Crazy week

The weather this week has been a bear and driving a real challenge. I started out to Erie on Tuesday but did not make it. I could not see anything so turned around and went home. The next days were awful for driving and that stresses me out a lot! So not much has happened in my goal of finishing projects as I wasexhausted when I got home. I put my feet up in front of the fireplace and "thawed out" for the evening!

 I did get all of the fiber spun that I showed you last time. I am eager to start the hat but have been working on knitting a hat from one of the crazy batts. I am using double pointed needles and 4 of them. I am used to using three but having to work around 4 has been a bit different. I am at the point of shaping the crown so hope to get it done soon! It's taking me a bit longer because as I go, if yarn is too thick, I draft it out if I can. I am able to do that because I have lightly spun the original strand and not plyed it with anything else. This batt had more "crazy" stuff in it....I really love it.

Well off to create!

Week-end project...I think!

I have my yarn all spun for my one pound scarf. It is a relatively loosely spun single that I carried along a strand of gold glitter. Some parts got really too thick but I am going to go with it anyway. I feel that the scarf will not be as long as pattern indicates but that is OK. I am not using the right size needles either! I will be using size 17 needle. The pattern also said to cast on 10 stitches but that looks to be too narrow with the size 17 needles. So I am going to start over and cast on 12. Then you K1, P1, K1 across every row until the end. So will start that tonight and work on it while watching TV with my hubby. I am sure this is a weekend project.

For those wondering....I have not abandoned my vest. I am still searching for the right pattern. I had one picked out but on second thought I really did not like it. So will keep searching!

Happy Creating,

Anita

Machine needlefelting

To make needlefelting easier for large pieces I use my embellisher form Babylock. I have one with 12 needles. I can adjust how many needles I want to use at a time. To do the large pieces that I a working on for my vests I use all 12 needles. It is so fast! I am amazed at how quickly I can lay down fiber on a piece of stabilizer. The stabilizer I am using is Vileen. It is washable in either cold or warm water depending on what you are using the fabric for. In the case of my vest pieces I rinsed them with a little bit of dawn dish soap and warm water. The stabilizer came right out and it does not leave a sticky residue. The pieces I did last weekend are now ready for construction.

I had to break my second rule and purchase some outside materials. In all of my stash I did not have any lining fabric for the vest. I could have used some silk, but also I did not have a color I could make work. So I did purchase some lining and fusible interfacing. I will have enough now to complete another garment.

Next step, cut out the pieces and see how it all sews together!

Happy Creating!

Busy for the summer!

My teaching responsibilites are on a limited basis now for the summer and that gives me more time to be at the shop. I just purchased 5 new wool fleeces that I will have washed and then decide if I want to dye them or work with them in the natural color. Touching the fiber has gotten my spinning desire going again and I brought my wheel to the shop. I am setting up on the porch with my glass of lemonade and it is very relaxing! I get into such a rhythm that I can put myself to sleep...haha...I have started a yarn and fiber group the second tuesday of the month. Last month I had one spinner come. She has ignited the spinning laying dormant in others in the group, including me. It will be interesting to see if anyone brings their wheel in June. Off to the porch and my spinning.