Spindlitis

Lon and I are getting married on June 20th! Now, I made my own wedding clothes when I married Jeffrey. I made the mistake of setting the wedding for December 11th, which was at the end of winter quarter. I did not think about how much finals would cut into my sewing time. I’d planned to make clothes for him, but didn’t have time.

This time, I told Lon I will not be making anything for him. I did not make a corset, although I really want to make one some time. I bought a cheapie one from China that is actually okay. I already own the Gibson Girl Blouse, Walking Skirt and Edwardian Underthings patterns from Folkwear. I have a couple of pieces cut out that I never got around to sewing. And I’ve made the blouse and skirt, so know how to make them and how they fit. While waiting for a fabric order, I sewed up some medium weight linen that I’ve had for years. The skirt turned out just wonderful and I’m going to use it. Pictures over on the notsothoreau.com blog. Still need to hem and put on hooks and eyes. I think I may add some tucks across the bottom.

Got blouse fabric today and it’s already washed. Will be cutting out more pieces and doing some sewing this weekend.. All knitting/spinning projects are pretty much on hold until July. Back when I was in college, and marrying the first time, I was a drama major and wanted to work in costuming. The desire to do that is still there. I think, when I get past this, I will be tackling some other historical patterns and making a few things for Lon. He loves to play dress up too!

So, the Lillian Fay needs work. I am not sure what to do about the neckline but will figure something out. I have been working a bit on all my spinning projects. There is a new fiber store just down the street from me, called Urban Wolves. It’s a good shop, lots of nice yarn and fiber!

And, I’ve posted about this over at my other site, but here’s what is taking up most of my time:

Rosebud, a 1891 Singer VS2

Cleo, a 1910 Singer VS2

Cleo is a perfect cat bed!

Still working on the same group of projects. The Eileen Mary sweater is done. I think I am going to get either horsehair braid or ribbon with wired edges for that collar. I’ve considered taking the collar off and putting in a ribbing. I’d like to see what it looks like with a stiffer collar first.

The spinning projects just seem to go on forever. I suppose I might start finishing them, if I’d stop adding new projects! And I’m working on the Lillian Fay cardigan, so I trade off between that and spinning. I really am going to have to start sewing. I have patterns and fabric, but have not had time to cut any of it out.

I’ve been working on some small stuff. Not a lot of spinning right now, so here’s what I have:

This is the unblocked Eileen Mary (called Mary Helen in my projects). Nice pattern and nice yarn. I’m waiting for it to dry, for a final picture.

Wingfeathers in Dream in Color Baby. The yarn was bought by mistake. I thought it was red, not orange. I haven’t done crochet in a long time, so that was sort of fun. I may do a few more of these.

New project, Joan Fuller (called Joy Levin in my projects). I’ve had this yarn for a long time, and got it from Joy. This seems like the right project at long last for it and it’s coming along nicely.

Zuzu’s Petals for Quinn’s girlfriend, Shanna. I wanted to do something for her. I like to make shawlettes, but thought this shawl/cowl might work better for her. Bought the yarn while at the office for a staff meeting.

And since I had leftover yarn, I made a beanie for Shanna to go with the shawl.

This is how I get into trouble!

Spinning projects:

The three sisters Romney:

East Friesian:

Wine and Silver Falklands from Wintry Flower by Design:

Emily Merino by Greenwood Fibers:

The buffalo and cashmere project:

Southdown and Tussah from Inglenook Fibers:

Knitting projects:
I finished the Howlcat cowl. I don’t think the yarns I picked worked out well. I should take a picture of it. It’s a clever pattern. I don’t know what to do with the green socks. I’m reworking the foot, as they just felt big. I’ll post more about those separately, when I figure them out.

There’s the sweater project from my new favorite designer, Ellen Mason. This is Eileen Mary in Cascade Eco+. I’ve finished the lower part and need to get started on the sleeves. I like the yarn. It reminds me of Spinnerin, which was a popular yarn when this type sweater was popular. The pattern is well written and interesting to knit. I have plans to do at least two more of her patterns when I finish this. The yarn is a darker red than you can see in this picture.

I bought yarn for a shawlette project, but it’s not going to work. I wanted red and this is more orange. Will need to find another use for it. I also got some Lorna’s Laces Solemate. It has this special fiber that is supposed to keep you from getting too hot or cold. I am going to work up a good pattern for Lon’s socks. He has odd feet. They swell, so he needs more room at the top and that makes them look short and square. It should be fun. I can make socks that fit, but so far, they haven’t fit as well as I’d like. And I have two sock projects that I want to make for myself. Too bad I can’t clone myself!

I am still working on this one. I find that it’s easier to spin with a small amount of cashmere added. I card this on my small Louet hand cards. And I spin it on my Loki, the same way I’d handle cotton. I spin until the spindle drops too much, then take a break. I’ve ordered more yarn so will have some additional projects to report soon. Still trying to redo the sleeves on my cardigan and finish my green lace socks.

I am still working on the buffalo, but it’s not as much fun as my new fiber (of courser.) Lon shaved his head over the holidays. He’s growing it back out but has made a lot of use of his watch cap. He wants the buffalo for a scarf. I am close to plying my first batch of it, so that’s something.

I ordered some Southdown/tussah silk from Inglenook Fibers. I love the color and I usually do love down wools.  This is for the Spindlemaniacs challenge.

I also got this sample. It’s interesting stuff. I think this is the first time I’ve had holographic fiber in a blend.

I am also doing socks. I have several of Nancy Bush’s books and I think I’m going to focus on the Vintage sock book when I finish my current project. I also want to experiment with knitting socks on two small circulars.

Gentleman’s sock in Railway stitch:

These are the lacy socks from Folks Socks. I’d knit this yarn up as a shawlette (Traveling Woman pattern) but never wore it. I love these acidy greens and just thought it might be interesting in this pattern.

I finished a couple of Flora’s caps for myself:

I was glad to finally find a use for this handspun. It’s nice stuff. I made the matching cowl over 141 stitches using the same edging and stitch pattern.

Fanny is modeling the second cap. This is some Koigu merino that I bought for making the Traveler’s socks. I didn’t like the yarn for that pattern and there was some moth damage. It worked up nicely for this cap.

And there were two Watchcaps for the guys:

I am still working on the buffalo project, as well as a couple of other spinning projects. I am resizing Quinn’s socks, then need to rework the sleeves on my new cardigan. When I finish those, it will be time for some new knitting projects!

So this is my Christmas project for Lon. He wants a scarf or watch cap out of buffalo fiber. He wants it to be “rustic”. I found a source on Ebay for dehaired buffalo fiber.

I tried spinning it a few ways, but it just seemed to short in places to be stable. Here’s a trial run on my Rose:

I found some carded cashmere. I thought that might help, since the fibers are a bit longer and it will add a little softness and shine. I’m blending a bit of it on my Louet hand cards.

This seems to work pretty well and I am able to spin it on my Loki. I am holding the spindle, Akha style, and putting some twist in while supported. I can then do a thigh roll and add more twist. I am spinning this woolen style. It’s less stressful on my shoulder than using a supported spindle. I plied a small amount from my trials and it seems to look “rustic”. So I guess I’m okay. I have two ounces of this to spin, then will need to find the right project.