Knitting Continues on the KAL

It's so easy to just pick up the needles and knit.

KAL with Donna Druchunas

I'm participating in a Mystery Mitten KAL on Ravelry with Donna Druchunas.

Words to describe my wool:

• from Belfast mini mills
• my homespun
• Navajo or chain ply
• worsted weight
• warm colours
• not enough contrast
• doesn't match anything I have

Progress so far on mitts:

The Roving. Merino, Silk, Cashmere, Mohair

The Single

My Norwegian Wheel

 I have a corner in my kitchen where I placed the dog beds. It's in the above picture behind the wheel and at the window. It was easy to put the dogs' place there, but I really intended it for a wheel and chair. I haven't decided what I will do.

And now it's time for a tea and either a little knitting or some spinning since I managed to spend the morning on my computer.

It's nice to have something I can show for the results of the day. And my looms are awaiting attention. I have a small floor loom I would like to get a scarf warp on this week.

A New Handbag / Shoulder Bag

This is handspan from indigo and woad dyed British Milk Sheep.
I used a Romney handspun warp in a grey colour. 10 epi. 2/2 twill weave with 2" of tabby weave on each top end.
Tied on and wove yesterday & sewn today. It's all lined with 2 inside pockets.
I like it.

Spring 2012

I suppose I must admit that spring is actually here!!
The weather has been absolutely outstanding. Now I'm wondering what will summer 2012 be like?

Things that have been happening:
My new wheel is done. Photo to appear soon.
Spring shearing of sheep & goats at a nearby friend's farm. New baby goats. Photo to appear soon.

Spun on my new wheel. Wool is Falkland 56's, 2 ply.

The wheel is a 25" diameter & spins really nice. I have to get to know it better. This is to be my main wheel.

Newest book I can't wait to start.

 My knitting style is changing. This will be the second time I will be relearning my knitting style. I went from holding my wool supply in my right hand to the Continental style where the it's held in the left hand & very short quick movements few years ago.
Now I move onto a 'combined style as suggested in 'Knitting in the Old Way'.
I'm still practicing with swatches before I start a sweater design & start a sweater hopefully with my own handspun.

Mystery yarn.

 I found a piece of brown woolly fluff in my garden where I must have poured a dye pot out. It looked interesting so I shook it off & spun it up. It's hard to see in the photo, but the colour is a bronze brown with a greenish tinge too. At the same time it has a coppery tinge. Very interesting. I wouldn't be able to duplicate this one. It's a product of the winter elements & was found with marigold flowers in it.

Tree down in our yard.

 This old, very large, but dead tree was the victim of one of our windstorms just before spring arrived.

Shetland fleece drying.

The fleece from 'Hans" (I think it was) followed me home after shearing last week. Here it dries in the sun & wind. I wonder what it will be?

Dye garden spring 2012

Spring time look at part of the dye garden. That might be the coreopsis that's all green.

Lace scarf. Woad. Handspun 2 ply.

Woad overdyed with leftover marigold from last year.

The lace scarf was a pleasure to knit. A simple two line pattern. Easy peasy! Soft & yummy!













It's a light yellowy green. Interesting, but would I do it again? No.