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April Handspun

May 3rd, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
6 comments

daylily cable

Its that time again … time to share the previous month’s handspun booty :-) I can’t believe how quickly the time is flying already! And of course, I enjoyed this months spinning immensely. I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I am completely and hopelessly in love with wool. Each month is always my “new favorite” or a newly found and much loved new-to-me technique.

April was my first time ever spinning for a cabled yarn and can you guess how much I liked it? I loved it! I picked out 4oz of South African Fine in “Day Lily” colorway by Spunky Eclectic and paired it with 4oz of Merino/Mohair/Alpaca in “Good Morning Sunflower” colorway by Belfast Mini Mills. The end result is a wonderfully round and brightly colored yarn that just screams “CABLED COWL!” to me.

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My next spin is another of my absolute favorite fibers – Romney. This was the March club shipment from Spunky Eclectic and, during 20 Questions, when it was revealed to be Romney, I did a little happy dance. Long wools are so much fun to spin and they make amazing shawls. I decided that this 4oz bump should be fingering weight singles for exactly that reason … to make a shawl.

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My last spin for April was another favorite for me and many other spinners as well. The April club shipment from SE was oatmeal colored BFL overdyed in a rainbow of gorgeous hues. Amy’s inspiration for this colorway was seashells, hence, the name. I chose to spin this fiber as a fingering weight single as well because it NEEDS to be a shawl too.

So, my spinning total for April is 16oz bringing my 2013 total up to 5.5lbs of fiber spun. Trucking right along towards my spinning goal!

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And this last picture is just a fun shot from the yarn photo shoot. Apparently, I need a supervisor to oversee all things here and Bugsy was diligently keeping watch as I snapped some pics. He takes his job very seriously!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend and Happy Fiber Friday!

March Handspun

Apr 5th, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
6 comments

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March was a really fun spinning month for me … but I say that every month don’t I?  I guess that just means that I enjoy spinning :-)

This month I was working on a couple of challenges which I combined together … spin a sweater’s worth of yarn and combo spinning.  I decided on 1.5 lbs of brown Shetland combed top with I over dyed in three different semi-solid colorways.  I’m really quite happy with how the finished yarn turned out.  It is lovely and round (it is a 3ply) and the colors have a nice heathery look.

While I was spinning, I didn’t really have a particular project in mind as I figured that the yarn would let me know what it wanted to be.  Now it is telling me it wants to be a Grettir but I’ll need to do some more spinning for the contrast colors.  So you know what happens next?  I’ll be adopting some more Shetland wool to dye and spin for a lovely sweater.

 

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My second spin was part of an ongoing goal to get more comfortable with woolen spinning.  I used 4oz of fantastic carded roving from Belfast Mini Mills in an alpaca/merino/mohair blend to spin up this light and fluffy, ever so squooshy ball of sunshine. The color of this yarn just make me HAPPY.   The colorway is actually called “Good Morning Sunflowers” so how could that not make you happy :-D   I’m not sure what it is going to be yet, but I know that it will definitely be something fun.

So although the list is short this month, it definitely added up.  I spun 28 oz of wool bringing my 2013 total up to 4.5 lbs already.  And guess what?  I already have 8oz spun for April but you’ll have to stay tuned for that one but I’ll let you know right now that it is one super fun spin!

Happy crafting all!

Sunday Spinning Haiku

Mar 31st, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
4 comments

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Citrus colored wool,

Resting in the bright sunlight,

Soon to be plied yarn.

WIP Wednesday – A Sweater’s Worth

Mar 27th, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
6 comments

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March has been flying by and I have been working steadily away on some spinning challenges. I’ve actually combined two of the challenges together this month.

In in the 13 lbs in 2013 group, the March challenge is to spin a sweater lot of fiber and in the Spunky Eclectic group, there is a combo SAL going on.  So I’ve decided to do a sweater’s worth of combo spinning for this month.

I chose 1.5 lbs of some really gorgeous shetland brown Shetland wool and over dyed it in three semi-solid colorways …. Rustic (red), Sherwood (green), and Catawba (purple).  I was a little apprehensive when it came time to ply these three colors together because I really had no idea how the finished yarn was going to turn out, but as it stands, I’m really loving the way it looks.

In my last spinning post, I reported that I had finished plying the first 12 oz and I and happy to say that as of today, I am finished plying my sweater’s worth or combo spinning.  I just need to give the yarn a wash and hang it to dry.

Now,  to find that perfect sweater pattern to suit the yarn …

Challenge Yourself

Mar 14th, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
2 comments
A peek at my first combo spin all plied up


A peek at my first combo spin all plied up

There is something in the air this time of year … I think that the approach of Spring makes us a little restless and we want to do things to shake up our old daily routines, to do something different.  Even when it comes to fiber, yarn, and spinning.

All around Ravelry, there are fun challenges being posted to help stretch our skills, trying new things, and shake things up.  The three that have really caught my eye are:

  • Combo SAL at Spunky Eclectic – You take 2 or more different colorways, spin them up, and then ply them for wonderful results.
  • The March Challenge at 13 Lbs In 2013 is to spin sweater lots (enough fiber to knit a sweater).
  • Extreme Plying SAL at Southern Cross Fibre – forget out singles, 2 and 3 ply … go for 4, 5, 6, 10 ply … cables … go a little crazy with your plying and see what wonderful discoveries you make and what amazing yarn you produce.

And I want to take part in them all!  I’m actually combining the Combo SAL and the sweater spin as I have enough of my dyed shetland to knit a sweater (yay!).  And I must admit, my first combo spin has given me the combo-spinning-bug.  I’m looking through my stash and thinking about what would look really great as another combo so there are definitely more in the future for me.

The Extreme Plying SAL has also given me the kick in the pants I needed to finally try spinning cabled yarn and I am really excited to get started.  I have a couple of gorgeous candidates fiber-wise, but I just haven’t been able to pick “the one” to start with.

With all these fun spinny things to do it is hard to find enough time in the day to do all of them!  I’m thinking this weekend will be late nights, lots of good coffee, and a date with my spinning wheel.

Are you taking part in any fibery challenges?  Do you get a little restless in the Spring as well?  Tell me all about it!

When Colorways Combine …

Mar 12th, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
10 comments

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Last year I ordered a couple of pounds of some really gorgeous brown Shetland wool from Spunky Eclectic and went on a dying spree.  Since this was my first time dying colored fiber, I decided that semi-solids would be the best bet and I was immediately hooked. I dyed every scrap of the fiber.  Pictured above is 1.5 lbs of my experiments – the green I call “Sherwood”, the red “Rustic”, and the purple “Catawba”.

Keeping with the adventurous spirit this fiber seems to have instilled in me, I’ve decided to use it for my very first combo spin.  I have 12 oz spun up and ready to ply.  I’m quite excited and look forward to seeing what these will look like when combined.

I’m off to start plying!

February Handspun

Mar 1st, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
6 comments

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Its that time again … time to share last month’s spinning … and I had an adventurous month!

I chose to start off 4oz of buttery soft alpaca that my dear fiber friend Tina gifted to me.  This was spun up as a fingering weight single which I think will be absolutely perfect for a shawl.  Probably a nice West Knits design :-D

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Next up was 4oz of some amazing Wensleydale from Rosa’s herd.  This was my first time spinning Wensleydale in carded form and I just loved it!  This was spun up as a fingering weight single as well because I though that it would pair up perfectly with the alpaca from Tina.  I can’t thank both of you enough for the wonderful fibers!

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This bump was another first for me … my first time spinning Cotswold sliver.  The feel of the fiber reminds me a bit of Shetland and the colors in this are AMAZING!  This was the January offering from Spunky Eclectic Fiber Club and is called “Eye of the Peacock” which I chose to spin as, surprise, surprise, a fingering weight single.  This handspun is going to make perfect socks!IMG_0631

And I tried another new fiber this month … Norwegian.  I fell completely in love with this fiber.  I find it similar to Falkland to spin up and it makes the most delightful singles!  This 4oz bump is from Northbound Knitting in the colorway is “Firewoman.”  This yarn has been telling me that it wants to be either a cowl or shawl.  I guess only time will tell but I how can it not be awesome in these great colors?

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Do you guys ever get sick of me telling you how much I love each and every fiber that I spin?   I guess that I just really enjoy wool and this fiber was no exception.  “Aurora Borealis” was the December club color way on Falkland from Spunky Eclectic.  It sat for a whole month in my stash because it was one of those “special” bumps of fiber that I would take out and admire and then gently tuck back to save for another time.  I love the blues, green, and purples that blend throughout this colorway and I think that it will make gorgeous fingerless gloves, a cowl, or shawl.  IMG_0635

And nope, I never get sick of Falkland.  I love how it spins up, especially in the “Reese’s” colorway by Northbound Knitting.  This fiber practically BEGGED to be spun up nice and fine and then navajo plied. This, I have secret knitting plans for!

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And last, but certainly not least, is 4oz of “Peacock” in mixed BFL by Northbound Knitting.  This was another fiber that wanted desperately to be navajo plied.  It also told me that it wanted to be pre-drated too.  I generally don’t pre-draft my fiber anymore, and almost never with BFL because it drafts so well, but the effect that it makes on the color is hard to pass up sometimes.  I like how it stretches out the color changes and gives even more subtle transitions through the colorway.   Combine that with navajo plying and I think the effect is quite striking.  These two skeins are already designated to the “special” yarn section because they are almost too pretty to knit.  Notice that I did say “almost.” :-D

So February really was a productive and adventurous month, with trying new fibers, and fibers in new preparations.  My total amount spun was 28oz bringing my 2013 total up to 44oz … just shy of 3 lbs.  Not too shabby!

So how are your 2013 crafting goals going?  Are you trucking right along or have you revised your goals?  I’d love to hear!

 

 

Ready To Ply

Feb 26th, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
10 comments

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As February comes to a close, I need to get busy plying up this month’s handspun.  These four bobbins have been resting as I plan to navajo ply them for some super scrumptious fingering weight yarn.

I love having bobbins full of brightly colored handspun but I like holding the finished skeins in my hands even more, so I’m looking forward to seeing and feeling what these bobbins will become.

And I also enjoy the fact that when I clear my bobbins, I get to fill them up again with new fibers, colors, and techniques and ideas to try out.

Ah!  The sweet smell of potential!

New Free Pattern – Handspun Boot Socks

Feb 19th, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
4 comments

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It has been snowing and blowing here on PEI and weather like this always makes me crave warm wooly things to snuggle up in.  I figure that right now is the perfect time to share with you a really quick and sock pattern to keep your tootsies nice and toasty.  This pattern is also perfect for showing off lovely handspun yarn!

Handspun Boot Socks are worked up in bulky weight yarn using the magic loop but can be easily adapted to double pointed needles.  They are worked toe-up with a short row heel and reach to the knee, although the height of the sock is easily customized.

Pattern specifics:

Finished Measurements
8” in foot circumference, 11” calf circumference but will stretch to fit a 15” calf very comfortably.

Materials
8 oz of your favorite combed top OR ~340 yards/310 m of your favorite bulky weight yarn

Pictured in 8 oz of Polwarth in “Shades Of Turquoise” by Greenwood Fiberworks

Needles
4.5mm (US size 7), 24” or 32” circular needle for magic loop
Or size necessary to obtain gauge

Notions
A darning needle for sewing in ends.

Gauge
15 sts x 23 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch

To download the free pattern, please click the image below

I hope that you all enjoy my cozy new sock pattern!

“Spinning Dyed Fibers” With Felicia Lo

Feb 18th, 2013
by SandAndSkyCreations.
8 comments
spinningdyedfibers


Photo Courtesy of Craftsy

Back in November, my dear friend and fellow blogger, Tina of Peacefully Knitting, did a review of the Craftsy class Spinning Dyed Fibers with Felicia Lo.   Since reading Tina’s review I have been wanting to take the course and have just recently signed up.

As both a spinner and a novice dyer, this class really appeals to me.  I enjoy working with colors and am always looking for new tips, tricks, and techniques to play with.   Some of the topics which I particularly enjoyed were:

  • Color theory
  • Preservation on colors
  • Simple tips for muting brightly colored fibers
  • Combo spinning (spinning from multiple colorways)
  • Andean plying on a wheel – This trick really surprised me.  I use Andean plying  frequently when I spin on spindles but never thought to try it with my wheel.
  • Effects of pre-drafting and spinning from the fold on color
  • Fractal spinning

Combo spinning has been a dream for me since last year when it was the subject of a monthly challenge for the 12 Lbs in 2012 group on Ravelry  (now 13 Lbs in 2013).  I like to ooooh and ahhh over the gorgeous combo spins of other members in the group but have always been a bit apprehensive of trying it on my own.  After watching the chapter on “Mix & Match” several times, I’m feeling a lot more confident and am ready to give this a try.  Now I just have to pick out the fiber …. :-D

This is a class that I know I will keep coming back to over time.  There is so much to try and do in regards to playing with colored fiber and this class is some seriously great inspiration to dive right in!

So if you are looking for some new things to try with your spinning or want to experiment more with color, this would be a perfect class for you.

“Spinning Dyed Fibers” gets two thumbs up from this spinning chick!

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