Never enough time!

Work takes too much time away from fiber activities and the blog writing ends up near the end of the list (definitely before house work - LOL). I was determined to get in at least 2 blogs a month - it is today or fail!

Lots of fiber activity since last post. Finished the Annis Shawl (pictured with my sweet Toby, not a cooperative poser - always lays down! Also a picture of it blocked) - a KAL with the Southern Cross Fiber group on ravelry. I was pretty pleased with the 2 ply I spun (one single Bombyx Silk and on BFL/Silk - both in the Southern Cross Fiber colorway "Green Tea") and happy with the drape and feel of the fabric BUT the cast on edge (started with the lace edge) was not loose enough and after one wearing the small points I was able to block into the shawl were just about gone. Next time I block it I will block for a scalloped edge. Not a huge deal I guess and definitely a leaning exercise!

Also completed was spinning the last,single, that will be a 4 ply, not plied yet. I have spun a worsted weight single (to be used in the 4 Ounce Challenge! Another ravelry group project. Pictured to the right) I have done some work on my design, Ocean Waves Cowl) which is a part of the challenge. The goal is to have more patterns available for knitting out of 4 oz. of handspun. I have been working on a cowl design that will highlight the color changes in handpainted, handspun yarn. This is my first design project and very exciting, more learning! I have until the end of September to finish that project.

I am back to knitting my Featherweight Sweater - started Sept. 18, 2009! Time to finish that one - would be great to take along to the Outer Banks (Sept 12!) that is my deadline for that project. Need to get some of these projects completed - I am picking up a used table loom in Kitty Hawk during my vacation so will have more projects underway! Should I mention the 1 and 3/4 pounds of handpainted fiber I got in the mail last week???

Family, Fiber and Fun!

6:00 on Sunday - I am tired but happy. It has been a weekend full of family and fiber fun. A lightning fast Saturday at The Mannings Handweaving School and Supply Center (trying to get that name to stick in my mind!) at their annual knit in with 3 cousins. One brought her brand new wheel and had her maiden spin on it! I just can't believe how fast the day went. I always want our time together to last longer. Got home today in time to unload my car and leave for my Spinning Guild where I finished single 3 of what will be a four ply - 4 oz. per single. I also managed to finish the last nupp row on my Annis shawl. No pictures of either of those projects so here is the yarn I finished after TdF - Southern Cross Fibers Merino "Bluestone"

I am thinking I will use this thick&thin fiber for a cowl pattern that I am trying to design. This will be my first pattern. It is turning out to be much harder than I thought it would. The 4 oz. Challenge's goal is to increase the available patterns that you can make after spinning 4 oz. of fiber. This merino is so soft it will be great around the neck!

Keep spinning!

Another start

My cousin has inspired me to start blogging again. I am really enjoying checking in each day to see what she is up to.
What have I been up to ? - spinning of course. The fibers to the right were spun during the Tour de Fleece last month. My fist sweater lot in one go - 2 pounds of Spunky Eclectic "Champagne" plus 4 oz each of Southern Cross Fibre "Double Dog Dare", "Angelfish" and "Bluestone". Only managed an oz of "Bluestone" before the end of the TdF but it is finished now. My goal had been 3 pounds spun - ended up with 2 pounds 9 oz. and 2317 yards. Pretty close! Here is my original fiber plan:

My plan changed along the way. The Hades" combo (Red and Dk Brown) is waiting for the additional 8 oz. I ordered so I can spin for another shawl. The 2 fibers in the left of the lid are getting spun up now - they will be plied with the 2 singles pictured on the bobbins for a 4 ply.

I have also joined the 4 Oz. Challenge on ravelry - design and knit (crochet or weave) a project with 4 oz. of fiber. I do have a plan I will be sharing at a later date. Also joined the Annis KAL - luckily I had that project started already so I stand a chance of getting it completed by the end of September - not so sure I will make that deadline for the design project.

This Saturday is The Mannings sit & Knit. Looking forward to a cousin get together with spinning and knitting!