Spindlitis

Shetland fleece

Uncategorized 11.03.2019 No Comments

I really love dual coated fleece. They are tricky to process and spin. You don’t want to just spin the long fibers and have a bunch of short stuff left. And you always wind up with clumps of the short stuff that won’t draft out. It’s never smooth and always a bit hairy.

This is a nice dual coated moorit Shetland fleece from Lost Acres Farm on Etsy.

It will be another hap. I also have some darker moorit to use. Way back when we were leaving California, I knit Jeffrey a sweater from some Norwegian wool. It was 4 ply moorit with the lanolin still in it. I always loved that yarn and it’s probably why I don’t care for yarn from fine fibers. It would probably be worthwhile to try and replicate it.
Been busy

Projects 09.03.2019 No Comments

I am still busy knitting haps. The one I featured in the last post has been great for the cold weather we’ve had lately. I really like the Bartlett yarn. My handspun hap is coming along.

I think I’ve found an edging that will work. The pattern calls for an 8 stitch edging. It’s just too small with this fine yarn. I’ll work on this one today.

I finished an hap for a friend.

It turned out well and I mailed it off to her last week. The post office delivered an empty box! I am trying to see if we can find it through their lost and found. I had her name and mailing address on the ziplock bag that the shawl was in. It’s sad. I really wanted to get that shawl to her.

The new Swift has been working well as an actual knitting bag. I picked up two Packing Cube Shoulder Bags, and they are great for these larger projects. I use one for the yarn and the other for the project. I have plans to do a few more haps, so I will need them. I also picked up a lot of blocking matts and a set of blocking wires. I was concerned I’d need another set of the wires, but it turned out that I needed more matts. I’ll have to reblock the Bartlett yarn hap, if the weather ever warms up.

Off for a relaxing day of spinning and knitting!
Lots of new stuff!

Fiber, Projects 26.01.2019 No Comments

I’ve been doing a lot of knitting and even some spinning on the Pipy! First up is my finished Hansel, full version.

I used charcoal Bartlett sport weight, with some Shetland yarn in “Cunningham Red”. I think the white might be Jamieson from Schoolhouse Press. The grey is Cascade 2020 worsted. I needed that color to finish and the fingering weight was just too light. I’m going to block it this weekend. I really enjoyed making this Hap. The pattern is well written and there is a Craftsy class.

Right after I finished this, I found out about the SpinOff Hapalong. It’s just started and I wanted to get in on it. But my fiber just got packed out in the truck. I ordered more. I ordered fiber for the Theme and Variation shawl in The Book of Haps. Then I ordered some natural colored grey wool for a second hap to be done at a later time. The grey came in before one of the wools for the first shawl. I started spinning it and haven’t stopped.

The Pipy had been out of commission for so long, that I had almost forgotten it had been fixed. This seems to be the perfect project. I’m trying for fingering weight. It has really been fun to use this wheel. I’ve owned it since I first saw it back at Arachne Webworks in Portland, in 1973. Once I got going on this, I knew that shawl one would now be shawl two. I ordered three more natural colors from the same Etsy shop, Lost Acres Farm. This is the grey with a white, black and charcoal. I should have leftovers which will likely lead to hap number three. I’ll post the yarn for the first shawl when I finally get the main color. It is taking forever to get here. I’m doing a pattern called Old Shale Shetland Hap. This is another one done from the center square out. I also picked up Shetland Old Shell Triangle and Square Shawl, which does the border, then edging and finally the center. I do want to try that style, but not just yet. Things are picking up around here as far as packing, so I don’t want to be working on something complicated just yet.

I have also been spinning up some odds and ends, mostly plying some on spindles.

I’m trying to gather up some of the yarn that needs to be plied and work on it as I have time. It helps me clear out a few things in the office, which needs to be packed up this weekend. We are going to refinish the floors in the bedrooms, so it all needs to be packed up. Also, I have a sewing machine for Abby. She needs to be able to patch Quinn’s work pants. I found a nice Wards Signature that I will go through tomorrow. It has built in cams, so probably fancier than she needs. But it looks to be a solid machine and is pretty quiet. I’ll have to go down and give her a sewing lesson too.

I have a new to me, lightly used Swift coming in next week. I wanted to buy one at Christmas, but had already spent too much. I seem to use one Swift for knitting stuff, one Swift for spinning stuff and the Yeoman duffle for projects that I’m working on. I don’t have an actual knitting bag and these haps are good sized. And I had to give in and buy some new henleys. I like the ones from Duluth Trading. I have worn the sleeves in two of them ragged and two other tees are worn out at the neck. And when I say they are ragged, they really are. I just had to give up and get something that was in better shape. And I’ve got to finish hemming the two walking skirts I made. I tend to get stuck at the hemming stage, but I need those skirts. I can’t find anything that is as comfortable. I may try using Abby’s machine on them this weekend.

So, more projects to come! Hope to be knitting the hap by Monday. And maybe I’ll have the Hansel blocked by then too.
No knitting problems this year

Thoughts 18.01.2019 No Comments

Last year, I was burned out from Christmas knitting and didn’t knit for about six months. This year, I never stopped. I got in the habit of knitting in the morning before work and knitting on the weekends. I started a new project every time I finished the old one.

You don’t know what stress is, until you have to pack up your fiber room. I had to pack some things up, just to get them out of the way, so that we could paint the room. And that meant that there were things I couldn’t find afterwards. Now, we are getting into the “pack it up for the move”. And I’m already running into problems. I packed up my fiber as I wasn’t spinning any major projects. Then, SpinOff did a Hapalong. I’m about to finish a hap and thought it would be great to join in. Only my fiber has already been moved to the big truck we are planning to use for the move. I bought new fiber for the project. All the bobbins for my Louet are in a bin in that truck somewhere. I can use my Pipy but it just has one good bobbin. I might be able to repair the other two, if I can get my desk drawers back open. I have a sweater that I was working on that is in hibernation now. I can’t find the two large balls of yarn I need to finish it. I’ve been trying to set aside the things I want to use, so they don’t get packed up. And, I find I get upset when my treadles leave the room. They aren’t packed up yet, but I miss them. It is crazy that I’m moving seven treadles across country, but I am. I’ve tried to limit my book buying, but somehow I keep finding books I want to read right now. I hope we finish the house soon, because I really want to be done with this. I get to retire when the house is sold and then I will have time to work on the projects that I want to do.
Finally recovered from last year’s Christmas knitting

Thoughts 04.12.2018 No Comments

I really didn’t knit for about five months. I am doing some Christmas knitting but am trying to minimize what I do. Maybe I’ll add some pictures when I finish it.

I had some thoughts about old school knitters. I have a few knitting magazines from the 1930s. Knitters of that period knit suits out of thin boucle yarn. They were dressmaker suits, copies of designer creations. It might take years to finish (which was okay because they couldn’t afford a lot of yarn anyway.) I did read of one blogger that finished her suit and it was a major accomplishment. One of my friend’s had a grandmother that did this type of knitting. She did these impeccable cardigans. Back then, cardigans would be finished with grosgrain ribbon on the button bands. If you read Gertrude Taylor’s knitting book, she can take you through this type of knitting. Women of this era were used to taking their knitting with them and working on these projects as they had time. I’m sure there were a lot of failures out there, but people seemed to really try and show good craftsmanship.

Sometimes, it seems to me that many of the new designs are just for the novelty of the look. There may not be attention paid to the details. And I realize that many knitters have a job and a family to care for and just may knit to relax. That’s okay. But if you put the time into studying knitting, like you would any other subject, you will find that your knitting improves and the garments you turn out are more polished looking. It’s worth the effort. Tackle a project that challenges you.
Onward

Projects 12.01.2018 No Comments

I finished the Christmas knitting. Got the important things done, although I had hoped to do a bit more. I still have nearly finished socks for Lon. I started a new cardigan, using up the Hemp Tweed I bought for another project. I’d actually finished the poncho but just didn’t like the fit. Of course, I had to buy more yarn to do this cardigan:

I don’t know if I will finish the other cardigan I’ve been working on. I am concerned about the fit and I am just getting the feeling that it’s not working out. I don’t have a problem with ripping things out obviously. Some patterns are easier to adjust than others.

I see more sewing in my future and am starting to play around with free motion quilting. I like my sewing machines so much that I have been looking for projects. What I need more than anything is a cutting table. I don’t have a good place to cut things out and that is what is holding me back.
Treadle number six!

Projects 05.12.2017 No Comments

Most of the pictures are over at notsothoreau.com but I like to post a couple here as well. The latest treadle is a Davis Vertical Feed. I am waiting for a new belt to arrive. It’s a beautiful machine and I think we’ll have fun together.

Right now, I am still working on Christmas knitting. I’ve got a stocking cap going for a friend. The shawl is done but still needs to be blocked. I was finally able to hem all the completed skirts, so I have long skirts to wear again. And I found some ready made blouses with a nice vintage feel. Very happy about that, as this will be a busy month. I want to do some small sewing projects, just to play around with the machines.

Oh, and I found this:

This is a long quilting frame, that I picked up at Scrap. I’m very happy with it and will try and take better pictures of it this week. I want to learn to quilt and I think it will come in handy.
Project updates!

Projects 29.11.2017 No Comments

I haven’t blocked Abby’s shawl yet, but it is done and I have the shawl pin for it. I am still working on my Christmas knitting. I’ve started a watch cap and would like to make another one as well. So I am definitely knitting.

I posted most of the pictures of my new treadle on my notsothoreau site, but will post a couple of them here too. I do love this machine!

I have plans to do more sewing, even have a pattern for Lon on the way. I am also thinking about taking an online class. I would like to get better at this. I like to make my own clothes, but I get in a hurry for the finished product. I have been able to find a few things online to buy that I like. I hate shopping for clothes, but found some blouses with a vintage flair as well as a walking skirt knock off. It is very nice to wear clothes made out of fabric instead of knits. I think the reason people look so sloppy these days is due to knit clothes. They just don’t fit well.
Socks

Projects, Spindles 05.10.2017 No Comments

Little Knits has had some great sales for sock yarn. I love those self patterning sock yarns. It’s such fun to watch the pattern appear. So I have a fair amount of sock yarn and have been doing socks on a regular basis. To show you that an old dog can learn new tricks, I have been doing magic loop with German short row heels and toes. I’ve done another pair for me:

A pair for Quinn’s birthday:

And am working on another pair for Lon:

When I first moved here, I had about ten pairs of hand knit socks. Then I stopped knitting them for some reason. I did a few fancy pairs, but I just don’t like wearing them as much as I like these simpler socks. For less than $8 a pair, I have socks that will last for years and keep my feet warm and comfortable in cold wet weather.

I managed to make it to OFFF, but didn’t get to see much. I just got too winded. I managed to pick up a new Jenkins spindle, a lilac Finch:

I really love the little thing and I’ve put it to work all ready.
Socks!

Projects 06.09.2017 No Comments

And I have been spinning a little too. I finished the green socks. I have now learned how to do the German Short row heel, which I used on these socks. It looks so much better than the wrapped heel. I also finished these up in the 2 circulars method. I love my double points, but I get tired of having the point protectors drop off. It’s just a mess. So I picked up enough Addis to do the 2 circs method (which means 4 circular needles, since I work both socks at the same time.)

I am close to finishing Lon’s socks. These are Solemate, which is supposed to keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. I love the color. These socks fit much better than any I’ve done for Lon. I am concerned that they are a bit tight, but his feet swell less in cooler weather. I think we’ll be okay but I’ll try a different technique on the calf increases next time. I used a German Short Row toe on these. And I am trying magic loop to finish them. I plan to use magic loop to do both socks at the same time, on my next project.

I decided to redo the lower part of the sleeves on my sweater. The weather turned hot and I haven’t finished it. That will be the next project as I want to be able to use the sweater when it finally cools off.

I’ve mostly been spinning up odds and ends. I have the yellow yarn project on my Hatchtown. I should make an effort to finish that one. I’m planning to go to OFFF and picking up another Jenkins spindle. I am pretty well set with spindles. I have a couple that Lon got for me, but need to take pictures before I can post. I can’t wait for cooler weather. I just can’t take the heat any more.

UPDATE:
I’m going to add the two spindles. First up is a 3-D printed Turkish spindle, weighing in at 8.6g. It’s actually well balanced but light. It doesn’t seem to backspin, just stops completely. I think this would be great to carry with you. You don’t have to worry about the shaft breaking and wouldn’t be heartbroken if you lose it.

Next up is something that may not be a spindle. Lon did a little blacksmithing when he was younger, so he’s fascinated by the join on this. But I’m not sure it was a spindle. It looks like it was used on some sort of a machine. Maybe something to make rope? It weighs in at 89.5g so it’s very heavy before you start spinning. It does work as a spindle and it came from Greece.