WnS Ep. 228: Christmas Makes & New Year Planning

Dear Spinning Circle,

Direct YouTube link here.

Thank you for being here today, especially those who were able to make it to the Live Stream. I appreciate your time spent here in this place with me. You are most welcome. I hope you feel most welcome because you are welcome here.

Enjoy the show!

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There is a lot going on in our community! Ketchup & Pickles for November 2021 here.

If you are curious about what happens in our community, please click the links below, reach out to me: rachel @ welfordpurls (dot) com, or reach out on Instagram/Ravelry/Slack (if you are a Patreon member, @welfordpurls_admin)

Spindle Spun Stitches

Long-Term Goal: To Spin for a Sweater

On & Off the Bobbins

SweetGeorgia Yarns silk puff (40% merino, 40% SW merino, 20% silk) ‘hearth’ – Ashford eSpinner 3; continuous backwards, lots of twist @ 1430 on speed knob

On & Off the Needles

In Progress – Knitting

Ystava by Jonna Hietala – Estelle Yarns Llama Worsted, 5 skeins

Lunenburg Pullover by Amy Christoffers – Dominion Fleece & Fibre North County Cheviot, naturally dyed in Indigo, Marigold, Madder

Community Inspiration // Participation

Luxury Fibres ALONG

Suzanne shares: This Falkland spin has been a relaxing way to enjoy spinning during this busy season. I accidentally purchased two braids with slightly different colorways, so I divided each braid into nests and am mixing them by alternating. It seems to work well for a yarn that almost looks semi-solid. Up close, I can see a lot of variation in the pumpkin orange tone with hints of the rose and gold colors coming forward. I still have another 4 oz. I should get close to 1000 yards by the end.

Priscilla shares: I’ve been working on so many Christmas presents that I haven’t had time for a lot of spinning, but did love this braid, so was able to get it spun up.  It will be interesting to see what it will look like knitted up, although I don’t have any plans for it yet. 564 yds of 2-ply fingering.

Natural Shades ALONG

Brittany shares: So. I wanted handknit socks made from my handspun. I wanted DK. A 3 ply and a tough fabric. A while back I shared the finished spin which consisted of fibres I blended. 50% Wensleydale, 35% BFL and 15% Mohair. I promised I would share the end result and how they are holding up. They are warm. Pretty cozy. Lacking in some elasticity, but pretty perfect for my needs. I’ve worn them in my boots, around the house and in bed. I’d say this was a good blend. Next time I think I would add some Dorset or Cheviot for that bounce and maybe stretch. Yardage wasn’t very high here in this worsted spin.

Felipe shares: Hi everyone! I’ve been spindle spinning this natural (chocolate) brown corriedale. I’m not yet sure if the left cake will remain a single or if I should wind it double stranded to be plied afterwards, just like the one on the right. Any thoughts on this?

Marce shares: Sharing with my fellow spinners that I designed a heavier weight sock pattern based on the Manx Loaghtan yarn I spun earlier this year (with this group’s support) & the pattern is available on Revelry & Etsy here

Sample Spinning // PLAY

The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct. – Carl Jung

Julie shares: All the sock yarns I’ve made this season. Home dyed. Three and a half pairs knitted. Will wear them all through the winter to see which breeds hold up best. More breeds coming but taking a break for other projects. Pink is Texel, green and ochre is Southdown, purple/plum is Cheviot, spring green is Dorset Down, brown/gold is Dorset Horn.

Weaving

Debbie shares: These two braids were sent to me as part of a sweet “ love bomb” package when we lost my stepson.  I had lots of feelings about everything to do with spinning them.  They were not my colors.  The emotion that came with the reason I had them.  But in the end, I am in love with them.  I am going to weave a scarf with them.

Barb shares: New experiment. Wove a cotton huck structure. Took a drawing by my daughter and embroidered it on the fabric. Used a soluble print of the drawing to guide my embroidery. I like it and I have another woven fabric to try another one of her drawings.

Alex shares: I’ve been a bit quiet lately but popping in to share these tea towels I made on my rigid heddle.

Thank you so much for joining me today!

Until then, 

Happy Spinning!