so sorry for my absence the last couple of days—i’ve been working on a behind-the-scenes project that required a little more attention over the weekend and ended up not knitting very much. and truthfully, i think it’s going to be like that for a little while. i have some other work that i’ll need to do away from the computer, sort-of on a schedule. some days are going to run away from me, i just know it.
plus, i’ll be traveling for a week or so almost every month between now and next summer—which is exciting, but as you know, not always great for blogging, heh. i’ll do my best to make every post count, though, ok?
actually, as soon as i have my travel calendar a little more put together, i’m going to make a page of teaching dates so that everyone can see where i’m heading. that way, if you live close to one and you’re interested in attending an event, you’ll be able to get all the info.
well, enough of that, let’s talk knitting!
as you can see, dovecote came off the needles on friday night and i blocked in on saturday afternoon. and i gotta tell ya—this canopy yarn??
just . . . wow.
it blocks out so beautifully. i mean, rarely do i feel i have to make a point about the blocking qualities of a particular fiber, but honestly—it’s the new crack.
i would knit another one of these just to block it again, it’s that good.
(ok, maybe it’s just me. but you won’t know for sure til you try it yourself.)
so i got that project completely done except for modeling photos and now i’m bereft of a big, focused knitting project (my behind-the-scenes project doesn’t count because it doesn’t involve my knitting). which i’ve come to realize i need as an anchor, even when i revolve other small projects around it.
so i think i’m going to cast on for the little green cardi while i work out what to do with the blue pullover; i’m close on that one, but not quite there (i’m going with the cables but i need to figure out the details of the trim).
i spent spare bits of time on saturday and sunday swatching for some secret small knitting projects and i also cast on for a cashmere neckwarmer
because my streak of knitting with luxury yarns has spoiled me into a helpless heap of submissive addiction for them and because a little crack—is never enough.
plus, i have so many conspiring dyer friends who are happy to keep it that way . . .
this is fearless fibers cashmere sport in colorway anne; a deep, deliciously-rich blend of grays and blues specifically aimed at my heart (see what i mean about the conspiracy??).
instead of a knit-on edge at the bottom, the piece begins with a horizontal lace leaf pattern that has a gentle scallop and LOTS of spiky openwork. then it segues to a denser, vertical pattern for the neck tube, which you could knit to any length you like. it won’t spread out over the clavicle as much as spiralucious or hoarfrost, but instead, (hopefully) it will pile in delirious drifts of cashmere euphoria up to the chin.
at least, that’s how i see it in my head . . . i’ll keep you updated on it’s evolution . . .
(you never know; it might not work out that way at all.)
on sunday, i started spinning early again and by the time class ended, i’d finished the singles and started plying with my chasing rainbows cashmere silk fiber. i kept working after everyone left and by 2 pm i was done
i was really anxious to see how many yards i’d spun—i had a feeling it would be a good number. i skeined it up, then snapped a quick photo and put it in some soap and water to soak.
i wanted to document the before-and-after difference washing and blocking makes with handspun (see? blocking ho, through and through).
today it was dry enough to take a few pictures (it’s been incredibly humid here all week)—wow, washing really smooths things down and brings out the sparkle in a handspun yarn . . . now it looks truly classy.
a real laceweight, too—550 yards from 2 ounces of fiber. i think this is the most consistently-fine yarn i’ve ever spun. time to start dreaming on what it will be . . .
i originally thought i’d knit a butternut scarf from this yarn, but with 550 yards, i could make a beautiful little shoulder shawl or large triangle scarf, so i think that’s what i’m going to do. i can totally see this in some sort of pine cone motif, so the hunt is on to find the right stitch patterns. i think the motif from these socks might work for the body; i just need a fab border with a bigger motif for the hem—maybe something from one of my old german books. we’ll see . . .
while the yarn was soaking, i got out the fiber i want to spin next—ready for some fiber prøn??
i couldn’t help myself; once i started snapping pictures i couldn’t stop. then when i downloaded them, they were so nice i couldn’t decide which to post, so i’m giving you several different ones.
this is another 2-ounce bump of luxurious baby camel and silk from a verb for keeping warm, in colorway taboo.
BTW, kristine posted a message on the knitspot ravelry board telling us that if a color isn’t in her online store, she may have in in her brick-and-mortar shop, so please email her with requests if you don’t see what you’re looking for.
anyway, while the yarn soaked, i predrafted this little bundle of joy a little bit to prepare for my next spinning session. just pulled it lengthwise enough to make the fibers slide nicely; i don’t like ripping the top apart . . .
i told my class that next week, i’d be spinning this new fiber on my merlin canadian production wheel. i don’t usually use it in class because it’s so big, but i have a real yen to spin on it now. and spinning laceweight is what it’s for.
so once i hung the yarn on the porch to dry, i spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the wheel and applying a nice emollient oil-and-beeswax rub. just what every wheel needs to ring in the fall.
speaking of the knitspot ravelry group—we are growing all the time with wonderfully sweet and funny members—i really enjoy my visits there. it’s a great place to discuss lace knitting, read about tips and tricks, or ask questions about patterns; someone is always eager to help.
i see also, that we’re coming up on a milestone of 2000 members. and you know, we’ve been known to celebrate milestones with giveaways to participants . . . just sayin’.
yesterday i had to be on the computer all day (not blogging, obviously . . . blush) but finally, late at night, i was able to sit down with a little sock knitting while we caught up on the last season of “curb your enthusiasm” (we started watching the new season and i was completely confused; turns out, i missed about six episodes of the previous season, so we went back).
i managed to get the heel done on the gray socks before i conked out. can i just say again how much i love this squooshy sock yarn from zen yarn garden? just what i needed. sigh.
i think i’ve got you all caught up now, yay. time to go attend to other matters, but i’ll be knitting . . . later and i hope you will, too.
33 thoughts on “too long!”
The shawl looks so pretty. I’d love for you to post a travel/teaching schedule. I live in Ohio (Newark) and would love to take a class, attend a lecture, event, etc. I so missed taking a class from you at the last Loopy Spring Fling, but I enjoyed meeting and talking with you. Kristi
“queenbee1958 on Ravelry”
Love the dovecote; it’s beautiful. Love reading the blog too even when it’s not about knitting. I love your spinning stories too. Love, love, love!!!
When are *we* going to get to knit Dovecote?? It’s absolutely beautiful!
I love the way you lure me through your post to the end. I don’t even stop to check the links till I’m at the end, because every photo is ‘ooohhh, so pretty!” I want to scroll down to see it all! That cowl yarn is sooo rich.
I’ll just fantasize about you coming to teach in my little corner of Maine someday….
Beautiful handspun! You make me want to ditch work and go sit down at my wheel.
Ohhhh that shawl! Just lovely. The motifs complement each other beautifully.
I can’t wait to make Dovecoat out of the beautiful camel/yak yarn you were knitting the larger version in a while back. Will it be available soon? WOW!! this may be my favorite yet.
The yellow shawl is just SO beautiful! I just may try to make this with my camel/silk blend.
I LOVE Curb your Enthusiasm..he is too darn funny!
thanks for the spinning and the knitting! All of it gorgeous. I love the spinning nd the new fibre looks divine. I still attribute your advice to being the advice that brought everything together for me and helped me to ply yarn properly. thanks! Life is sounding even buiser for you, enjoy it all!
As usual, the new shawl is gorgeous~ I hope that yarn is available online somewhere. But then, I can’t buy any until after the holidays. Babies come first right now~
But it will be worth waiting for in any case!
Wow, look at that! I love the stitch pattern on the shawl. I have seen it in my stitch dictionary before and wanted to design something with it, and just haven’t. Leave it to you. 😉 Now I won’t have to I can just knit your pattern lol.
And the handspun, yum! I’m working on some finally after months of non spinning, and I’ve missed it so!
Wow, that handspun turned out gorgeous! I always forget how much a good blocking smooths out the handspun until I do it. I’m always a little disappointed at how fuzzy yarn is straight off the wheel, and then am so excited once it’s dry! I sorta hope I never forget though – keeps the magic alive.
The shawl looks fabulous Anne. So very nice! Love the color too. And your spinning is awesome. Love those colors.
omgosh
oops.. (just learned that accidently hitting the tab key caused a comment to go to “post” ) learn something new every day!
Cannot wait to see the modeled shots of you with that little vixen who stole your heart for weeks on end. She’s a beauty from the little “ankle” shots thus far.
Don’t you just adore Nancy Finn’s dyework??? every single thing of hers that I have ever spun or knit comes out amazing. Her color runs and combos are nothing short of remarkable. and it happens every single time. Can’t wait to see what you knit of that glorious handspun.
And last, but by far not least…… Merlin…… (be still my heart.) a huge sigh is all that is required to convey my emotions. 😉
Are you coming back this way any time ? I will buy you lunch, dinner, breakfast, all three…
Your spinning is so fine! Beautiful color, too. 2,000 members must be a near record. Congratulations on your well-deserved success!
Your handspun looks gorgeous. I am hoping tp try spinning soon as I just found someone who is willing to teach me.
I love the cashmere-silk-yarn so much 🙂 those blues and grays and is that a hint of petrol? And so evenly spun.. I can hear it whisper across the Atlantic Ocean “Buy a spinning wheel.. buy one and spin spin spin spin..” Hell, how should I be able to do my university-stuff properly* with two skeins of cashmere and silk whispering in my ear?
And of course I did my duty in joining your Ravelry-Group als member no 1958. 🙂
Oh, Dovecote is soooo pretty, can’t wait for modeled shots and a pattern! And delirious drifts of cashmere around the neck and up to the chin? Swoon . . . I am not surprised at 2000 members in the rav group – you deserve it and it is a wonderful, thoughtful, supportive and creative group – and funny, too!
That new yarn is simply beautiful! I can’t wait to see what you end up making with it.
The Knitspot group is a great group, I mostly read though, not much of a poster.
I know I’m referring to an ancient post of yours, but I’m trying to find the contact for the Knitting at Ghost Ranch Retreat. Do you know who I could contact? Thanks for dealing with such old news…
Blocking pictures always make me happy. The pins, the wires, the straight lines and opened up lace motifs. (insert dreamy sigh here)
Hey, I picked the handle GeekKnitter for a reason, ya know!
Love, love, love the Dovecote shawl and I am now officially lusting after the Canopy yarn.
Welcome back to the blog (for the moment). That Dovecote shawl is lovely-will its wrap counterpart be making its debut soon? Your handspun laceweight turned out so nice–you are a talented spinner, no surprise there!
Fiber! Ah! I’ve been trying so hard to resist the urge to purchase more…not because I have an overwhelming amount, but because my poor bank account needs some funds. All your pictures are so lovely…makes me want to buy, buy, buy…sigh.
Oh I’m drooling over the shawl, I look forward to the release of it, just so so pretty! And I love the color of that yarn too…might have to *force* myself to get some! LOL!
I absolutely love your new yarn…and your knitting and your cooking.
I dusted off my wheel this weekend too.
55o yds from 2 oz of fiber???
I spin thin and feel bad about it…maybe I should consider doing lace weight! lol
I went yarn shopping with a friend yesterday and saw a shawl that reminded me of some of yours. I really think it’s time to get my knitting /spinning learning cap on and improve!
you really inspire me, I wanted to tell you that!
Happy Wednesday!
Can’t tell you how much I will miss the blog posts (and cool pictures) when they don’t come as frequently! Maybe short and sweet posts (just to keep your fans tantalized) could be the answer?!
What is that long metal rod called that you have used to keep the ends of the shawl in shape (for blocking?)
Doesit require any special clips to attach the knitted object with?
I made a lace scarf and pulled the pointed-ish ends into more pointy shapes but they were uneven and since it turns out that lace is my favourite thing to knit i could certainly use one.
That yarn you spun is amazing. I love the pretty shawl too.
Had to come back to this post just to say how much I love how beautifully, the canopy yarn blocks! Geez—you know how to pick ’em.
You spin so beautifully! I really need to invest in a wheel, I just can’t drop spin.
Oooh, handspun laceweight. That you spun yourself! Totally awe inspiring to a non-spinner such as myself.
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