Actual Spinning
And my first Project Spectrum post all in one. I’d never looked at the rules before because I was sure there was much more to it, but nope. There is no pressure, and so far, I just let it guide me when I wasn’t sure what color to use for something. (Hot pink Cascade 220 swatch coming tomorrow!)
I’ve been dyeing just a bit extra of all the fibers I make for the shop lately. Usually, I dye an extra ounce per 8 oz., because the ends of the top get all crummy from swishing around in the water and I have to toss them. Lately I’ve just tacked on an extra ounce and now have 4 oz. bags of each dyelot set aside for myself. I mean, I’m doing all the labor, but somehow having all those pretty bags of fiber after a shop update feels like someone’s giving me presents. This is the first spun up, color selected by Project Spectrum:
4 oz./ 229 yards
worsted 2 ply
ratio: 1:10.5 spin and ply
spun from Cosmos Merino wool top
The Opinionated Knitter arrived in the post yesterday and I’m thinking a Baby Surprise Jacket from this and some of this and this spun in the same way. I don’t even know any babies, but whatever, that thing is so cute. This photo hardly shows the sweater at all, but seriously.
Also finished is poor poor Emily’s superwash Merino yarn.
superwash Merino wool
worsted weight 2 ply
10.4 oz./ 574 yards
ratio: 1:10.5 spin and ply
For Emily, the master of swaps. Emily sent me gorgeous tea/coffee bowls ages ago in exchange.
Thanks for the lovely comments on the pulse warmers. Don’t be afraid of the gauge! I knit one per evening and did the button bands/ finishing the third. It’s not too terrible- like knitting socks.
11 Responses to “Actual Spinning”
what a great way to get little bits of fiber here and there – they make a totally unique colorway! so pretty all spun up!
wow, love the new handspun! Like the half-melted dregs of a bowl of Neapolitan ice cream.
I’m also being tempted by the garter stitch siren song of baby surprise…
I am thrilled that you are part of the PS fun. Beautiful handspun!
Good for you, saving some of that homespun for yourself! I just received all of EZs books and can’t wait to read them. She is truly an inspiration. BTW, I just posted a couple FOs using 2 of your free patterns. They were a pleasure to knit and will be enjoyed by the recipients.
dude, what lovely spinning.
Pretty handspun!
The Opinionated Knitter is a favorite book, and the Baby Surprise Jacket is one of my favorite patterns (and I’ve found having a few on hand makes it easy to deal with those last-minute gifts for new moms!) It’s so much fun to see the genius of it (un)fold. Check out the Zimmermania blog (zimmermaniacs.blogspot.com) for some cool photos of them finished. Heck, join up if you start knitting one!
Everytime I see one of your hand-spun posts, it makes me want to run out to my favorite LYS and buy a spinning wheel. Unfortunately, college dorm living doesn’t give you much room for storage of such things. :(
Ooh I love that first one! If it were any chunkier, it would look like neopolitan ice cream. Great work!
Oh… that is what I want my handspun to look like!! I wish I had time to spin- soon…….
What beautiful yarn! Makes me want to get my wheel out again :)
Did you see this one?
http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2006/10/20/surprise-bonnet.html