More Spinning and Storms

Finished knitting a pair of socks -

These are the DRK Everyday socks by Andrea Mowry

I knit them out of merino/mohair fibre that I dyed and spun.

I didn't know how I would like the ribbing on the sole of the foot, but I don't even notice it and the socks are really comfy (the merino/mohair makes a difference too).

Since I am spinning everyday in February, I have got a lot done. These are all from fibre I dyed- 

BFL/Nylon blend for socks.

About a sport weight yarn (my preferred for socks). This is the hardest colour to photograph, it isn't as bright in person.

Rolags I made with all kinds of fibre that I had dyed (silk, camel, merino, alpaca, angora and Angelina -sparkle).

A lace to light fingering weight yarn.

A merino/nylon blend for socks. The dyeing came out different that I had planned,

but I love how it spun up.

I have been trying to step out of my box with dyeing and having lots of fun.

Photos from Around -

We seem to have a storm every second day now - Yikes!

Sometimes it is sunny with high winds and blowing snow.

Sometimes it gets worse than you thought it would be, and you end up getting stuck far from home and have to be picked up after trying to dig out for an hour and realizing that the snow was blowing in just as fast (photo taken back home waiting for the storm to let up enough to go get the car).

Somedays the mornings start out beautifully (-30ºC),

and are like this in the afternoon.

You can barely make out the grain bins in the back.

We are expecting another storm tomorrow, and I am happy to stay home!

We still see Partridges around.

And a Snowy Owl.

Sun dogs on a cold morning.

The 'wave' is just like being at the beach! Especially with the sun reflecting off the grain bin.

I think Miss Maggie is imaging she is somewhere warm (she misses going outside).

The hydroponic cherry tomatoes have started blooming.

All the best!♥︎

Socks and Spinning

This week I finished knitting a pair of socks out of handspun yarn.

They are regular toe-up, two-at-a-time, 64 stitches, on a 2.5mm needle socks.

This is the yarn,

and the fibre I dyed - a BFL/Nylon blend.

This week I spun this fibre that I had dyed - a Merino/Mohair blend (the first time I have used this blend for socks).

It spun up lovely, and ended up being quite fine (a fingering weight), I thought maybe the mohair would puff up a bit after finishing, but it didn't.

I decided to join in the DRK Spin It to Knit It Knit Along on Ravelry. I am knitting the DRK Everyday Socks. There are a bunch of 'first for me' with these socks, so it is lots of fun.

I decided to spin(a bit) everyday for the month of February, and dyed up a bunch of fibre in preparation (mainly for socks, because I really get to experiment with different colours, and socks wear out and need replacing).

This is the first bundle I spun.

Closer to a sport weight, which is what I prefer for socks. This is a Merino/Nylon blend.

Photos from Around - 

Woke up to another blizzard this week (the 4th in less than 3 weeks), so lot of snow photos!

Snow plastered to the window in interesting patterns.

Out for a walk later in the day.

So much snow across the driveway.

Thank goodness for a tractor with a snow blower.

The next day-

We thought the drifts were unbelievable last week, now they are even higher.

All the best!♥︎

New Hat and More Snow

I finished knitting a hat this week.

The pattern is Musselburg by Ysolda Teague - a really enjoyable knit and perfect for any yarn. I knit it out of Touch Yarns Possum Silk Merino 4 ply, that I dyed. The yarn is beautiful and soft. The hat is so light and warm - like wearing a cloud. It is perfect for the weather we have been having!

Photos from Around-

There was another storm this week - high winds and blowing snow.

Someone got stuck in the driveway again.

The big girl likes to help with the digging out. 

Luckily it wasn't as cold as last week.

More snow

Standing on top of the tallest snow drift.

Waiting to play.

The truck created interesting snow drifts.

One of the ponds.

All the best!♥︎

Project Bag and Lots of Snow

This week I made a project bag for cross stitch (I see on Floss Tube that this is the kind of bag that cross stitchers use) -

I used scraps of handwoven fabric, leftover from a tunic I made a few years ago.

The back is quilted with a layer of soft and stable batting (the front has some stiff interfacing).

I attached a pottery button from a local artist (there is a fake crack in the button that is stitched over).

The fabric has a handspun warp and commercial yarn weft (black here).

The back and the front of the bag have a regular quilt binding to attach them together. The lining is a plain cotton. After sewing this I realize that my machine really needs to be serviced, so I guess I won't be sewing for a while.

This is the first time I have made a project bag like this and I am interested to see why it is such a popular style. It does hold all the pieces for the project well, and keeps the pattern flat. The bag is 11.5"x12.5".

Last time I forgot to show that I had finished weaving the bouclé tea towels/hand towels.

I love seeing all the fabric rolled up on the loom.

Fresh off the loom - 9 tea towels and a bit extra ready for hemming.

The possum/merino/silk hat is coming along well -

I am hoping to use all the yarn.

Photos from around - 

We have had a few storms this past week, so lots more snow (and lots of photos!)

Sunset sun dogs during the first storm of the week.

Blowing snow.

Huge snowdrifts.

Someone got stuck in the driveway and couldn't make it in to work yesterday (white out conditions too).

Fluffy snow later in the day.

Molly watching her beloved clearing snow again.

She also happily helped dig the snow around the beehives.

Snow plastered to the kitchen window yesterday morning.

First harvest of hydroponic radishes (we can never seem to grow them outside in the summer - they are always tough and usually just bolt) - these were delicious.

All the best!♥︎