Annie Knits: January is for Spinning

And stealth knitting. First things first.

Leo's sweater is killer. He wore it to church last weekend with the sleeves rolled up, a good sign that it might also fit him next winter.

Here are pictures of the sweater in last week's snow, which, btw, was much more of an event here in the city than this week's so-called "snowpocalypse". Which wasn't one here at all, but was really quite something outstate. Hubster was stuck in Kansas City for two days as a result of this week's storm and was none too happy about it. He's driving home as I write as his flights are still cancelled today.

Another recipient of some stealth knitting came over to play with Dear Son's old cars and transformers today as all the kids are still out of school.

He woke up the 13-year-old, played his tuba (really -- made it make a noise and everything), played all the vuvuzellas, ate chicken nuggets and fried apples, watched an aggregate of 1/5 of The Incredibles, played with the dog treats, ran in circles, found the big ball, played with cars, vacuumed the house, and read the beach book three times. Whew. 2-year-olds are busy.

His stealth knitting will be ready in 2 weeks, in time for his birthday, and only Ravellers can see it.

I received a lot of spinning stuff for Christmas. Namely a new Matchless wheel and 5 ounces of Quiviut fiber to spin on it.

After lots of practice and reading up, I screwed up my courage and dove in.

First I got comfortable with how the wheel works using last month's Spunky Eclectic club offering, David's Gift. I've got 12 ounces, about 900 yards, of this SW Corriedale. It's the green, blue, and orange skeins on the left. Spun like a dream.

My first plying attempt (not great) is here (above and below) in the middle. It's Curiosities, SW Merino, from Hello Yarn and it's frighteningly uneven. I did not have the hang of the tensioned lazy kate -- I'm better now.

The blue and taupe in the middle here is the last thing I spun on the Louet wheel, a SW Merino/cashmere blend. N-plied.

And on the far right is the quiviut. 580 yards of really really soft. I kind of love it. I found a blog where the gal had spun hers up and made her husband work gloves that have lasted and lasted. And she swears that she machine washes them as quiviut doesn't have scales so it doesn't felt. I think I'll pass on the machine washing, but will likely make gloves from this super warm, super soft stuff. I think I can get two pairs, even.

So, that's what I've been up to around here. Stealth knitting and spinning. Life is good.

Comments

Then he walked home and promptly crashed right to sleep. Only to stir minutes later by coughing himself into a near barf. A momentary panic courtesy of Mommy, and he is back to a hard deep nap. <3 !

Posted by: Jules | February 02, 2011 at 03:35 PM