Tag: wool

Summers Over

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?

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-free patterns

Cabin Fever patterns

Debgemmell435 on YouTube

Five Days Of Fibre Camp

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.

Cheers, Deb

Gauge-Free and Any Gauge patterns by Deb

Cabin Fever patterns

Deb.gemmell on instagram

Debgemmell435 on youtube

Steek, Yikes

Cutting will commence shortly.

To set up the steek, at the top of the shoulder I cast on an extra 5 sts where the armhole will go. Then I continued knitting round and round for 8.5″, the length of the armhole, cast off those 5 sts and continued to knit round and round for the body.

So here we are. I’m ready with the scissors. But first, I ran a length of grey yarn down on either side of the 5 steek sts.

Then with cream coloured yarn I crocheted a slip stitch through the two legs of a column of sts, inside the grey line.

Now I cut.

Now that both armholes are open my DIL can try it on for some final measurements.

Just a couple more inches needed on the body for a cropped sweater. Then the rest of the summer will be sleeve knitting.

She likes it so I’m happy.

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-free patterns by Deb https://www.ravelry.com/stores/debgemmellmods

Cabinfever patterns https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/cabin-fevers-ravelry-store

Debgemmell435 on youtube

Deb.gemmell on instagram