Tuesday 18 September 2007

Its NOT my birthday but.......

I have some new things!!!!!!! An awesome book that will stretch my skills & teach me new ones.

A thing, made by my father in law, I think its called a yarn swift & its a lot better than chair backs & more co-operative than the males in my family when yarn needs winding! I am knitting him some 'shed mitts' to say thank you. They are simple fingerless mitts to help keep his hand and finger joints warm (they ache at times) when he works in his woodwork shed.


Lastly, I have made the jump, I am going to get in touch with my ancestors, following up from encouragement by Yarn Spinner (Thanks Joanne!), I am going to learn to spin! I am going low on cost & big on historical timescale & have bought a spindle & some British breed rovings. I am still at the reading stage but I am quite excited to get going.

The top down sweater is below the armholes but the sizing suggested was way out (I did knit a swatch!) but been top down I tried it on, realised it was big enough even for a cosy sweatshirt sweater and called it time for arm and body to separate. The rugby was awful, she may get cables! I have also cast on for Wool Peddler shawl, I couldn't resist!

Watch this space for progress on a range of projects -damn it, I have classes to teach!!!!!

6 comments:

florencemary said...

The book looks great, and well done FiL for being such a useful gent! You seem to be doing rather well recently in terms of knitting-apparatus-on-the-cheap, Mrs J!

I'm still sitting on the fence as far as spinning is concerned, though I'm keen to re-learn how to weave (I did some weaving for my art O-level many moons ago). Go for it, I say!

Dipsy Doodle said...

Awww, you're going to adore this book! I've been wanting to order it for ages and can't really understand why I didn't do it yet - there's an amazing lot of goodies in it, and I can't wait to see what you're going to knit first from it!

sarah said...

Huzzah!
I hope you find it as relaxing as I do. Blue-face leicester was recommended to me as a starter, and it was indeed lovely. Sadly I went off the rails in pursuit of silk before I settled in to other wools, so I'm spoilt now :-)
Let me know if you'd be interested in some 'learning to spin' books: I have copies of Spinning in the Old Way and Spin to Knit that I'm not using.

I look forward to seeing your Wool Peddler next. I want one of my own now!

artyfartykat said...

Pleased you're taking the plunge with spinning, but be warned, its addictive! I started with a spindle, but soon progressed to a wheel. I find it so relaxing, hope you enjoy it too.

Artis-Anne said...

Interesting looking book , I look fwd to see what you make from it and what you think about it.
A great yarn winder there Mrs J , yet another money saver :)
Welcome to the very addictive world of spinning , need any smelly fleece ?
Re the moebius yarn ; it was yarn from my stash and no idea what it was sorry . I am trying to use up bits and bobs I have collected over the years , so you may see more of these wraps on my blog !!

Joanne said...

Hurray! spinning! Meditative, fun, and historically accurate...I'm glad to push you over the edge! It's also good that you are starting with a spindle. It's the best way to learn. Try only a few minutes a day (like learning to tie your shoes) and you'll pick up the physical skills in no time. Learning on a wheel is much easier once you've mastered the concept on a spindle.

Oh, and save your first yarns if you're sentimental. Some folks love to look back and see how they've grown as spinners. I can't wait to see what you'll do!