Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Here again!



Dear,

I know this has been a long absence. Somehow I really needed it - but please don't get me wrong, I love this place, I don't intend to give up, but for some reason for a bit, the yarn needed to rest and my mind needed to be on vacation.
I have been doing yarny-things on a small scale, nothing big to report of and then I took a real vacation without time to play with yarn at all and once back home, I feel the urge, the need, the desire to work with my dear wool and yarn again. It is like all is fresh and new. All of a sudden I would love to do everything right now, right this very moment!
My spinning wheels have been tucked away for a few years, both are covered in dust, both needing oiling and some careful maintenance. This has not bothered me one bit for the past times, but now I am thinking of cleaning them and visiting my wool stash to see if there is anything interesting to spin. 
Some time ago I joined Craft Daily. You pay a monthly fee and can watch any videos available on the site. As you know I am not skilled in spinning, I have never taken a real class (in person) in wheel spinning and would badly need one hand on hand guidance. I looked through the spinning videos on Craft Daily and saw Building Block of Spinning by Sarah Anderson (have watched only the part I so far) and I learned a lot. She explains the basics in a very clear way and even though I sort of knew the things she talked about, her way of explaining really made sense and made everything very, very clear and easy. She has made a huge piece of sample yarn and with it goes through the basics in a brilliant way. I highly recommend this if you are new to spinning or feel that you need to go back to the basics.
Learning new things is the salt of all making. When learning new things, there is the desire to try out, the thrill of discovering and the light bulb moment when it all works out. I seek that in every single project I do. That is why drawing has been so rewarding (and frustrating too at the same time) when I have been doing the exercises in The Year of the Fairy Tale class. But no matter how much I love pens and pencils, I am always drawn back to yarn and thread. I love the challenge and somehow I need to bring the challenge into my yarn adventures. 
Crochet could be one since I only know the basics of crochet, I have never made a garment in crochet. Pinterest is a rabbit hole for me and I know it is for you too. Almost every night right before I fall asleep, I look at various things. Some time ago I came across this stitch and in an instant I knew I had to try it, as I have so many variegated one skeins in my stash and this looked like a good and clever way to take use of them. This will be a cowl when done, I am crocheting with 2mm hook and it is time consuming. I am not in a hurry though, summer is on its way and there most likely (hopefully) is no need for woolen cowl in the coming months. (Although it is very cold today!)
I never skip a post by Ann and Kay of Mason-DixonKnitting and a few days ago there was a link to Alabama Chanin video. I have admired the Alabama Chanin style for a long time and own two books. Last time I was looking through the books I was left thinking how could I make something knitted in that style, how could I have the easy approach to the making. I know the style looks very easy and comfortable, but I am sure the elements that go into making are carefully thought out. I would love to make a cardigan or a sweater in similar style. I don't know how to do this yet, but I enjoy the tiny Alabama Chanin tuck that keeps coming back to me time after time. I hope that at some point I will know how to knit something in that style.
In the meantime though, I dug out some old handspun I am not proud of. It is very uneven, I am not sure if I have enough, but I am hoping I do. I cast on for a cardigan. I did not make a swatch, I cast on a few stitches, found an old store bought cardigan to have a reference, and I am going on from there. I said that there is no swatch, actually this might not be true... I started from the top, made the neckline increases, continued for a bit and now this beginning of a cardigan is blocking. I could call that a swatch, but somehow it does not feel like one, since it really is a beginning of a cardigan. I am willing to rip, if the result is all bad. I am saying all bad, because the yarn is already not good, so there is this "little bit bad" element already there. I am hoping that in the process I will discover a way to turn the "little bit bad" into if not "all good", then at least into "little bit good".

Happy first of May to everyone!
Wool with you,
Lene

21 comments:

  1. Ohhhh I'm a knitter, I don't know how to crochet but I think I'm going to have to learn now!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous05:29

    So glad you are back! Can't wait to hear more about your new endeavors :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous06:23

    Lovely to see you back. I am more of a lurker, but your dog on the couch is so like my home I had to comment about your return. C:

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous11:04

    Love to have you back when ever you can write. I love the new header. Your headers are always so delightful and whimsical. Makes me want to pick up my paints and pencils again. And I should dust off my spinning wheel this summer too. Thanks for the kind "kick in the pants". :) Helen

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey -- thanks for posting that crochet stitch! Very interesting!
    All the best --

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous15:32

    Auineni OceanidWelcome back! Bringing new ideas for colour. Especially glad to see the combination of colour and Spring time here in Toronto, Ontario where there was the Polar Vortex delaying our 'Spring' at least three weeks with the tulips and daffodils just now peeking up.
    This morning there is fog outside, rain predicted for today and the high temperature of only 9C.
    Happy knitting,
    ChinaDoll003

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for sharing that interesting crochet effect. I am inspired to give it a try.

    You always inspire!

    ~~CreeksideKnitter

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beth in Maryland20:06

    Glad to see you back! Happy Spring.

    ReplyDelete
  9. As soon as the new banner started to appear, I crossed my fingers that a new post would be there, too. Love reading your words. Never fear, we're out here waiting to hear what you have to say.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ellen in Connecticut01:43

    That Alabama Chanin - I like the style a lot, but the prices!! Even their kits are out of my range. But I don't have to HAVE everything I admire - just seeing things is fine. Thank you for the link, and happy May-wool to you, too!
    Love from Ellen

    ReplyDelete
  11. Charlotte23:06

    That poor dog doesn't even have enough room for all it's feet. That girl should scrunch up more to make room. Love to see your dogs and all your wildlife at the lake. And knitting too, of course. You are an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous23:44

    I am really ready for spring. Bring on the daffodils, tulips, magnolias, cherries and cycling please.
    Your readers look forward to your new projects however they turn out.
    LisaRR

    ReplyDelete
  13. To my surprise, when I decided to check to see if you had posted,well there you are. Good to hear from you, your crochet is so colorful, and because I'm a spinner, I'm happy to hear your going to get back to it. Sarah Anderson is a old friend of mine, you would like her, she's like you, very talented in everything she does, and a very nice lady.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Always happy to see a post from you! I love your approach to creating - you are miles and miles ahead of me, and an inspiration always.
    And as another long-time MDK fan, I think I should have known we'd have blogfriends in common :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello Lene,
    thank you for your blog entry, especially for the site about spinning. I already got my first and new spinning wheel and have already spun some yarn. I can say I'm hooked...it is a very rhythmic work, almost like meditation...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous00:11

    Hello Lene,
    Thanks for posting. It's always fun to read your adventures. Love the crochet stitch.

    Happy May,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous00:58

    I am glad to see you are back in the blogging world and I love the swatch. Me - I am primarily a knitter but I may have to take a side trip to master this stitch. Very nice! Enjoy your spinning, too, when you get to it. I too am overdue to return to my wheel.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Catherine Hastings18:07

    I am happy to have two new posts to read. Best wishes from rainy Ireland.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous20:25

    I'm new to your blog :) I am also an avid knitter AND have a Swedish Vallhund!
    Kate

    ReplyDelete