Camp

Photo stolen from Lisa's Blog.

I'm on the left with Em and Tara.

I had to have a large sleep in today to recover from the fun that was Spin Camp.

I did some knitting, spinning, drinking and a lot of laughing as promised.

Maybe too much drinking...

Thank you girls. 

Once again catching up has been fun, and just what I needed!

Photo grabbed from Tara.

This one time...

Today I started to gather equipment and think ahead to the adventures in store for me over the weekend.  I am heading to the coast to Spin Camp with friends and I am excited. 

The programme looks daunting but I should come home with stories to share and perhaps even some new found skill on the wheel too...  I am going to drink and eat and make merry and I can't wait!

Thanks to  good friend Emily I have fiber ready to go.  I hope I can turn it into something wonderful!

It will be a welcome break from tractors and little lambs.

Knit in Public Day

Yesterday was World Wide Knit in Public Day which is just an excuse to catch up with friends and drink good coffee.  A small amount of knitting happened and gifts were exchanged which makes it the perfect day really!

On the way home I got out of the car to buy some lunch which led me to buy Spinning Wheel #3.  I may have only just bought Wheel #2 but this one was beautiful too and had to come home with me.

It is a small upright wheel but I don't know what brand as I can't find any name or identifying marks.

It has a cast iron wheel which I love.

The strike plate for the tension knob is a threepence which adds to the charm of this old wheel.

Brrr, look at the frost in those photos!

The maidens have leather tabs that hold the flyer.  They are just nailed on.

A close up of the cast iron.

She also came with four bobbins, a lazy kate, niddy noddy, orifice hook and small set of combs.

I just wish I knew what she was...

edit: Tara's best guess is it's hand made using Ashford Gear and a Singer Sewing Machine treddle wheel which I think may be right. 

The New Wheel

A New Wheel for me!

Another Ashford, but an Ashford Traveller this time.

I love that all the bobbins are compatable with my Traditional Ashford Wheel.

The timber is lovely and this wheel is in wonderful condition.  I already love it.

This will be perfect to take along to Spinning Camp with the girls, I can't wait! 

A lot of colour.

In order to pretend that I 'needed' the spinning supplies that I ordered I thought I should spin something.  I had some roving sitting in the cupboard so I spent the weekend enjoying the sunshine and happy children and I set to work. 

The results are 150g and about 328 meters of colour. 

I wonder what I should pattern I should knit with it?   Nothing for awhile I bet, the Mr asked me to knit him a jumper and I have only done 20cm of the back, it is going to be a slow project...

More knitting

I am going to have to dig out the sewing machine for fear of this turning into a knitting only blog!

I am really proud of this little hat for the boy.  I knit it using my first homespun and it looks pretty good.

This roll brimmed hat is now the third pattern I have knit from this book, which is now a bit of a favourite with me.  I already have my eye on the pattern I am going to cast on next from here :)

I also finished the Textured Scarf I have been working on. 

Nice to be able to mark a few works in progress as complete! 

 Now to move onto the Avita top I have been hibernating for ages that I am starting to worry about the size of for Possum, she is growing faster than I am knitting this...

My Creative Space

My Creative Space is all about wool.  I thought I would have moved on as my sewing list of things to do is getting longer but this spinning caper has me captive.

This wool is being washed as I type.  It was unwashed fleece and the first thing I have spun, I loved the feel of the lanolin as I played with it.  It looks pretty good and I am hoping I can find a project for it at some stage.  I like the effect of the light wool and dark together.

This was the roving I have mentioned before but it is now washed and ready to go.  I just need to cast off the couple of projects I have on the go so I can cast on and turn this into something :)

I have been shopping too.  3 new bobbins, a Lazy Kate, a Niddy Noddy and a book on Spinning.  There will be no stopping now!!

For more Creative Spaces click here.

My Creative Space

I have been playing on my spinning wheel and I am finding it very relaxing.  This photo is some roving I bought from Lisa and the Orange/Grey/Teal is spinning up really well.  It is (on average) about an 8 ply.  My beginner spinning status is apparent as it does vary somewhat...

Ellie, thanks for noticing it has been awhile since my last blog post (last night's tutorials lists aside!), and telling me to do something about it.  We have been so busy this last week tied up in legal jargon and real estate speak.  I hope it settles down soon.

For more Creative Spaces visit Kootoyoo

A new way to waste time

This is my new spinning wheel. I was at a NSW Knitter's Guild meeting in December last year and happened to mention that I would like to learn to spin. Beverly happened to have no interest in spinning, but owned a wheel and voila, my Christmas wish was answered! 

She is an Ashford Traditional. 

This one belonged to Beverley's friend's Mother at one point so is about 50 years old at a guess.

It is in VERY good condition given she has been hiding in the shed gathering dust and fly specks for awhile.  I do need a few more bobbins to get me started but I will have that sorted in a jiffy!

I gave her a quick polish ready for my first lesson yesterday at a friends house. Annette said I was going better than expected for a beginner so I am feeling a little bit happy today!

I am already wondering if Possum would like a pet angora rabbit for her next birthday, or maybe Easter, which comes first.

Fuzzy

I feel like this photo, good at a glance, but a close look will reveal that the focus is a bit off.  Pity 'cause I really liked it otherwise :(

I have had a big weekend of driving, knitting, socialising, eating and knitting with friends.  These girls are all awesome and I always feel a little bit happier after a catch up :)  We spent Saturday morning in a park knitting and watching the kids play and Sunday in the B&B knitting and eating.  A perfect weekend! 

The small girl of the house is currently sporting a cold.  It has made for a sleepless night or two which is why I feel a bit fuzzy around the edges.  The small boy is delighting in blowing raspberries as well as his new found ability to roll onto his tummy.  Pity he does not like it when he gets there....

edit: Yup, it proves I am fuzzy!  I forgot to add the picture of the roving I bought from this clever lady!