Ten-Stitch Twist and More Fiber Fun

I am really bummed...lace knitting is still taking a backseat to poor vision dilemma. For an instant gratification lift, here is a little bit of cobweb lace spinning

more practice on plying with previously spun 53-wpi Merino singles

Beautifully against sand, sun, and surf...but the 6-strip origami windmill failed miserably

will make paper-strip model next for visual construction
another seamless success for my teen


Warm weather...COOL knit...earth-friendly...What could be more natural?
Just need to sew up pocket, lining, and locate that cutey button
A few quicky stitchmarkers (fit up to size 15 needles) to thank my destash-supporters

Home is where color lives. Sarah is leading a group of knitters over Welshmillie's blanket knitalong on a sweet 25-week journey to stashbusting on June 17, 2009. Each week, we knit one patterned and one plain blocks. I am all caught up and ready for Week 3 patterned block announced yesterday. Instead of basketweave stitch, mine will be a tumbling block. My blocks will be 10”x10” including 1” gartered borders. Plain blocks will be in modular and joining two or more blocks together as knitted. Instead of binding off each block, I am putting them on scrap yarns until joined with other blocks. There will be NO sewing if I can help it.

All in Caron Country merino blend fibers.
My sheep sure needs some fluff and makeover...maybe later.
and here it is, Folks, the Ten Stitch Twist (Ravelry members only) in my queue forever

The widest point of the spiral measures to 16", in Patons Soy Wool Stripes
Natural Pink and Plum, with US 9 needles
I am thrilled, excited, and full of energy for this spiral project but not without doubt and insecurity. I fight hard to break my love affair with Noro and went with some Soy Wool forever in my stash. As I push on to third round and observe the colors play, wondering how it would look merging Pink into hues of Plum, I am learning to deal with my self-doubts a bit better. The progression of colors shows up beautifully. It makes my heart sings. Though the ten-stitch spiral fabric knitted up in just a simple garter stitch, the geeky circular construction is a magic trick with virtually no sewing up. Whether you're a new knitter or just want to try new techniques of short rows and knitting backward, this spiral will tickle you pink to knit a round flat. Yarn is a lovely medium to work with and the satisfaction of making this cannot be over-estimated. Try it.

Do not let the warmer weather tempt you into putting your needles away. Summer is the perfect time to try out all those fantastic silk, linen, bamboo, and organic cotton fibers bursting from the shelves of LYS like mine.

Happy creating!

Geek Knitting...Origami & Windmill

(Manga drawing above by my 10-year-old) Glad I am knitting again...Life sure got in the way of my knitting, spinning, and creating this week. Although things tend to slow down in the summer. I am hoping to really keep at it...especially with the gig of designing! Knitting just feels good; It has all kinds of interestingly technical variations--Aran cables, lace, fair isle, intarsia, mobius, Fibonacci sequence, knit one below...plus purely knitterly jollifications like knitting two socks simultaneously, one inside the other, on a single set of needles (magic loop or two circs) so that when you’re done you pull them apart and there’s your pair. Why do it that way? Because it’s cool. It also has an attractive deep structural logic based on geometry and proportion, attractive deep structural logic based on geometry and proportion, pattern and shape and interactive processes. There’s a real affinity between geeks and knitting.

Windmill Seamless Sling #2 is lined with a whimsical, high-quality cotton fabric...just in time for Lia's birthday party later today. It's hard to part with as this one possesses all the right elements of what I love in a bag.


The seamless origami design is really neat. Though it isn't a complicated design, it is a stylish, sweet, geeky, flawless piece of knitting and sewing. Sling #3 for my 13-year-old teen is next while I am still unventing a 6-stripe windmill.

Happy creating!

Windmill Sling #3 in 6 or 7-strip Prototype

Before heading out to Campfire Camp Day Two this morning, I snugged in a little experiment in another Windmill, 6 or 7-strip seamless construction.

































It flows well and knit up quickly. Conceptually and in reality, they are in sync. So far so good.

Happy creating!

Hello Summer...Sensations Angel Hat

Do you dream of making a perfect hat but aren't ready to commit to a big project? Well, here is my dream project come true. The big needles and thick yarn make this a quick knit and a beautiful addition to my summer wardrobe. I woke up this morning with a desire for a quicky...an hour later, here it is


The fuzzy Sensations Angel Hair has a really awesome quality...of course, you can't tell how beautiful the hat really is. It almost looks drab and lifeless; but, I promise it really isn't at all. The soft, silky hat adds a splash of color to my wardrobe in time for Rainbow Hat Day on the first day of Campfire Day Camp. Just imagine me in this wacky hat and 10 5-year-old boys and girls...

No matter how experienced a knitter you are, you can easily stitch up this gartered-rim knit hat in a day. Have some spare time? Fill it knitting a quickie, basic whacky hat. If hat is not your thing, stop o'er KnitsforNeeds (K4N) for some new projects and inspirations. K4N is a charity that you may donate knitted and crocheted items to throughout the year to help those in need. My favorite is 4" Prayer Squares, knitted or crocheted, used while praying. Before donating to chemo patients in cancer centers for little comfort, K4N forwards them to KNIT WITS who then attach charms and prayers to the squares. These Prayer Squares are great for using up leftover yarns and yarn you just don’t know what to do with. Soft non-wooly fiber will work best as they’ll be more comfortable to hold. Check out K4N blog post and/or join in the discussion on Ravelry.

Happy creating!

Spinning Assessment

Unlike most spinners, my initial knowledge about spinning wasn't gained from reading a book or an inspirational blog. I have sweet Pam at Baabaara's Wild & Wooly, and her daughter Lindsey, to thank for. A couple of months ago, both of them gave me some hands-on demonstration at one of our Wednesday Knit-Up meetings on a spinning wheel and a drop spindle. I actually did poorly. Since I already have a collection of Schacht and Sister Spinster spindles and roving at home from over a year ago. I gave it a run. The following week, a group of us visited Pam's ranch/shop and spun to our hearts' content on different wheels for an afternoon. At the end of the day, I checked out a Majacraft Pioneer for a week. The rest was history. I haven't stopped spinning ever since. PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE.

After a couple of weeks, I managed to spin 8-oz of worsted Merino/Mohair top into something comparable to Kureyon Sock Yarn S-Twist singles (in fact, lighter now that I actually measured it--27 WPI--half on Schacht 4" whorl spindle and half on Majacraft Pioneer.) Would you say this is light fingering weight?

My goal was to spin a consistent, commercial grade lace yarn--Lorna's or Prism Lace--not easy as I have been told repeatedly, but a challenge I wanted to meet (and do I love a good challenge.) I spun another 8-oz of worsted Merino/Mohair top on a Majacraft Pioneer for a week (didn't know to measure the singles then) and this is what I got after plying on the Louet S10. I really thought I achieved lace weight...boy, what a astounding surprise it was. After plying and a wash, it measures 18 WPI (Z-Twist.)

Next was a pleasant journey with my Schacht small whorl spindle--not only you do need the right tool for a specific job, in this case lace, the right fiber makes the world of difference. The worsted Merino/Tussah Silk top glides smoothly, with ease. They are a joy to spin. I have one teeny, tiny center-pull ball wound up and some on a spindle with more to spin. The S-Twist singles measure 44 WPI--that's from two or three weeks ago.

Following are worsted, white merino-top Z-Twist singles on Louet S10, measuring 53 WPI--YIPPY. One bobbin is filled and the other one has about a quarter left to spin. Once filled, I will 2-ply them on a wheel. I am not confident in trying Navajo plying with these fine fibers yet--afraid they may be under or over-twist. I see lace in the picture (at least I hope so.)

This was some quicky I spun up using a small whorl Schacht spindle, on Friday, before and after Black Sheep Gathering. The woolen Alpaca/Llama/Wool blend Z-Twist singles and 2-ply measured 40 WPI and 32 WPI respectively.


The latest woolen Mystery Batt is spun Z-Twist, rolag style, on a 3.25" whorl Sister Spinster Spindle. This 1-oz Hearts & Flowers Canarywood spindle was a Christmas present. I was afraid to drop this baby one too many times so have been avoiding it. Astoundingly, I am getting 56-WPI singles, finer than one spun on a wheel. Now, I wonder why I waited so long...it's a beauty.


I took a 6" sample of Kureyon Sock Yarn as a guide.

There is a Spinner's Control Card available; this is cheaper. I glued a sample strand to a card board, then my fine-twists to match. This was a first effort over two months ago. I've much improved in consistency.

I realize my goal of spinning a commercial grade, Lorna's Lace yarn, is overly ambitious. I read somewhere about spinning a single so fine that it would match a strand of hair. My hair is flat, thin, and wavy (the last line on the chart above.) I will never achieve a match, but trying has spawned my present lace-weight spinning.

So how do I spin lace-weight? There are so many RULES of spinning that I've since read from various sources, however I do my own thing. Before I get into a list of what I do, here is a I-DON'T list:
1) I don't pre-draft roving or batt. It does save time and helps with consistency. I love to feel the fiber in its present condition and love to draft as I spin.
2) I don't use a control card to check my twist or consistency. I eye and feel the twist and generally know if I am on target.
3) I don't plan to do any calculated splitting of hand-dyed fiber to accomplish equal placement of colors for plying. I am letting the colors fall as they may. I find a handspun is beautiful when it is instinctively spun. It makes for an unique yarn that will knit up wonderful.
4) I try not to get hung up on twist (as noted in my samples,) counting WPI, grist, balance, or even yardage. These numbers are important. They are crucial for achieving yarn for a specific knitted pattern. For me, I spin to knit. I knit to find peace. I don't get caught up in perfection-by-numbers, however, do calculate all these things because it keeps a good record of my progress and work.
5) I don't worry about ratios. I use whatever bobbin/spindle is free and spin instinctively by touch-and-feel.

Now, lets get into what I do. My experience in spinning fiber has been limited (hey, I have only been a novice spinner for less than 2 months!) So far, I tend to draw to merino, silk, and alpaca--the soft, short fibers--knitted projects I would most likely use--lately a lace-weight shawl--surprise, surprise! I touched and felt some Blue Faced Leicester my friend Kristin bought at Black Sheep Gathering--this would definitely be in my future favorite play. I split about 5" of fiber from the top/sliver and start spinning a twist onto the leader. Starting fiber on the leader doesn't have to be perfect because my goal is to wrap the beginner strand onto the bobbin so it doesn't break off. Once fiber is on the wheel, I start to adjust my wheel for lace-weight spinning. It is important to reduce the intake of the twist onto the bobbin. Once adjustments are made, I start working on the twist--equally in woolen and worsted methods. The big question now: how much fiber needed in the twist? There are many technical terms I don't know yet. The one I do know and often referred to Draft Triangle is the key--important for consistency. I need to pay attention to how much fiber goes into my twist. This is where my hand placement should be noted. My practice of lace spinning is placing my thumb and index fiber of my left hand to control the draft coming from fibers in my right hand. I feel the twist, draft fibers and control drafted fiber simultaneously while peddling.

Once I have the right amount of fiber to introduce into the twist, I slide my left-handed fingers up. I never allow my pinch to loosen or let go because a lump, bump, or air might get introduced into the twist. That would create woolen yarn. I inch-worm my way up the draft triangle. Long-draw scares me as breaks happen nearly every time I tried--another DON'T for me.

I've come to a point in my lace spinning that I can introduce longer drafted fibers into my draft triangle, so I don't quite inch-worm (maybe inch and an half, instead.) I feel the amount introduce with my pinching hand consistently without always eyeing my draft. It's much more relaxing when you can watch a movie or chat with a friend. Most important thing to remember is practice by spinning; spinning, a lot. It is satisfying, rewarding to obtain a lace-weight that may be used on so many spectacular shawls.

Spinning, like every other skill, develops from a mixture of knowledge and experience. Knowledge is won through study while experience through application. Knowledge may be found in books and blogs; experience comes only through practice over time. I am spinning--spindle and wheel--a bit daily. It is going well. It is definitely fun. I hope to spin enough this week (even at Campfire Day Camp all week) to get started on Suzy Crancer's newly released Prairie Moonshine Shawl. At least that is the plan. If you haven't seen or knitted Suzy's beautiful creations, be sure to check them out.

PHEW...I promise next one would be brief :0) Back to my continual quest for fiber/spinning knowledge--clean/not clean wool before spinning?? Hope you find this lengthy babble readable and somehow enjoyable.

Happy creating!

Back from Black Sheep Gathering

I'm exhausted and the kids have squabbled nonstop since I got home late last night, but otherwise I had a great time. If you were there, I was the one with Dianna shawl. Apparently, it was the only one there and it was cause for much comment.

What a treat it was. I got a fix of all things fiber and flocky at The 35th Annual Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene yesterday. My friend Kristin, the gracious driver, and I had a grand time browsing, touching, learning...and, of course, buying. Forgive me for lack of pictures to share of the incredible event as I was preoccupied...chatting, asking questions, making mental notes of all the fabulous delicious hand-dyed roving, digesting, trying every wheel in sight even those not for sale. Good thing I set a budget beforehand...without it, I would have filled Kristin's sizable vehicle :0) Instead, I got some yummy souvenirs:

A bag of Mystery Batt by Fantasy Fibers ($9.72)


A hank of Natural Romeldale Pin Drafted Roving by Bel Tine Farm ($8.00)


A tiny hand-picked collection of manificient hand-dyed mohair curlies ($3.00)


This love-at-first-sight gorgeous hand-painted cashmere/bombyx silk
Iris roving by Spirit Trail Fiberworks (from Capistrano Fiber Studio)($37.00)


Even a couple of Freebies


A full-size Strauch Curved Wool Handcards, 112 psi ($72.00)


Last but not least, a Fricke ST spinning wheel that is as smooth as Kromski Polonaise and Minstrel wheels I tried, but, for half the price ($279.00).
With lunch ($28) and dinner meals ($20), it feels great to be supporting all these wonderful independent businesses and still came well within the $500 spending limit. I squeaked very loudly and tipped over my chair! Mom, you ought to be proud.

It's an amazing experience--fiber artists/lovers are the friendliest people on earth. You can be chatting with a total stranger and a bystander would think you've known each other for years. I was in awe of all of the beautiful yarns and spinning fibers that the talented artisans dyed for the show. They are all so amazing.

If you are in Eugene area, don't miss the best fiber show in the west coast--it's where you may exchange your knowledge of and appreciation for hand-craft fibers and the animals that produce them! It's going on today and tomorrow at Lane County Fairgrounds.

As a first-timer, I sure learned a lot about fleeces though I know I only scratched the surface. Next fiber shows on my calendar are Shaniko Wool Gathering in September and spinner market at SOAR in October...I will definitely look out for some wensleydale, yak, cormo, pygora, and maybe few small bumps of romney and corridale to play with.

This has been a major milestone for me. I went to Eugene without hubby or kids, made friends when I didn't know anyone besides my friend Kristin, didn't buy everything in the barn, and took care of myself pretty well. I'm nearly recovered from this agoraphobia/heart attack experience.

oh wait a sec...what do you get from a handful of uncleaned/raw alpaca and small stripes of batted llama/wool blend, a handcard, a Schacht spindle, a ball winder, and a Fricke wheel...between last night and early this morning.

Combed, blended, spindle-spun, wound center-pull ball,
and plied 8 yarns of 2-ply light fingering yarns.

Happy creating!

Seamless Prototype: Windmill Sling #2

In an age of mass-produced fashion, express your individual style. Create handmade projects for your wardrobe and home with only a small time commitment and basic knitting skills. Now you can make fun, useful accessories and gifts with contemporary fibers you love...like I do here.

Don't you just love the beautiful fabrics in the background--lining for Windmill Sling Bag #2?
START: June 18, 2009
FINISH: June 18, 2009 (1/2 day)
PATTERN: Adaptation of Danielle LaFramboise's Windmill Bag
MATERIAL: 2.3 skeins (276 yards) of Lily Sugar'n Cream Hot Blue, Hot Green, Ecru, Swimming Pool, and Warm Brown
NEEDLES: US 6 (4.25MM)
MEASUREMENT: 8.5"H x 14"W (widest points) with 17" 5-stitch i-cord straps
MODIFICATION: 1)Perfecting seamless process as modified in Prototype Sling #1 here. 2) Knit 4 i-cord straps at once.
COMMENTS: Second time is a breeze. I don't even have to count gartered rows before joining two strips together. This color combo is very popular among youngsters/teens as I discovered this afternoon at the pool. What do you know? Mum can be hip too! It's fresh. It's unique. It's handmade! Why don't you come and have a go?

Were it not for the creativity and DIY spirit of the craft community, my knitting wouldn't have a home. To everyone out there making things by hand (like my friends Kristin and Laura), you inspire me daily. I hope I can give a bit of that back someday...

Happy creating!