Healthy, wealthy & wise

Well, two out of three ain't bad. After a shocking headache most of Monday, most unusual for me, I feel happy again. I think one of those...slept awkwardly, went walking without water...for longer than usual, sat on the computer, new glasses......the list goes on. Anyway much better. We're also being careful with computer usage...only in the morning, till the end of the month. We've almost busted our download limit and mornings are off-peak.



I have had a good time. Thought I'd use up all that spare dye that's been leftover from a couple of projects. All in the pot. I have some commercial undyed yarns bought from Wangaratta Woollen Mills on the last trip to Harrietville, so I skeined two and dip dyed. Dyeing a third, adding the next third and then the final third for the last 10 minutes. It's a sort of wine colour and I'm quite happy.





Then, I thought I'd overdye the commercial autumn colour I won. Unfortunately, I forgot that it was still a hot pot and just dumped it in. I think I gave it a bit of a shock, it's slightly felted. I am quite happy with the result, but I think I'll do another, properly. I am looking to make an Autumn leaf scarf with this lot, I just need to get the right shape.









I've also started work on the workshop for the Bendigo spinners. The first yarn we're going to create is a multi-ply yarn. I've based the workshop around the multi-colour tops, like those you get from First Editions. For this yarn I've spun 20gm of the multi-colour, then 10gm each of a brown and black which should match. For added complexity, the brown is an unwashed fleece, so I won't know what the final yarn will look like till I wash it!




I've plyed the brown with the colour to balance, the black with the colour with extra twist. I've then plyed these together with extra twist and will add some fine commercial yarn, probably black. I'd like some texture, but I don't think I have anything suitable.

I have to time all of this!

Sometimes wool is best!

I've just finished spinning the mix of bamboo, ramie, soy and carbon. It has to be the worst spinning experience...the bamboo goes everywhere, the carbon and soy are completely inelastic and who knows about the ramie it got lost. Very different amounts of twist were required depending on the fibre, though that is my fault for choosing this particular path!

I decided to spin another single of silky wool and ply them together. This certainly improved the look and handle and I'm starting to be happy.

As there is only about 30gms I thought I might also dye at the same time, some fluffy wool, whose provenance is unknown, but might provide a nice contrast to the handspun skein.

I had some Landscape Desert Pea to dye the two skeins. I've used this on wool before and got quite a strong red, but failed to this time. Not sure what the problem was, but it's a decent result.

The dye took very unevenly on the multi-fibre dye, as you would expect.

This is going to be quite a challenge to get an interesting scarf. At least it's bright.

Vogue Knitting - Winter 2007/2008

Yes, I finally got around to writing about this latest issue. I can't quite get used to the 'VK' title. Doesn't say much!

I don't know about you but I always have problems with sleeve lengths and in this issue is quite a different way to think about measuring for length. It makes complete sense to me...basically the measurement is from the centre back/centre neck along the top of the sleeve/arm. I'm definitely going to try this.

I did like this issue, but there weren't many patterns that I wanted to knit for myself. I did like this for some intarsia knitting. How about dyeing a range of fleece colours - cream, greys, brown, even black the same colour and using that. And at my age, perhaps a t-shirt length rather than a dress.

Hope you like my favourite magazines list. Not quite complete yet.

Seaweed scarf

What a busy day. Pulled the back panel of last years Sheep and Wool entry to do some vital repairs. Wonderful fun surrounded by yarn, fibre, finished products and dogs.....obviously not my house.


The night was filled with my Beginners Spinners class. This is the half way mark and they are all doing very well. I have not doubt, that they'll walk away feeling very pleased with themselves. Next week we do some random dyeing. After four weeks of cream fleece, it will be time for a bit of colour.


Then I went home and finished my seaweed scarf. I absolutely love this. I hope it finds a home.

More Wrist warmers

I'm feeling inspired again, so I've created a couple of more wristies. One's a little too Christmassy for my liking, but who knows.

The cuff uses a mixture of black commercial yarn from Littlewood fleece...so it's good, and, my handspun fibre sandwich yarn. It's basically all rib.

The only thing I'm concerned about is the price I need to charge. As I haven't sold any yet, this is still an unanswerable question. I guess, let's see what winter brings.

Finished skein

I've finally finished my 10x10 skein. It's not quite what I thought I'd have. Found a green to dye it with and crammed it into a pot. I don't want a consistent colour. Unfortunately, I left it for half and hour and on too high a temperature and it boiled and it slightly felted. Ooops!

But I do really like it and will knit it up into a very loose and simple scarf.

Textile weekend

What a lovely weekend. Saturday was the HWSG monthly meeting, where I give my report on the two groups I convene: Experimental spinning and 3D5S. It's lovely to catch up with friends, have a look at what's going on and sometimes, if you're lucky, add to your fibre, yarn or book stash. Though all sorts of things turn up on the trading table.

What more do you want? Friends, fibre, laughter and coffee...it doesn't get much better.

Well maybe, Sunday was 3D5S where we looked at the 10x10 contributions. We had a good number, though I now really feel the need to do a good name tag! I didn't quite finish mine, as I still need to dye it. I used some Silky wool to wrap around an English Leicester single and then I've plied it with a fine wool boucle to try and create the little bumps on the original photo. Currently it's soaking and seems more like the initial inspiration than this on the bobbin or the yarn in its hank. So the final product is for a future blog.

We also worked on our entry for the Australian Sheep and Wool show. We managed to really hone in on what we want to do and are in the process of refining our colour scheme.

NOTE: I love getting your comments and have finally found a format for responding. I'll just add little notes, if required. Be assured that if I don't respond, I still love them.

Two comments require response:

- I'll get on to Incub8tr

- Etsy seems such a BIG world. I recently read 60,000 sellers. It just makes me feel that I would be such a little fish. I may still however, come to change my mind.

Mary Walker Phillips (1923-2007)

As you may realise, this week has not been particularly productive. On Friday, however, I did pick up the latest issue of Vogue Knitting. This is always something to light my day and I would usually share something with you that takes my fancy.

This month, however, brings the belated news, for me at least, that Mary Walker Phillips has passed away. Her book, 'Creative Knitting' has so inspired me for so many years. I found it in the 90's and was grateful when Interweave Press reprinted it not so long ago. I immediately purchased it. When I first found out about this book, I googled 'Mary Walker Phillips' and found very little information. However, it did mention two of her books, one a macrame book and the other on counterpanes. Surprisingly, I own the macrame book, from around the early 80's because it was one of the more interesting books. I've tried to find the Counterpanes book. Unfortunately, it has been 'lost' from the HWSG library. I will try harder to obtain a copy.

'Creative Knitting' is just such an inspiration for a creative knitter like me and my 'Kimberley knitting' was wholely inspired by it during my trip. I will argue that if you don't own this book and want to do creative knitting then you're just missing out on both a wealth of inspiration and instruction. There are no patterns, just invented stitches, suggested yarns and needles and lots of pictures. Pity it's not in colour.

I am very sad that she's gone, but boy, am I glad that Mary Walker Phillips was here.

Picker yarn

Spent yesterday spinning. It's funny, but this is the last resort activity. When I don't feel like doing much, I spin.

This is the 'Picker yarn' - still wet hanging on the line. I've had this dyed fleece for ages not knowing what to do with it. Finally, I decided to put it through the Picker. This opens the fleece and traditionally, in preparation for carding. I however, used the picked fleece and just spun up two bobbins, taking what came along. Then put the rest through the carder and spun a fine, not quite perfect single. Plied all three together.

I'm very happy with the result. It is a little dull with all that mixing of colour, but I knew that would happen.

I'm also finally spinning my 10x10 challenge, though the design has changed several times to where I think I'm quite happy where I'm going.....You'll just have to wait till Sunday.

I've also been asked to run some classes at the Bendigo guild and have decided to send some pictures of some yarns for them to have a look at before deciding on the structure of the class. They want to do some plying, so a multi-ply yarn, then one of a modified bullion and finally core-spinning with multi-coloured top. Jenny from Ballarat is great and I've been there before and it was fun!

PS. There were two comments to my last post. One from Moorecat, thankyou very much... the chooks are Light Sussex. I love that!

The other slipped through and is a link to a pharmecutical, so please don't follow the link. I'll be more careful!

10X10 challenge

Feeling a bit down with regards to making more for the market, I've decided to abandon work for the week and do a few things I really want to. The first is the 10x10 challenge that is set for 3D5S, the inspiration/design group I belong to. The challenge is to produce a 10x10cm piece which can be in any technique. I chose embroidery, but it could be yarn wraps, knitting, collage, drawing, crochet, anything.

I've put in my effort from last year, which was inspired by some amazing chooks at the Collingwood Children's farm. The yarn used for the embroidery was handspun from black & red top, and white glitz. I am very pleased with it.

This is the picture I'm using to produce this years. It's a bit obvious what I'm likely to do, but.....

What's next?

Yesterdays market wasn't very good...plenty of people...spending at other peoples stalls. I sold one scarf which didn't cover the cost of the stall. Just feel like I must keep going, but right now I don't know what to do. Plenty of lovely comments, no money.

I did manage to do another cuff. Maybe I should do a whole series and get a box at Incube8r?

Sculptures to market

When I finished the market last month I wanted to add sculptures to my stall. However, even up to yesterday morning I thought I wouldn't have any. Today, I've managed to fix Knitters' Block. Not quite what it was, but I like it.

I am disappointed in Paverpol. It's supposed to dry clear and it hasn't. The instructions are not clear. However, it has adhered to the wood and I'm going to varnish it. I'll put it on the stall as a 'Work in Progress'.

I am going to email Paverpol Australia and ask a few questions. I think it will work, I just need more information.

The 9x5 market is tomorrow. I hope it goes OK.

Timber and paper

Yesterday was spent buying timber for the Kimberley series. A very interesting day, now all I have to work out is how to get the spent sandpaper off and, of course, new stuff on. I am assured the sander is mine(?) but I can't remember how to get it off. Anyway, now know a little bit more about sources and resources.

I've been poring over the latest 'Selvedge', issue 21. I just love this magazine, always something startling. I've got a subscription now, as they had a great deal to celebrate their 21st issue. A significant reduction in cost.

Feeling a bit in need of a tidy up, I managed to convert my loom to an 8-shaft loom. Now the fun begins.

Another wrist warmer

I had a bit of play yesterday, using Bjork's own 'wrist warmer' as inspiration. Didn't quite reach her heights and wasn't quite what I was after, but a pleasing effect anyway.

I was using double crochet, and when I wanted a frill just did two in every one for a couple of rows. Having done this in such a way that I could still use the stitch, I went back and continued the base. Now I just have to do the other one!

I'm having my photo taken for the 'Banner' as a showcase artist for the 9x5 market. The Banner is the council produced newsletter that goes to every household. I hate having my photo taken, but it's in a good cause.

My beginner spinners are coming along nicely.

Making the sample real

After a couple of days in the slow lane, I've finally found the energy to finish making a small sample for Knitting the Kimberley. I've stretched it and painted it in the final colours, after mixing the terracotta(?) with the wrong red to get something that looked purple! It is, however, working well.

The next step, after it dries, is to Paverpol it to a piece of timber. I've found a timber yard nearby and hope to get there today.

I also started my classes for Certificate IV in Professional Web Development, reprising my life before children. Should be fun!

A new bag

Yesterday was quite a busy day. Both boys started their tennis season in the morning, 7.30am start, on a Saturday! Youngest won his singles, which after the last season was a good start, the team lost by a game. Oldest won and the team won. It was a good win and he was high as a kite! Having now reached sort of serious levels this was great. I went out for the day to arrive back to partner ringing to say he'd made a 100 at cricket on the day the club was celebrating their 80th season, so he spent the rest of the night celebrating!

My day was good, but less eventful. I went to Rose St. market to have a look around. It's interesting and quirky, great spot, just off Brunswick St. I'd like to share a market stall with friends here. Need to check out more. The website is http://www.rosestmarket.com.au/. Went there not expecting to buy anything, maybe a pair of earings, I'm really not much of a shopper. Ended up buying this great backpack. I love backpacks, leaves my hands free and saves my back. They're usually boring, this isn't.

Then went on to Experimental Spinning at the guild. We were looking at odd fibres. The ones we could find in the Craft outlet were: Carbon fibre, Ramie, Bamboo and Milk protein. I carded mine all together, though I didn't quite finish spinning, so that's for later. I hope to dye the resulting yarn to see what happens. They're interesting fibres, the grey is the Carbon fibre. Not very elastic, not sure what to do with them, so interesting textures.

Coffee afterwards, a good day.

Finished and started stuff!

I've finished knitting 'Kimberley knitting'. I'm very happy, but have realised how much work there is to go to really finish it. I'm going to knit a small version to try everything on just to make sure I don't wreck it. I've added up the hours and it's taken 20 hours to get this far. Much more than I expected. So care is the word.

First process is washing and blocking. Then adding the colour and finally mounting. I'm exploring the options: mounting on a block of wood, where it shows through, or, as has been suggested, making a frame and lacing it on with no backing. Both have possibilities and I've finally ordered some Paverpol, this might provide some part of the solution too.

I managed to start a scarf last night using the pick up stitch idea from 'Knitting new scarves'. It's turned out quite different from the first scarf and somewhat different than I'd expected. There are ridges on one side, where I've picked up stitches, which I'd thought would have more impact, but I've come to like them. Next time, I'd like to explore making these ridges a feature by adding on the them by crocheting a frill, or some such thing.

Finally, I noticed a picture of Bjork at the Big Day Out concert wearing the best wristies of all time. Aren't they spectacular? My oldest son went to the concert, said she was great and her costume was spectacular as he could tell me it was gold!

Magazine of the day

I've just picked up the Winter 2007 issue of knit.1, the funky version of Vogue Knitting. There is always something interesting in this and the news, etc. including the horoscopes are always fun. I even liked the small format that they started out with. I know there's a Knit Simple, but I find that trivial without any of the interest that this does.

Don't you love the sheep? (Pattern 33 - Unfortunately, the pattern isn't printed, go to http://www.kni1mag.com/???)

Back to school

Today is all about the boys. They both go back to school today. Oldest to start his second last year of high school and youngest starts high school. This is a big step for all of us and I hope he has a good first day.

Oh and I lost a bet....he ate his breakfast!

He looks unhappy, but it's mostly because I HAD to take a photo or two!

Spin-in at Yarra Bend

Yesterday I spent the day spinning in the park at Yarra Bend. This is an annual event of the HWSG of Victoria, started as part of Australia's Bi-centenial celebrations, as I understand it, as a 'last gasp'. This is the first time I've attended and hopefully, it won't be the last. What more do you want......Spinning, fibre, friends and coffee. Not necessarily in that order....

Sat down with my Kimberley knitting, feeling pretty happy to discover that I hadn't counted stitches for awhile and that I had a significant number less. Found the mistake and two hours later was back where I started the evening. It is looking good, but it is an effort.

I'm also teaching 'Beginning Spinning' at the guild, starting Wednesday, so I need to get a little organised for that.

Tubular scarves

I've been continuing work on Knitting the Kimberley, and though it's a slow process, I am extremely happy about the result. I've reached the half way mark, I call it the 'trees', made up of twisted stitches and bobbles and am working on the 'sky', which is varying the shell stitch. All these are from my favourite book: Creative Knitting by Mary Walker Phillips. This will continue to crop up through my knitting as I still haven't quite found anything like it.

Anyway, I thought I'd better do something quick, so I've had a play with my knitting machine, which hasn't really been getting much of a workout lately. I decided on tubular knitting and three varying size tubes, one inside each other. I like the result, though it's perhaps not quite long enough. I might have to do one very very long thin tube to get the length. That's daunting, as the shortest tube is 500 rows.

I have been learning though:

1. ALWAYS read the manual, it tells you all sorts of really interesting and useful things.

2. Be patient when fixing mistakes and refer to No 1.

3. I need to sort out my knitting machine, small equipment and manuals. If I knocked one more thing on the floor, I'd have gone mad!

Knitting the Kimberley

It took me two and a half hours to knit one row. It's the bobble row and I'm very pleased with it. Each bobble is three stitches, into which I knit three times (9sts) then do six rows, then decrease back to three. There is only one intervening stitch. What an effort.

The only issue I have at the moment is how I'm going to mount it. I keep thinking of a block of timber, not as frame, but as background. (????) I think I might have to make a trip to a second hand timber yard and see what is available.

This week is very much back to school, yesterday was uniforms, today books, tomorrow stationary. At least I get to wander around Officeworks looking at very cheap stationary. It's always good value at back to school time.

PS sorry about the picture, the knitting is cream.

Seaweed

Just back from a weekend at the beach. Friends, food, wine, good conversation and a much more active bunch of young people. They all went boogie boarding at the surf beach. It's amazing what friends can get you to do.

Had wondered if my seaweed project would have enough inspiration to be worthwhile, and, if I would find 'new' seaweed to add to the collection.

On the last day, I went for a lovely, lonely walk along the beach and I found this most unusual seaweed. I have never seen anything like it. So it just goes to show.

All my projects are just at that awkward beginning stage. Skinny length of fabric, needs adding to. Kimberley knitting is just up to the first tree tops....but looking great. More spinning and dyeing required for the rest.

Sampling the Kimberley

Knitted my first sample for my knitting project - provisionally titled 'Knitting the Kimberley'. I never said I was good at naming things. It's wonderful how the process of sampling sends you in different directions. I'm quite happy with the sample - and I will probably block it - but there are a couple of things it did tell me!

1. Dyeing before knitting is too haphazard and restrictive. I'm not going to be able to predict what is going to happen if I don't control the pattern. So I'll be knitting first and I'll paint the finished piece with these colours. I do like the colours.

2. This is not a long piece it is a wide piece. Therefore I will be casting on 200 sts and knitting for about 20cm - approximately. The only problem with this is how am I going to mount it? Any ideas?

All fleeces have been washed and are drying. Maybe some more dyeing today.

I'm off today to the 9x5 viewing committee to have a look at some new applicants for the stall. Always interesting to see what others are doing.

Let's start something new

I thought I'd better get started on a whole lot of new projects. This also means finishing off at least some spinning. So I've got some English Leicester and Merino fleeces sitting in cold water to start the washing process. These will be then used to:

1. Dye and spin into yarn for weaving into a wall hanging. A new series combining plastic and yarn.

2. Spinning and knitting into a knot scarf, which will be documented and then hopefully written up as an article for Spin-off. A little daunting, but at least I've made a start!


The next project is to dye some of the linen to knit a sample for my 'Knitting the Kimberley' piece. Dyeing small amounts is fun and to try and minimise the mess......I always get myself in a mess....too impatient......I decided to put small cups in a pot. Worked well. I tied the linen in four continuous skeins and dyed the alternate skeins the same colour. I used a brown and blue which, given I just picked up what Procion dyes I had and mixed the brown with red and black, fairly haphazardly, I am pretty pleased with. I've kept the left over colours for reference. Knitting next.



PS. Just remember, that even though you need to tame the yarn, don't tie it too tight, as you end up with little white dots.

I also finished the fibre sandwich skeins, we created at Experimental Spinning in December. The first I did by wrapping around a white core and binding with the same white cotton. The second I spun a fine black single and plyed trying for a knot yarn. It turned out more of a squiggle than a knot but I still like the effect.

You do get so much done when all the boys are out all day at the Australian Open Tennis!

A lovely day for a playdate

Yesterday, with friends, food, books and textiles we spent yesterday lunch and afternoon, talking, laughing, eating, thinking and of course, there were plenty of textiles. What a great way to spend the day. Thanks Tammie, especially for the sheep!

Unfortunately, Sunday wasn't so successful. Again, I didn't sell anything. From an overall point of view, whilst not alot of people came to the market, it was enough to think that you could build on it. I tried my new line of 'wrist warmers'. I do need to find a more interesting way of displaying them, maybe another tube or two?

Having abandoned my double knitting scarf, I've started a black and grey scarf, inspired by 'Knitting New Scarves'. Using the idea of picking up stitches down the centre of garter stitch rectangles/squares as a starting point, I decided I didn't want to make different sizes and then link them together, and sewing in ends(!), so instead of casting off for each square, I left the last stitch, picked up the stitches from that rectangle and cast of extra stitches, knit that as before, then using the last stitch of the previous colour, used that as the first stitch in the pickup. I quite like the effect and there are many more possibilities in this technique.

The Abandoned Scarf

Remember the scarf that was the one! Well it isn't! It took me FIVE hours to knit about 5 inches. I abandoned it in favour of making something a little simpler. It did get me thinking though, about all those beautiful things people knit for themselves or loved ones. The lace shawls, cable jumpers, fairisle anything... Are the only people who have access to these beautiful things, people who make, or people who are loved by someone who makes?


What does this mean for those of us who wish to sell what we make? Are we always meant to find the easy/quick/cost effective way of making something? If not, how are we to find the people who understand about the quality and price of the handmade? How, are we to create those people?


If you have the answer, let me know.......


On a lighter note, whilst at the beach, I went to the Warley Home annual book sale. It's big and full of second hand books at ridiculous prices. One year I want to get there the first day rather than the third or last day. I did manage to find this book for $2. 'Stylish knitting: from handspun or commercial yarns' printed in 1988. It's not really interesting for its 'stylish' designs, but that it uses handspun, but not your average 2ply things like: knickerbocker yarn, slub, knop, boucle and curled loupe yarns and puts them in far more 'fashionable' articles than the usual handspun. And there are instructions courtesy of Mabel Ross.

Book bargains and seaweed

I've arrived back from Phillip Island, having escaped the worst of Melbourne's heat. I thought I'd share some of the things that inspire me, or, really just amaze me with the beauty and diversity of the world.

The first is 'the seaweed series'. Walking along the beach, which does get quite a bit of seaweed washed up on the shore, I suddenly noticed the amazing diversity and it struck me that I should do a photographic series, maybe even use it for the 10x10 challenge in February. Having forgotton to take my camera on this trip, I diligently photographed for the rest of the week. I did however, feel a bit odd at times standing and to all intents and purposes photographing sand and not the view!

It is amazing the changes each day and I think I'll keep this up.

The other is yet another bargain book: 'Rainforest: a photographic journey'. It was $80 before Christmas and just $15 after. I snapped it up. It is full of the most beautiful photography: plant, animal and insects. Poor hubby, he was the one who was supposed to be spending his Christmas gift voucher at Angus & Robertson, and he couldn't find anything!

This could be the one!

I've been wanting to knit a scarf that turn out to be very expensive. I think this is the one. Fine rayon and wool yarns knitted on No14 needles. It took me ages last night to knit this much. Though I must admit I could have been distracted by 'Black Books' on the TV. They're the first of the series and I don't remember watching them. Who can resist: alcohol, craziness and books!

Anyway, this is going to the beach for finishing.

You can never have enough books!

It's arrived! all the way from England, courtesy of the Book Depository website. A good friend showed me her copy and I couldn't stop looking through it, much to her delight. The book is 'Knitting New Scarves', and I don't usually buy another pattern book. This is an amazing exception and lives up to expectations as you keep looking through.





There are so many ideas in this book that it was hard picking only a couple of pictures to show you. I like this grey, as it's just slits and she's added the embelishment later. That could be anything. Long icords, flowers are just my immediate reaction.

Creating waves like this is just having a fabric which is either shorter or in this case, different sized stitches on the front and back.

What is also really interesting is the way some of the challenges of making commercial scarves and still make them interesting enough have played out for her. Using garter stitch, knitting scarves in the round. These are the basic ideas I've been playing with. It's really good to know that it's a reasonable way to go.

This book is going to take quite a while to digest. There are even a couple of scarves I'm going to have to knit from the pattern to see how she does it.

If you want to make scarves, make a space in your library for this. Thanks Catherine.

Note: 'Knitting New Scarves' by Lynne Barr. Published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. New York, 2007

Note: The Book Depository. www.bookdepository.com.uk

Back to the Spinning wheel

Spent a couple of days relaxing at the beach before celebrating New Years in Melbourne in the sweltering heat. I know that doesn't quite make sense, but that's what friendship is! I did manage to finish a scarf and finish this multi-coloured spinning.

As you know I started the large skein and created the different colours by painstakingly pulling it apart and then wrapping around a core. However, I thought I might try spinning differently with the last little bit I had left over. I decided to spin it using the fold over finger method of spinning. This was very effective and much quicker.

I'm going to set the two skeins, mostly to make them easier to handle and I think I'll incorporate them in some weaving. It's given me an idea to create another lot of hangings and I think I'll dye some English Leicester in different colours, mix them up using a picker then spin it up and weave it with plastic as I don't think any colour is going to work. Should be fun.