Crochet?

I'm taking my first crochet class at The Sheep Shack in Holden MA. Jen is our instructor; she's lively, crafty, and sports a ball-of-yarn tattoo. I think we'll have fun. She has us working with cotton to make a dishtowel that will incorporate different stitches . . . a good beginner's sampler. Nice to learn something new and RELAXING right now while the rest of my life is in a state of stress. Found a crochet pattern book by one of my favorite designers, Teva Durham, in the sale bin at the GROCERY STORE! Who knew?!

Spin Artiste Secret Stash, Round 2

Spin Artiste Secret Stash, Round 2!

Shouting out a thank you to Arlene Ciroula and her fab stash suppliers for making this such a fun event to participate in. . .  Check out the list of great objects and the thinking behind them. Mine is number 16, a cowl pattern by Teva Durham in her Loop-d-Loop book. Loved doing this. Thanks, everyone!

Christmas around the corner . . .

Slow start to this blog but there's no shortage of photo and fiber activities happening. Experiments with "wild wool" or spinning with a multitude of fibers, colors, and textures is underway with my friend Maile and it is VERY liberating. New books borrowed from the local library including spinning, Teva Durham designs, and sock patterns. Mailed off hand dyed and knitted socks for Mom -- in Florida colors of yellow and green -- today to arrive in lieu of "three French Hens" or whatever day of Christmas they get there. She too, has been eyeing fiber animals and sent this photo to me of a llama she spied in the Buffalo NY area.











And, back to dog hair . . . have been mourning and trying to move on after Marsh's death, and so found myself looking at her brother Jeric's spun fluff that was an early attempt at my spinning. Needless to say, it was a very fragile hank at that! So, gave it a whirl with Navajo plying to attempt to spin it up into something relatively bulky and strong. I think it worked.



Here's the boy himself (thank you, Erika Sidor, for the beautiful portrait).



Chow Chow fluff is softer, I think, than alpaca and I'm told extremely warm. I haven't finished my first dog yarn scarf yet, so can't confirm on the heat factor.




Hope to shoot some sheep and horses next week at Sara R.'s farm. Cameras and the cold are a tricky mix!