at home with Lara's wheels, spindles, looms & dye pots
How does Ontario’s own Stone Spindle Farm do alpaca? The short answer is: superbly. In order of my growing admiration since 2021: full marks for the farm’s name; Beth’s warm Instagram account; the raw locks; the rolags & finally, the mill-prepped alpaca top. The raw locks They had me at featuring spindles in a farm […]
Read MoreFinally, a break! But for a single appointment in a few days we have the week off together. Last month was full of highs (someone is double digits!) and the lows of this new wave in the pandemic. Just about everything that is heightened can be summed up as: There I was sipping my coffee […]
Read MoreThis post has a happy ending, I promise. Bent out of shape One morning in mid-June, I left the house quickly. It was a good decision to leave the spindle bag & take knitting, a book instead. I would be sat in waiting rooms all day. Sadly the adored spindle in question, a Butternut wood […]
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 MoreLife this year has continued to come at us fast. The past quarter alone has included loss, grief, so many appointments, learning & back in school teamwork. There are new welcome supports & progress but it’s been a lot. One plus of fall is that I am taking my walks again after morning drop-off on […]
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 MoreFresh out of the blocking pins is my Lacymmetry shawl reveal. It’s come through an antique flax wheel, madder dye bath, and knitting with 4 posts here on the Knit Knack, phew! Wireless headphones on during Ty’s ‘quiet time,’ and I was smiling along to Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn’s music. More solid FO pictures […]
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 MoreEarly Sunday morning, I took a knife to some of the stored avocado pits. It was a way to think of my spinning friend Mary before her memorial service that day. The bowl includes 4 pits from Jamaican avocado pears brought by my Mother-in-law – they gave colour instantly! It’s no rush, and is just […]
Read MoreThe handspun yarn in question is Romeldale/ CVM wool from Spirit Trail Fiberworks. It flowed so beautifully that I will give a quick re-cap. Singles start: end of December, 2017 on Rappard Wee Peggy spinning wheel, scotch tension Four 3-ply S-twist skeins later: April 9, 2017 all plied on Watson Martha spinning wheel, scotch tension […]
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