knitting, more spinning and some old wheels

Hi

I finally finished the hat, I'm getting quicker but family hospital visiting means that I'm down to a row or two a day when I eventually get home!

What do you think, this was a grey Shetland fleece which ranged from nearly black to light grey across it. I picked out the darkest locks I could find, spun them to a fairly fine 4 ply to match the white Shetland which was spun whilst we were on Skye earlier in the year.

 

I'm starting to spin the rest of the fleece, it is washed but still quite greasy which is making it an easy spin and a bit of a surprise to see how it is when washed.

The skein is thicker, more woollen and very soft.

Going back to our trip to Orkney, I'll leave you with a few pics of random spinning wheels. I had thought that there would be more spinning, yarn based indie outlets than there were. We dropped in at the Little Orkney Dye shed and The Wool Shed where I had first played on her spinning wheel maybe 9 years ago.

Corrigall Farm Museum

 Fossil museum, Burray

and I think this one was in Kirkwall Museum

If you like a giggle, I was recently sent this photo of a wheel that someone wanted to rehome, if you are a spinner I'm sure that you will soon spot the problem.

I have put her in touch with someone who restores wheels and teaches spinning, I'm sure it will have a new lease of life.

That's about it for now, speak soon x

yarn, yarn, yarn

Hi

I've just finished re-skeinning and labelling Octobers spinning, all of it is DK/aranish weight. All of the skeins are British breeds prepared from fleece except the North Ronaldsay at the end which I purchased whilst on Orkney and was a sort of thin roving and not my favourite to spin.

From dark to light - Jacob, Cheviot, Ryland, 2 Jacob x texel. Norfolk/Suffolk and North Ronaldsay which is a bit washed out in the picture.

 I've only spun the light bag so far and I'm not really looking forward to spinning the dark one. Still it was a souvenir from the holiday and I can always sell the yarn anyway.

I'm still working on the hat, hopefully be finished soon then it will be a case of fibre prep and spinning ready for next year, I think I may start by finishing up the bag of Hebridean.

speak soon x

Nottingham Yarn Expo

so, Nottingham yarn expo...lovely building, lots of light, lots of space. It just didn't feel very busy to me.

As the name suggests, it was mainly yarn and I was surprised to see so many single breed yarns, undyed and beautiful. There were many indie dyers around even a few with spinning fibre for sale although probably not enough spinning related stalls to make me want to go back next time. Having said that, I probably will simply because its on my doorstep and it was great to be able to catch up with some of the stall holders that I know but don't often see.

suggestions put forward for next years show

1, a floor plan of exhibitors, lifts, toilets etc I'm sure some groups of stalls must have been missed by people.

2, signs outside the venue to tell you where it is. I knew where to head for but we collected several lost knitters on our travels.

3.If you have a group of spinners demonstrating their art then put them where they will be seen, not hidden in the 'basement'

I had intended just to window shop but decided to buy some fibre for next years outings in the van. Although my spinning wheel will fit in I don't really have room for a big bag of fleece, carders/combs etc

This is my haul, the braids are safely tucked away, the book has some beautiful patterns in it and maybe I will be brave enough to try one some time.

On the needles today is a hand spun Shetland yarn beanie, I just need to make up my mind about how to do the crown.

excited about fluffly stuff

Hi

I'm just off to The Nottingham Yarn Expo, this is a new festival so I've no idea what to expect. I suspect that it will be mainly aimed at knitters but its a great excuse for a day out:-)

So, full report later.

Off the needles...

Norfolk horn and unknown breed of brown sheep named caramel. Even her owner has no idea what she is :-)

waiting for the wheel...

Shetland Merino, super soft !!

Have a great weekend :-)

Autumnal colours

Hi

Such a beautiful weekend, Saturday didn't start out too promising with heavy rain but by the time we had picked up the van it was easing off and stopped before we reached our destination.

This wasn't a long trip, in fact it was only about 15 miles but we needed to try out everything and this is one of the prettiest parks around at this time of year.

The campsite is in Clumber Park a beautiful setting but the downside is that it attracts all sorts of people and there are sign saying beware of thieves, digital locks on the facilities and a locked bike shed is provided rather that keeping your bikes with your van. The staff were very helpful and I was amused to find that when you get there most people plug in the electric then the TV. I didn't know that this was a camping option as we are more used to tents, motorcycles and farmers fields !! 

I love having a kitchen with an oven and a whistling kettle :-)

We have had a extra handle fitted on the outside to help me get in and out and still need to find homes for things so that they don't rattle ! but we love it and are busy planning our next trips away.

Speak soon x