Author Archives: atangledyarn84

Just The Heel

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My Punch Bug Vanilla Socks are inching to the finish line. I find it intriguing that some socks practically fall off my needles where others take MONTHS. It’s not that I don’t love these socks, they just languished, lol.

The second full tube is done and almost perfectly matched the first sock. All I need now is to measure and cut in for the last afterthought heel. I have plenty of yarn left so that is a great feeling. The matching hat for this is languishing and I need to rip it out and start on better needles. #summerplans

Happy Knitting!!

All Wound Up

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I finished plying, washing and skeining my sock yarn spinning project before I realized I had ZERO pictures of it. So here it is in cake form!

I think I am not going to have enough for socks and I’m a little bummed. I have over 100 grams here but only 130-140 yards of heavy sport weight yarn. I think I will pull out my size 4 needles and start a toe of a sock. This will show me gauge and how far this yarn goes.

If it doesn’t work then I can rip it back and make something else. This also taught me that I need more fiber for a sock spin at my current skill level and singles size. So not a complete loss but did dampen my excitement.

Happy Spinning!!

Full Protection Mode

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My Ashford Kiwi 3 lives permanently in the our main living area. Which means it is VERY tempting for little fingers to poke, prod or peddle. So late last year I found an Ashford case on Ebay sale and I bought it. Now, I get what I paid for and it took months to get here but I’m over that now, lol.

It is lightly padded, has a nice carrying strap and zips up completely. No more tempting little fingers! It is less convenient to take out and put away when I get the whim to spin. But I feel like the reduced wear and tear will, over time, overtake that frustration.

So my wheel still lives in the main area but it is a lot more protected and contained. I guess I like containers for my stuff!! Happy Spinning!!

Easing Back In

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I have hit the wall of spring slog and busy season at work. I have had ZERO energy to do anything crafty. But yesterday was sunshine and breezy where outdoors beckoned to me. I pulled some of the fiber I got from a destash sale.

This batt comes from Hipstrings and its a mix of Merino and Rambouillet fiber. It’s spinning very nicely. I didn’t get much on to the wheel before life interrupted. So I am counting this as easing back in.

Happy Spinning!!

Blanketing Along

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Another week and another gymnastics class. I am firmly about three rows away from finishing color number two on my Chromatic Yarn ZigZag blanket!

I was able to snag a spot on one of the couches this week instead of a folding chair. That really felt the height of luxury! Gymnastics will be winding down for the year and PB will take the summer off. I have a 50% chance she will want to take up new classes in the fall. We will cross that bridge later!

Happy Knitting!!

The Last Fire 2023

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The

Mother Nature threw a late cold snap at us and I took the luxury of one last fire in the fireplace before spring starts in earnest. It’s been WINDY here so this cold rainy day is a nice break.

I’m getting really close to finished color number two in my Chromatic Yarns ZigZag blanket. The next skein up is still mainly purple but will add in some pinks to break up the purples. I am still working 50+ hours at my day job during busy season so my crafting mojo is LOW. And I’ve set intentions to move more so I have reengaged to play competitive volleyball one to two times a week to add cardio to my life. So far I have hurt my foot on day one!

Onward and Upward!!

My Dad Accidentally Bought A Fiber Club

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Ya’ll…my dad is so cute. He called me the other day and said “I keep getting your Christmas presents in the mail!”. So on a recent visit I took a look at what was coming in the mail. He didn’t realize he had purchased a fiber club subscription for my gift!

The February club is 100% cheviot and a DEEP violet color. This looks amazing and 1,000% sure it will let off dye when I wash it, lol. The March club is set of wonderful pinks and purples and is a polworth and silk blend. This will be VERY soft.

I guess with all my fiber additions this week, I need to get spinning!! Happy Spinning!!

Plying The First Sock Yarn

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I zoomed right along since my second bobbin of sock yarn singles. I have all the singles spun and appropriately rested on bobbins. I am moving on to plying!

I purposely managed the colors to make singles with a similar color story. I foresee then the finished yarn will be VERY marled. Which I am all for. Some of my singles were more successful at staying very thin than others. I maybe playing yarn chicken trying to make socks. But I am going to see what yardage I get before I worry.

Happy Spinning!!

Fiber Destash Score

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Jude of Stranded Dyeworks recently destashed some of his personal stash in order to feel more incontrol of his stash and make sure these items are being used instead of stored. I stayed away for the first few days of the sale but I was weak when I noticed there was still fiber in the shop.

These are all new to me dyers and from top right around to the bottom they are:

  • Spotted Circus – 4 ounces and a blend of Alpaca and Nylon
  • Fondant Fibres – 4 ounces and a 80/20 blend of SW Merino and Nylon – this one is called Deep & Meaningful
  • Hipstrings – 4 ounces and a blend of Merino, Rambouillet and Nylon – this one is called The Unicorn in the Library

I have zero plans for this fiber. None of the fiber content really line up so I don’t see combining them. They will likely end up being spun with themselves and making cute one of skeins.

Happy Spinning!!

New Spinning Toys

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With all my spinning mojo, I treated myself to some some toys. I hear on podcasts and see on blogs the hand spinner love Akerworks bobbins. They are 3D printed and pack flat for storage. So I did my research on the Akerworks site.

I picked up two bobbins that fit my Ashford Kiwi 3. I let them pick the designs for the end caps but I picked purple for Jellybean and teal/green for PB. I put the purple one on my wheel and tried a bit of fiber. It’s an understatement to say they spin VERY differently than my wooden bobbins. Definitely going to need some practice with these new toys!

Happy Spinning!!