The Vine

This is a very easy lace pattern called Vine Lace. It is found in the Barabar Walker Treasury of Knitting Patterns book. On the SSK (slip, slip, knit) stitch, I slipped purl-wise. I since realized it probably meant to slip knit-wise, but I think my way turned out nicely too. I used size 6 needles, (I think!)
"I am the True Vine"
"......I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me, ye can do nothing." John, chapter 15.

Hand Quilted Pillow

This is a favorite of mine, I made it look as old and vintage as I could. I handquilted it, the muslin feels great to the touch. The diamonds were done in the English paper-piecing method and then appliqued on. The back is a thrift store shirt.

My First Spindle Plying

My first experience plying some of my own handspun. Turned out kind of chunky, but I knitted a scarf with it, determined to make something. Plying was much easier that I thought it would be. I made this drop spindle myself.

My Current Project

It has been soooo long since I have posted. I have so much going on these days on the internet with lists I host and my other blog that I have been very remiss with this one! Here is what I am currently working on in my knitting life, the St. Brigid Sweater, an Alice Starmore pattern.
This yarn is Cascade 220, Ranier Heather. It is a gorgeous subtle purple/lavender that is kind of greyed, not a flashy purple. This second photo is close to the true color. I have done a lot of lace knitting over the years, but this is my first cable project and I really love working the charts.

One of my latest works in progress.

This was done with the "Mile a Minute" technique. I just made it up spontaneously, and then decided on the large half-square triangles as alternate blocks. It was really a lot of fun.

Spinning Progress

I think I have made some progress, at least I am getting more consistent. It is like anything in needlework, you have to have patience and get the feel for it. This is spun from roving from Finn sheep, it has a wonderful feel to it and is a very easy roving to pull into thin strips to pre-draft. Hope to take more photos soon and keep up with the blog more consistently too.

Blessings.

Brings Back Memories

I found this site from another blogger. You can make these cards by filling in the form on the site, then you are given an image you can save to your computer to insert into posts, etc.
I wasn't sure what I was doing, but this is the result. If you fill in something where it says "scribble" you get the handwriting on it too.
I thought this was great because I have so many memories of when libraries actually used these. I hope some of you agree with me that it was much better in those days. So much easier to find something you were looking for. To make your own, go here.

Ten Years Later

Here is my first attempt after ten years or so of the wheel just being an expensive decoration. I totally gave up on the craft store roving, and drove up to this wonderful place about one hour north of me. Brenda at Rising Fawn Fibers really helped me understand the mechanics of the wheel tension and how important it is. I bought some great roving from her (Finn Sheep). I am going to knit something with this, will post a picture of how it turns out.

I know it is overtwisted with thick and thin places, but at least I got somewhere. This ball is from a full bobbin. Don't know how many yards it is.

I am working on a second bobbin from the same roving and it is turning out much better.

Is This Yarn ??

My first attempt at using a drop spindle. Do you think this qualifies as yarn? Well, at least it resembles it. The part wound around the spindle has some twist to it even though the tail end doesn't look like it in this picture.

I used a craft store roving out of desperation, which I would not recommend after this experience. I have a whole box of roving in the attic, but of course couldn't find it, and I got impatient, therefore the craft roving.

I made the spindle myself (a toy wheel, dowel, and cup hook). It spins very well. I am better at the top whirl, I think.

I find it easier to spin the dowel off of my thigh rather than trying to spin a bottom whirl spindle with a flick of my fingers.

Spinning, finally ????

After a ten year hiatus from attempting to learn to use my Ashford Traditional spinning wheel, I was inspired by Pixie Purls to get the wheel out and really give it another try. I also made a drop spindle thanks to this great site, Joy of Handspinning.

A very nice lady gave me a huge amount of llama fleece, here I am after we got it home. There is a second bag twice as big as this one.
I am in the process of separating the colors. It is surpisingly clean. This is all experimental, since I really don't know what I am doing!

Plaids and Stripes

This Churn Dash quilt is made from various stripes and plaids, only the sashing being a solid. There are several old cotton shirts used as well, one of my favorite ways to acquire fabric! It measures 60 by 60 inches and the blocks are 12 inches.
I used triangle paper to make the half-square triangles, 4 inch size. I spray starch all my fabric to avoid distortion, in fact that is the only way I ever have any accuracy in my piecing. This was my first "on point" setting, and I think it turned out fairly well. You have to have the entire thing ready before you begin that type of setting. It is machine quilted with rayon thread. I did not mark it, just followed the pattern pieces and used a walking foot. The binding is an old curtain. I wanted this to look really old, and I think it does.
Here is the back:

Old Shale Baby Blanket

"Old Shale" is another very easy lace pattern that becomes almost mindless, also called "Feather and Fan". This yarn is an inexpensive Red Heart worsted weight varigated. This is a very well known old standby pattern. There are many free patterns on the web for it in variations. I like it because only one row in each 4 row repeat is a little complicated, the rest are just purl and knit. Even the harder row becomes easy, making it an easy take along project. I used sized 9 knitting needles. This will be a charity baby blanket, or else a gift for someone. I like the subtle colors.
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