The Cat's Whiskers

Fibre pictures

2011-10-31T22:42:00.006Z

Spinning Fibre Samples

2011-10-31T22:25:00.004Z

Well I have just completed an interesting little project of spinning pure fibre samples (20 in total). This was proved to be a fascinating thing to do with relatively small amounts of the fibre around 10 - 20 grams.

The following Pictures will show a sample of fibre, single, plied yarn and a knitted square with a crocheted border.
A = Cotton
B = Ingeo - Corn
C = Nylon
D = Plastic
E = Ramie (Japanese Nettle)
F = Shetland
G = Wensleydale
H = Seacell
I = Milk Protein
J = Flax
K = Bamboo
L = Alpaca
M = Jacob
N = Possum
O = Yak
P = Soya
Q = Camel
R = Kid Mohair
S = Banana
T = Silk

Vicky's Hooded Jumper

2011-05-11T19:40:00.000Z

I have started on Vicky's Jumper - she picked a red yarn with some purple and orange.

Just started the sleeves - I have to do both at the same time as otherwise they don't match...

Finished Daniel's Blue and Yellow Jumper

2011-05-11T19:35:00.000Z

Well I finished Daniels jumper on the 3rd April 2011 and learned a new technique to add a zip to a jumper using a knit picker.
Its a bit like a small hook with a gate and you basically make a chain up each side of the zip with spacings to match your knitting and then you can just graft it in. Nice and neat in fact you can hardly see it!

Chedworth Roman Villa

2011-03-21T17:44:00.004Z

We went to Chedworth Roman Villa on sunday as it was such a lovely day!! Met a lovely lady who was dressed up as a roman and using natural dyes and a spindle. Had a lovely chat.

Daniel's yellow/blue jumper

2011-03-08T20:04:00.004Z

Well I have almost finished the front, just the collar and sleeves to go...
Will upload some pics later as its not working from my phone.

2010 update

2011-03-02T19:52:00.002Z

Well I have managed to fit in spinning dying weaving, knitting and crocheting since my last update, despite working away from home. I have learnt to use my spindle and have spun knitted and crouched in public.
I am often found in the Scarborough hotel/arms on a weekday evening with one project or another on the go.
Hope you are all well and I will try and post the latest projects.

Fibreholics UK Sample boxes

2009-07-17T12:13:00.006Z

I have just received a fibre and a yarn sample box and they are super.

The fibre box - in no particular order :-D

Freyalyn's Fibres Australian Super fine merino in shades of blue

Sheepshape Spinning BFL "Salt Water Taffy" in yellow/green/blue

Fluff-n-stuff BFL "Summer Berries" in Pink/Purple/green

The Unique Bean BFL Blue/Green/Yellow/Pink/Purple

The bear Necessities BFL "Hubba Bubba" in Orange/Pink

Green Eyed Monsters BFL "Metal guru" in turquiose/orange/pink

floof Merino & kid mohair in Blue/purple

Flutterby creations Angora/Merino/Silk sparkle "Celestial" in blue/white/purple

Wicked Woollens Alpaca/Merino/Silk Undyed in brown/White

The Thylacine BFL "Home Hill" in Purple/Fawn

The Yarn box

Wicked Woollens Wool Nylon Sock in dusky pink

Sheepshape Nylon/Alpaca DK? "Glow in the Dark" Pale yellow/pink/green

Jamman BFL Superwash Chunky in Blue/purple

Green Eyed Monster Wool/Alpaca DK? Purple/Blue

Krafty Koala BFL/Nylon Sock "Pansies" Pink with purple/Blue/Grey touches

Floof Falklands DK Purple/Blue

The Unique Bean Wool/Nylon Sock Orange/Pink/Blue/Green/Yellow

The Bear Necessities BFL/Nylon Sock "Aniseed" Blue/L Grey/D grey/White

Flutterby Creations BFL Superwash Sock "Horizon" Green/Navy

Skeins BFL DK Red/D Grey/Pink/L Grey

All lovely and soft can't wait to try them out....

Amazing Lace Swap

2009-05-20T19:43:00.003Z

A Wonderful parcel has arrived today from Emma

It contained.....

3 balls of Cascade Yarn Bollicine in lovely rainbow colours
3 balls of Laines du nord Etoile in a bright rich blue
A skein of Arabella fancy yarn which is a wonderful mix of silvery blues.
2 balls of Lana Gatto Borneo to make a top for my daughter J
Patterns – Swan Maiden Mitts, Chlorofyll Mittens, Crochet Fingerless silk mitts, Stella magazine and a childrens pattern magazine.
2 yummy puddings and 3 bars of chocolate
A great deep bag for my knitting projects, Lace ribbon, Anne Geddes notebook, herbs and small blue bag

Thank you Emma

Blueberry Angora Jumper

2009-03-18T12:32:00.002Z

I have been knitting a jumper for my DH in Blueberry Angora DK its a wonderful rich red called Indian Summer. It was all going beautifully until he tried it on and I realised it could do with being another inch longer :-( so i have re-knitted the rib and one pattern repeat and have taken off the old rib and I am grafting the new rib back on. I have almost completed the front.

Back to updating again :-D

2009-03-18T12:29:00.002Z

Well my daughter is now 14 months and is a right little charmer and my son is 3.5 years old. So I thought it was time that I started updating the Blog again.
I have a lovely "wee peggy" spinning wheel and have been busy getting projects finished off so that I can have a play.

Socks

2007-08-23T14:41:00.000Z

Using the Opal sock pattern I have finished the socks for DH and just need to wash and block them. I do love the Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn - it has a lovely feel and makes up beautiful socks.

Finished Emma's Anice

2007-08-23T14:40:00.000Z

Well I have managed to finish Emma's Anice and she has tried it with her wedding dress and it looks wonderful. Will stick a picture in the gallery to show the finished article.

Emmas Anice Shawl

2007-06-19T14:48:00.000Z

Well I have finished the 5th pattern repeat and started threading the blocking wires on to do a provisional blocking so that Emma can try it with her wedding dress next Saturday 23 June. I think that with the blocking 5 pattern repeats will be enough as the yarn is quite stretchy. Will try and get a pic of shawl with the dress :-D

Finished projects.....

2007-05-09T10:28:00.000Z

Clapotis in Lorna Laces Shepherd sport - Flames (In exchange for a friend doing my family tree)

Anice's

2007-05-09T10:23:00.000Z

Having finished the Clapotis I am back working on the Anices.
Cream - Managed to get up to row 25 of the central pattern only to find that I have made a mistake so I will be frogging it back to row 20 (lifeline) so that I can get it all lined up again.
Sable - Finished row 30 of the central pattern.
Bear in mind that there is 60 rows to the pattern repeat and 6 of them to do! and then the last border :-D So there is a fair bit to go - will post some pics later....

Clapotis

2007-04-23T10:09:00.000Z

Well 3 weeks into knitting the Clapotis I am on the decreases :-) I ended up doing 20 pattern repeats on the straight section as it seems less likely to fall off the shoulders. Have found the Lorna's Laces teamed with my denise's lovely to knit with.

Clapotis Update - All finished now :-D and handed over

Current Projects

2007-04-23T10:01:00.000Z

I have the following projects on the go;

Anice Shawl in Fiddlesticks Zephyr - Sable (For me)
Anice Shawl in Fiddlesticks Zephyr - Cream (For SIL)
Tanktop in opal sock yarn (For my son)
Jumper in rowan big wool (For DH)

Lots more yarn and patterns waiting to be started :-D