Spinning Year End Wrap Up (or how many WIPS can I find)

I am currently spinning a variety of different fibers.  Just like my stitching, I want to finish all the items I have on the go before I start anything new.  And oh are there a lot of pretty things waiting for my attention.

On the Kromski Sonata I am spinning a wool and silk blend.  It is rather sticky and not a lot of fun to spin.  Once it is spun and washed, I think it will be very pretty. 

On my spindles, I am working on a 80/20 BFL and nylon blend in the color Bounty Hunter's Picnic.  This is a long term spin.  I am taking my time and enjoying the process.  The fiber came from a fiber club by Into the Whirled.  Even though it has been in my stash for a couple years, it is spinning like a dream. It wasn't compacted at all.

On the Electric Eel I am working on a fiber from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool.  I don't recall who the vendor was or what type of wool it was.  It is a mixture of wool and sparkle.  Emphasis on Sparkle.  It is oh so pretty and interesting to spin.  I really have to pay attention or I end up with all sparkle or all wool. But I think that may be what is making it fun.

Until next time, Be Safe, Keep the Shiny Side Up and Always Ride Your Own Life ~ Crystal

April 27, 2021

There are actually 2 of this sock.  They are finished and gifted to my Mom.  This is the ElinPelin Socks by Jenny Alderbrant.  The pattern is in "Winter Knits from Scandinavia"

 

This is the spinning I'm currently working on.  It is Shetland wool.  All 3 braids are died in the same colorway on different colored bases.  I am spinning them each as traditional 3 ply.

Tour De Fleece - Week 3

7/11/20  Day 15: No Spinning. 😞 But since My headache left, we had to get some work done around the house.  Unfortunately I was to pooped to do anything when we were done.

7/12/20 Day 16:














7/13/20 Day 17:

7/14/20 Day 18:

7/15/20 Day 19 - 7/19/20 Day 23:  No pictures because I was just too lazy.

This are the finished bobbins.  Each bobbin is 1/2 ounce.

Tour De Fleece Week 2

Week 2 Progress:

7/4/20 Day 8:  My family went on a camping trip as we celebrated Independence day.  I brought my knitting and spinning.  However, it felt like is was 190 degrees in the shade.  We sat in the shade talked big and drank several adult beverages.  Needless to say, I didn't even think about spinning.

7/5/20 Day 9:  It was a short weekend camping trip.  And is the case it always seems to take more time to clean up and get home. Unfortunately, we came home to a discontented central air system, and a water heater that got over heated.  We got it all working but spinning was the last thing on my mind.

7/6/20 Day 10: I finished 1/2 oz and started another bobbin.

7/7/20 Day 11:  I spun for about 15 minutes during a meeting today.

7/8/20 Day 12:   It doesn't look like much but here is my progress.

7/9/20 Day 13 and 7/10/20 Day 14:  I was down and out with a Sinus headache, so there was no spinning going on, unless it was in my dreams.

Tour De Fleece - Week 1

A lot has happened since I last posted to the blog.  The knitting world seems to be being ripped apart at the seams. And frankly I am just a little sick and tired of it.  So I decided to take my marbles and go home.  Which brings me back here. 

I originally started this blog in order to keep track of my crafting.  This year, I want to participate in the Tour De Fleece but I hate following rules.  So, I decided to keep track of my process here.

Here is my Week 1 Progress:

6/27/20 Day 1: I thought about spinning but was on the back of the Motorcycle in North Central Wisconsin

6/28/20 Day 2: I really, really thought about spinning but was again on the back of the Motorcycle. This time we were in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.


6/29/20 Day 3: 

cbarnwolf1's Spinning

6/30/20 Day 4: 

cbarnwolf1's Spinning

7/1/20 Day 5: 

7/2/20 Day 6: I spun for about 15 minutes. But it looks substantially the same as yesterday.

7/3/20 Day 7: I spun for about 5 minutes. There are no pictures because it all looks the same.

New Year's Goal Check In

We are almost half way through the year so I thought I'd check in with my New Year's goals

1. Update the blog once per week - Fail!  This is only the second time I've blogged since making that goal.  However, I won't be too hard on myself since life is busy.  Maybe after graduation next year this one will be a bit easier.

2. Feel comfortable enough in my skin to wear a little sun dress for Easter - I didn't end up wearing a sun dress but I did wear a really cute pants outfit.

3. Finish everything currently on the needles - Lady Eleanore scarf; 2 pair of socks for my daughter and the Old Man and the Sea Sweater - I finished my Lady Eleanore and the 2 pair of socks but I have yet to pick back up that sweater.

 

 

 

 

 

These are the two pair that are now finished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Knit a handspun pair of socks - I haven't even thought about this one.  I haven't touched my poor spinning wheel in more than 6 months.  The poor thing probably thinks I left it.

 

5. Knit a worsted weight pair of socks - I haven't started this.

6. Knit a pair of mittens from silk hankies- I haven't started this.

7. Knit the sweater from 'Botanical Knits'- I haven't started this.

8. Knit a sweater from the Blue Cascade yarn- I haven't started this.

 

I have been enjoying this view as much as possible this spring.

 

PS.  In trying to find pictures for this post, I have found a disturbing lack of finished object pictures.  There are an abundance of in progress shots.  I will have to work on that.

Introduction to Spinning

I never expected to enjoy spinning when I took my first class.  But by the end of the day, I was hooked. And bought my wheel on the spot.  Spinning, for me, is not about the getting yarn but about the process of creating.  So when I received an assignment for my english class to explain a green technology in essay form it was only natural for me to turn to an enjoyable hobby that uses very few non-renewable resources and is powered by the human body.  The rest of the assignment was to create a video to go along with the essay - Introduction to Spinning.

The video was much more difficult than I expected and gives me even more appreciation for those people who podcast week in and week out.  I'll just apologize up front for the stops, stumbles, umms and ahhs throughout.  I hope you can enjoy it for what it is.

Here are some further spinning resources that I enjoy and you may find helpful:

Podcasts:
 The KnitGirllls - This podcast is excellent at enabling.  They also show beautiful examples of finished yarn and spinning in process.
 Blooming Knitter - This podcaster has done several very professional tutorials and is a pleasure just to listen to while your spinning or knitting.
The Proverbial Knitter - This podcaster has done tours of several different types and styles of spinning wheels.  If you think you want to get a spinning wheel, go check her out.

Books:
Start Spinning by Maggie-Casey
The Spinners Book of Yarn Designs by Sarah Anderson

Edited to add:  I want to say a HUGE thank you to my daughter Jade for all of her help in creating the video.