woolly wednesday - June

Currently I've been working with some fellow artists for a show as part of Somerset Art Weeks - using both my fibre work and my ceramics. This month I've been experimenting with the natural dyes around me. Buttercups are abundant in the meadow near my studio and they produce a pretty subtle yellow. I mordanted with alum and cream of tartar and solar dyed over a 48 hours period. The yarn is spun from Portland on my new (!) wheel - I can't wait to use it in a bigger piece later in the year. 

This is cross posted in Somerset Stitched - a blog following our creative journey towards Art Weeks in the autumn....

woolly wednesday - may

Oh my, Wonderwool Wales was wonderful!  I have returned home poorer in money but richer in fibres...

Two new drop spindles (I know, I'm greedy), lots of bags of fibres, wools, silks and lots of ideas.

I've started my Quill Hap shawl in a Portland Merino mix. I'm still knitting the central panel in garter stitch which is simple enough for me to start longing for something complicated to do along side it... So as I'm a glutton for punishment I have started Circles blanket - pattern by Amanda Perkin who dyes the most gorgeous yarns....

Woolly Wednesday

Oh my, it's Woolly Wednesday once more and this time I've got lots to show and tell. January has been a time for finishing things. It's one of my resolutions to stop starting things and wandering off when something else catches my eye. (I'm a fickle knitter) Also being stuck in the house due to rubbish weather has helped to keep me near my work basket....

First up I finally finished the Ab Fab throw that I was given a few Christmases ago. (ravelled here.)

I started and finished the Hemlock throw as a gift - knit in Rowan Big Wool it's very snuggly.... (snuggly is a proper word I'm sure)

Last up on the knitting front  is the Lonely Tree Shawl which I love!

Right. Now its the time for spinning. I have got back down to it and without all those knitting projects staring at me I feel less guilty about making more yarn. (don't get me wrong - there is plenty on those needles of mine, but that is another post entirely.)

Last summer I was lucky enough to be given 3 portland fleeces from a friend's flock. I've blended it with some merino and have great plans to spin enough to make this. There I've said it in public. That means I've got to do it! There is absolutely no way I could afford to buy the original yarn and I think handspun is the way to go....

hello 2013 & Woolly Wednesday....

Happy New Year to you all! 2013 is the start of more new great things I'm sure!

Now I know I didn't spin this myself but it's wool - right?

In late 2011 I started this Kaffe Fassett throw for my mother - in that time there have been many ups and downs and it sure has been a challenge. 

  

But I finished it. All 300 odd rows, crocheted edging and velvet lining. It nearly defeated me several times - I kept having to wander off and find something small and less demanding to knit.

I could just sit and stare at it for ages....

 

It has a new home now (a tidy home.) I miss it - sort of. I don't miss the fact it sat in my work basket staring me out in a threatening manner until I picked it up.

Now I can be selfish and concentrate on spinning, knitting and making for me (until the next lot of elving starts)

ps... Suzani is Ravelled here