knitting handspun

Freshly cast on the needles, my very favorite handspun multicolored fiber. I just love these colors!

I actually started out spinning this on my maple and redwood drop spindle (made by my love)  and finished up on my spinning wheel (also made by him :) he's really the greatest.

 This spinning wheel of mine you know I love it so much I'm actually designing my next tattoo to include it (but that is an entirely different post.)

I decided that instead of layering more sweaters to fend off the chill, what I could really use was a cowl. Like most all of my projects, ahem, I thought I would just wing it. I measured about where I thought the loop should end so that I could wrap it twice, grabbed some circular needles, knitted up a gauge swatch, did some quick math, and I'm on my way. All of  this was at about 9:30 last night, yeah, well when inspiration hits...whadda ya gonna do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (crate -o- handspun awaiting enough bravery to "wing" a sweater)

soon

 

 

 currently on the wheel- alpaca fiber from mother's day. I've already spun the white that I will be plying with this chocolate. I love a good two tone yarn. I'm planning on knitting this into a little capelet. Winter knitting is really the best.

 

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:: waking up to sunshine amidst the morning clouds and birds chirping

:: handmade gifts from so many loving hands

:: my first wood spinning wheel

    carefully handcrafted all week long, in every spare minute, 
    between meals and after bedtime stories, late into the night,
    from materials we had around. This guy of mine is someting special.

..yes, it was a very good day..

spinning

After visiting the best knitting/yarn shop ever wynona studios , where he was allowed to actually touch and test drive their resident wheels, Evan had a plan. A secret plan he quickly put into action as soon as we were home. This boy of mine, he made his mama a spinning wheel/machine.

With careful focus and concentration, minor adjustments, and much laughter and tears of joy, we were spinning. Spinning yarn together, him turning the crank, while I drafted out the wool. Somehow, we have no photos of the laughter and tears, just pure concentration, and Lassie watching.

oh, how I love this dear boy.

knitting with handspun

Oh, the simple joys of hand spun yarn. There is something so rewarding about taking fiber to yarn, then to knitted garment. The colors, the endless combinations of possibilities! Not to mention the irresistible, fluffy, softness of alpaca or wool roving, such joy.

Yarno the Super Dog was in need of a warm sweater for those chilly morning and evening walks

here in our new cooler climate.

 I needed an excuse to spin, well, I never really need an excuse, cause any reason is good enough for me. This little blue pullover is 100% wool and a hand blended color.

 Not far off, there in the back is a wood carving book from the library, but, more on carving later.

We're still undecided on just how much he likes his new sweater.

It does keep him warm, and no more shivering walks.

One thing that's certain, he sure loves his family.