In Sheep's Clothing

In Sheep's Clothing, A Handspinner's Guide to Wool by Nola Fournier and Jane Fournier is absolutely fascinating!  Okay, I just proved my fiber obsession, but I know some of you will like it too!

This book is not for the faint of heart. . . it is absolutely packed full of information about different sheep breeds and how to process wool at home for spinning.  Watch out sheep lovers, after reading this you may want to bring a little lamb or two home from a fiber festival this summer!  A major chunk of the book is dedicated to the different sheep breeds and the properties of their fleeces.  Charts are provided as quick reference guides for the different breed fleeces with categories such as: softness, elasticity and loft, staple length, luster, and felting properties.  There are charts for each category of sheep: fine wool, longwool and crossbred wool, down-type wool, other wool, black ad colored wool.

I found the last three chapters to be the most important to me.  The many fleece preparation techniques are concisely described with good pictures.  I especially like the section with the diz!  The first time I ever saw a diz was on The Woolery webpage.  I had no idea what one was or how to use it.  I looked through my numerous spinning and knitting books, there were only brief mentions of it and nothing that really helped me understand how to use a diz.  In comes YouTube, upon a search I did find a couple good videos that showed me how to use one. Enough on dizzes and back to the book.

I wish I had had this book when I first started carding fleeces.  I think it would have made it easier to decide if a carder or combs and a diz would have been better.  Live and learn!

I also learned about some other tools that are less often used but valuable such as a picker. One nice aspect of the book is that the tools are paired with the type of fleece (in general terms) that work well with that tool.  For my Shetlands I think combs are good for some fleeces and carding will be fine for others. I think a picker does not fit my life as I have little children but maybe when they are grown I can experiment with one. 

All of this information is grand but you really must experiment in order to discover what works best for you!  Happy Spinning!

Circular Swatching

Circular swatching?  What is THAT?

I remember thinking this the first time I needed to swatch in the round.  I use the magic loop method of one long circular needle (usually 32-40 inches) for my sock knitting or any small tube knitting such as arms.  (You can do the same swatching using double pointed needles.)  When I cast on for a swatch in the round I place the recommended number of stitches plus 4 to 8 more.  I then knit one row.  Next slide the work all the way to the opposite side of the needle; the yarn should be on the wrong end (this is good!).  You will wrap the yarn around the back of the work, I always pull it looser because you want your swatch to lay flat when you are measuring the gauge.  If it is not loose then a distortion will occur and it will be hard, if not impossible, to get an accurate reading.  After you have wrapped the yarn around your knuckles behind the knitted fabric keep knitting!  Then repeat the procedure until you have a swatch the size needed for the pattern.

One bonus for this method is that you do not have to count the rounds because you can count the loose strands behind the work and that will tell you how many rounds you have knit!  Easy!

Mini-Circular Swatch

Circular Swatch View from the Top

Side of Circular Swatch

Knit Picks Podcast

I was introduced into the world of Podcasts last summer by my husband. . . something he laughs about now because I have taken it to a whole new level of intensity.  I started with Ready, Set, Knit done by the owners of WEBS, America's Yarn Store out of Massachusetts.  Then I found the Knit Picks Podcast done by Kelley Petkun and have had her as a constant companion since the fall!

I just finished listening to ALL 235 of the Podcasts and I feel accomplished, yet a little sad at the same time!  Listening to the book reviews (both needle arts and fiction) has led to my investigation of books that I had passed over before.  That just goes to show that you cannot judge a book by its cover.  Of course this means that I now have three lifetimes worth of projects!  The interviews are very interesting because you get to hear the background of the designers and the rationale for their designs.  It is nice to note that I am not the only knitter with multiple projects on my needles at a time.  I also took to heart the advice that you can throw a project out and recycle the yarn into something new and better!  I just did this to a children's sweater that I had not liked since day one: what a liberating feeling.  Now I can plan to use the yarn for another project, hmm, maybe a stuffed dinosaur.  My boys would like that better than the sweater anyway!  These Podcasts have made me a better knitter and a better teacher of the fiber arts!

I am going back to Ready, Set, Knit and I am also trying out Never Not Knitting, Subway Knits, and Marly Bird.  Thank you to all those out there who work so hard on Podcasts!

Cozy Knits

I love this book!!!  I have come to the conclusion that I am a Cascade Yarns junky!  Cozy Knits is a pattern book that has "50 Fast and Easy Projects from Top Designers" compiled by Tanis Gray.  All the patterns feature Cascade Pacific or Cascade Pacific Chunky Yarns.  The Pacific line is very soft with 40% Superwash Merino and 60% Acrylic.

My first project from the book was the "Weekend Away Lace Gaiter" for my son (who loves purple!)  He wanted a gaiter-style cowl because he said that it should cover his nose and keep him warm during the cold winters here in Wyoming.  

In order to accommodate his small size I did change the needle size to US 6.  However, after finishing and trying it on I discovered that I like the size!  The pattern is stretchy enough to fit over the head and stay snug next to the neck so you do not get a draft. 

My second project is for my niece who shall be joining us in April!  The pattern is the "Sweater Girl Raglan Cardigan" and was a very easy and quick knit.  I would make one change to the pattern: I would keep the purl stitch that was removed when I made the button hole.  I am more proud of myself because I knit this project in 15 days!  I think that is a record for me!  Unless it is a hat, projects always take months or sometimes years!

I must also admit that I have fallen in love with this color: Rose!  I want to make the "Climbing Vines Cabled Leg Warmers" in this color also.

I am about to cast on for the "Victorian Lady Lace-Border Shawl" in baby blue.  I am hoping on a size US 11 needle that is will be a quick knit! 

 I also bought yarn to make the "Knit to be Square Textured Squares Blanket" for my niece.  I figure that if it is done by Christmas then I will be doing well!