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
Ohhhh I'm a knitter, I don't know how to crochet but I think I'm going to have to learn now!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are back! Can't wait to hear more about your new endeavors :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely 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:
ReplyDeleteLove 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
ReplyDeleteHey -- thanks for posting that crochet stitch! Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteAll the best --
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.
ReplyDeleteThis morning there is fog outside, rain predicted for today and the high temperature of only 9C.
Happy knitting,
ChinaDoll003
Thanks for sharing that interesting crochet effect. I am inspired to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteYou always inspire!
~~CreeksideKnitter
Glad to see you back! Happy Spring.
ReplyDeleteAs 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.
ReplyDeleteThat 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!
ReplyDeleteLove from Ellen
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.
ReplyDeleteI am really ready for spring. Bring on the daffodils, tulips, magnolias, cherries and cycling please.
ReplyDeleteYour readers look forward to your new projects however they turn out.
LisaRR
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.
ReplyDeleteAlways 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.
ReplyDeleteAnd as another long-time MDK fan, I think I should have known we'd have blogfriends in common :)
Hello Lene,
ReplyDeletethank 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...
Hello Lene,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. It's always fun to read your adventures. Love the crochet stitch.
Happy May,
Deb
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.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to have two new posts to read. Best wishes from rainy Ireland.
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DeleteI'm new to your blog :) I am also an avid knitter AND have a Swedish Vallhund!
ReplyDeleteKate