Weekend Update

Catherine was mentioning that she was working so much that she only finished a few small items. When I'm bogged down with work I find that I finish nothing, but start many new things.

I love the feeling you get when you first pick the yarn and then work out the pattern, sometimes going through several yarns and/or patterns! Whether it's knitting or weaving, the thrill is the same. I've been so overworked that I've started a new working on a twill scarf pattern, a new sweater out of the Beast I started spinning about two years ago, and I've been spinning up some corrie for a fair isle sweater.



I'm pretty proud of the corrie, as it's the first time I've planned out the yarn before I began spinning and then actually accomplished my goal. I wanted a soft, fluffy two ply around a DK weight. I've spun up 6 skeins so far, each a little over 2 ounces and about 260 yds. I'm leaning towards a deserty colorway, dyeing a main color and four contrasting colors using a 1/2% DOS.



The Beast is going to be a thick, cushiony v-neck cardigan, probably with pockets as it will most likely end up more of a jacket. I started spinning this with my Louet, back in December 2002. (see December 26th entry, it shows more of the rusty brown that's in the fiber) Incredibly, I almost finished the three pounds, so I should have more than enough. I'm not sure if I'd be able to spin the rest to match!

I bought several cones of 1/8 wool from Pollywogs and I've been playing around with several different twill ideas. I think I've settled on a Herringbone twill, maybe the one from the Nov/Dec 1996 Handwoven.

I bought Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Meals 2 right before school, thinking I'd get some fast ideas. She's got some great recipes, although she warns that for some recipes you've got to prep the night before to really make it in 30 minutes. I tried the quick Honey Lime Grilled Chicken tonight but I wanted some type of spicy soup to go with it. I combined a few different recipes to come up with this Mexican Vegetable Soup. It was a big hit and I was able to make the soup, chicken, and a big tossed salad in less than 60 minutes (including spinning three different greens).

Have a great week - only 10 days to prepare for Thanksgiving!

Weekend Update

Catherine was mentioning that she was working so much that she only finished a few small items. When I'm bogged down with work I find that I finish nothing, but start many new things.

I love the feeling you get when you first pick the yarn and then work out the pattern, sometimes going through several yarns and/or patterns! Whether it's knitting or weaving, the thrill is the same. I've been so overworked that I've started a new working on a twill scarf pattern, a new sweater out of the Beast I started spinning about two years ago, and I've been spinning up some corrie for a fair isle sweater.



I'm pretty proud of the corrie, as it's the first time I've planned out the yarn before I began spinning and then actually accomplished my goal. I wanted a soft, fluffy two ply around a DK weight. I've spun up 6 skeins so far, each a little over 2 ounces and about 260 yds. I'm leaning towards a deserty colorway, dyeing a main color and four contrasting colors using a 1/2% DOS.



The Beast is going to be a thick, cushiony v-neck cardigan, probably with pockets as it will most likely end up more of a jacket. I started spinning this with my Louet, back in December 2002. (see December 26th entry, it shows more of the rusty brown that's in the fiber) Incredibly, I almost finished the three pounds, so I should have more than enough. I'm not sure if I'd be able to spin the rest to match!

I bought several cones of 1/8 wool from Pollywogs and I've been playing around with several different twill ideas. I think I've settled on a Herringbone twill, maybe the one from the Nov/Dec 1996 Handwoven.

I bought Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Meals 2 right before school, thinking I'd get some fast ideas. She's got some great recipes, although she warns that for some recipes you've got to prep the night before to really make it in 30 minutes. I tried the quick Honey Lime Grilled Chicken tonight but I wanted some type of spicy soup to go with it. I combined a few different recipes to come up with this Mexican Vegetable Soup. It was a big hit and I was able to make the soup, chicken, and a big tossed salad in less than 60 minutes (including spinning three different greens).

Have a great week - only 10 days to prepare for Thanksgiving!

Return of the Carder

Finally got back to my carder this weekend. I was playing around with some leftover Ashland Bay roving and some of my Humble Hills romney cross. I couldn't find my diz, so I just stripped off 1.5" widths, attenuated and rolled into it into nice fluffy balls, ready to spin.



I also bagged up several fleeces (flice?) and some mohair that I washed over the last week or two. I have two more in the garage that I need to get washed and brought in. I'm afraid the mice will think I've provided them with an insulated room for the winter.

FINALLY! Joanne Tallarovic's new book, Rep Weave and Beyond, came today. It will be my bedtime reading - think of the dreams I'll have!

Return of the Carder

Finally got back to my carder this weekend. I was playing around with some leftover Ashland Bay roving and some of my Humble Hills romney cross. I couldn't find my diz, so I just stripped off 1.5" widths, attenuated and rolled into it into nice fluffy balls, ready to spin.



I also bagged up several fleeces (flice?) and some mohair that I washed over the last week or two. I have two more in the garage that I need to get washed and brought in. I'm afraid the mice will think I've provided them with an insulated room for the winter.

FINALLY! Joanne Tallarovic's new book, Rep Weave and Beyond, came today. It will be my bedtime reading - think of the dreams I'll have!

#1 Weaving Rule

"Always have a warp wound and ready to go."

I cut the raw silk off the loom and now I'm stuck. Not that there isn't a million things that I want to do, but I'm waiting on more cotton for the baby blankets and I need to order some Zephyr for some twill scarves. I should have taken Anita Mayer's advice. One on the loom, one in the finishing stage, one in the planning stage.

Here's the finished silk. Now I have to decide if the two pieces will look good in the same jacket. I'm beginning to think that the little dab of navy made the violet too dark. Maybe I should just purchase some black material to use with the multicolored fabric.


This close up was taken outside while the fabric was drying on the line.


This was taken in the kitchen and shows the contrast a little more.

Any opinions? I can always use the darker fabric for something else. It's about 15" wide and over 6 yards.

#1 Weaving Rule

"Always have a warp wound and ready to go."

I cut the raw silk off the loom and now I'm stuck. Not that there isn't a million things that I want to do, but I'm waiting on more cotton for the baby blankets and I need to order some Zephyr for some twill scarves. I should have taken Anita Mayer's advice. One on the loom, one in the finishing stage, one in the planning stage.

Here's the finished silk. Now I have to decide if the two pieces will look good in the same jacket. I'm beginning to think that the little dab of navy made the violet too dark. Maybe I should just purchase some black material to use with the multicolored fabric.


This close up was taken outside while the fabric was drying on the line.


This was taken in the kitchen and shows the contrast a little more.

Any opinions? I can always use the darker fabric for something else. It's about 15" wide and over 6 yards.

Is this Scary?

Maybe not, but it is one of the strangest costumes I've seen. Of course, when your cell phone rings, you gotta answer - even if you are posing for Mom.

On the fiber front, I'm nearing the finish line for the 7 yard silk warp. The Sanuk Jacket may be finished in 2004 after all. I've been playing around with narrow inkle bands. If we're going to have to wear our IDs every day, then I want to have some variety. This one is 5/16" wide.