Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Spinning Spinning Spinning Keep Them Fibers Spinning

Around two years ago I started a giant spinning project. I was going to spin all the brown mill scraps I had collected/ been gifted/ bought while I was working at the mill and make a blanket to commemorate the time I spent there. It was even #1 on my 2011 goal list. I ended up spending most of 2011 designing knits so this project was never finished. 

I felt re-inspired to take up the project again, but there were a couple of other smaller projects I thought I ought to finish before working on the blanket project again. Today I finished plying the Woolgatherings sock yarn that will probably become Denature socks. One skein for each sock.

I also finished up my indigo dyed silk/yak yarn. I've always heard that silk is hard to spin, but was extremely surprised to find that I didn't seem to have a problem. It was a bit more slippery, but not too bad.... until I tried to ply it. Bahhhh. I had overspun one of the singles a little bit and didn't realize it until I was plying. Luckily the skein settled down after a good soak and yank. It came out to 286 yards of laceweight. I have no idea what to do with it, but it's really pretty... and shiny.

With all my other spinning projects completed, I have cleared the way for the blanket project. There's quite a bit of fiber to go. Thank goodness I'm spinning worsted weight yarn. 

Monday, June 25, 2012

Tribute To My Granddad

A little over a week ago my grandfather passed away. I'd wanted to write some sort of tribute, but I get teary every time I try, so I think I'll just share some photos.
This image is of my grandparents at the Waldorf Astoria (to the best of everyone's knowledge). The date on the back says June 10th, 1952. The story goes that my grandfather had proposed to my grandmother in England. She said no, moved to America and ended up working in the Empire State Building. At some point he came after her. It should be noted that my grandmother was a bit of a spitfire. She took up electric guitar in her later years.

He served England during WWII and worked on the front line laying down wire for communications. It's said that he was witness to the fasted U-turn in history when he and his team realized they were driving towards enemy lines.
My granddad is on the right

My grandfather was an entrepreneur after the war and brought seat belts to New Zealand. My father mentioned that he was one of the first kids in New Zealand to wear a seatbelt. I did a wee bit of research and found that he also was granted a patent on belt couplings. Fancy that.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Leather Crafts

I've finally gotten all the supplies I need for camp. Today I spent some time working on a journal sample. Admittedly, if I were to spend all day on this, I think I could make an epic journal. But I felt that the sample should reflect what the kids can do in the limited craft time available.

While I was getting supplies, I also picked up two belts for myself. I'm hoping I can come up with some neat designs for them.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Back And Better Than Ever

Hey everyone. I'm back. I finished the Super Secret Knitting Project last night. Unfortunately I won't be able to reveal anything more about it until later this year. I didn't do much else other than knit the entire time I was gone from the blog except this:

Tada! It's half of the braid I talked about a few posts ago. It came out to 228 yards in fingering weight.

I'm still spinning the other half of the braid. 

Tomorrow I will be picking up the last of the supplies for camp. So that project is almost done too. What a relief!
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