My first ever "I can use this!" handspun
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Baa, Baa -- Is That A Sheep?
Well, yes, in fact some of them are sheep. And some of them are alpacas.
Nearly 2 years ago I attended a small regional fiber show and fell in love with the whole concept of spinning my own yarn. I purchased a couple of dyed silk hankies, some dyed mulberry silk, a small supported spindle and a beautiful little bowl to support it.
Then I went home and made myself crazy trying to spin a fine thread! The first batches were pretty sorry, and I'm too proud to post pictures of them for everyone to see. I found the activity somehow soothing, though, in spite of its also being a challenge. Somehow it was like potato chips -- I could spin just one.
Eventually I moved on to drop spindles (though without ever giving up my lovely support spindles). And eventually I created some Real Yarn. One day soon it will become a shawl. THAT I'll post photos of, I promise.
Meantime, the shop now offers raw Romney fleeces from Transylvania County's very own Cherryfield Farms. Also from Cherryfield we have a few washed fleeces (in case you'd like to try spinning without doing the really heavy work), roving, and finished yarn in 3 weights, appropriate for socks, shawls, sweaters, hats, and most anything else you can think of.
More recently we were fortunate to bring in some alpaca yarn from Trinity Oaks Alpaca over in Henderson County. I cannot tell you how "rich" I feel with all these treasures in the shop.
Now I think I need an Efficiency Expert to tell me how I can fit in all my fiber passions!
Nearly 2 years ago I attended a small regional fiber show and fell in love with the whole concept of spinning my own yarn. I purchased a couple of dyed silk hankies, some dyed mulberry silk, a small supported spindle and a beautiful little bowl to support it.
Then I went home and made myself crazy trying to spin a fine thread! The first batches were pretty sorry, and I'm too proud to post pictures of them for everyone to see. I found the activity somehow soothing, though, in spite of its also being a challenge. Somehow it was like potato chips -- I could spin just one.
Eventually I moved on to drop spindles (though without ever giving up my lovely support spindles). And eventually I created some Real Yarn. One day soon it will become a shawl. THAT I'll post photos of, I promise.
Meantime, the shop now offers raw Romney fleeces from Transylvania County's very own Cherryfield Farms. Also from Cherryfield we have a few washed fleeces (in case you'd like to try spinning without doing the really heavy work), roving, and finished yarn in 3 weights, appropriate for socks, shawls, sweaters, hats, and most anything else you can think of.
More recently we were fortunate to bring in some alpaca yarn from Trinity Oaks Alpaca over in Henderson County. I cannot tell you how "rich" I feel with all these treasures in the shop.
Now I think I need an Efficiency Expert to tell me how I can fit in all my fiber passions!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Casting On
My friend Deb has a real way with words. Ask me to name a dog or a blog and I'll be brain-tied and prosaic. Ask Deb to name a dog or a blog and out pop at least half a dozen cute, catchy monikers. She really has a talent that way. Guess who named "The Yarn Maven's Musings"? (Hint: It wasn't I!). Thanks, Deb!
I'm giving myself permission to spend more time knitting now than I have in most of the years that I've owned Charlotte's Fibers. It always seemed more important to get the "business of business" taken care of, and there's no doubt that is important. But I came to realize that I need to be able to enjoy the yarn and the patterns with which I surround myself in a more concrete way than just looking at them or helping other people knit or crochet with them (as rewarding as that is!). So I've been casting on, and knitting, and even occasionally casting off (LOL). It's so nice to actually finish something!
My favorite current project is the "Two Button Vest" as seen in Vogue Knitting's Spring/Summer 2011 Issue. The original was knit in white Bergere de France "Soja". I'm using Soja but elected to use color "Feuille", a nice soft green. The back is nearly complete (oops! had to frog back to a mistake I couldn't live with after I finished it the first time), and the left front is on a holder. Right front shouldn't take too long, so I expect to be able to wear this lovely vest soon.
I'm giving myself permission to spend more time knitting now than I have in most of the years that I've owned Charlotte's Fibers. It always seemed more important to get the "business of business" taken care of, and there's no doubt that is important. But I came to realize that I need to be able to enjoy the yarn and the patterns with which I surround myself in a more concrete way than just looking at them or helping other people knit or crochet with them (as rewarding as that is!). So I've been casting on, and knitting, and even occasionally casting off (LOL). It's so nice to actually finish something!
My favorite current project is the "Two Button Vest" as seen in Vogue Knitting's Spring/Summer 2011 Issue. The original was knit in white Bergere de France "Soja". I'm using Soja but elected to use color "Feuille", a nice soft green. The back is nearly complete (oops! had to frog back to a mistake I couldn't live with after I finished it the first time), and the left front is on a holder. Right front shouldn't take too long, so I expect to be able to wear this lovely vest soon.
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| Two Button Vest in Bergere de France "Soja" |
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