A Spash of Color

This week I dug out some roving that I purchased last year and finally spun it up into delicious yarn.  I usually strive to have consistant thickness, but this time I let the roving speak and become what ever it wanted to become.  I ended up with 268 yards of fun, bright orange creamsicle, thick and thin yarn.  I don't know what type of wool this is, but I am guessing some mohair and some costswold based on the crimp.  But who cares?  It came out lovely and the color just makes me smile! 

I also knit up a couple of baby girl hats in sweet lavender and pink. I think there is something telling me that my son and his girlfriend will have a girl this time.. or perhaps just wishful thinking. We found out this week that a new baby will be joining our family sometime in December or January and I am really looking forward to this new baby! Keep your fingers crossed for a girl.. but boy oh boy.. boys can be fun too!

I am working through my original patterns... Remaking the items so I can retake photos, so I started with my hooded scarf. I absolutely love working this scarf and I think I finally got a half way decent photo this time. Remember... I am in upstate NewYork where the wind and snow can get the better of anyone. This is the perfect hood and scarf for our type of weather. 

Introducing Ella

I'm excited to introduce my latest scarf design that I've name Ella. Ella is soft, stylish and comforting and she will certainly make you feel like a million bucks when you have her on your shoulders.

 The the pattern will soon be available for purchase in both my etsy shop and on Ravelry.  I just need to get the ok back from my tester and we will be good to go, and just in time for holiday knitting projects.

This finished version of Ella is knit with my very own handspun yarn which is a merino wool / mohair blend that gives this scarf a nice feel and a great drape.  It is light, airy and a perfect accessory that can be worn as a scarf or a shoulder wrap and would look great at the office or with a pair of jeans on the weekend.

I plan to have more versions of Ella in my shop soon in various colors and fiber content.  So stop by valeriesgallery on etsy often to see what's new. 

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Vacation Knitting

Summer is here and keeping us especially busy!  Lawn care, gardening, going for ice cream and vacations can keep us on the go, leaving little time to knit.

But summer is one of my favorite times to knit and I try to find every opportunity to get my sticks out when ever I can.  Nothing beats sitting on the porch with a tall cool drink in the evening working on a project.

This past week, Daryl and I were on vacation and we drove up the coast of Maine, stopping at flea markets and beaches along the way.  The trip to Acadia National Park was amazing and I recommend making the trip if you can.  It is a good thing that D does all the driving because I knit up this pair of socks while in the car. One of my daughters will get these for Christmas (but I can't tell you which one right now... just incase they actually do read my blog!)

This shawl was done partly on the porch and partly in the car driving to Vermont to pick up our grandson. 
Go to my etsy shop to see more pictures of this handknit shawl.

And I was able to finish my spinning project -  1,658 yards of heavenly merino/silk blend. My friend, April and I are each going to make a shawl with this fabulous fiber that we are calling Fairy Dust.  I'm still looking for a pattern, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.  I was thinking of incorporating some type of bead work with this project as well.

So, don't let summer shove your knitting and spinning projects aside... it's not just for winter.  What's on your needles?  I would love to hear from you. I have another shawl with some surprising color work on mine and hope to have it ready by next week.

Enjoy your summer!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Lace Shawl in Handspun Merino

Today I am featuring another hand knit lace shawl.

After gaining some experience and confidence in knitting these lacey wonders, I used my handspun fingering weight merino wool.  And I must say, that I am extremely pleased with the result.

I found this pattern in The Knitter's Book of Wool.  The pattern is called Prairie Rose Lace Shaw by Evelyn A. Clark. It is light and breezy and just way too much fun to make.  If you are going to give it a try, I would suggest you get some graph paper and write the chart out larger as the one in the book is printed very small.

I love the way this delicate lace drapes. 

Now that I have completed a couple lace projects I am pretty much stuck on them.  I already started another one in a beautiful rich burgandy. 

Next week I will be a the first Annual Central NY Fiber Festival on Route 20 near Bouchville, NY.  If you are local, please stop by and say hello.  I can't wait to see all the great fiber artists there and stock up on some more roving for spinning.  Keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. 

Until next time ~  Keep your needles clicking!

Fresh from the Wheel - Midnight Purple Merino Yarn

This week's spin is 3.5 oz of beautiful midnight merino. 

I love this color combination with purples and blues!

What's on your wheel? 

Fresh From the Wheel - Merino in Lovely Teals

My lastest spinning project is a beautiful teal combination in merino.  I purchased this roving from slimchicken on etsy and I have to say that slimchicken is becoming one of my favorite shops!  This roving spun smoothly and was a pleasure to work with.

I put these two colors together during the plying process.

 

And the result:  250 yards of beautiful handspun wool in teal blend:

I'm very pleased with the way this one turned out.  I see a neckwarmer here....

What's on your wheel? 

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Reversible Cable Scarf

It is almost the end of February and we woke up to yet more snow today.  I was kinda hoping that spring would be showing her face soon, but here we are covered in white.

Today I can't help but show off my newest scarf. I combined some of my own hand spun alpaca yarn that has a bold colorway that goes from yellow to orange to reds with a commercial solid orange alpaca, merino, silk blend. The alpaca gives it softness and the merino gives it memory while the silk provides just a tad bit of sheen.


The cables are on both sides, making this one totally reversible and there is absolutely no curling in on the sides. It drapes perfectly and if I do say so myself, is just about the best one I've ever made. Now - I could be a bit too attached as I've spun the yarn and knit the scarf. Almost like a mother being proud of her babies.

In any event, here it is ~ Orange Colorway Cable Handknit Scarf in Alpaca Merino Silk Blend



The front has 3 rows of cables while the back has 2 rows. I worked the cables on the back while purling, which is something I have never done before.  It isn't much different that working them on knit stitches.  The only difference is I held the cable needle in the back rather than front when purling. 

What are you working on this weekend?  I would love to hear from you!

Stocking my etsy shop with handspun yarns

I am now offerning handspun yarns for sale in my etsy shop. I have the first two of many more to come listed and couldn't be more excited! 

This deep vibrant green corridale is lucious and this natural merino wool is so lofty it's almost dreamy!

Keep checking back in my shop as I add more colors and fibers! 

Sunday Morning Knit With - Mixing it up

I am hopelessly addicted to spinning right now. I know - I really don't need another distraction, but this distraction is one of the most relaxing and soothing additions ever.

One of my latest projects is a wool/mohair mix in a gorgeous purple, blue and green color way. It spun very nicely (although I am still trying to perfect my tension to achieve consistency). I actually like the bumps and ilregularities though.

I knit a basic ribbed scarf combining the hand spun with commercial fingering weight wool. The results: a lofty warm and unique classic scarf. The color combination is perfect and the feel is luxurious!

The pattern for this classic scarf is simple:

Cast on 26 (holding 2 stands of yarn together throughout)
Row 1: (K2, P2)* Repeat to last 2 stitches, K2
Row 2: (P2, K2)* Repeat to last 2 stitches, P2

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 to desired length
Bind off and weave in loose ends

This hand knit handspun classic scarf has been added to my etsy shop this morning. And for those of you who like to have their holiday shopping done early - I am offering 15% all purchases in my etsy shop today only - Just use Promo Code : SundayShopper at check out to get your discount.


Until next week - Keep your needles clicking and Happy Thanksgiving!



Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ Classic Cable Collar

Good morning! 

It is a balmy 55 degrees here this morning, which is very unusual for mid-November in upstate NY.  I'll be outside planting some flower bulbs for next spring's enjoyment today and enjoying the mild weather.

I'm so happy to highlight my newest creation today, which is my own design as well as my first knit project using my own handspun 2 ply yarn!  This classic neckwarmer was a dream to make - from beginning to end. I started by spinning the gorgeous Corriedale roving (purchased on KnitPicks.com) and then reverse-spinning it into a lucious 2 ply yarn.

I then knit it up into this lovely collar/neckwarmer/mini-shawl with rows and rows of cables. It just shouts classic romantic to me, with 7 rose buttons.

I'm working out the pattern, so look for the PDF for this one in the near future if you are interested in knitting one up yourself.  The finished one is available in my etsy shop right now if you can't resist~

Until next week, keep your needles clicking!

Meet Raven an Angora Bunny

What is softer than Angora? My daughter Katie has a pet bunny.... not just any bunny, but an Angora bunny named Raven. My other daughter Sara breeds angora bunnies and gave Raven to Katie. Although I was originally against having a bunny here, I have found that this bunny has its advantages!

Raven is a mixed Angora bunny who has the life of leisure. Basically, all she does is eat, sleep and grow hair. Beautiful, luxurious, softer than soft, light as a feather hair.

Last weekend Katie groomed Raven and brought me a basket full of her wool, which I immediately started to spin. It came out a bit lumpy bumpy, but I am very happy with the result. I plan to knit this up with some commercial merino as a neck warmer. We all need a soft touch around our necks!

From bunny to yarn - totally home-grown, hand harvested, hand spun and purely natural!

Sunday Morning Knit Wit ~ It's here!

Happy Birthday to me!!  I got my spinning  wheel! 

Now I need to practice, practice, practice.......

Let the spinning begin!

My Very First HandSpun

Last night I spent the evening with Chris who patiently showed me how to spin.

I'm definately spinning too tight and need to practice more, but I think I have found a new obsession!  I love the soothing rhythm of the wheel and the fiber flowing through my fingers.

I've ordered a wheel and hope that it comes soon as I can't wait to get practicing!