Today has been cognitively difficult (lots of unrelated problems) but I'm off the clock for the work parts at least so time for a spinning break even though what I really need is a nap.
That's the last two handspun minis for the chunky cowl I'm making! This has been such a delight to make and it's incredibly satisfying to watch my stash get used up so fast. Pity I don't really need more bulky yarns right now!
Chunky handspun is hilariously fun to knit sometimes. I just cast on 42 stitches for a cowl (or the meaning of life) and I normally make 60 stitch socks 😂
I have produced almost exactly the bulky uneven yarn I wanted and I'm really pleased with myself. Needs a soak and probably some solid thwacks but I'm excited to make something with this. And to spin up the other 4 colours!
I did manage some fiberarts today between going outside for snow, kid, dog, or hummingbirds, but I only took a picture of my spindle. So here you go. I'd planned to switch to my bigger wheel but I was still having fun with the drop spindle so why not?
Tried plying on the drop spindle and it's a lot slower than my wheel but it very much delighted my kindergartener (who helped) so that was pretty great!
#yarnuary : I'm totally "team soft" when it comes to knitting yarn, but just as happy to be "team rustic" when it comes to spinning. I thought the contrast in the supersoft wool/silk in my shawl vs my scruffy Shetland on the spindle went well with the question.
A moment of appreciation for my yarn ufo before I wind it onto an toilet paper roll for plying tomorrow. 🛸
I actually had a lot of fun with the spindle, so I might go dig through my stash for something else to try on it (this was Shetland and I don't have any left). But I want to actually swatch the resulting yarn first!
Inspired by a friend's spinning pictures to pull out my drop spindle for the first time in many years. I bought it for a time when I was traveling during Tour de Fleece and didn't want to lose momentum, but I never really got good at it. But I've been doing it for a few days this time and I think I'm getting better!
I started this in August after #TourDeFleece, got sick 5 times and am only finishing in December thanks to the #100DayStashDown that Jillian Moreno is running on her Patreon. (The challenge is focused on spinning or using your handspun and not buying new stuff for 100 days). It's amazing how much things move even in only 5-10 minutes of spinning per day.
I've long since lost the label in my office but this is a wool/bamboo/nylon blend that had been in my stash a while, probably bought at a trunk show at the Rose City Yarn Crawl?