I've been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish, craft-wise in 2013. But I'm also wary of making too lengthy a list and setting myself up for failure. So in the end I decided to keep it pretty simple.
When I think back to how I felt about sewing one year ago, it's really evident to me that I learned a lot over the course of 2012. At the beginning of the year, I was pretty discouraged; my goal was to learn about and implement alterations for getting a great fit, but all the blogs I was reading left me feeling like everyone was "getting it" but me. I spent a lot of time trying to discover everyone's secrets and find out how they learned these things. And I kept on sewing and trying out new techniques and patterns along the way. In the end, I think the answer was just that - continued reading and research combined with a lot of practice. I certainly don't know it all yet, but I have come a long way toward achieving that goal.
This year, I have two main goals for sewing:
1. Learn how to line or underline a garment. Any garment, whether the pattern includes instructions for it or not. To help me get there, I've ordered a book called Easy Guide to Sewing Linings, which got great reviews on Amazon. I can't wait to receive it!
2. Grade a pattern. I have loads of vintage patterns to choose from, and sewing one of them this year could even be counted as another goal, because interestingly, my desire to grade a pattern has more to do with the technical aspects of it than the practical. Am I becoming a process-oriented sewing enthusiast?
I also have a couple of very specific goals related to sewing:
3. Make a lined coat. I really meant to do that this fall, but time kind of got away from me and suddenly the weather had turned too cold for the pattern I have in mind.
4. Make that darned Anouk Dress! I do mean to be wearing it this spring - perhaps for Me-Made-May?
5. Make a complicated quilt. More about this in a day or two!
And some goals for knitting and the like:
6. Knit a vintage pattern. I've done this each of the last 2 years, and really enjoyed it.
7. Knit a Phildar pattern. I keep buying the magazines, but hardly ever make anything from them!
8. Do more spinning.
And in the category of "other":
9. Join both the 7 and 8 Million Meter Clubs. Last month I told you all that I was doing the Concept 2 Holiday Challenge. I did complete 201,000 meters on the rower between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Toward the end of this month, I should be logging in my 7 millionth lifetime meter. I'd also like to make it to the next million - doable if I stay on track with my average of 162,000 meters per month!
Well, maybe not such a short list after all . . .
Showing posts with label spinning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spinning. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Multi-disciplinary Destash, part 4: Spinning Fiber
Taking a break from the yarns today, to bring you a group of spinning fibers. For purchasing guidelines, see the Destash page under the header.
Below are five hand-dyed silk caps. These are $5 each.
I am willing to break the Superwash Merino sliver down into smaller bumps. Please contact me with requests.
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| Llama Batt, 3 oz. - $10 |
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| close-up |
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| Silk Noil, approx. 2.5 oz. - $10 |
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| Close-up of colors: magenta, cobalt, white |
Below are five hand-dyed silk caps. These are $5 each.
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| Cap 1 |
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| Cap 2 |
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| Cap 3 |
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| Cap 4 |
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| Cap 5 |
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| Superwash Merino sliver, approx. 2.5 pounds - $45 |
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| Close-up of color: Ponderosa |
I am willing to break the Superwash Merino sliver down into smaller bumps. Please contact me with requests.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Multi-disciplinary Destash, Part 1: Handspun Yarn
I'm sure I've mentioned that I moved a lot of my knitting, spinning and sewing stuff out of my guest room when our family was here. As I started putting things back after they left, I decided that it would be a good time to reorganize. And as I reorganized, I decided that maybe I should destash some of the things I've been holding on to that I don't love so much any more, to make room for things I do love.
I came up with the idea to do a Multi-disciplinary Destash, because I have things for sewing, spinning and knitting. As I was updating my stash on Ravelry and putting things back in their places in the guest room, I pulled the things I'm ready to let go of. But I've been procrastinating about actually doing it, because it seems like such a big job!
So today as I was taking pictures of some of it, I decided that I'll do it in increments. Most of what I'm destashing is yarn, and I'll list those for sale on Ravelry as well, along with spinning fibers. I have a little bit of quilting cotton, and when I post those, they will only be for sale here. I probably won't be able to do these posts all in a row, because they really do require a significant amount of time. But I'm going to try to get them all done over the next week or two, and as a post becomes a few days old, I'll move unsold items to a page which can be found under the header.
So here's how it will work:
*The prices I've listed for each item include shipping within the US. If any of you International Friends would like an item, I'll get an estimate of the shipping and split the cost with you.
*I prefer payment through PayPal, but if you would like to buy an item and wish to pay by check, I will ship the item after the check clears.
*If you wish to buy an item, please send me an email at the address above in the Contact tab. I will respond to requests on a first-come/first-served basis. Once I hear from someone wishing to buy an item, I will mark the item as pending. Once the sale has been completed, I will remove it from the post or page.
*Most items are new and unused, but if any part of it has been used, I will explain this in the description.
OK? So now on to the fun stuff! Today's installment is Handspun Yarns. (All spun by me, of course!)
These skeins of 100% Merino hanspun were dyed and spun by me. The fiber was left over from yarn I made for a friend as a birthday gift a few years ago - these colors were her choice, not mine! The yarn is magenta, orange and mustard. These three skeins total 675 yards of 12 WPI 2-ply yarn, approximately a DK weight. You can see another photo in my Ravelry stash here.
Pansies is 100% Merino, dyed and spun by me. It's pretty, but since the colors didn't come out the way I was expecting, I've never really loved it! This is approximately 1125 yards of 12 WPI 2-ply yarn (DK weight), enough for a sweater. Two of the hanks have been wound into skeins, and one has been swatched from and then frogged (just the first few yards). The Ravelry page is here.
Ponderosa is the yarn I posted about a few weeks ago. This one is superwash Merino, again a 2-ply at 12 WPI (I'd say it's a light DK weight). This skein is approximately 230 yards. It's pretty enough, but a little masculine and drab for me. I swatched with it and then frogged it back - it's just too muted for me to want to make a whole project from! This one doesn't have a Ravelry page yet.
This is a felted purse I designed and knit several years ago. The yarn was spun by me. The bag measures about 11" wide by 6" tall, and has a hobo-style flap with magnetic closure. I think it's cute, and I had a fun time making it, but it's not very practical for me - much too small!
OK folks, that's it for today. Thanks for reading!
I came up with the idea to do a Multi-disciplinary Destash, because I have things for sewing, spinning and knitting. As I was updating my stash on Ravelry and putting things back in their places in the guest room, I pulled the things I'm ready to let go of. But I've been procrastinating about actually doing it, because it seems like such a big job!
So today as I was taking pictures of some of it, I decided that I'll do it in increments. Most of what I'm destashing is yarn, and I'll list those for sale on Ravelry as well, along with spinning fibers. I have a little bit of quilting cotton, and when I post those, they will only be for sale here. I probably won't be able to do these posts all in a row, because they really do require a significant amount of time. But I'm going to try to get them all done over the next week or two, and as a post becomes a few days old, I'll move unsold items to a page which can be found under the header.
So here's how it will work:
*The prices I've listed for each item include shipping within the US. If any of you International Friends would like an item, I'll get an estimate of the shipping and split the cost with you.
*I prefer payment through PayPal, but if you would like to buy an item and wish to pay by check, I will ship the item after the check clears.
*If you wish to buy an item, please send me an email at the address above in the Contact tab. I will respond to requests on a first-come/first-served basis. Once I hear from someone wishing to buy an item, I will mark the item as pending. Once the sale has been completed, I will remove it from the post or page.
*Most items are new and unused, but if any part of it has been used, I will explain this in the description.
OK? So now on to the fun stuff! Today's installment is Handspun Yarns. (All spun by me, of course!)
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| Fall - $25 |
These skeins of 100% Merino hanspun were dyed and spun by me. The fiber was left over from yarn I made for a friend as a birthday gift a few years ago - these colors were her choice, not mine! The yarn is magenta, orange and mustard. These three skeins total 675 yards of 12 WPI 2-ply yarn, approximately a DK weight. You can see another photo in my Ravelry stash here.
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| Pansies - $50 |
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| Pansies - close up |
Pansies is 100% Merino, dyed and spun by me. It's pretty, but since the colors didn't come out the way I was expecting, I've never really loved it! This is approximately 1125 yards of 12 WPI 2-ply yarn (DK weight), enough for a sweater. Two of the hanks have been wound into skeins, and one has been swatched from and then frogged (just the first few yards). The Ravelry page is here.
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| Ponderosa - $12 |
Ponderosa is the yarn I posted about a few weeks ago. This one is superwash Merino, again a 2-ply at 12 WPI (I'd say it's a light DK weight). This skein is approximately 230 yards. It's pretty enough, but a little masculine and drab for me. I swatched with it and then frogged it back - it's just too muted for me to want to make a whole project from! This one doesn't have a Ravelry page yet.
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| Demi purse - $10 |
This is a felted purse I designed and knit several years ago. The yarn was spun by me. The bag measures about 11" wide by 6" tall, and has a hobo-style flap with magnetic closure. I think it's cute, and I had a fun time making it, but it's not very practical for me - much too small!
OK folks, that's it for today. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Sueños del Mar
Look what I did yesterday:
Yes, I finally finished spinning my Del Mar yarn! Here's a close-up:
I think the colors really are very sea-like.
When I restarted this project, I decided I wanted a yarn that looks kind of rough and homespun - thick and thin with varying degrees of twist. Sounds like it should be easy, but when you've been spinning for a while and have spent a lot of time working to make your yarns consistent, it can be difficult to loosen up and just be free! It doesn't have as much variety as I was hoping for, but I like it nonetheless.
I ended up with about 170 yards of about a DK weight yarn, and I'm planning to make it into a hat.
Yes, I finally finished spinning my Del Mar yarn! Here's a close-up:
When I restarted this project, I decided I wanted a yarn that looks kind of rough and homespun - thick and thin with varying degrees of twist. Sounds like it should be easy, but when you've been spinning for a while and have spent a lot of time working to make your yarns consistent, it can be difficult to loosen up and just be free! It doesn't have as much variety as I was hoping for, but I like it nonetheless.
I ended up with about 170 yards of about a DK weight yarn, and I'm planning to make it into a hat.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Never say never.
Hi!
All our guests left on Tuesday, and I've been slowly putting my house back together and catching up on emails and such. Thanks to all who left comments while I was away - I did read them, although I didn't always have time to answer.
A month or so ago, I declared to Alicia that No One ever hand-winds hanks of yarn into balls, and she skipped off and bought herself a swift and ball-winder.
So guess what I just did?!
Hee hee hee.
This morning I was digging through one of my stash boxes looking for something, and I came across this old hank of handspun. I thought it might work for a Miranda hat, so I put it aside. I made this so long ago, I can't really remember what the fiber is, except that I do remember it's superwash. I also remember that I have a whole lot more of it - I think I bought something like 3 pounds, and only made this one hank!
When I found a little time to wind it this afternoon, I decided that rather than get out my own swift and ball-winder, I'd use the lovely nostepinne my father made me years and years ago. Dad was a great woodworker, and this beautiful tool is just one of many cherished items he made for me.
It felt so nice and relaxing and organic to hand-wind this ball. The wood on the nostepinne is smooth and silky from the oils of my hands and the wools I've wound on it; the shape fits perfectly into my hand, and the heft is just right. This tool lives in the knitting basket right next to my chair, and although I don't use it often any more, I do get it out and just hold it.
Have any of you ever wound a ball of yarn using a nostepinne? Somehow, I find it less tedious than hand-winding. I guess that's because I love mine so much.
All our guests left on Tuesday, and I've been slowly putting my house back together and catching up on emails and such. Thanks to all who left comments while I was away - I did read them, although I didn't always have time to answer.
A month or so ago, I declared to Alicia that No One ever hand-winds hanks of yarn into balls, and she skipped off and bought herself a swift and ball-winder.
So guess what I just did?!
Hee hee hee.
This morning I was digging through one of my stash boxes looking for something, and I came across this old hank of handspun. I thought it might work for a Miranda hat, so I put it aside. I made this so long ago, I can't really remember what the fiber is, except that I do remember it's superwash. I also remember that I have a whole lot more of it - I think I bought something like 3 pounds, and only made this one hank!
When I found a little time to wind it this afternoon, I decided that rather than get out my own swift and ball-winder, I'd use the lovely nostepinne my father made me years and years ago. Dad was a great woodworker, and this beautiful tool is just one of many cherished items he made for me.
It felt so nice and relaxing and organic to hand-wind this ball. The wood on the nostepinne is smooth and silky from the oils of my hands and the wools I've wound on it; the shape fits perfectly into my hand, and the heft is just right. This tool lives in the knitting basket right next to my chair, and although I don't use it often any more, I do get it out and just hold it.
Have any of you ever wound a ball of yarn using a nostepinne? Somehow, I find it less tedious than hand-winding. I guess that's because I love mine so much.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Spinny spin spin
I've also been doing a little spinning over the last couple weeks. Remember that Del Mar fiber I started? I had intended to make a fingering weight 3-ply, but discovered that the lovely color variations got lost when spun that fine. So I decided to try for a 2-ply heavy DK instead, and now the colors are showing up nicely. Here's the first bobbin full:
Instead of trying to keep my singles consistent, I'm letting it be a little thick-and-thin. I'm not separating the clumps of silk, so I'm getting some nice nubs:
I'm hoping to get enough yardage at the end for a hat. I started with 3 ounces, so I should be able to do it.
Instead of trying to keep my singles consistent, I'm letting it be a little thick-and-thin. I'm not separating the clumps of silk, so I'm getting some nice nubs:
I'm hoping to get enough yardage at the end for a hat. I started with 3 ounces, so I should be able to do it.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Truncated
I finished my second Wholehearted shawl yesterday. Actually it was finished last Friday except for the bind-off. I thought I had left enough yarn to do the picot bind-off, but ran out about 2/3 of the way through. So I unknit the bind-off row and set it aside with the intention of spinning more yarn to finish it.
But then yesterday morning I saw Evelyn's finished shawl, which she did without the picot, and I quite liked it! So I decided to just bind it off straight, using my favorite stretchy bind-off. After which I steamed the heck out of it!
Because I had less yarn than the pattern called for, I made some adjustments, so this one is really more of a shawlette. I'm going to live with it a while; if I decide it's too small then I'll spin up some more yarn and add on.
I did the garter stitch section as written, then did only 9 repeats of the textured pattern. After that I worked 6 rows of garter stitch and then did the bind off. I really like this one for elasticity and simplicity:
*p2tog, place stitch on right needle back on left needle*
Just keep doing that all the way across: easy peasy!
When I'd finished, I had about 2 yards of yarn left over! Nice!
This yarn was such a joy to knit with. And it's interesting to me how different in character it is from my first one. This shawl feels very springy and lightweight - the fiber is 100% merino. The first one feels slightly heavier and quite a bit more drapey. On that one, the grey is 30/70 silk/merino and the lavender is 100% superwash merino. The superwash treatment really does change the hand of the fiber and the yarn - I'm not much of a fan. In my experience, the yarns I've spun with superwash fiber lack the bounce of similar yarns spun with untreated fiber.
I've been working little by little on my next spinning project, but it's a lot slipperier because of the added silk! So it's likely to be a while before I have anything to share!
But then yesterday morning I saw Evelyn's finished shawl, which she did without the picot, and I quite liked it! So I decided to just bind it off straight, using my favorite stretchy bind-off. After which I steamed the heck out of it!
Because I had less yarn than the pattern called for, I made some adjustments, so this one is really more of a shawlette. I'm going to live with it a while; if I decide it's too small then I'll spin up some more yarn and add on.
I did the garter stitch section as written, then did only 9 repeats of the textured pattern. After that I worked 6 rows of garter stitch and then did the bind off. I really like this one for elasticity and simplicity:
*p2tog, place stitch on right needle back on left needle*
Just keep doing that all the way across: easy peasy!
When I'd finished, I had about 2 yards of yarn left over! Nice!
This yarn was such a joy to knit with. And it's interesting to me how different in character it is from my first one. This shawl feels very springy and lightweight - the fiber is 100% merino. The first one feels slightly heavier and quite a bit more drapey. On that one, the grey is 30/70 silk/merino and the lavender is 100% superwash merino. The superwash treatment really does change the hand of the fiber and the yarn - I'm not much of a fan. In my experience, the yarns I've spun with superwash fiber lack the bounce of similar yarns spun with untreated fiber.
I've been working little by little on my next spinning project, but it's a lot slipperier because of the added silk! So it's likely to be a while before I have anything to share!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Scottish Hillside
I finished my skein of Rose Quartz yarn yesterday, and decided to rename it Scottish Hillside. Thanks, Kirsty!
I thought I'd show what's involved in finishing up a skein of handspun yarn, and at the end I'll show you why I was so anxious to finish it! It's a picture-heavy post again, but most of it is eye candy.
You may remember I was making a three-ply yarn, so I first had to spin up 3 bobbins of singles, i.e. the plies that make up the yarn:
That hank of yarn took quite a bit of work. Each bobbin of singles took about 2.5 hours, the plying took over an hour, and the finishing took another half hour or so. So, about 9 hours for one hank of yarn, and it's not even wound into a skein yet! Good thing I enjoy spinning!
I think this yarn will become another Wholehearted shawl. I'm not really sure it's enough, but I have at least another pound of this fiber, so I can always spin more if I need to!
And now the reason why I was so anxious to get this off my wheel. Last week when I went to Vogue Fabrics to get buttons for my sweater, I discovered a bin of spinning fiber. Uh-oh! Look what I came home with:
I thought I'd show what's involved in finishing up a skein of handspun yarn, and at the end I'll show you why I was so anxious to finish it! It's a picture-heavy post again, but most of it is eye candy.
You may remember I was making a three-ply yarn, so I first had to spin up 3 bobbins of singles, i.e. the plies that make up the yarn:
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| Singles Meet-Up. Couldn't resist! |
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| Faux-keh. |
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| More faux-keh. Maybe someday I'll get a real camera so I can do real bokeh! |
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| The bobbins of singles go onto a lazy kate . . . |
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| which goes next to the wheel . . . |
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| and about an hour later, it's all plied into a full bobbin of 3-ply. (Sorry this one is so fuzzy.) |
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| Then the yarn is wound off onto a niddy-noddy to make a hank. This is my favorite niddy-noddy. It's the first one my dad ever made me, when I first started spinning. |
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| After it's removed from the niddy-noddy, the yarn gets soaked for about a half hour. This sets the twist and also helps the yarn bloom. |
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| Then it hangs to dry. And now the hardest part: waiting!! |
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| I couldn't resist inspecting my work every hour or so! |
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| Finally, the next morning it's mostly dry, and I can twist it into a hank. |
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| I got about 320 yards out of this piece of sliver. |
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| And the heathery color mix shows up a lot more than I was expecting it to, so I'm happy about that! |
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| And of course, you've got to admire my nails next to it. I did a French mani with Zoya Purity and Laurie, and then added some Rococo Gold Leaf topcoat. I feel strangely conspicuous in a French mani - I have't done one in probably 15 years! |
That hank of yarn took quite a bit of work. Each bobbin of singles took about 2.5 hours, the plying took over an hour, and the finishing took another half hour or so. So, about 9 hours for one hank of yarn, and it's not even wound into a skein yet! Good thing I enjoy spinning!
I think this yarn will become another Wholehearted shawl. I'm not really sure it's enough, but I have at least another pound of this fiber, so I can always spin more if I need to!
And now the reason why I was so anxious to get this off my wheel. Last week when I went to Vogue Fabrics to get buttons for my sweater, I discovered a bin of spinning fiber. Uh-oh! Look what I came home with:
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| I got three ounces of this. |
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| Ah! Those colors! |
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| Be still my beating heart! |
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| Look at this cute little curlicue! |
I actually have enough spare bobbins that I could have started this right away, but I was a good girl and finished one project before starting another. But you better believe I'll be starting this today!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Rose Quartz
Ever since I cast on my Wholehearted Shawl the other day with yarn I spun a couple years ago, I've been wanting to sit down and do some spinning. Yesterday my elbows were hurting from too much knitting the day before, so I decided to divert my energy to the wheel.
I keep my fiber in a peach carton. Mmmmmm . . . I wish I had one of those Eckert's peaches right now!
I'm hoping to actually finish this skein soon - i.e. not get bored and let it sit again. But who knows? This is me we're talking about!
Are any of you guys spinners?
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| Ashford Joy, single treadle |
Spinning is something I tend to pick up and put down - often for months or years. I really can't remember the last time I did any spinning, but I think it's been at least a year. I had started to spin the singles for a three-ply using Ashland Bay Merino in Rose Quartz. I had one bobbin full already:
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| The front bobbin is the one I'm talking about. |
So I stared in on bobbin #2:
This is how much I've got after about a half hour each yesterday and today. Once spun, it looks like a heathery mauve, but the top has so many colors in it:
I keep my fiber in a peach carton. Mmmmmm . . . I wish I had one of those Eckert's peaches right now!
I'm hoping to actually finish this skein soon - i.e. not get bored and let it sit again. But who knows? This is me we're talking about!
Are any of you guys spinners?
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