It’s time to say goodbye to Northern Ontario for this summer.
Time to head home.
First we’re visiting friends. So a long drive but I’m totally looking forward to it. I’m currently working on two projects which are good travelling companions.
I have started the sleeves of my Contiguous Drop Shoulder.
It did take some figuring out to get the helical stripes going in the proper sequence. Two tries later, and several rounds where I didn’t quite believe it, it’s worked out. Yay.
I cast on my log cabin blanket. I am using my handspun wool. The red square, in Lichen and Lace Rustic Heather sport, is tradition for quilts. I think it’s going to look great.
My handspun wool is very thick and thin but that’s where I am right now with my apinning. I might make one of those frames with 4 posts for the corners, to pile up the squares so they can be blocked to somewhat the same size.
This square needs two more sections of grey and then one square down and many more to go, LOL.
I’ve been thinking of fall projects. Nothing firm yet but fun to ponder. How about you? Thoughts about knitting fun coming up?
Last July I was introduced to spinning at the Elliot Lake Summer Fibre Camp. I didn’t know if it would take. I always said I wouldn’t learn because knitting is a big part of my life and who needs anything else?!
I borrowed a spinning wheel but was too scared to try it out until October. I watched a ton of spinning videos and then got busy. I spun and spun and spun. I love it.
This year I signed up again.
I was the only person who returned. There were 11 people new to spinning who were all struggling as I was last year. After 2 days it was amazing how many really got going and improved greatly after the first day.
I was able to help a couple people out with some tips that helped me get started. Next year I will be an official teacher. Yikes! That’s a big step.
After two days spinning outside we hit the Elliot Lake Arts Club‘s studio for a dyeing class with Lyn of Shelridge Yarns.
They dyed their spinning and some fibre with chemical dyes. I stayed for a bit but had promised to take my grandson fishing so only did a little bit.
On Day 4 we did natural dyeing which was greatly expanded from last year. We dyed with Logwood (purple), red onion skins (orange) and black eyed susan flowers (green/gray).
Can you see all the variation in colour we got? Natural dyeing is always a surprise. Skeins in the bottom of the pot were darker (we didn’t stir too much since there were other things to do).
Friday we plied up what we had done and it was all over. A great 5 days of fibre, fibre, fibre. Can’t wait until next year.
It’s not spring here. We had 4-6″ of snow yesterday and some more to come but … you know it’s not here to stay. Everything looks nice and fresh again. So it’s time to start thinking about spring knitting but not this minute.
I’ve been through this book before but it was years ago and I decided it was time to give it another try. I knit two pairs of the Upstream Sock.
These are knit toe-up with what looks like a standard heel flap but if you’ve ever knit anything by Cat Bordhi, you know it’s not exactly standard. The gusset is knit with increases that make a V up the top of the foot, as you can see from the sock I knit for myself. Then you turn the heel and work the heel flap, attaching it to the stitches of the top of foot on either side of the V. It took me a bit to get that from the general formula, but I’ve got it now and will knit more socks this way. I knit the blue pair for my son-in-law and am very happy, after 2 rip backs, that I have a good looking sock. (The wool is Timberyarns, don’t you love the stripes? I do.)
I started another project with my Lichen and Lace Rustic Sport Club wool. It’s the Clint by Natasja Hornby. The centre motif is modular so I am totally captivated.
I find it really interesting to try different ideas for working modularly. This one is slightly different from anything I’ve done before, mainly the corners. But as usual the corners are not working out for me as exactly as I would wish. She suggests that you weave your tails in as you go but I am finding that I need to do some repair because of my lack of precision at the the corners. Totally me, not the pattern. This pattern is also written in an interesting way with a map to follow for the motif. It’s ingenious.
I am loving it. As you can see, those corners need some work but … oh well. I’m carrying on with it as is.
Today I had an exciting day. I bought a spinning wheel. I have been working on a borrowed wheel and am so excited to have one of my very own. This is a Rognvaldson spinning wheel. I think I am the 4th owner. A Canadian wheel made in Acton, double drive with scotch tension (whatever that means?). I have a lot to learn. I bought it from a friend who had it serviced a couple of years ago so it’s in great shape.
I love that it’s compact since I live in an apartment, and that the tension is easy to adjust.
I have been spinning for about 5 months on a Louet S15 (for those of you who are in the know). I was told I just had to do the hours and I would get some wool I could actually knit with. I have finally made the shift into making finer wool. Yay. This is my latest spin, 100g of Isle-de-France fibre from the Long Way Homestead Breed of the Month club. I am so happy with my progress.
It definitely has a halo and should be very soft. I’m going to make a 2 ply wool and should end up with sports weight, DK weight? Maybe? What should I make with it? I’m thinking a shawl might be good since it’s still a bit thick and thin. Any ideas?
I’m looking forward to spring. I have 3 more weeks of curling to go. It’s always sad when it’s over. I have some hemp I want to get out for a summer knit. Making a summer top will be something new for me.
I hope you are enjoying spring, or the last gasp of winter, where you live. I shoveled snow today but next week we’re headed for several days above zero.
Deb Gemmell: Top Down, Gauge Free and more 