Washed And Wound Handspun

I learned a lot with this spin. Especially about using my Sparrow e-wheel.

For the 2-ply skeins, I had two of the three that I did not ply well due to my not managing or setting up the tension on the e-wheel correctly. I fixed that for the third skein which is the bottom left skein.

This yarn will still knit just fine. And it was a lesson I needed to learn to make my future skeins better. I finished with roughly 236 grams and just over 700 yards of a sport to heavy fingering weight yarn. I am thinking some sort of baby blanket or garter throw to show off the handspun?

Happy Spinning!!

All The Skeins Swimming

The skeins are all dunked, swished and hung to dry. This handspun is really turning out to be something!

I did have to scrub some questionable things from the sink to be able to wash this yarn. And I was so surprised with how much water this yarn sucked during its inaugural wash. I let it rest and then squeezed out the water and towel dried them.

After a good whack on the floor, I have hung them to dry near the window where they can be warmed by the sun. I am hoping to have these measured, weighed and finalized when they are dry. I can’t wait to see how many yards of yarn I managed to make with the 2-ply skeins!

Happy Spinning!!

Plying With The Tools At Hand

I have the weekend booked at Casa Grandparents and I am without all my tools. But I wanted to finish spinning this handspun I brought on my Sparrow.

I found a cardboard box in the recyling and stole two wall hangers for thread from my mom’s sewing room and made do. It was not the smoothest plying but it is putting yarn on the bobbin.

I am still learning this e-wheel and it’s setting. I am struggling with the tension and take-up compared to the Kiwi 3 I have been spinning on. And at the end of the day, I am still making yarn. So as long as I am having fun, I am doing it right!

Happy Spinning!!

SSK 2025 Door Prize

I didn’t just come home from SSK with market purchases and yarn shop hop goodies, I also won two door prizes!

First up is a lady bug handmade pouch. This would work equally well as a needle/notions pouch or for a pencil case. I might ask if PB wants to use this one? She used to have a thing for Ladybug and Cat Noir cartoon.

Next up are three skeins of sock yarn in coordinating colors. All three are from different dyers but are merino or merino/nylon mixes. The pink is Yarn Cafe Creations, The green is an indie Dyer out of Alaska and the green/pink mix is Unique Sheep sock yarn. I have left these bundled together and I might consider a wrap or faded cropped sweater? I need to marinate more on that….

Happy Stashing!!

SSK 2025 Haul

Cautious wool fumes ahead….

I am home and unpacked all my treasures from SSK. I was more restrained this year than last year. I had specific things in mind for my purchases. For bags, I grabbed two Fat Squirrel bags as her updates are NUTS. Then for yarn, I grabbed one skein of purple Another Crafty girl worsted for a hat for Jellybean. Then four skeins of DK from Apothefaery Fibers for a Rock It Tee. I unexpectedly found some hand dyed fat quarters for my mom for Christmas. Then I grabbed some yarn ear rings and some stich markers to replace those lost to the couch. Next up was some Miss Babs DK in a neutral grey and the SSK show color. I refilled my Tuft Woolens by some perfume, balm and two new chapsticks. AND the best one ever, a myster bag of yarn in DK weight for my Christmas stocking 🙂

After all those yarn fumes, I stepped outside and found a wee sheep in the wild. Attendees left these all over the campus and it was so cute to find them!

Happy Knitting!!

Bliss Yarns Visit

My second yarn stop in Nashville was Bliss Yarns. I came here last year and it was great. My second visit was just as good.

I was a little more unorganized in this shop. I got some pretty but admitted random purchases.

I picked up some stitch markers to help with sweater knitting and some fun cuss wordy ones. Next up was a skein of Must Stash Yarn must match sock in Ready Player One, Ruby and Roses Fragrent Roses in a DK weight and finally a single aran skein of Making Tracks DK by Junction Mill. I also picked up some wool wash in a fig scent that I couldn’t resist. I love fig scented anything.

I have ZERO plans for all of this other than padding my stash…Happy Yarn Fumes!!

SSK Try It On

A really cool feature of SSK is the Try It On Room. Knitters bring finished pieces in all sizes to share and try on. You can test drive finished garments before you knit. And those that bring garment get extra tickets for prizes!

I even got in on the action this year and put my Rainbow Radiate in the mix! It made my heart grow three sizes to hear other knitters compliment my sweater.

I also fell in love with a couple of patterns. I want to now knit Love Note by Tin Can Knits, Rock It Tee by Tanis Lavalee, and Beachcomber by Tif Neilan. I used that inspiration to guide my yarn purchases….

Wool fumes coming soon!

SSK Fiber Pool Fun!

One of the kick off events at SSK is the Fiber Mini Pool. Everyone brings fibers and breaks into small pieces and fills a swim pool. Then you shake and stir vigorously to make fiber stew.

Then you line up and get an equal amount of ounces out as you put in. Just with a little bit of everyone combined. There are all fiber types and colors so it’s definitely patchwork. But it makes great memories.

Very happy with the mix I got this year! I don’t have any immediate plans to spin this. To be fair, I still have last year’s bag as well. Perhaps I could combine them!?

Happy Spinning!!

SSK 2025 Conference Bag

SSK or Super Summer Knittogether is a great knitting retreat in Nashville. Ran by the venerable Laura and Leslie of the Knitgirllls! I showed up in the nick of time for opening ceremonies and my goodie bag.

I chose yarn and fiber in my selection, both of which are SSK exclusives. The fiber Cessium Yarns Shaniko top and the sock yarn is Supernove Yarn Desmos Sock. The bag itself is GREAT and then there was a cup, tape measure, pen, yarn gauge and some needle stops.

I am naming my Chuck and Larry! Stay tuned for more shenanigans and lots of wool fumes…

Happy Knitting!!

SSK Homework

I am headed to SSK this summer in Nashville and one of my classes has homework.

I am taking a class from Romi Hill and I needed to start a swatch. I may have procrastinated a wee bit but I made it under the wire. I am very excited to head out and spend a wonderful long weekend with crafty friends!

I really need to get my butt in gear and get packed and prepared! Happy Knitting!!