll post pics when I'm done.

The after Christmas Update

First up, the golf club covers for mom...not the best pic, but you get the idea

Felted mittens for my dad. They are made of brown Paton's Merino and look SO WARM! They also have extra long cuffs to cover the wrist well.
And this was my Christmas break project - a sweaterdress for Lucy! I love it! It was supposed to be long sleeve but the sleeves are a tad short so now it's 3/4 length sleeve :)

It's made of sock yarn (darn, misplaced the label!) and I used a program to generate the pattern. Definitely going to use that program more!

Right now I'm working on a crocheted baby blanket and I'm going to cast on a pair of booties soon!

Sparkly Scarf

I just finished a scarf...it's 2 yarns held together - the one with the metallic sheen is Lion Brand Mohair Magic (I think that's the name? It's mohair something...) Anyway, it's so soft and cuddly...kind of wish I were keeping this one for myself, lol! It just makes me happy :)

Oh and the bias knit stitch was very easy and gives a nice finished end...I was very happy with it.

Right now I'm working on a sweaterdress for my daughter...I'm hoping to have enough yarn leftover for something to match. I'm using Knit One Crochet Too's TyDy sock yarn, and I have 200 grams to play with. I don't know what I'll have leftover - enough for a hat, socks, or maybe a matching dress for dolly? That would be super cute!

Checking off the list

I've been very busy of late!

Here's a Christmas dress, size 8.

The finished wooly warm shawl

Christmas nights longies and matching hat

And the start of a sparkly black scarf

Busy busy busy! I'm still finishing a few Christmas gifts and have some ideas taking shape!

Booties, Mid Shawl, and Penguin

Here is the start of a commissioned shawl:

A penguin for Toby for Christmas! I'm totally psyched about this considering I didn't think I'd have time to finish him up :)

Booties for a friend of mine expecting any day now. Aren't they cuuuuuuuute? Things that make you go awwwwwwwwwww.

I am working on the shawl, a couple Christmas gifts, and have some new orders coming in right now. It's a busy November - and busy is GOOD!!!

Still chugging along on my list of projects! I've had a lot come and go this month!

Finsihed Longies Sets

Despite the lack of posts, I have been busy! These longies and hats have been the project forthe last two weeks. I love them!

I was able to try a new technique on the American Girl Hat...Needle Felting! It's awesome and I'm in love! It was easy and I think once I have some more practice under my belt the possibilities are endless!

Busy little bee

These are two custom knits. Both are size mediums.