Tag Archives: merino

Cast On: 2025 Fall Hat

Posted on by
2

I do love a good cozy cast on. I was traveling recently and after finishing my Firepit Hat and my Dragonfly Hat, I needed a new hat for on-the-go knitting. I grabbed some Yarns Northwest Silk & Merino from my stash because it didn’t need wound. I was low on prep time before traveling.

This is finer yarn than the worsted that listed on the label. I feel like this is closer to a heavy sport or sport weight. Therefore, I chose to go down in needle size for my beanie “recipe” and up in stitch count. I cast on 112 stitches with US 5s. And I snuggled into a fluffy hotel bed with my complimentary glass of wine. What could go wrong! 😛

Happy Knitting!!

Finished: Rusty Merino Hat

Posted on by
1

I worked on some CPE this week at work. Gotta get those hours in before year end! I had four hour block where I could watch and knit. So I decided to work on my Rusty Merino Hat and I finished it!

Pattern: My own basic stockinette worsted beanie recipe

Yarn: Another Crafty Girl Merino Worsted in Pas Old Tool Chest colorway

Needles: US 8s

I was intentional with this and really tried to use as much yarn as possible on this one. I ended up using 80 grams or 172 yards of yarn. That left just a teeny ball for my scraps bin. I have a coworker that did some really awesome and really hard work this month and I think this hat will be a surprise present for him. He is the kindest human who never seems to be mad even when people are mean to him. He deserves a hat!

I am really clearing the needles so I need to work on casting on more things! Happy Knitting!!

Dogs Hate Spinning

Posted on by
Reply

I’m trying to work on my spinning for the Summer Spin In and Duke is really not interested in progress. He would prefer that my hands be for head scratches.

And I have managed a few singles on the bobbin of this fiber. It’s a merino/nylon blend from Fondant Fiber. It’s crazy soft and the jewel tones are really shining.

It does feel daunting to look at how much fiber is on the bobbin versus what is in my hand, lol.

Happy Spinning!!

Summer Spin In

Posted on by
2

The Two Ewes Fiber Adventures Podcast holds a summer spinning contest called the Summer Spin In. I participated last year and won a prize. So I decided to work on another spin this summer

This is also some fiber I bought from a de-stash last year from Jude formally of Stranded Dyeworks. I may see him in an upcoming event so I thought it was meaningful in a lot of ways.

I split this fiber down the middle into two 60 grams balls to spin a 2-ply. I am making progress on making finer and skinnier two-ply so why mess with progress? This merino is VERY soft so I am adding some twist to help with stability and potential pilling.

Happy Spinning!!

Plying Roses

Posted on by
2

More on the spinning marathon from last weekend. I started plying my Roses singles as the shadows started to get super long.

These singles plied fairly well. I did have some thin spots where I had to rejoin as I was plying. And FOR SURE there are some thick spots disburse in this yarn. But overall I was happy with the yarn that came out. It’s still unwashed so I have zero clue what it came out to. I really need to get to this weekend for the washing and whacking.

Oh, and I was TOTALLY right about the uneven bobbins. I had so much left on the second bobbin. I didn’t feel like messing around so I chain plied this last little bit to make a mini skein. Silver lining I guess?

Finished skeins next week! Happy Spinning!!

Porch Spinning

Posted on by
1

After spinning on my patio on Saturday I escaped to my parents house for Sunday brunch and babysitting. This meant I spent ALL DAY on the patio working on spinning project.

I focused one spinning the second half of my rose colored singles. It was a breezy 72 degree day and I didn’t have to adult at all. One item that occurred to me, it’s been quite a bit of time since I spun the first half. So this yarn could be quite unique.

Or it could be unique due to the rose colored wine my mom serve me? Only plying will tell!

Spinning Sunshine

Posted on by
1

The oppressive heat has finally broke for a brief minute here in Kansas so I broke out my dusty AF wheel. I still have my Spotted Circus fiber on the wheel from this past June.

I got several hours of peaceful spinning in whilst watching PB splash about and throw reusable water balloons. We literally had to drag her in for bath and bedtime at the end of the day. I managed to get almost all of the first bobbin spun up.

Duke even got in on the action and got VERY wet by getting too close to PB’s splash zone.

Nothing beats the last rays of sunshine in the day and some simple family fun. Happy Spinning!!

Plying The First Sock Yarn

Posted on by
3

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!!

The Second Bobbin For Socks

Posted on by
4

The first bobbin is complete for the sock spin I’m working on. Just last night I started putting fiber on the second bobbing.

The dominant colors in these chunks of fiber are pinks, purples and a some muddy browns. I still have to concentrate pretty hard on spinning fine so that my plies don’t get to fat. Once in awhile my mind drifts and the thickness starts to come back. It’s just my default I guess?

Now I just need more hours in the day so I have more time for crafting during accounting busy season!

Happy Knitting!!

Spinning For Socks

Posted on by
2

In some of my belated Christmas present, I had 4 ounces of fiber that was meant for socks. It was a nice blend of merino and tencel and I think I can make a 3-ply for some sock yarn. Really focusing on spinning as thin as I can so that my finished yarn is close to sock weight and I have enough for my big feet.

I have very carefully weighed out three matching lots of fiber. I kind of grouped the colors into similar families so each ply will be cohesive (ish) and I’ll get a nice marl in the finished yarn. My back has been acting up so spinning hasn’t been as comfortable as knitting. But slow and steady will win the race!

Happy Spinning!!