The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Fleecewife on October 02, 2018, 08:33:02 pm

Title: Hello crafters
Post by: Fleecewife on October 02, 2018, 08:33:02 pm
I'm just wondering where everyone is.  Maybe you're all making jam, or up to your ears in projects.


I am at last going to have a go at top down knitting for my about-to-start project.  Because I want this jumper to be ready for the cold weather, and for Christmas festivities, I decided to buy the yarn instead of handspinning.  It arrived today and is lovely - I hope I can do it justice as it cost quite a bit, at least compared to handspun.  It's from 'Love Knitting', Berocco, Millefiori Viola, and it has a lovely sheen to it. I feel a bit guilty that it has some synthetic fibres, especially after watching Liz Bonin's programme last night about the terrifying extent of plastic waste build-up all over the world.  Apparently even bits of plastic fibres from washing clothing such as fleeces (not the sheepy kind) end up contaminating the environment - I'll just have to keep my new jumper clean so I don't have to wash it.  Knitting that will keep me well occupied for the next three months, so I doubt I'll get my Finn fleece spun up yet.


So what projects are you all working on, and are you going to get them finished in time?
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: SallyintNorth on October 03, 2018, 12:34:22 am
Knitting-wise, I’ve just finished my first ever Moebius cowl.  As ever, I’ve got a gazillion socks on the go.  And a mitred squares jacket that I haven’t progressed since I got to Trelay! And still bashing away at the Cornish Gansey. I had hoped to have that ready for this winter, but it’s not going to be.

Weaving-wise, I’m still on the second of three tea towels.  Hoping to get back into that come the winter nights. 

Spinning, nothing specific at the mo.  I’ve been spinning John Arbon Devonia on the Timbertops Leicester, making yarn for a warp.  And I have my BritSpin fibre sorted out but not yet given its cold soak, so I better crack on with that!  I’m using fleece from my flock, hand clipped by me this year, and am going to spin off the point.  Minimal washing and minimal prep.  Hopefully the resultant yarn will make a nice cowl or several, or a cowl and a hat and some gloves, not sure how much I’ll get done yet.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Backinwellies on October 03, 2018, 06:00:08 am
Halfway through a patchwork quilt which should have been finished for son's wedding in Aug .... Now his bride is pregnant so I'd better get knitting too!
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Dogwalker on October 03, 2018, 06:41:44 am
Busy chasing my tail as usual.

No spinning or knitting has happened all summer - I bought an 8 shaft floor loom and then an 8 shaft portable table loom so I've been learning to use those in the little crafting time I've had.
I've made one length of fabric to sew a top "when I've got time", two double width blankets and just finishing the second scarf on one warp on the table loom.

I need to be sorting mohair and sheep fleeces for the guild open day in November which is getting scarily close very quickly and get my etsy shop restocked before the shelves are bare.
By the time I sit down in the evening I'm too tired to concentrate on anything much so picking hay out of kid mohair is about the limit anyway.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Buttermilk on October 03, 2018, 08:00:50 am
Having come back from Yarndale with 1.5kg of fibre from John Arbon I will be starting on that as soon as possible.  I have some zwartbles fleece on my majacraft rose as OH would like a jumper for the colder weather, preferably with a white or cream pattern included as a finishing touch.

Knitting wise I am 6 inches down, on an outside inwards, shetland shawl, using John Arbon merino silk blend.  I think that I have made a mistake with this choice as the varigated nature of the fibre does not sit as well with the lacey pattern of the shawl as a plain fibre would have done.

Weaving wise I am still looking for an 8 shaft table loom, not wanting to pay new price unless I am forced to.  I have a sample on my rigid heddle loom and a messy band on my inkle loom as I try to learn pick up weaving.

My stash has increased tremendously and I am flick combing some masham before I drum card it and have it await its time for spinning.  There is also some washed teeswater to prepare, ditto gotland, lincoln longwool and manx loughtan.  There is prepared and ready to spin kerry hill, alpaca, merino (commercially prepared) and boxes of bought in silks, fancy stuff such as seacell, milk, soya - you name it and I will have a bit of it somewhere and sparkles with angelina, tri lobal nylon ect.

Writing it down makes me think that I should not have gone to Yarndale!

I too am preparing for Britspin.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Louise Gaunt on October 03, 2018, 08:25:57 am
I am in the middle of knitting for my daughters wedding - she has severe hay fever so is having knitted flowers and decorations, plus she has asked me to knit her a veil! I am not spinning the yarn but using Jamiesons Shetland lace yarn. The plan is to knit a round veil with a sideways lace border, that can come off to allow the addition of extra rows to make it large enough to be a shawl for any additions to the family. Fortunately she doesn't want a veil with a train! I am still at the thinking stage with the veil but will need to get on soon as the wedding is next April. And I will need to add to my woven stock ahead of our Weaving group's Christmas events.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Bionic on October 03, 2018, 12:38:24 pm
Since my hip replacement in July I have been spinning, the process also aids the DVTprecaustions as it mean she pumping the feet up and down so that's a bonus.


I haven't been able to carry on with the weaving I started months ago because I found that bending forward across the loom was likely to break my 90degree restrictions but those restrictions end this Friday so might be able to give it a go soon.


I have about a dozen of my own fleece in the stable and have just spoken to a mill about preparing them ready for spinning so will see how that goes.


Being fairly immobile for a while I have been knitting a jumper and doing some cross stitch. It's so e years since I did cross stitch but am really enjoying it again.


Lastly I am thinking about our groups Christmas challenge, make something from fibre that makes you think of Christmas. I had decided to do a felted picture of a reindeer but it doesn't seem to be getting very far.
If anyone has a better idea please let me know.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Buttermilk on October 04, 2018, 08:02:03 am
Bionic thanks I had forgotton my groups Christmas challenge, A Quirky item from home spun, woven or dyed.  If it makes the judge smile so much the better.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Rosemary on October 04, 2018, 03:33:52 pm
I'm exhausted just reading this  :eyelashes:
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Fleecewife on October 04, 2018, 04:49:47 pm
I'm exhausted just reading this  :eyelashes:


I know, aren't they a busy lot!!


I didn't dare to mention all my partially completed projects, so it's great that lots of us have things in progress.  I'm sinking under the weight of all mine  :spin: :knit: :spin: :knit: :spin: :knit:
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 04, 2018, 10:48:11 pm
I have been crocheting cardigans for my new grandchildren born on 1st August and we are going to France to meet them tomorrow.  :excited: :excited:  I've finished one and nearly finished the second and want to do hats to match while we are out their. I'm annoyed with myself because we went to our local shopping centre this afternoon to get our euros and I completely forgot to go in the craft shop opposite to buy the buttons. I've also got one for their big brother who was 3 on Sunday on the go. Both spinning wheels have wool on them, one is wool I carded and the other is tops that I just used because it was my group day and my Sonata needed a minor repair. I just had to grab the nearest thing and take my Minstrel. Still got my jumper that I'm making myself from a fleece from Backinwellies. And I'm combing a fleece that came from one of Dogwalker's angoras but I can only do that in short bursts as the fibres tend to float around and I inhale them if I'm not careful.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Fleecewife on October 05, 2018, 12:37:50 am
I have been crocheting cardigans for my new grandchildren born on 1st August and we are going to France to meet them tomorrow.  :excited: :excited:  I've finished one and nearly finished the second and want to do hats to match while we are out their. I'm annoyed with myself because we went to our local shopping centre this afternoon to get our euros and I completely forgot to go in the craft shop opposite to buy the buttons. I've also got one for their big brother who was 3 on Sunday on the go. Both spinning wheels have wool on them, one is wool I carded and the other is tops that I just used because it was my group day and my Sonata needed a minor repair. I just had to grab the nearest thing and take my Minstrel. Still got my jumper that I'm making myself from a fleece from Backinwellies. And I'm combing a fleece that came from one of Dogwalker's angoras but I can only do that in short bursts as the fibres tend to float around and I inhale them if I'm not careful.


Have a brilliant visit to France and meeting the new grandchildren.  I hope they all love their new cardies
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 07, 2018, 07:58:41 pm
Thanks, FW. I am so annoyed because I completely forgot to go in the yarn shop and buy buttons for the two cardigans. I finished the one for Raphael but still have a bit to do for Freya. I found out where I could get buttons today so will hopefully get some before the end of the week. They won't be wearing them for a few more weeks as they are in the south of France so I made 6 - 12 months size.


I have another cardigan for my next project. This is for Manu the twins big brother. Then my plan is to make a Sophie's Universe blanket for a house warming for our son and family when they move into the home they have been renovating for the last couple of years. More like gutting and rebuilding. they hope to be in by the end of May although they'll still have some work to do. For anyone who doesn't know what a Sophie's Universe it, here is a link. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sophies-universe-growing-up (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sophies-universe-growing-up)
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: newtoitall on October 09, 2018, 10:31:11 am
As a fairly new spinner and weaver (just on a rigid heddle loom)and someone who started knitting a few years ago I don't know if I am reassured that everyone seems to have lots of things on the go at once or worried that it means I always will have lots of projects buzzing round in my brain. At the moment I am trying to finish a knitted aran throw and the edging for two woven cushions for a craft fair at the end of the month. I have some alpaca from a friend waiting to be plyed on the spinning wheel and at a workshop in the village I started a machine applique cushion for my future daughter-in-law's Christmas present. Machine applique really is not in my comfort zone but I've started it so I'd better finish it. Trouble is the preserving season still seems to be going on.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: SallyintNorth on October 09, 2018, 10:41:58 am

I too am preparing for Britspin.

I’m sure I must have been told who you are on Ravelry but I can’t recall.  Which team are you in?
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Buttermilk on October 09, 2018, 02:07:10 pm

I too am preparing for Britspin.

I’m sure I must have been told who you are on Ravelry but I can’t recall.  Which team are you in?
I am Daisydonk and I am with a York Guild team.  I have to admit that I very rarely go on Ravelry though.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 09, 2018, 03:17:14 pm
As a fairly new spinner and weaver (just on a rigid heddle loom)and someone who started knitting a few years ago I don't know if I am reassured that everyone seems to have lots of things on the go at once or worried that it means I always will have lots of projects buzzing round in my brain. At the moment I am trying to finish a knitted aran throw and the edging for two woven cushions for a craft fair at the end of the month. I have some alpaca from a friend waiting to be plyed on the spinning wheel and at a workshop in the village I started a machine applique cushion for my future daughter-in-law's Christmas present. Machine applique really is not in my comfort zone but I've started it so I'd better finish it. Trouble is the preserving season still seems to be going on.


Sounds like you are a typical crafter - lots of WIP (work in progress) and even more ideas for things you want to make. Do you also have a huge stash of materials? I have enough fleeces to last me until I'm 212 and enough wool to last me the next 50 years but it doesn't stop me from getting more.  ;D
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: newtoitall on October 09, 2018, 09:11:42 pm
Well I still have some of the wool I had spun from our Jacobs plus last year's 6 fleeces. As I haven't managed to sell the 2 shropshire sheep I wanted to I will have 10 fleeces next year! And of course there's the various hanks of spun tops I bought when I was starting spinning, not to mention the fabric I have left from patchwork projects which I want to make into rag rugs (mind you I haven't learnt how yet). Do you think crafters have a strong belief in immortality?!
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Fleecewife on October 10, 2018, 01:04:47 am
Well I still have some of the wool I had spun from our Jacobs plus last year's 6 fleeces. As I haven't managed to sell the 2 shropshire sheep I wanted to I will have 10 fleeces next year! And of course there's the various hanks of spun tops I bought when I was starting spinning, not to mention the fabric I have left from patchwork projects which I want to make into rag rugs (mind you I haven't learnt how yet). Do you think crafters have a strong belief in immortality?!


No, we're just optimists with no sense of reality.  And we just LOVE all that fibre  :love:
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Buttermilk on October 10, 2018, 07:48:33 am
Most crafters soon becomb SABLE - stash accumulated beyond life expectancy
and have a lot of PhD's - projects half done

I am no exception.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: SallyintNorth on October 10, 2018, 09:44:24 am
Most crafters soon becomb SABLE - stash accumulated beyond life expectancy
and have a lot of PhD's - projects half done

I am no exception.

I have coined the term SABLEAFF - stash accumulated beyond life expectancy and (that of all my) friends (and) family  :D

I finished the moebius cowl, though!  :trophy:
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: newtoitall on October 10, 2018, 11:14:01 am
Most crafters soon becomb SABLE - stash accumulated beyond life expectancy
and have a lot of PhD's - projects half done

I am no exception.

I like that expression. Maybe I'm getting to the stage of describing myself as a crafter.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Fleecewife on December 04, 2018, 12:48:24 pm
Most crafters soon becomb SABLE - stash accumulated beyond life expectancy
and have a lot of PhD's - projects half done

I am no exception.


I just reread this whole thread and I'm wondering how everyone is progressing with their projects?


My top down sweater is at about bust level.  I hated doing the first bits with a vengeance, I couldn't understand the instructions then suddenly - ping - I'd joined the front and back, and now I can zoom straight down.  I think though I'll attack the sleeves before I finish the body, just so I don't have them both to do at the end.  I'm dreading the sleeve caps.


A while back I decided to knit a full sized Shetland hap, but I realised it could never be a fine lacy one.  So I bought some chunky yarn and a very long needle, to knit my 'fancy free' hap.  It will just be to Cuddle up in in the coldest part of the winter, and will be very basic, but it's lovely soft yarn (Drops Andes, wool and alpaca from Peru in a mossy green)


Also as a quickie I'm knitting Mr F a hand muff.  Since he had some vicious chemo his circulation to his hands is very poor, so even sitting in front of the wood burner on cold nights his hands are freezing.  It's the same Drops Andes yarn, which is knitted on a 9mm needle, so that will be something I can finish quickly.  It's just a long tube, which will be doubled in on itself for extra warmth.


For the stash, well it's getting quite depressing all of a sudden, definitely STABLE.  It's dustbin day tomorrow so decision time for some of the stuff  :'( :spin:


How are you all getting on with the projects you had in motion when this thread started?  What have you finished and what is still a WIP?



Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: SallyintNorth on December 04, 2018, 03:06:12 pm
Sooooo glad I didn’t make any optimistic predictions!  Lol

BritSpin was great fun, I didn’t the end do as much off the point as I’d expected to but span over 1100 “BritSpin metres” (basically counts 3m for every metre of 2-plied yarn) and have been continuing to spin since, although not every day.  I got out my Timbertops Beaver wheel for the event and have totally fallen in love with it.  It’s very fast, so I’m clocking up lots of high twist worsted yarn to use for warps and or socks.

Yesterday I found I’d been sent a parcel which turned out to be a Spinners’ Advent Calendar from a couple of friends.  10g of something different to spin each day.  What a thoughtful gift! 

I’m still knitting away at the Gansey.  It’s a Cornish Gansey, which means 5-ply yarn knitted on tiny (thin) needles, so it’s taking some time! 

I’ve made the decision to send some fleece off to the Natural Fibre Company to have it turned into rovings.  Although I do enjoy the prep too, I’ll get through a lot more that way, and a few people have said they’ll buy some to try, too.  The fleeces are lovely, so I hope the rovings will be delightful.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Buttermilk on December 05, 2018, 07:43:43 pm
I have spun up half of my John Arbon hawl from Yarndale.  It is still in singles as only filled the second bobbin yesterday, I will hopefully get it plyed on Tuesday, or maybe not as it is our Wolds spinners xmas lunch...

The Majacraft bobbins hold a lot of yarn, especially stuff that is spun really fine, and the plying bobbins even more :)

I made a mistake with the shetland shawl so it has sat in a bowl until I forgot about it.  I picked it up last night and counted the stitches and have worked out how to correct the error so that is on the cards for restarting.  It may still get finsihed for Christmas, but I will not commit to which Christmas.

The inkle loom has stood idle but I have done a fair bit on the rigid heddle loom and got rid of a lot of my not so good spinning that was building up.  A bit of felting and it makes great bags.  I stocked up on bag handles at the Knit and Stich show.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Lesley Silvester on December 05, 2018, 11:37:34 pm
The twins are absolutely gorgeous and, luckily for me, my DIL was unable to breast feed after the first month so I got to do lots of feeding as well as cuddles and a fair few dirty nappies. I wasn't able to get buttons for the cardigans in France as the shop that might possibly sell them was closed whenever we tried there. They did promise to get some when DIL's parents were over so that her mother could sew them on but I don't know if that has happened.


I gave up on the cardigan for grandson as I didn't understand the pattern but I have made all three of them hats. I then decided to do some Christmas presents. I'm part way through a braided cowl for my mother, have made a scarf for OH's first wife as we are going to spend Christmas with daughter and her other mother will also be there (other mother is the one who gave birth to her). Just about to start on some slipper boots for daughter and elder granddaughter which are in double chunky so should be quick. I might make some for grandson and younger granddaughter as well. I can work on the braided cowl over Christmas as we won't see my mother until 30th. After Christmas it is start the Sophie's universe throw time. I should get it done by June when we see them.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Louise Gaunt on December 06, 2018, 08:18:48 am
I am making progress on daughters wedding veil- I think I am almost ready to measure it off the needles to see if it is large enough for the border. It might have to take a back seat for a while as I have promised other daughter a tea cosy for Christmas. I am planning to model it on the Imperial State Crown! I have dyed some yarn a very regal purple but that is as far as I have managed at present!
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Lesley Silvester on December 07, 2018, 03:02:56 am
Wow! Louise. That sounds like an impressive amount of crafting. I'd love to see a photo of the tea cosy and the shawl when it's done.
Title: Re: Hello crafters
Post by: Louise Gaunt on December 07, 2018, 01:53:05 pm
The tea cosy, I hope will be ready for Christmas, the veil will be "unveiled"! in April.