by carmen | Mar 9, 2011 | Dyeing, Knitting & Crochet, Spinning
It seems that I will always end up with a small part of my business being custom work. And when someone asks you to crochet them a manatee, well look at him…..how could I refuse?
Due to a small snag at the studio on Saturday(we blew a fuse) I was not able to work on my dyeing day. This meant I spent the entire day spinning singles. They definitely qualify under the 355 Project, and more so now that they have been kettle dyed….I didn’t want them all to be white….So yeah for me…6 more yarns under my belt and back on track.
Most of these yarns are between 115-125g and 100-115 yards which means that my slouchy yarn over hat works perfectly for this and can be completed in the one skein.
While I am immersed in the yarning I am trying to deal with a terrible heartbreak. Our middle cat (yes we have 3) is very ill. While waiting for the results of tests and sneaking in as many cuddles as I can, I am gratified to be able to spin. It’s keeping me grounded and hopeful.
by carmen | Mar 5, 2011 | Spinning, Yarn a Day
I have been in the studio now for more days in a row than I can count. The revised space with it’s lack of clutter and walls of fibre is pulling me in. That’s not a bad thing. I just find it surprising that the space can keep reinventing itself. It’s an organic continuous transformation.
Here’s another transformation for you.
This batt is BFL, perindale tussah silk angelina and dyed mohair locks. I was looking for glaciers ad thinking north of Jasper from the Columbia Icefields. I feel like I captured it in the finished yarn.
I knew when I was working on this 3 ply that it would be a bit more textural than a regtular 3 ply as I did not soin all of the curl out of the moahir locks and I didn’t try to smooth out all of the tussah and let some larger chunks fall in.
The resulting yarn is round with bits of glimmer, a lovely depth and slippery to coarse texture in places that makes it enchanting. I took it home from the studio last night and keep opening up the skein to enjoy all the variations.
I spun a sweet single last night as well. How many 3 plys can you fit into one day?
by carmen | Mar 4, 2011 | Dyeing, Spinning
YEAH…… Five updates on the project page today. Best day at the studio ever. I spun with feathers.
There’s a lot of dyeing going on. I’m not doing any of it. Cool.
by carmen | Mar 3, 2011 | Spinning, Studio, Workshops & Classes
Being open to change is a wonderful thing. Embracing change is even more amzing. The space is now either fibre related or in Joan’s case, fibre friendly.
With the new fibre crew on board, and realizing that basically we share the same brain when it comes to our likes and dislikes it was apparent that we need to all call in before we go out on our own seeking some rare and fabulous Hungarian fleece. So it begins. We are ready for the birth of the Fibre Collective.
I’m stoked. It seems that I am in the company of talented, generous people who see the world through the same fuzzy, fleecy lens as I do. This has brought a few issues to light.
- I am restarting the studio drop in group. I miss it others miss it. Enough said
- I will be offering a dyeing class. Okay, March folks, near the end of the month, details to follow.
The 355 project has had 3 yarns updated to the page, however the next few days will be a yarnapalooza with many updates. I’ve spent the last few days carding and prepping so I am really looking forward to the alchemy of finished wool.
Gabi continues to amaze me with her wonderful photography and I can hardly wait for her new photos of this piece including a beautiful baby, rather than just laying on a log.
I have something in my possession that has become my “precious”. I have no idea what I’m going to do with it, but I also know that no one will be able to get it away from me without a fight.
Sweet Georgia Cashsilk Lace…all mine.
We’re going to allow the collective to develop organically. And then look tor the warehouse necessary to store this fibre.
by carmen | Feb 25, 2011 | Dyeing, Spinning, Workshops & Classes
and none of it for me….Okay, I confess that I snagged two rovings. I swear I am only doing that for quality control.
My final class with my intermediate group finished yesterday. Bittersweet, I would have to say. This group was a joy to teach. The yarns that came out of last night’s class were positively stunning. And I must confess –I enjoy the largess teachers collect. I had food, wine, a super sweet card, chocolates and absorbent J Clothes….(obviously from someone who has been in the studio on dyeing day!)
The monthly carding group will give me a chance to check on their progress but I’m not sure it’s going to be enough. Hopefully a few studio visits will fill the gaps.
Much thanks this week to Kristin and Becky for the fibre assist. The rovings we cannot spin are being tagged right now for their long trek to the Arctic Circle.
The focus tonight is on 3 ply yarns…Gotta love a nice bouncy, round, lofty 3 ply…Yeah…
by carmen | Feb 22, 2011 | Knitting & Crochet
So much of the focus on the 355 makes me forget the pure pleasure of knitting the hand spun.
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| Baby Cakes blended with lace weight alpaca. |
This is something for Gabi so you know that much better pictures are forthcoming. For those of you hoarding your hand spun, get knitting it. That is all.
by carmen | Feb 20, 2011 | Events
equals one return ferry ticket to Nanaimo……Considering the weather and the road adventure, I’d say the price was well worth it.
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| Ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay |
A bit too chilly to be outside, John and I had our traditional backgammon tournament on board. I got my ass kicked. Touring the gift shop eased my pain.
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| Gift shop monkeys. |
Since we had timed this event to the second, we opted out of the more scenic Island Hwy drive. Since we missed the Fanny Bay view we made sure not to miss the oysters themselves.
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| Pan fried, herb crusted goodnes |
Comox Valley is a beautiful Vancouver Island destination and the Filberg Lodge looked so oddly gorgeous without all the crafters.
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| The Teahouse |
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| Naked grounds |
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| Proof of other last minute crafters. |
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| The times they are a changing |
There was a great deal of car knititng accomplished (one hat and scarf set) to match the new coat I got this year. I’m holding off on that picture until I can get the pattern finished. It’s a fun one.
by carmen | Feb 19, 2011 | Dyeing, Events, Spinning
but the fur remained. Becky spent most of Wednesday cleaning her Chow’s fur and it is now just waiting to dry.
I’ll be keeping some of what is carded for this…What’s the point of having a yarn project and not including some spun dog fur, or other fun project.
On the other hand I don’t think I ever posted a picture of the locks that Jennifer and I dyed together…
A few singles have made it to the 355. Will quickly post those and then on the road.
Just got back from Whistler and on the way to the Island. Love a good BC adventure. The snow in Whistler yesterday was wonderful. The Indian food from Tandori Grill, even better.
by carmen | Feb 14, 2011 | Dyeing, Spinning
Having this idea of Koi in my mind has been sticking with me for weeks. I know that I am working on a yarn a day, but this is a yarn that I am going to want to spin, card and dye for over and over again.
Creating the batt for this yarn was like layering paint on a canvas. I am hoping to post a short video of the creation of this batt. More photos on the 355 Project page.
by carmen | Feb 13, 2011 | Personal
Yeah……love you space channel…Tonight’s jury piece knitting brought to you by Serenity and Nathon Fillon. Where’s my Jayne hat?
