Well I thought I could actually do it and live without creating but it seems I was wrong.
Here is some merino roving handdyed with top quality acid dyes, it's not superwash so could possibly felt.
THEY ARE ALL AVAILABLE IN THE SHOP NOW
( link on left ).
The bottom one is a solid but the other 4 I just had fun with, I call that technique ' splodgeing ' as it's totally random. I really want to keep those but I have another 15 x 100g of roving on order so I will do one of those for me.
The bottom one is no longer available, it is being spun on my wheel.
04/11/2009
I've finally done it.
Here is 331.8 yards of beautiful merino 2 ply. I have managed to get past the 300 yard mark at last. this is so exciting it means.....sock yarn.
It is also quite even, there are just a couple of patches where it goes abit thicker so I would say it's possibly 90% good spinning.
Now what to spin next?
It is also quite even, there are just a couple of patches where it goes abit thicker so I would say it's possibly 90% good spinning.
Now what to spin next?
28/10/2009
Something has possibly clicked.
This is my latest spinning and it looks almost like * shop bought yarn *.
This is merino I dyed and slightly felted so instead of selling it ( when I was ( cough ) selling through studio thirty8 ) I had to keep it. It is gorgeous.
I took my last 3 spun skeins to Knitting club and was asked if I was happy with them being so loosely plied. Obviously I am torn here, I want them to look fantastic but then again I have spun them so they are perfect. ( Christine didn't ask it and thats why she's getting the gloves LOL ).
This skein I really concentrated, ok well abit more than usual. Still didn't show any interest in the order of colours, maybe one day I should but that makes it harder work...Anyhow I set to spinning, thinly, I want to get over the 300 yard mark and so far I just cannot do it. Then I plied it really well, taking into account that the plies 'should' lie at 45 degrees, making sure it wasn't twisting back on itself too much and shock, found myself counting the treadles while plying. I do that anyway in my head, they just don't actually mean anything, just something to do BUT this time I was treadling and letting out the same amount to be plied each time...does this make me a spinner instead of just what I like to think of myself as a 'twister'?
The result was this, It spun back on itself once I took it off the niddy noddy but once soaked and whacked it hangs perfect. There are a few places where it's thicker and thinner, must have lost concentration there but overall it looks pretty good. There is no loose plying here.
Going to take it to knitting club tonight to see what is wrong with this one.
My dilemma.........on the one hand I am happy with this as it looks great and is obviously my best spinning to date but on the other hand I am now getting worried that my handspun may turn out looking more * shop bought * and thats not what I want, I want to keep the rustic handspun look or I may just as well go out any buy it.
AND, no I didn't hit 300 yards, this came in at 267 yards. GRRRRR.
I am spinning again and it seems to be spinning really fine so I may hit 300+ yards this time. Something seems to have clicked ( after 2 years ) and the spinning is better.
This is merino I dyed and slightly felted so instead of selling it ( when I was ( cough ) selling through studio thirty8 ) I had to keep it. It is gorgeous.
I took my last 3 spun skeins to Knitting club and was asked if I was happy with them being so loosely plied. Obviously I am torn here, I want them to look fantastic but then again I have spun them so they are perfect. ( Christine didn't ask it and thats why she's getting the gloves LOL ).
This skein I really concentrated, ok well abit more than usual. Still didn't show any interest in the order of colours, maybe one day I should but that makes it harder work...Anyhow I set to spinning, thinly, I want to get over the 300 yard mark and so far I just cannot do it. Then I plied it really well, taking into account that the plies 'should' lie at 45 degrees, making sure it wasn't twisting back on itself too much and shock, found myself counting the treadles while plying. I do that anyway in my head, they just don't actually mean anything, just something to do BUT this time I was treadling and letting out the same amount to be plied each time...does this make me a spinner instead of just what I like to think of myself as a 'twister'?
The result was this, It spun back on itself once I took it off the niddy noddy but once soaked and whacked it hangs perfect. There are a few places where it's thicker and thinner, must have lost concentration there but overall it looks pretty good. There is no loose plying here.
Going to take it to knitting club tonight to see what is wrong with this one.
My dilemma.........on the one hand I am happy with this as it looks great and is obviously my best spinning to date but on the other hand I am now getting worried that my handspun may turn out looking more * shop bought * and thats not what I want, I want to keep the rustic handspun look or I may just as well go out any buy it.
AND, no I didn't hit 300 yards, this came in at 267 yards. GRRRRR.
I am spinning again and it seems to be spinning really fine so I may hit 300+ yards this time. Something seems to have clicked ( after 2 years ) and the spinning is better.
Gloves for me.
I am quite a selfish knitter. Unless I have an actual project in mind and bought or dyed the wool for it, everything else seems to be for me, especially handdyed handspun. I am the only person I know that will appreciate the time and work that goes into it so it's only right I get to keep it. ( occasionally Mr K might get something ).
I LOVE knitting with my own handspun, it doesn't matter how badly spun it is, I have made it so it is wonderful.
These are simple 2K x 1P fingerless mitts. I did them from the top down again, provisionally cast on for the thumb and decreased down the gusset.
With my handspun I love the way it stripes as there is nothing technical about my spinning I just sit and spin adding more roving when I need to. I don't bother to match the lengths of roving so the colours go the right order I just enjoy the spinning. I then ply from a centre pull ball so I can use every inch of the singles ( did I mention how selfish I am ? ).
The way these have turned out remind me of the shading of Twilleys Freedom spirit wool.
Just to not be selfish and because I feel it's Random Gift Giving time I am also knitting a pair of these for Christine at Knitting club. She always offers encouragement, it doesn't have to be perfect as long as I enjoy it, so I think she deserves a pair of gloves too. I have to finish them by tonight but luckily these are a really quick knit.
I LOVE knitting with my own handspun, it doesn't matter how badly spun it is, I have made it so it is wonderful.
These are simple 2K x 1P fingerless mitts. I did them from the top down again, provisionally cast on for the thumb and decreased down the gusset.
With my handspun I love the way it stripes as there is nothing technical about my spinning I just sit and spin adding more roving when I need to. I don't bother to match the lengths of roving so the colours go the right order I just enjoy the spinning. I then ply from a centre pull ball so I can use every inch of the singles ( did I mention how selfish I am ? ).
The way these have turned out remind me of the shading of Twilleys Freedom spirit wool.
Just to not be selfish and because I feel it's Random Gift Giving time I am also knitting a pair of these for Christine at Knitting club. She always offers encouragement, it doesn't have to be perfect as long as I enjoy it, so I think she deserves a pair of gloves too. I have to finish them by tonight but luckily these are a really quick knit.
Overdyeing.
It seems that I just cannot leave dyeing alone.
I bought this stylecraft, pure wool. DK in shade slate to make my nephew his Christmas socks. Cast on and hated it. I hated the way the colours looked together and how they knitted up on a 60 stitch sock.
Into the dyepot it goes.
Red dye gave me beautiful shades of bright pink and purple. Don't imagine it's any good for Nephews socks now but might make it's way onto my feet.
I bought this stylecraft, pure wool. DK in shade slate to make my nephew his Christmas socks. Cast on and hated it. I hated the way the colours looked together and how they knitted up on a 60 stitch sock.
Into the dyepot it goes.
Red dye gave me beautiful shades of bright pink and purple. Don't imagine it's any good for Nephews socks now but might make it's way onto my feet.
Dyeing for teachers scarf.
After I had woven the beautiful red and orange scarf for my son's teachers Christmas gift, he thoughtfully asked her her favourite colour. It's purple.
This week I have dyed this merino all shades of purple, pink, blue and gold.
It should look really nice woven up.
It will have to wait though as the yellow, orange and pink merino I dyed in the previous post is currently on the loom and with it being half term, the little people are home from school and I cannot spend all day in the studio.
The frogged Hat heel sock wool is hopefully going to still be made into socks. My friend has small size UK4 feet so there may be enough of the wool to make her a pair of toe up socks. I lost what was used for the heel as it's in small amounts but there could be enough left. Once I find it all ( it's in 4 balls somewhere ) I will weigh it and see. When I dyed this wool she was here and loved it.
This week I have dyed this merino all shades of purple, pink, blue and gold.
It should look really nice woven up.
It will have to wait though as the yellow, orange and pink merino I dyed in the previous post is currently on the loom and with it being half term, the little people are home from school and I cannot spend all day in the studio.
The frogged Hat heel sock wool is hopefully going to still be made into socks. My friend has small size UK4 feet so there may be enough of the wool to make her a pair of toe up socks. I lost what was used for the heel as it's in small amounts but there could be enough left. Once I find it all ( it's in 4 balls somewhere ) I will weigh it and see. When I dyed this wool she was here and loved it.
22/10/2009
Studio thirty8 is open again.
I have re opened ' studio thirty8 ' with different stock for now.
I used to make alot of hand crafted cards and I have loads of stuff from then. I am starting to destash through studio thirty8 on Folksy.
Everything may have been used at one time but everything will be in a 100% new looking condition so either buy them for yourself or for a gift for another crafty person.
I used to make alot of hand crafted cards and I have loads of stuff from then. I am starting to destash through studio thirty8 on Folksy.
Everything may have been used at one time but everything will be in a 100% new looking condition so either buy them for yourself or for a gift for another crafty person.
21/10/2009
Hat heel socks frogged.
Sometimes I keep going on a project even though I know I don't like it or particularly enjoy it. I find myself starting to think who I can gift the finished object to as I don't want it.
This was one such project. I have now frogged it.
The construction of it is interesting, start at the heel and work up over the foot, then pick stitches up and work down the foot. Then pick stitches up and work up the leg. In theory it works well, it even fits well as far as I got. I don't like the way the wool patterned differently down each foot and I don't pick stitches up very well. What really did it though was the thought of weaving all the ends in......FROGGED.
This was one such project. I have now frogged it.
The construction of it is interesting, start at the heel and work up over the foot, then pick stitches up and work down the foot. Then pick stitches up and work up the leg. In theory it works well, it even fits well as far as I got. I don't like the way the wool patterned differently down each foot and I don't pick stitches up very well. What really did it though was the thought of weaving all the ends in......FROGGED.
Studio thirty8.
I have come to realise that I was abit rash in shutting. I am sure that I can find a few more hours in each day.
I have contacted Folksy to see if I can re open and I have had an e-mail today saying ' yes, but it may take them a few days to sort it out '. I am not confident enough with the dyeing yet, you will see why on my next post but as materials can also be sold on Folksy I have plenty of stock to start with. I did have a good few years making handcrafted cards and I have loads of rubber stamps etc. Once I have the go ahead from Folksy they will be for sale.
Some crocheted cotton dishcloths may also make an appearance, please stop by once I am open again.
I have contacted Folksy to see if I can re open and I have had an e-mail today saying ' yes, but it may take them a few days to sort it out '. I am not confident enough with the dyeing yet, you will see why on my next post but as materials can also be sold on Folksy I have plenty of stock to start with. I did have a good few years making handcrafted cards and I have loads of rubber stamps etc. Once I have the go ahead from Folksy they will be for sale.
Some crocheted cotton dishcloths may also make an appearance, please stop by once I am open again.
I'm still dyeing.
Little bits are still being done. The top is an almost solid green BFL, don't know what it will turn into yet. I have another skein of green, only slightly different that combined might make a nice woven scarf...mmmm.
The bottom is Merino in a variety of yellow, orange and pink. This merino is so soft it seems a shame to make socks from it but thats all I want to do.
The bottom is Merino in a variety of yellow, orange and pink. This merino is so soft it seems a shame to make socks from it but thats all I want to do.
More socks.
Some more handdyed socks. One of the best things about closing the Folksy shop was getting to use all the yarns. Not surprisingly almost all of them have tags on for planned Christmas gifts. Also not surprisingly most are for socks.
The top socks here are Shetland socks for my Sister in law and the bottom ones are BFL ones for me....I deserve warm feet too.
I love the way the top ones have knitted up to give a similar effect to a watermark.
On the needles now are more socks...Blue alpaca bed socks for Dad and hat heel socks for me. Hat heel is a new sock construction I found so immediately had to cast on. I like it but don't think I'll use it again, there are alot of stitches to pick up but it is very interesting. The wool has not behaved at all and each sock will look totally different. These may be put away for eldest daughters 18th birthday in January.
The top socks here are Shetland socks for my Sister in law and the bottom ones are BFL ones for me....I deserve warm feet too.
I love the way the top ones have knitted up to give a similar effect to a watermark.
On the needles now are more socks...Blue alpaca bed socks for Dad and hat heel socks for me. Hat heel is a new sock construction I found so immediately had to cast on. I like it but don't think I'll use it again, there are alot of stitches to pick up but it is very interesting. The wool has not behaved at all and each sock will look totally different. These may be put away for eldest daughters 18th birthday in January.
All plyed up.
The spinning all plyed from a previous post. Yet again I haven't hit the 300 yard mark.
Blue...286 yards
Green..219 yards
Orange..263 yards.
I have almost finished spinning the blue/yellow and hope to have that plyed in the next couple of days. It's looking good so far, maybe i'll hit 300 yards with that.
Blue...286 yards
Green..219 yards
Orange..263 yards.
I have almost finished spinning the blue/yellow and hope to have that plyed in the next couple of days. It's looking good so far, maybe i'll hit 300 yards with that.
13/10/2009
Finished in record time...
all finished in a day.
This one also bled like mad so has been through the washing machine, no bleeding now. Funny how it's happened with both items I dyed with red.
I'm planning on dyeing again this week so will make a note of how much I use.
10 dpi reed, 72 ends, warped at 80".
Finished size before washing 63" x 6 3/4 "
After washing 60" x 6 3/4" ( not including fringe ).
Don't know if this is for me or another for the gift box yet.
My son very thoughtfully asked his teacher her favourite colour yesterday...BLUE. So the scarf in the post below, pink, orange and yellow that was intended for his teacher might find a new home.
This one also bled like mad so has been through the washing machine, no bleeding now. Funny how it's happened with both items I dyed with red.
I'm planning on dyeing again this week so will make a note of how much I use.
10 dpi reed, 72 ends, warped at 80".
Finished size before washing 63" x 6 3/4 "
After washing 60" x 6 3/4" ( not including fringe ).
Don't know if this is for me or another for the gift box yet.
My son very thoughtfully asked his teacher her favourite colour yesterday...BLUE. So the scarf in the post below, pink, orange and yellow that was intended for his teacher might find a new home.
12/10/2009
Another woven scarf.
I love this pink and black BFL that I dyed, it just wasn't working for me as socks.
I ripped and warped up the loom, it will be a scarf.
10 dpi, 72 ends, warp length 80".
I like the way it is coming along, there doesn't seem to be any patterning which is what I hoped would happen.
I ripped and warped up the loom, it will be a scarf.
10 dpi, 72 ends, warp length 80".
I like the way it is coming along, there doesn't seem to be any patterning which is what I hoped would happen.
11/10/2009
The reason I wanted to weave....
is this beautiful scarf.
I first got the loom as I had seen a beautiful scarf that Sockpron had done on hers. I'd never woven before or shown an interest but her scarf was so good I had to have a go.
This is the nicest scarf I have produced so far. It's for my sons teacher and I want it. It's my own handdyed Merino and it has beautiful shades of pink, orange and yellow. Usually when I weave I use a different colour for warp and weft but this uses the same and I love it. It is also so soft and drapey. I hope she loves it too.
I used the 10dpi reed and 72 ends. I warped at a length of 80" and the finished, washed scarf, without fringe measures 60" (5ft ) x 6 3/4".
I wish I'd made it longer and I wish I'd made it wider as I have 18 grams left over but most of all I wish I'd dyed some more so I could have one.
I first got the loom as I had seen a beautiful scarf that Sockpron had done on hers. I'd never woven before or shown an interest but her scarf was so good I had to have a go.
This is the nicest scarf I have produced so far. It's for my sons teacher and I want it. It's my own handdyed Merino and it has beautiful shades of pink, orange and yellow. Usually when I weave I use a different colour for warp and weft but this uses the same and I love it. It is also so soft and drapey. I hope she loves it too.
I used the 10dpi reed and 72 ends. I warped at a length of 80" and the finished, washed scarf, without fringe measures 60" (5ft ) x 6 3/4".
I wish I'd made it longer and I wish I'd made it wider as I have 18 grams left over but most of all I wish I'd dyed some more so I could have one.
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