I've been at it with the Noro again. Well, I can't really help it because, as I've said before, it's so soft when you work it and the colour changes are wonderfully unpredictable. I made this scarf - my seventh - earlier this year, but I've only just decided who's going to receive it. They're a little bit special, and it takes some thought before I know who needs to own one.
This colourway is relatively masculine - not too much; just enough. It's going to its new home tomorrow.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Truism
Celui qui se perd dans sa passion a moins perdu que celui qui perd sa passion. (Alexandre Jardin, Le roman des Jardin)
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Spinning: 30 Mehefin / June 2010
Yesterday, I took possession of a box of goodies from Shiela's shop, including some carders, power scour and toolkit for my wheel. I'd also bought The Ashford Book of Hand Spinning by Jo Reeve, and it's a revelation. I've learnt how to combat twist (tread more slowly), how to regulate my drafting so that it's more even, and the different kinds of yarns that be spun. I couldn't wait to delve back in, so I headed for my stash of roving, and this is the result. You can see a teensy bit of overtwist there, but that's because I'd let go of the yarn to take the photo! I'm delighted that it's coming together so nicely, and I'm feeling more confident about joining the Ceredigion Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers next week.
Monday, 28 June 2010
A History of the World in 100 Objects
I've been following The British Museum and BBC's A History of the World in 100 Objects series with much interest, and imagine my joy - literally - when I found this contribution that was submitted by The Devon Show! That's my wheel! I'm not surprised that it was added...
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Blended yarn
I've had a hectic couple of days, so today was put aside for concentrating on learning to spin properly. Of course, it's going to take a while before I manage to produce a smooth, even yarn, but even today's effort was much better than Friday's. I've learnt that the key to good spinning is to relax one's posture, to draft - or tease - the fibres gently yet firmly, and to control the twist with the right hand; not easy when you're a beginner, but it clicked soon enough.
I started with some merino, which was lovely and smooth, but I got too much twist into it. Learning fast, I then turned to some Corridale, which was quite difficult to draft, but made a lovely dark brown yarn. Then it was back to some merino, in purple this time, and that spun quickly and smoothly. I've now plied the Corriedale and merino together, and I just need to set it. I'm really pleased with the resulting yarn (even if the colours are a bit iffy together); it's a little bit slubby, but that will add texture, and there's quite a lot of it, which was a bit of a surprise.
So, where to next? I'm going to practice, practice, practice, until I really know what I'm doing, and having fun with different colour blends. And then I get to knit it all up, of course :)
I started with some merino, which was lovely and smooth, but I got too much twist into it. Learning fast, I then turned to some Corridale, which was quite difficult to draft, but made a lovely dark brown yarn. Then it was back to some merino, in purple this time, and that spun quickly and smoothly. I've now plied the Corriedale and merino together, and I just need to set it. I'm really pleased with the resulting yarn (even if the colours are a bit iffy together); it's a little bit slubby, but that will add texture, and there's quite a lot of it, which was a bit of a surprise.
So, where to next? I'm going to practice, practice, practice, until I really know what I'm doing, and having fun with different colour blends. And then I get to knit it all up, of course :)
Blueberry Angoras
The idea of spending Friday in Pembrokeshire, my favourite county, had begun formulating earlier in the week when I'd found out that Blueberry Angoras is located right on the border with Ceredigion, about an hour's drive away. I'd been getting my head clear about buying a spinning wheel, and although their website has no information about prices, I thought it would be a good idea to go along, meet the people, and ask about wheels and courses. And, more to the point, they're in Pembrokeshire. 'Nuff said.
The welcome we received was warm, and unexpected. As soon as I stepped through the door, Sylvia flicked the kettle on, and sat me down to talk about wheels and looms. Before I knew it, she'd set up a Joy wheel for me, and started me spinning, and within 10 minutes she had me plying a sample of yarn; I was so thrilled!
And I discovered something astonishing. When I was at Wonderwool Wales a couple of months ago, the first thing that I saw when I entered the building was a lady sitting in the coffee area, spinning some wool. She looked so content that I went over to talk to her - don't ask me why; it's not something that I'd normally do, and I certainly knew nothing about spinning at that point. She explained to me that she'd bought the wheel as a present for herself, and I remarked that it looked like such a joy to use - and she exclaimed, "That's what it's called!" I was invited to try it, but I was so scared that I'd mess up her beautiful work that I declined, and was happy to just watch her instead. This was the moment that I decided that I had to learn to spin. And Sylvia told me that she knew who this woman was, and that she'd bought the wheel from her that weekend: small world...
Having decided that I was going to buy a Joy, Sylvia then showed me how to card some wool, and explained about the different looms that she has, and I've promised to go back for a weaving lesson. And I really couldn't resist buying some angora whilst I was there, and decided on some glorious raspberry and heather yarn.
This was such a wonderful experience. Sylvia was very patient and generous with her time, and I would have been completely lost without her help. I can't wait to go back!
The welcome we received was warm, and unexpected. As soon as I stepped through the door, Sylvia flicked the kettle on, and sat me down to talk about wheels and looms. Before I knew it, she'd set up a Joy wheel for me, and started me spinning, and within 10 minutes she had me plying a sample of yarn; I was so thrilled!
And I discovered something astonishing. When I was at Wonderwool Wales a couple of months ago, the first thing that I saw when I entered the building was a lady sitting in the coffee area, spinning some wool. She looked so content that I went over to talk to her - don't ask me why; it's not something that I'd normally do, and I certainly knew nothing about spinning at that point. She explained to me that she'd bought the wheel as a present for herself, and I remarked that it looked like such a joy to use - and she exclaimed, "That's what it's called!" I was invited to try it, but I was so scared that I'd mess up her beautiful work that I declined, and was happy to just watch her instead. This was the moment that I decided that I had to learn to spin. And Sylvia told me that she knew who this woman was, and that she'd bought the wheel from her that weekend: small world...
Having decided that I was going to buy a Joy, Sylvia then showed me how to card some wool, and explained about the different looms that she has, and I've promised to go back for a weaving lesson. And I really couldn't resist buying some angora whilst I was there, and decided on some glorious raspberry and heather yarn.
This was such a wonderful experience. Sylvia was very patient and generous with her time, and I would have been completely lost without her help. I can't wait to go back!
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Knitted flowers
I've owned Lesley Stanfield's 100 flowers to crochet and knit for a while, but haven't really felt brave enough to tackle any of the projects. However, having seen Sue2's brooches at the weekend, I thought it was high time that I gave it a go. Using Sirdar's Balmoral DK in Clarence Pink and Polo Pink, I started with the dahlia and moved on to the floribunda rose and I'm really happy with the way they've turned out. I originally considered felting them, but I think I'm going to leave them as they are, as they're quite big and blowsy.
I think the most realistic flowers in this book are those that have been crocheted, so I'll need to dust off my crochet hooks and get going with some of them. I'd like to add them to the bottom of some of my scarves, or needlefelt them into some of my other creations - the possibilities are endless!
I think the most realistic flowers in this book are those that have been crocheted, so I'll need to dust off my crochet hooks and get going with some of them. I'd like to add them to the bottom of some of my scarves, or needlefelt them into some of my other creations - the possibilities are endless!
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