at home with Lara's wheels, spindles, looms & dye pots
A year ago, yesterday, we brought this guy home. Spark was a little damp & a lot bouncy back then. It was an inspired decision helped by my Mom (thanks, Mom). The main pros for this Double Doodle dandy were correctly plotted. Ancillary pros (size of the Best Bud, whoa shedding) were slightly incorrect. We […]
Read MoreCurrently on my needles with enough yarn for a second long sleeve is the handspun Polwarth 2-ply wool from last summer’s indigo dye fructose vat. The knit’s pattern is the popular 2012 Vodka Lemonade by BabyCocktails, Thea Coleman. Needle keeper shown is by @knitspinquilt. Substituting a handspun yarn Knitters have recently been discussing the financial […]
Read MoreThe year is unfolding in tough & unexpected ways. As we work hard to adjust, meet these challenges, I have been pressed out of regular posting as just one result. By Eastertime, I wanted to pivot and weave something beautiful. Out came Sarah Jordan’s stunning handspun merino/tencel that I won from her summer 2015 Shawl […]
Read MoreYesterday brought our 3rd winter storm in as many weeks. It’s been a mess of snow days in already shorter school weeks that has knocked my craft life for six. For several reasons Ty & I have needed time-off for more unstructured time together, however. This boon has kept the cabin fever feeling from setting-in […]
Read MoreTo The Knit Knack Blog’s readers and friends: You too may be feeling a dash of strain sprinkled with sleep deprivation, and sometime fist-shaking. On a surprisingly mild December day that is also quiet enough for thinking, I have some admin good news & project successes to share. First the… Good admin news In a […]
Read MoreAs the pile of small knits grew & yarn production slowed, I have gathered weaving thoughts. The last month threw-up one challenge after another. In my role as Head Cook & Bottle Washer, I have been taken-up with navigating us through it all safely towards the holidays. Since these challenges are of the I Specifically […]
Read MoreWe’re fresh-off our Canadian Thanksgiving, which started a little early with my impulse to bake a cranberry/ blueberry crisp and finished with our first turkey dinner at home. T-kiddo made a good choice on the supermarket cut tulips… they are still fresh & brightening the table runner that I wove in spring 2014, sari silk […]
Read MoreIt was a simple enough idea that came while pressing the handwoven blankets… what if I brought T out for a trip to Kingston? Calls were made, very strong yeses were heard, and here we are! My cousin had us over on our first day in the island, and we were thrilled to meet her […]
Read MoreThe August challenge theme in Spindlers group on Ravelry is “fantasy,” and I took the plunge! This 5 oz braid of combed top from Corgi Hill Farm is in my favourite blend, alpaca/merino/silk. The spindle choice is my 22 g Spanish Peacock spindle, Flame Box Elder. The group challenge is to spin at least 1 or […]
Read MoreThis week, I answered a question about spindles – what if any pause is there between spinning singles (first elements) & plying. It’s a great question! The original Q&A is in the Ravelry group, Spindlers in the decade-old Stupid Questions thread (post no. 8,515 starts) if you want to check it out. You can imagine […]
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