Hooded Long Knitted Vest

I finally finished knitting this long vest.  It took a while because I changed the pattern a fraction so had to frogged it a bit until I got it just right, and then I knitted the vest which goes down to my knees (basically when I ran out of yarn).   The pattern is Fish Creek by Melissa Schaschwary http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fish-creek-adult-version and I knitted it in Woolznyarns' BFL/Silk http://woolznyarnz.blogspot.com/

Poncho

As part of a top-down project started last month at my spinning group, I decided to knit this poncho with handspun Corriedale.  The pattern is from Knit Ponchos Wraps and Scarves by Jane Davis.

The yarn was very old and scratchy, coated Corriedale handspun and cable plied.  I soaked it in Borax dissolved with warm water and it is much softer now.

Ponchos bring back fond memories for me from the early 1970's.

Handspun - Merino Wrapped with Angora and Thread

Here is the third month of working through Jacey's "Spin Art" book here and and this month's fibre is TORNADO.  I used Ocean Blue Merino from Kathy's fibres  here (I find her dyed merino is the most competitively priced fibre around).  I wrapped the fibre with commercial angora/boucle and two other commercial threads (one glittery).  I quite like the end result and because I have spun 100gm, there will be enough to make either a hat or put it towards my handspun circle vest I am currently making.

Handspun - Merino/Milk Top with Bockens 35/3 Linen

This is the second month of working through Jacey's "Spin Art" book and this month's fibre is AUTOWRAP.   My spinning wheel has an outie which makes the process a little more difficult but I am still quite happy with the end result.  The lovely 80/3\20 blend of Merino/MIlk top is again from "Ewe Give Me The Knits".



Handspun - Polwarth/Bamboo and Merino

I am still spinning madly for my next venture - a handspun vest.   Here are two yarns I recently completed - each weighing 200 grams.

The first one is from EGMTK  http://www.ewegivemetheknits.com/store/Default.asp and it is A Polwarth/Bamboo Top plied with Woolznyarns South Armerican Purple Merinohttp://woolznyarnz.blogspot.com.au/.

The second fibre is Woolznyarns Merino plied again with the South American Merino.

Handspun - BFL and silk

I managed to spin just over 1 kg of the most gorgeous and soft BFL and silk in a couple of weeks - I cannot remember the last time I spun so much and in 30+ degrees heat! The fibre was purchased from  http://woolznyarnz.blogspot.com/ where I purchase the majority of my yummy fibre.

It was glorious to spin, although I did end up covered in silk fragments which I just brushed off and spun.   My intention is to knit a hooded vest with this yarn.

Art Yarn - Textured

Recently I purchased Jacey Boggs' new book "Spin Art" and her group on Ravelry is working through the book, one yarn per month.  

The first yarn is "Racing Stripes" and I enjoyed spinning this yarn so much that I did it twice - I am hoping to use the yarn from Jacey's book in a vest so will be attempting to use similar hues/tones (greens/blues/purples) for the spinning along. 

Art Yarn - Beehives

They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. ..........

After spinning a skein of beehive yarn I was wondering what to do with it - I didn't think there was enough for a hat - and then I remembered seeing beehive yarn in a frame. I thought I would also try to do this - I'm sorry I can't remember where I saw it or who originally made it, to give the credit where it is due, but who ever you are rest assure I made this only for my benefit and not to sell.

Here is my beehive yarn before and displayed in the frame -

New Spindle

Look what arrived in today's mail - a new Spindle! This gorgeous spindle is from Whorled Domination - I am participating in the Spindle Club so every few months I get to build up my collection. This 63gm spindle has black lacquered bamboo shaft with a 50mm Lapis Chrysocolla Whorl. It feels and looks beautiful - now to put it to the test...............

Handspun Merino/Glitz

I busily spent the last three days spinning and plying some merino/glitz batts from Nunnaba for a scarf project I have in mind http://www.etsy.com/shop/nunnaba

It is the first time I plied on my Majacraft Little Gem and it was such a smooth process - I really enjoyed it and didn't find it tedious (as I usually do when I ply).

Stayed tuned for the scarf....

Hard Core Spun Hat

This hat was spun using Southern Cross fibres as part of a SAL challenge. I spun the yarn using core spun technique and the pattern was "Hard Core Spun Hat" by Linda H ("Coollinda" on Ravelry).

Art Yarns - Coils and Beehives

Purchased some specifically dyed fibre from Kathy at http://www.kathysfibres.com/ in order to have a play with beehives and coils. Here is my first attempt using this technique. I have fibre left over so intend doing some more shortly.

Knitted Hat

Finally made something out of the handspun Corriedale yarn. Here is a knitted hat using DROPS 85-12 pattern nib. I modified the hat closure as I didn't particularly like the DROPS top and preferred a rounder finish.

Tailspinning

I really enjoyed the SLOW process of making tailspun with English Leicester, using Lexi Boeger's technique. It is very time consuming (and I thought lace making was time intensive) but rewarding. I have a lot of other "tails" to spin including some magnificant Wensleydale from Namaste farm and some Mohair too.

I'm not sure what to do with this sample - I would need a lot more to make a hat or scarf.

Thick n Thin spinning

Just finished another thick n thin spin using some fibres from Kathy's amazing shop http://www.kathysfibres.com/. I used the technique described in Lexi's Intertwined book, which is now my bible for art yarn.

Fairy Floss

Well not really, but it certainly looks like it. I received these lovely goodies from SPIN FUSION http://www.spinfusion.net/and the "fairy floss" is actually merino, tencel, bamboo, faux angora, firestar and angelina (I think I'm in heaven). It is part of a WIZARD OF OZ Spin-Along and I chose the Glinda, The Good Witch pack. There is also some pearl beads, sequins, ribbon, gorgeous stitch markers and a really sweet Glinda magnet. I'm really looking forward to putting on my thinking cap to see how to incorporate all the add-ons.

Art Yarn - Thick 'n Thin

Had a play with some wonderful fibres from Kathy http://www.kathysfibres.com/ and spun thick 'n thin, using Jacey's video for guidance. I really enjoyed spinning this, although it does take a lot of practice to get away from even spinning, which is drummed in to every Spinner when they first learn the craftr.

Using the art yarns I recently spun at Lexi's workshop I made an art yarn scarf, bound together with silk thread.

I have already received some lovely comments on it; in fact one person asked if I would make some more and sell them to her for her business - unfortunately I just don't have the time at the moment to make more, but I will consider her offer in the future.

Close up:-

First Editions Merino

I finally finished spinning and plying 250 grams of First Edition Merino. The colour is lovely, and quite different from what I am usually attracted to. I'm not sure what I will knit from this yarn, perhaps it will just hibernate with my other yarn for the moment.

Art Yarn - plied with Silk thread

I spun this art yarn with a scarf in mind. But I think I may have changed my mind - I'm now thinking of (bring them back in to fashion, and hope it's not a fashion faux) - LEG WARMERS!!!

Back to the yarn - it's an odd mixture of bits and pieces plied with Japanese silk thread.