Once again it’s time for your sporadically scheduled blog update! Since we’re going on 3 weeks, this update won’t really have very much in the way of excitement. Its true purpose is to halt the incessant “OMG, why haven’t you updated your blog?” e-mails from my family. I suppose they can’t just get enough of my special blend of dry and sardonic humor. However, I’m fairly certain that all my other readers click over in hopes of getting a glimpse at my excruciatingly rugged and chiseled countenance. (Oh, I have to write that one down!)
Good looks aside, this is a knitting/spinning/dyeing blog (gotta love that demographic creep), so I suppose I should show you some of the fibery things I’ve been working on.
Last weekend was my final spinning class, but luckily, I have a wheel for a bit longer. This week I drew the Kromski Minstrel, and I am definitely smitten. It spins like a dream, and I love its old fashioned looks. I’ll sample a few more, but I’m pretty sure this is the wheel I’ll buy eventually.
My drafting skills are steadily improving, and at this point I’m able to spin a single that is fairly consistent. So far I’ve spun BFL, Corriedale, Shetland, Merino and Rambouillet. I haven’t branched out from wooly fiber yet, but I have a lovely bump of Alpaca that I’m anxious to spin up.
Right now I’m working on a 2 ply of white Rambouillet and gray Shetland (shown on the bobbin above), that will be part of a hand-knit project for the new house. Both of the rovings I’m using for this project were grown here in NM, and are minimally processed, meaning the fiber still has a decent amount of lanolin and vegetable matter. It’s really interesting to spin up roving that has been totally processed, and then switch to roving that’s a bit more raw. One thing that was cool about my spinning class was that we learned the basics of skirting and washing a fleece, which means someday I hope to make a sweater from a raw fleece. Talk about the ultimate in make your own clothing!
In addition to the NM rovings I’ve been working on, I spun up a bump of Superwash Merino roving that I dyed a while back, in my Caramel Stout colorway. It’s about 100 yards of worsted weight yarn, which I think will look smashing as a second hand-spun Zeebee to add to my collection. Don’t you just want to reach out and smoosh it?
One accessory that I’ve discovered is essential to spinning is a cozy pair of hand-knit socks. I don’t like treadling with my shoes on, and there’s been a bit of a chill lately, so I’ve been getting good use out of my sock drawer. I finished up this cozy pair just a few weeks ago.
- pattern: boyfriend socks (although I refer to them as my “cables and brimstone” socks)
- yarn: araucania ranco in brick (75/25 wool/nylon)
- needles/gauge: 8 spi on US #1.5 needles
- construction: knitted toe up, magic cast on, short row heel, regular bind off
Thanks to everyone for the warm wishes on the house! I’m super excited, and can’t wait to move in. The one thing I could without however, is packing. I’ve been putting it off for as long as possible, but I couldn’t delay any longer today. My closing date is rapidly approaching, and I certainly don’t want to be packing everything at the last minute. I packed up the garage today, no thanks to help from Emma. The minute I mentioned the word “packing”, she high tailed it to her favorite spot on the couch and pretended to sleep. What a diva.
After a hard day of dusty labor (the garage was like dust bunny headquarters), I decided to reward myself with an evening off. There’s nothing better than spending the evening with your Fiddlehead Mittens and a nice glass of beer. I’m just about done with knitting the outer mittens, and after a nice bath, they’ll be ready for their linings. For once it looks like I might actually finish a Project Spectrum knit during the featured months!
Oh, and lest I forget, there is one last thing. To lessen the amount of stuff I have to move, I’m having a 10% off Moving Sale over at Yarn Nerd! The store is stocked with a number of great base yarns (try the 1200 MHz Merino, it’s super nice stuff), and I’m expecting a shipment of 900 MHz Bambylon and 950 MHz Merino (a new sock yarn!) this week. Also, stay tuned for details on a sock kit featuring a special colorway and a new pattern from Anne herself!
Well, look at that. This post actually had some decent content after all. Maybe next time I’ll give you all a peek at my hot new summer buzzcut. Rawr!
hi! yeah i’ve got nothing. but i wanted to let you know that i stopped by.
I knew you would get sucked into the wonderful world of wheels. I have a kromski symphony myself, but all kromskis are pure joy. And gorgeous.
Emma looks so comfortable, I just want to snuggle her.I love it when puppies smoosh themselves into comfortable spaces.
Good luck on the move!
All my ego-stroking has finally got to your head hasn’t it? tsk tsk
the kromski is beautiful - good luck with the spinning (and the packing!)
Beautiful handspun and socks! Good luck with the packing, take breaks and reward yourself! :)
It’s about time you updated your blog!!! Great photos…esp. of Emma! She knows who is in charge of things…and she has you wrapped around her little paw! Your hand spun yarn looks great…someday I am sure you will own your own llama, and have your own steady supply of wool to spin.
Love ya~Mom
ps…thanks for the update you chiseled, rugged guy with the great buzz cut!!!
I may have missed something…how are you getting to try spinning on different wheels? some kind of spinning collective that shares wheels? cool idea. My bf is trying to learn to spin, and is interested in other men spinners, and what wheels, how they learned etc.
I love your Caramel Stout handspun, and yes….I totally want to smoosh it.
Good luck moving.
Hey Adam, since you’re moving anyway, want to move to Seattle? You like Seattle! Come on. I’ll even help.
Nobody gets me here.
Wishing you moving with ease and excitement for the new home.
Your yarn is gorgeous, as always!
Oooo…like the Caramel Stout colorway!
And personally, I think Emma’s got sort of a “come here and snuggle with me big boy” look in her eyes.
Good luck on the move!
Oooh, those socks are great. What a wonderful color!
Well I am going to be the voice of reason here: listen here young man, you are not to buy any wheels until you have moved and are sure that you can cover all the unexpected expenses of a new house!!
i’m so glad you are enjoying the gentle art of spinning; sounds like a new wheel will make a great housewarming purchase (who need furniture when you spend all your time on fiber arts??). i’m about to have empty sock needles and will keep a set open for the new yarn!
Always great to see a Yarn Nerd update! :) Glad things are going well. It’s crazy busy here too, so I feel your pain :) Oh, and having moved cross-country a year ago? I get that too. Just keep taking baby steps … and if you have a packing party with some friends, the time flies by. Feed them dinner and you can get the bulk of your place packed faster than you can imagine. That’s one of my favorite recommendations :)
Thanks for the update! Been wondering whacha been up to. Good luck on the home move!
So, maybe you’re right. That youtube video actually is pretty funny…
I just HAVE to knit those socks for my hubby! I’m always and the look-out for patterns for him. Thanks for sharing. And, yours are knit in my favorite color. They look fabulous!
I want a spinning wheel so bad. And that yarn… I love the colors. Wow. Spectacular!
I came for the chiseled countenance. I want my money back.