Shetland Fleece

I bought three fleeces to split with a friend. What a lovely surprise when I washed some and spun it from the lock on my spindle. I don't think I even need to process it in any way.

The guard hairs are soft enough to leave them in. The white silver color is wonderful. I'm seeing a Shetland shawl in my future. 

My Russian Spindle Journey

Ever since I took a Orenburg lace workshop with Galina Khmeleva in the 90's, I have wanted to master the Russian spindle.I bought two Russian spindles from Galina. I also bought a contemporary Russian spindle from Gripping Yarns a couple of years ago. This last month I have been honing my skill on the Russian spindle. I got some help from Traci who is getting wonderful results on her Russian spindle.  
Most interesting of all is the different methods that each spinner uses.Scroll to the end of this post for some great videos on Russian spindle spinning

Here is my attempt after much practice. Notice the wonderful ceramic bowl from Heidispottery.

I've also been spinning some Romney/Corriedale on a top whorl. Just this morning I set about to ply it:

Videos on Supported Spindle Spinning

Tibetan Handcraft Spinning

Beth Smith: Russian Spindle

Amanda: Supported Spindle

Feegle: Russian Spindle

Lhamo Spins More:

Holiday Knitting

I made DD a hat to warm her ears when she heads to the barn to feed her horses. 

New Blog Look

This is a new look for my blog. It's nice to change after so many years.

Knitting Backwards

I finally learned how to knit backwards . Thanks to videos on knitting I was able to add this skill to my knitting skills. Now I can knit more quickly on this cowl. There is nothing worse than doing three sets of short rows on the same five stitches. 

One, Two, Three

I'm back!! I am in the swing again after many months of no posts. I guess painting had been occupying my time. 

At least I have been knitting.  I actually finished a gansey cardigan that I'm wearing now. 

I've also commenced working on some spindle spinning. As you can see the three steps are present. The spun singles, the center pull ball and the plied yarn. 

Plying

I just finished plying one skein of this wonderful yarn. I have two more bobbins to ply. Next I will get back to spinning more of the same fiber. I've forgotten how much of this fiber I have since I bought it from Rhinebeck over ten years ago. Talk about aged stash!!! I'm also working on a hat for a friend. I'm hoping it matches her wonderful blue eyes.

It's been a Long Time.

Well.......the blog title says it all. I've been so wrapped up in watercolor painting and my first  6 person show called Summer Solstice at R I Watercolor Society that I haven't posted in a long while. The opening went well with about 200 visitors. The show closes this Thursday.

I went to my local guild meeting last Saturday and spun some fiber on my spindle. Didn't quite want to drag my Ashford Joy to the meeting in the heat. We had a good time as always comparing projects.


I did work on knitting the Elizabeth sweater until the dang heat sapped my desire to work on the heavy sweater knitted in one piece. I also started  a free Stephen West Purl Ridge Scarf that I'm knitting out of my handspun yarn. It's  simple circular knitting project. I need to start another sock knitting project. Any suggestions for the pattern I should use?

Thanks to Iris I came across a cool video that explains a ton of ways to wear a scarf. Although the scarves are made of fabric the techniques apply to hand-knitted scarves as well.
Check it out..............

Great Ceramics at RI Wool and Fiber Fest

I had a great time spinning at Coggeshall Farm Saturday. I bought a wonderful yarn bowl from Rising sun Earthworks! Here's a sample of her work.

Latest FO

I finished the Meret beret for my aunt. Cotton Ease is a great yarn for a spring tam.

Weddings

When my daughter married I made her a ring bearer pillow out of my wedding dress train. She loved it, and it made sense to use my gown for a special purpose.

Last month a friend asked me to make a pillow for her daughter' s wedding.She was fortunate to have pieces of the wedding attire of her grandmother, mother and her own gown. I had her cut the pieces I would use to make the pillow. Another friend washed the lace we had cut from the three fabrics. Last week I finished the pillow.

Pink !

What a joy to knit these baby pants. Kanoko is a free pattern in Ravelry.

Spinning Again.....

I've been so involved with painting that I neglected spinning. It feels so good to feel the wool in my hands. I've spun up 3 full bobbins and almost a 4th. Soon I'll be plying.

Last Day of the Year

Today I enjoyed spinning and knitting with friends at RI Handspun. It was a great way to end the year.

Finally I am able to get back to my own knitting. I need to get back to the Bridgewater shawl, socks and spinning.

I'm also hoping to start a sweater for me. Of course, I can't forget to finish a baby gift.

The Hat is Done

Christmas Trekking

Today we are heading to DD for our usual relaxing day. Just a dusting of snow this am adds to the holiday sense. I didn't finish DH's hat after all. It's wrapped with needles attached. Hope he likes it.

Cookie Making

It's begun. The baking that is.

Tis the Season

I've been busy with the usual holiday activities. Knitting for Christmas has kept me busy as well. But I'm in good shape. I'm hoping to knit at least one more gift at this late date. I don't know about you! but just when I'm coasting into the holiday with quite a bit done, I try to do more ! Any one else do this? Talk about making the days whirr.

Tomorrow it's cookie baking time. Thanks to DD I am only making three or four kinds. These last few years she's volunteered to make some as well. When I think about it, I've been making cookies for more than forty years. Up until the last four years I used to make decorated trays of cookies for gifts. Hmmm what cookies shall I make? Butter balls, Christmas Pistachio M and M squares, Hidden Kiss cookies.........

What cookies are you baking?

Spindling for Sheep Heid

All I need is 25 yards of 9 natural shades of wool. I can do it.

Natural Dye Day

Our local weaving guild sponsored a natural dye day last week. With the guidance of Ellen Stone, who is widely known for her knowledge of natural dyes, we dyed fiber and yarn using jewelweed, cochineal , indigo, goldenrod, black walnut, rhododendron and more.

Here is a pic of my merino fiber in the cochineal dye pot. Below that is the cochineal dyed handspun merino yarn I just finished plying.