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).
