Friday, February 15, 2008

MysterySweaterAlong-01


MysterySweaterAlong-01
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here is part 1 (Left Front) of the Mystery Sweater along by Kerry on Ravelry
We are using Brown Sheep Lambs Pride- worsted wool - Mine is being knit in the color (Spice)
10 skeins on hand with size 10 needles
Fast , quick knit.

Spunky Eclectic Roving


Spunky Eclectic Roving
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
MMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm!
This stuff is totally gorgeous - yummy fibery goodness. I cannot even describe it.
You must get some.
This is from Spunky Eclectic
I purchased 2 4-0z bundles of roving
BFL - soft and buttery smooth
I am starting to spin it up as we speak.
Really want to try the Andean plying technique - not sure -the 3-ply skein from the wheel . I am using the Ashford Traveller. Ready for a new one! Who says you can only have one.
You cannot!!

Raw shetland Fleece soaking

Here we go with about 4- oz of shetland raw fleece in the rinse water to get soaked. Before adding kool-aid.
Pot is on the stove - heating up!

Shetland Fleece Kool-aid Dyeing

Here is the fleece in the pot. I just shook the powder right onto the fleece.
I used - 1-pkg cherry - 1-lemon/lime - 1-orange.
I did add vinegar - glug, glug - then let it sit like 30-40 min before putting it in lavender rinse water.

Shetland fleece rinsing


Shetland fleece rinsing
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here is about 4 oz of shetland fleece from my l-lb bag I had - decided to try powder kool-aid dyeing - here it is in the lavender rinse. Then to lay it out to dry!

My precious fur babies!


My precious fur babies!
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here are my wo dogs. I love them to pieces.
JoJo - 6.5 yrs old - our family adopted her from Shepherd Rescue when she was 15 months old - what a doll she is
Shepherd/hound mix Great dog.

Nikki - is 7 months old - adopted from Adirondack Save-A-Stray - rescued puppies from high kill shelters.
She was 8 weeks old and almost died - she was one of 12 pups who never got any food - she is a great dog. Just spayed two days ago so she is calm right now :)
She is black lab / pit mix - The rescue folks told me no way she was pit - but look at those eyes! I say she is - but she is a sweetie pie. No aggression at all. Very obedient. Still working on her laziness to go pee outside! Arrggggghhhhhhhh!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

More Merino Carded fiber

Here is the beginings of my carding experience with the merino - not too shabby,

Merino Fleece Carded


Merino Fleece Carded
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Well, this is my second experience carding fiber. I have Ashford Carders I purchased in Rhinebeck NY - at the Sheep and Wool Festival back in Nov 07. I finally was brave enough to use them. Let me tell you. Don't be scared. Just go for it! I carded 4 oz in less than 1.5 hours - Easy , peasy.

Merino Fleece Carded


Merino Fleece Carded
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Well, this is my second experience carding fiber. I have Ashford Carders I purchased in Rhinebeck NY - at the Sheep and Wool Festival back in Nov 07. I finally was brave enough to use them. Let me tell you. Don't be scared. Just go for it! I carded 4 oz in less than 1.5 hours - Easy , peasy.

Merino Fleece Plied


Merino Fleece Plied
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here is the merino fleece all plied up on the bobbin. It all fit onto one bobbin. Nice!

Merino on Noddy


Merino on Noddy
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here is my 4 oz of merino fleece all plied and wound on the noddy.
I ended up with 153.3 yds of sport weight. Not bad!

Merino Plied


Merino Plied
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here is the merino fleece - that is all plied - soft , bouncy, and just plain gorgeous! Definately need more of this fibery goodness

Shetland Fleece


Shetland Fleece
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here is the lb of shetland fleece I purchased in Rhinebeck, NY all cleaned and a tangled mess.
I learned my way through it.
See other photos

Shetland Fleece rolags


Shetland Fleece rolags
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here is the shetland fleece carded into rolags. Quite a bit of noils in the beginning - as I went along I learned I needed to comb the hair not the teeth!
Arrgggggggghhhhhh! What a difference that made in how the fleece carded up

Shetland fleece singles


Shetland fleece singles
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here we have the shetland fleece singles, spinning up.

Plied on Bobbin Shetland Fleece

Here is the shetland fleece plied ont he bobbin.

Plied Shetland fleece


Plied Shetland fleece
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
I purchased a lb of shetland fleece from Rhinebeck in 07 wanting to try my hand at my new hand carders.
I was not real happy with the stuff. Fought with it lots. It was supposedly already cleaned. Ok?? hmmm.
Well, it was not the greatest but I learned a lot from this experience.
As I went along I learned to allow the fiber to card and spin the way it wanted to and stop fighting with it.
I ended up with a semi-soft yarn. Worsted weight. It is ok - I will dye it, maybe a hat, who knows.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

ChildsOvenMitt


ChildsOvenMitt1
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
I really wanted to show this one.
I sat down and made these mitts for my boys - and one for adults as well. I used cotton batting - which is way better than the poly batting as it is warmer - next time I would use two layers of cotton batting on the front and back piece so that there are four cut out pieces of the batting. Other than that the pattern worked out great.
Pattern is free and can be found here: http://www.thelongestyear.typepad.com

Also there are other photos on my Flickr account
http://www.flickr.com/photos/butterflyknitter/

Thanks for looking!

Heartbreakingly Cute!!


100_0255_00
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Here is the Heartbreakingly Cute Kimono from the Mason and Dixon knitting book.
I used some Sugar and Cream yarn that I purchased years ago - in Raspberry - Used 1/14 skein for the sweater. At this point it is done - just blocking right now. Will add a sheer brown ribbon to the sweater. Also made a hat to go with it. Will show it when all done.
Quick and easy to make and just adorable.
Gift item.

I'm Back!!!


100_0257_00
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03
Well, it has been a long time I know. But new year, new photos and work to show.

Here are some Fetching Fingerless Gloves I made back in November 07

I used Patons Decor Yarn which has some wool in it and makes for a nice soft wearable piece - also washable.
Free pattern on http://www.knitty.com