Did a serious amount of #wool#carding this weekend. Actually the processing before carding, to get soms decent floof out of a washed raw fleece using a flick brush, is most of the work. Making something out of raw fleece is so much work that you start really appreciating division of labour for production of most of the things you use in everyday life. At the same time it is fun to go through the whole process. @handspinning#handspinning.
Finally finished... the Georgia O'Keeffe/organs jacket. Mostly merino/nylon from independent dyers. Spot the eyes, lungs, brain and hearts. The Georgia O'Keeffe references include the goat skull/flower, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, grey charcoal spirals and abstract flower close-ups (that's what I'm calling them).
Pristine sweater in parcel posted in 1807
"A 200-year-old sweater in a traditional Faroese knit has been found in a stash of 19th-century letters at The National Archives in our Prize Papers collection. The jumper, handknitted in vibrantly coloured fine wool, was intended for a woman in Denmark, but never reached its destination because the vessel on which it was shipped was seized by the British Navy during the Second Battle of Copen.." https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/pristine-sweater-found-in-parcel-posted-in-1807/
What if I wore all black alpaca wool clothing for improved healthy and aesthetic and comfort, and then did a silly lil thing of running away and bouncing around on my bed and hiding behind the feather pillar!
Finally, my best #Yarnuary tip. If you're lucky enough to be bought an adjustable tailor's dummy for Christmas, make sure you take your measurements like I did, early on Boxing Day. You may be horrified at the time but now I feel smug knocking off a few centimetres without suffering too much dieting hell.
Second arm finished...I'm calling it 'heart on my sleeve' as I've managed to incorporate an anatomical heart and a swirly one. There's a brain at the top...
Progress has been made. I push myself ahead before the ADHD fuel runs out and I abandon this jumper to start something new. I could really learn to like this piece!
It's another free pattern by Garnstudio and the yarn is Drops Merino Extra Fine knitted with a 4 mm needle in the round, top down, in one piece.
Basket o' handspun. This is from a Tunis sheep named Lovely. It's currently single ply. I think I'm going to triple-ply it for cushy-soft knitting purposes.
First sleeve completed apart from a bit of surface work. A lot of Georgia O'Keeffe-type spirals. Big shout out to all the independent dyers and spinners this yarn came from. When it's finished, I'll post links to them.
One yarn I can't get away with is cotton. I had to really force myself to finish this evil eye granny square blanket. It was from Hobbii and 70% off! Was making 2 freeform cushions with leftovers but have hidden them under the bed. I like a bit of give in yarns. Also a super chunky premium acrylic which crocheted up like a board. Never again.
#Yarnuary - my favourite yarns generally are Superwash Merino/nylon blends by independent dyers. This lot are all 4-ply (fingering) weight. The intense red is called 'Furnace' by @mothyandthesquid. Also love anything tactile and soft!
Appreciating that the home heating bill will likely drop this winter because of this hat! Don't want to take it off, even indoors.
It was a gift from family this week, and it's super soft, warm, and so comfortable. And the craftsmanship — #indigenous made in #Canada, Skukum Designs by Carol Young — is supreme.