Bad Blogger

It has almost been 6 months since I have posted on Blogger, well here is an update -
This is my PIF gift from Gilraen's Knits (Margaret). She used Posh Yarn 'Emily' in pomegranite colour which is a combination of Lambswool/Angora and Cashmere to make this pair of 'Monkeys'. Also included in the parcel was a stitch marker with 2 animals on and Fair Trade Chocolate. Thankyou Margaret, the socks fit perfectly! A really special PIF parcel.



This is the 'Landscape Scarf' from FibreTrends knit in Shantung Sunbeam yarn (65%silk 35%wool?). The pattern was given to me in the last Knitter's Tea Swap, I have just started on the huge shawl! (Yes, there is part of a cat in the picture.)



This scarf is going to be a present, it is a Fishtail Lace pattern, using SWT Karaoke yarn, 3 balls of it.


This was the PIF gift for Ron Miskin from Buffalo Gold who very generously gave me the Buffalo fibre. I posted the other two gifts a while ago but have not heard from either recipient, please let me know if the gifts have reached you.



Some spinning - the first picture is the fiber from the first KTS I joined in with, the second pic is the rest of the fleece a friend gave me.


This next piccie is the fibre from the most recent KTS as one ply and the other ply is a wool/silk/cashmere combination. The last single ball is entirely of wool/silk/cashmere combination.


I downloaded these pictures onto Photobucket and perhaps forgot to save the changes, hence the reason why they are not all upright.

Buffalo Gold Gifts

This is the gift that Ron Miskin gave to me via the PIF post - 2 ounces of Buffalo Gold fibre so that I can try and spin and knit the moss stitch scarf from the website. I am thrilled it has finally arrived safely, thank you Ron for your kindness, really looking forward to starting this project!

Operation Christmas Child 2007

This year my Mum and I filled 2 shoe boxes, both for 10-14's, one for a boy and one for a girl for Operation Christmas Child. You can knit finger puppets and hats for the boxes if you want, follow the link . It is amazing the difference a shoebox filled with gifts can make to a child take a look at the video on the website for more information.

My new Kromski Symphony

This is my new wheel from Wingham Wool Work that I got for a bargain price as it had been water damaged from the floods a couple of months ago, it had minimal damage to the varnish and I thought it was coming unfinished but to my surprise it had a clear finish which was just what I would have given it so my Dad helped me assemble it and I just need to adjust the flyer as the bobbins stick on one side before I can start spinning. It also came with the lazy kate.

Embroidery Cards

These are some cards I have started stitching for Christmas, I thought I would build up a range of them and perhaps next year go to a craft event and try and sell them on a stall.

KTS4

My box of goodies came a week or so ago, after catching up from a holiday in France I have finally got round to posting about it! The teas are wonderful, strong and really good with milk, I think the Supreme Breakfast is my favourite! Babette sent me some fibre from her Angora bunnies and I will have fun blending and spinning this some time in the future! The sweets well I have left out some Maple Syrup candies as they got eaten and I forgot to photograph them before this, and my sister is having a birthday this week so we will consume the pancakes with maple syrup for her birthday breakfast. The card sent with the gifts is very apt, thank you Babette for a really fabulous KTS swap!

Pink for October

Breast Cancer Awareness - Think Pink

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward
I've been reading about the Pay It Forward exchange on a few blogs, and finally decided to sign up on Gilraen's blog. Here's the deal:

It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based on the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. You all know I’m already a PIF type of person. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.I will send to anywhere in the World as long as it doesn't involve space travel ;)

Hats for Age Concern on Innocent Drinks

This is 100g merino handspun hand-dyed yarn that I spun and dyed as one of my first projects, finally now I have found a use for it!

10 little hats that I knitted over the last couple of days, I found some small bobbles in my local remanent shop which I think just finish the hats off. Every bottle with a hat on has 50p donated to Age Concern when they are placed on Innocent Smoothie Bottles, they can be found at Sainsburys and other participating stores. The hatted drinks will be on sale from November 7th -21st, so look out for them and get buying the drinks! Click here for the website, patterns and progress.

Silk Yarn

The singles spun up. The caps weighed the same but it looked like I had spun a lot more onto the top bobbin but when I plied them the yardage matched with about 20cm left over on the top bobbin!

27g of silk caps spun into 242yds of a gorgeous sea coloured varigated 2 ply hand dyed, hand spun yarn, at a guess because I forgot to check before winding into a ball I think it would be fingering weight to heavy laceweight. I always seem to have a lot of dye come out when setting the twist even though after the initial dyeing I washed the caps until the water ran clear, maybe I am abit heavy handed with dyes as I like strong colours!
Any suggestions for a small project in which I could use this silk?

Silk Cap Preparation

After almost all of my first week of annual leave spent mostly indoors as there was sooooo much rain we finally had a really sunny, hot day of gorgeous weather so I sat in the garden separating and thinning 1 of my silk caps the bottom one from the previous post, so silky and shimmery in the sunlight although these photos are taken indoors.

Ready for spinning!

This is a full bobbin of the roving Iris gave me as part of the Knitters Tea Swap 3, I hope they do another, it was fun. This must be about 2-3oz of roving from the 8oz she gave me.

Batt Swap & Silk Cap Dyeing

After moving house about 3 weeks ago I have started to settle in, hence the reason for lack of postings!

*******Read on about the batt swap******


I have random dyed 2 lots of silk caps by sprinkling some dyes across the silk caps and having sealed them in ClingFilm, then I microwaved them for about 10 mins as our microwave is only 600watts! Now waiting for them to dry and them to give them a beating, as the fibres have stuck together abit.


These are some batts I made before moving, they weigh approx 390g together and are a combination of 80%merino/20%soy silk, 80%linen/20%silk noils, variety of different colours of alpaca. There is at least 60g in each batt, they are light and airy and wonderfully soft, all being heathered shades of similar colours.


************My offer is I would love to try spinning some Buffalo Gold fibre to make the Unisex Double Moss Stitch Scarf with Optional Scalloped Edging shown below which takes 2oz of buffalo gold fibre to make, but the only supplier to the UK has stopped trading so I am finding it very difficult to locate and buy any of the fibre. I realise 2oz of the buffalo gold down is very expensive so I am looking for offers, if anyone would like all of my batts (the ones shown below)to spin I would be willing to swap them for at least 1oz of buffalo gold roving, please contact me Rachel.spinning@virgin.net and make me an offer************

Closeups of the 5 batts seen in the photo above.

Spinning wool

A fleece from a friend of which I have spun a 2ply yarn weighing 147g, and of about 15 wpi. This picture is a bit darker than the acutal fibre colour. Loads of fleece left to spin!

This is a Dorset fleece from the Suffolk Show 2006, spun into a 2ply yarn, weighing 202g and approx 14/15wpi. This was a massive fleece so I also have alot left over to still spin. This is the washed fibre, compare with the post from yesterday to see the difference in colour!

Spinning with wool & Bamboo

This is the roving from Iris, just started to spin this, fine laceweight, lovely variated colours and very soft.
This is 100g Bamboo Fibre from Wingham Wool Work (UK), I have now to spin another bobbin as I will make a 2 ply yarn.

This is a fleece I got from the Suffolk Show last year, initially I spun straight from the fleece as it was so clean and easy to handle but had the rest sent to a fibre mill to be processed because the fleece with the lanolin was not very nice after a few months. This is before washing, it was very yellow and extremely greasy! More to follow.

Knitters Tea Swap Parcel Arrives!

A very big thank you to Iris for her very generous parcel with loads of goodies in, she really seems to know what I like so below are photos of what was in the parcel.

This is a skein of shrink resistant lace weight merino - 100g = 1375yds, many packets of Kool-Aid for creative dyeing and a pattern for the Fiber Trends Landscape Shawl & Scarf.

This is Ingeo Yarn, a skein is 1.75oz = approx 110yds made from the yellow kernel of the corn not corn silk - this is produced in Iowa.
Many individual sachets of teas, 2 pack of Gong Fu Tea - Lemon & Hibiscus and Prince of Wales (from Iowa). Also the 'Star of Persia' tea with ruby sugar crystals.

3 packs of Soy Nuts, I have already eaten the zesty barbeque flavour (we don't have these in the UK and they are delicious), also there is chocolate and roasted/salted.
4 ounces of 70% Alpaca 30% silk from Huacaya Moon,
This is a natural varigated colour.

Good old PG Tips and a bar of French Lavender Soap from Two Rivers Soap Company. A pretty cloth in a lavender shade comes with the soap which has a very natural wonderful smell.

And finally 8oz of a wool roving, very soft to the touch and really my style of fibre!

Thank you Iris, this has been an amazing swap, with really unexpected kindness and generosity.

Sirdar Shrug

This is the finished Sirdar Shrug using Blur yarn in 'Indigo' shade, it took just over 3.5 balls of yarn, very soft and warm! I have chosen to donate it to Claudia who is doing a cycle ride for the National MS Society. Go and take a look at her blog, donate some money if you wish and look at all the generous wonderful prizes people have pledged to help raise funds for the National MS Society.

F O

This is my finally finished Baltic Sea Stole the pattern is from Fibre Trends and I bought the pattern from Get Knitted. I used Rare Comfort Jo Sharp Kid Mohair, also available from Get Knitted in the colourway 'Cello'. I bought 10 balls and used 9.5, as I slightly increased the length of the stole to use as much yarn as possible. This has taken me months of occasionally knitting a few rows, but being my first lace project I really like the result. The pattern was very repetitive but I now realise this is what lace is about. Some of the lace patterns are so pretty I will be venturing into more challenging patterns, which one to choose though, there are loads of shawl patterns I love, any suggestions as to what to do next?

The Sirdar Shrug is next on the needles, pictures to follow

Spinning

This is a 2ply, approx 260yds, 12wpi yarn. 1 ply is of soy silk and the other of random dyed Suffolk wool. The yarn is quite soft as the soy silk balances the roughness of the Suffolk wool.

Spun freebie by Kat

Spun by Kat, the parcel got all the way to America! She has spun 2 lots, one being navajo-plied and the other thick and thin singles. Thank you to everyone who has participated with the spinning as I am really impressed with all the spun results, this is a really positive result, keep sending in comments and photos please. Kat both are very pretty, I particularly like the navajo-plied one!

Spun freebie by Jo

Pictures from Jo, the fibre sample looks gorgeous and I really like the combination of the eyelash yarn with the spun wool. Stats - 7 wpi, and 23.6yds of fibre goodness. I am now researching possible websites to sell my wares from, does anyone have any tips/ideas on the best type of site to sell fibre from e.g. Etsy shop, Mr site website etc?

How much is your blog worth?

My blog is worth $3,387.24.
How much is your blog worth?

Sirdar Blur Shrug

My next project is a Sirdar Blur Shrug, I will be using Sirdar Blur yarn in the 'Indigo' colour (708). I got the yarn from The Black Sheep Ltd. I am now about 90% complete on the Baltic Stole and looking forward to my next project!

Spun freebie by Anne

Here are pictures of the sample sent to Anne, 25wpi, 200yds, approx 40-50gms, single ply - gorgeous! I love how the marine blue from Omega Dyes looks much more subtle than on the dyed roving.

Spun freebie by Artis-Anne

Here are the first piccies from Artis-Anne of some of my free fibres spun up! I am now getting really informative feedback on whether to start an internet fibre shop! This sample weighed approx 40gm and using several different techniques -(slubby yarn, light Aran weight, Lace weight) Anne got about 52 yds of 2 ply yarn. I love the Malachite colour, and the barber pole effect with the white, I agree with Anne, the colour is very intense and I think it looks great!

Freebie Winners

Congratulations , the winners of the fibre samples in no particular order are -

Chris (Christina's Creations)
Kath (Kath's Krafty Kreations)
Ruth
Maylin (Tricot Treat)
Annie (Up Knit Creek)
Artis-Anne
Diane (Needles on the Move)
Jo (Freestylefibre)
Kat (Creative Pop-Offs)

Please respond to this post by 1st June 2007 by sending your e-mail details to me at Rachel.spinning@ntlworld.com.
Please let me know your favourite colour and your least favourite colour.
Include your address and full name so I know where to send the fibres.
I will send the fibres out as people respond to the post.
After 1st June 2007 the fibre samples will no longer be offered so claim your free samples while you can!

Garden Flowers

Pictures of late arrivals from around the garden!

Progress is slow on the weaving, about 2.5 cushions complete and 80% of the Baltic Sea Stole now complete.

Freshly dyed fibres for sampling!

These are some samples random dyed with Omega Dyes - All in One Acid Dyes - Pyrian Purple, Marine Blue, Moss and Malachite. I much prefer these dyes to my Ashford ones, the colours are more appealing to me and I don't have to use vinegar. Keep commenting on the relevant March 'Freebies' post below if you would like to try spinning some of my fibre freebies.

Work In Progress Update

42 Wedding Invites embroidered ready for my sister's wedding later this year - now completed!

This is my current weaving project - 8

20" cushion covers from a 50/50 silk wool yarn, I have completed 1.5 cushions so far

Here is my Baltic Sea Stole in progress - about 70% complete, this is not at all like the right colour, but you can see the pattern. I have enjoyed this as it is my first lace project!

Spinning Freebie Pictures

These are some pictures of the free spinning samples I will be sending people - please respond to the post below this one to register your interest for spinning some of my wool!

Freebies!

I am trying to discover if I started up a small fibre internet shop whether people would want to buy my products, so I am offering several free samples of some Suffolk fleece. My friend has some lambs and this fibre is from their first shearing so is light, soft and bouncy. The fleeces have been to a fibre mill for processing, so now are in a roving about 1.5" wide. Each sample will weight approx. 50grams and have some random single colour dyeing throughout it's length.

If anyone is interested in trialling a sample to spin and would be willing to give feedback of how they like the fibre, texture, length of fibres, what spinning technique used, whether you plied it, and if so what type of plying used etc, and a picture of the end product sent to me via e-mail then please leave a comment to this post indicating this.

On the last day of April 2007 I will randomly select several people to send my fibres to, and I will post the names on my blog. Please then send me your e-mail address so, I can contact you, to post you a fibre sample.

Embroidery Cards

At a local church craft fair I saw a woman making these embroidery cards, so I got on the website and ordered myself some kits, this is what I have completed so far....


The Christmas Ones...
The Cat ones..

I have now interested my sister, and will be doing her wedding invites with some other designs!
More to follow

Irish Hiking Scarf & Wrist Wamers Done!

Here are 2 photos of the articles, which after many months I have finally finished!


This is my first cable project, which was easy to do. I did a couple of repeats every few days as I get bored quickly and now the scarf is about 55" long. All ready for winter!

Stick Weaving Mat

Here are pictures of my sticks which I used to make the rug from and the finished article, it's rustic. The sticks were made from a length of dowel, which we cut into pieces, then drilled a hole into and sharpened one end into a point. I used cotton twine for the warp and Icelandic Lopi wool for the weft, which was very thick so the rug grew quickly. I pulled each strip very tight, this is why the rug isn't completely flat to the ground, but it's really tough. I got the Lopi wool from Texere Yarns ages ago and this was perfect for the project.

It's very warm, just ready for winter.

I am a Daisy What Flower Are You?

More Finished Objects

Pictures of my Dad's birthday socks -



Pictures of my hand woven, part hand dyed tea-towels, the close up is of the reverse of the towels. I hand dyed some Cottolin gold and wine and the neutral is the colour I bought it.



Now I am thinking about starting a couple of projects as I only have the Irish Hiking ones left.

Craft Update

I decided to update this blog when I had done afew things...........


Here are 2 pictures of the hand spun yarn blanket I finished knitting a couple of weeks back. I got the wool from ebay ages ago, but couldn't think of a suitable use for it until now! This close up shows all the different fibres, it is really heavy and warm, perfect for the coming winter evenings!


I also have completed one of the socks I have been knitting for my Dad's 60th Birthday later this month, I have been using Lorna's Laces yarn in the Black Pearl colourway. I have modified Wendy's generic top up sock pattern, and used this, unfortunately the colours have pooled but I'm sure he will like them anyway.

My church are having a craft fair so I thought I would make some stitch markers for them to sell, they are complete except for the split rings which I need to buy

I am now trying to finish my Dad's socks and the Irish Hiking Scarf and Hat before starting any new projects.

Posh Socks

These are the 'Slip Up' Socks made with June's 'Hot house' yarn now completed.

Sock knitting Mania!

I wanted to start knitting and socks seemed managable and quick to knit , also after seeing so many inspirational pairs on the internet that people have knitted so......

I started knitting a pair of socks from a Vogue pattern for Tennis socks. I quickly got fed up with the ribbing section at the top and decided to do half the length needed which gave me a pair of trainer style tennis socks!

Next I joined a sock club with Posh Yarns and I have started using June's yarn 'Hot house' to make the 'Slip Up Socks' they give as a free pattern - 1 sock complete, 1 to go!