A friend put me in touch with a wonderful lady (a talented spinner, weaver, and dyer who claims she's only an occasional knitter) who showed me how to get started spinning with a drop spindle. Next week (hopefully) she will be showing me how to ply, and eventually, I'll give her wheel a try. It's super fun - I just wish I had more time to do it (I'm still working on gift knitting, you know)!
Here's my first singles (kind of skinny):
Bug had to "help" me with the photo shoot a little too much:
Bug, you're very cute and fuzzy, but you're hiding some fierce, fiber-rending hardware. Watch it, will you?
Non-Gift Knitting FO
Judith Chevron Shawl
Schaefer Yarn Judith, color "Betty Friedan" (330 yards per skein), ~1.7 skeins
US 7 Knitpicks Options circular needles (24")
The Judith alpaca yarn is lovely and soft with a slightly vinegary aroma. I alternated balls every two rows to reduce pooling. The pattern is made up of 3 sub-patterns (Daintier Chevron, Dainty Chevron, and Arrow Pattern), which are shown below. It's too bad (for me!) that this was knit as a model for Schaefer Yarn to display, but I'm getting some wonderful yarn in return (photos when it arrives).
Gift Knitting Update
Sheldon (Knitty, Winter 2006)
Knitpicks Shine Sport (110 yards per ball), "Green Apple" ~0.9 balls, "Grass" ~0.6 balls
US 2 (2.75 mm) dpns
US 3 Addi Turbo circular needle (24")
US B crochet hook
Hee, hee! I love Sheldon, and hopefully so will my little nephew. What a neat pattern Ruth came up with! I hadn't done attached i-cord before, and had some moments of confusion when trying to stitch together the parts of the shell, but I thought her instructions were great - and it all worked out in the end. I used the felt/embroidery floss eye method described by Bogie of Knit Flix (with the exception that I couldn't find a hole punch, so I cut my felt circles freehand). I think I took the advice to stuff the shell lightly a little too seriously, and I may have understuffed the little guy's body, so my shell is a bit baggier than expected. However, I think it looks fine, and it's pretty easy to put on and take off.
Bug was quite patient with me (and Sheldon) during the photo shoot:
Umm... yeah. I think he thought Sheldon was bit too forward.
Flower Scarf
Based on the One-Skein Scarf from Stitch 'n Bitch Crochet - The Happy Hooker
Ella Rae Classic (219 yards per ball), minty green ~0.65 balls
Scraps of Patons SWS in Natural Geranium and (the beigey parts of) Natural Blue for the flowers, etc.
US K crochet hook
Basic Mittens
Easy Warm Mittens
Steadfast Fibers Wonderful Wool (190 yards per skein), copper ~0.66 skeins
US 3 bamboo dpns
And last, but not least, I'm still working on the Clementine Shawlette for a special someone. Let's hope I can get it done in time to send it across the country before Christmas (I'm actually further along than this shows - I'm working on the second half now).
31 comments:
wow you have been one super busy lady!! Love all the knitting. The flow scarf colors are gorgeous!
Ooo, so many fun things! Love the chevron scarf, and the Sheldon photo shoot (one of my cats is quite enamored with the drop spindle, too!).
Umm, I think the pic of Sheldon on Bug's head might be the greatest picture in the history of the world...
You're making some lovely gifts. I ADORE Sheldon. So cute, and clever too.
David said - Yup, that is one patient cat!
I love your photo shoots! One of the things I always anticipated is to look at all your photos!
Aaaahhh...everything you make is absolutely gorgeous! I love Sheldon kissing Bug. Definitely very tolerant! I want to make Sheldon for a friend, but I am not sure that I have enough time since it looks time consuming. So, I am crocheting a turtle instead.
The shawl is beautiful and in my favorite color.
Very impressive FO list you have there! And Bug... what a great little friend!
Okay, first of all, the pictures of Bug and Sheldon? HI-larious. You can almost hear Bug's thoughts about what's going to happen to Sheldon after the phot shoot is over (and I certainly hope he made it out unscathed).
I'm very impressed with your spinning. I just got a drop spindle and my first attempt looked like complete crap. Perhaps I should do what you did and get someone who knows what they're doing to show me how?
You've been busy busy! The Sheldon photo shoot is very cute, and your shawls are lovely! I'm also enamored of the mittens -- what lovely yarn!
Bug should get an award as "Most Patient Gorgeous Boy EVER!" for the Sheldon Series. Were you moving at warp speed to finish before he ran screaming out of the room?
Lovely fo's and almost fo! The folks at Schaefer must have a great attitude on life to have named a yarn Betty Friedan -- you gott'a love it :)
wow! you've really been busy! I love the lace! and the color! Yum!
Bug is adorable, he always looks good but I really like the pictures of him with the spindle.
Sheldon looks great! I'm sure your nephew will love him.
What great photos to go with such fun projects! Love the photo of Sheldon 'snorgling' Bug. That may be one for Cute Overload ;-)
Busy, busy, busy! Sheldon is sooo cute especially in your photo shoot with Bug!
Beautiful projects & photos as always! Sheldon is on my list this year for my niece, though I'm quickly running out of time and I think she might be getting a Valentine's Day Sheldon instead ;)
The spinning looks and sounds so fun! I am *dying* to use my drop spindle, but must.finish.Christmas.knitting.first.
Big yay for spinning and new lace! Thank you for your very sweet comment, I'm so lucky to have you as "blog friend"! Your pressies look so pretty. Sheldon is so far my very favourite and his pics with kitty are just histerical!
Your first spinning attempt looks wonderful! Bug looks wonderful, too, with her new buddy Sheldon. You're a knitting/spinning machine - your list of FOs is impressive!
Wow, I love them all. That lace shawl is gorgeous. And drop spindling? Haven't tried that yet but a fellow knitter from Knit Club was doing it the other night and it was fascinating to watch. Might have to give it a whirl. And what a patient, sweet kitty. I think Bug now loves Sheldon too!
Whoa!! Looka t you getting all adventureous with the spindle! :oD
Okay..you put alot in this post!!
Great knits!!
But too funny at turtle Sheldon photo shoot with Bug! Haha! :oD
You are one busy bee. Everything looks so good!!
Good luck with the spinning.
Love how the cat just sits there and lets you do that!!! Hee Hee.
Hooray for spinning! That looks awesome :)
And the Judith Chevron Shawl is gorgeous - it must be hard not to keep it!!
AND - Sheldon accosting bug - naughty little turtle! That had me chuckling non-stop!! Your nephew will love him - what a great pattern.
Yay- isn't spinning fun? I absolutely love those pictures of Bug and Sheldon!
You have a veritable feast of FOs! Gorgeous job on the Judith Chevron Shawl, and such cute holiday knits.
Does Bug get kitty treats after your photo shoots? Is he union? Because he sure gives 110% in your wonderful photos! (I think the writer's strike is getting to me....)
And your spinning looks fab. You're a natural!
Everything looks wonderful! You have been one busy knitter, wow. LOVE that scarf & Sheldon is so cute. Awesome job on all of it.
Wow! You've been busy! All this time, I never knew that Sheldon could come out of his shell. Now I HAVE to make one. What a great opportunity to try out Shine, too.
Bug is so cute! I love his blue eyes!
wow..who's been a busy bee? Lovely projects. Think Sheldon and Bugs make a lovely couple lol. Your photos of them really make me laugh. More please
That scarf is gorgeous and so are all your other knits! Bug is one handsome cat, those eyes!
Your judith chevron shawl is breathtaking!
i really love your adaptation on the one-skein scarf from happy hooker! so cute!
You have been busy! I liked the clementine pattern but struggled with joining the 2 parts--looking forward to seeing what you do with that. And I love that turtle! He seems to be popping up a lot, and the more I see him, the more I want to knit him!
Bug is such a Super Model! I must say my favorite is the one where he's in Sphinx pose with Sheldon. The Sphinx pose is also known as the "Meatloaf Pose" in our household.
Good luck with your spinning. I hear it's addictive once you start!
Happy New Year!
Wowza! Your knitting and now spinning skills are so very impressive!
I wish you all the best in 2008, with many, many more knitting projects to come.
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