At the Beach

We are in Maine for a week. Brother, sister and family...my the water is cold but having a blast at Ocean Park and York Beach - eating lots of fresh fish! Just pictures.....

Spinning with a Spindle

Yesterday - Sis and I had a 3 hour lesson spinning with a spindle. We had a blast! Lots of laughs and a lot of fun. A lovely lady by the name of Colette took us on and gave us a private workshop for 3 hours. I sure learnt a lot and I think this is something I may love. Another extension of my passion for wool. 

We started off with some Tasmanian Corriedale (undyed) that I bought on Etsy as a starter spinning kit. I found out right away that my spindle was for light spinning (lace and fine fingering). So used one of the student spindles and my first attempt resulted in some nice lumpy bumpy wool (which I love) that I two plied. At least now I understand the terms and how yarn is made! I will probably dye the rest of the corriedale and use it for some other project. Maybe ply it with some novelty yarn or fleece to add to my rug hooking.

So this morning I was so anxious to practice my new found talent (HAHAHA) that I decided to use my spindle and spin some tussah green silk I had bought.  Practice! Practice! that is the only way. So it is a little bumpy lumpy but that is ok ' cause I like it like that. I immediately saw the difference in spinning lace weight as it can get real thin and lots of spin is needed.

It will eventually be 3 plied with another silk and a merino/ silk blend, once I get the right spindle for a worsted weight. Hopefully it will be nice enough to knit into a cowl....my first spun and knit project. I love new adventures! Maybe I will have a wonderful spinning wheel to call my own next year - better save my toonies! Have a great afternoon....Joni

Socks on the Needles

I have not knit a pair of socks in a couple of years. Now that I am into this knitting frenzy thought it was time to put some on the needles. I found this wonderul yarn called Lucky Penny from my favourite indie yarn dyer  - Tanis Fiber Arts - who lives a hop, skip and a jump from me. It was a perfect match for my summer shoes that I wear (lime green) my new favourite colour. The sock pattern is called Business Casual which can be found on Ravelry. It's a free download!

In today's mail were some wool purchases.  All from Turtlepurl Yarn, an indie dyer from Gatineau, Quebec. The roving came just in time for my spinning class tomorrow with Sis..should be a laugh or two! More on that in the next few days.

Nope I have not given up rug hooking - just taking a break and still buying wool. Waiting for the light bulb to come on and the creative juices to start flowing. Ideas flitting away here and there in my brain but nothing has settled in yet LOL.. have a great evening...