September in Ocean City MD

It has been some time since I've blogged! I need to stay current! UGH! What I have been up to...

In September Michael and I took our annual vacation to Ocean City, MD with my parents. We couldn't have asked for better weather! Of course I couldn't go on vacation without my fiber crafts! I finished the back of my white shell while on vacation. This project is now on hold until I get the Christmas gifts done.

 I also spun some of the watermelon fiber I dyed on my drop spindle (until I broke the spindle - no fears it can be fixed!). 

I also started a garter knit triangle shawl with Tatamy Twead and Belfast Linen mill ends from Kraemer's Yarns.  I worked on this project all the way down, back and anytime we were in the car! I have made considerable progress. It is huge and I'm loving it!

We play mini golf a lot on vacation. Usually I do pretty well. However, this year I was awful! I lost every round!

Michael took advantage of the beautiful weather and spent some time flying his RC helicopter.

Our condo is on the beach. 

GO RAVENS!

I haven't done any spinning since vacation, but will be taking anothe one day class at the Spinnery in November. Most of my crafting time has been spent working on Christmas gifts. No pics until Christmas!! Not sure who all is following this blog! :)

Until my next post! Be creative!

Nancy

Hand Spun Scarf

One of the other fiber arts I enjoy is spinning. I use a bottom whorl drop spindle. This is my tool of choice because they can be made so easily and cheaply.  All you need is something round, a CD, wooden wheel from the craft store, a gemstone donut, or guitar sound hole cut out. Then stick a dowel  in the center whole using a grommet or epoxy to secure it. Then either insert a hook in the top of the dowel or make a notch at the top. For a couple of dollars and a little time you have a spindle. 

The yarn I used for this scarf was my fist attempt at spinning. Some is chunky, over/under spun, plied and singles. I am slowly getting better at this, but still working on consistency and thickness. 

The wool (pictured above) was then used in an experiment with dyeing.  I soaked it in water and vinegar, added some McCormick liquid food coloring and micro waved. 

I think I microwaved it a bit too long or handled it too much afterwards because it slightly felted, but was was still useable. 

I combined this wool with some alpaca I also spun to crochet a scarf.  The scarf is done in triple crochet using a J hook.

It is a very warm scarf! 

Happy crafting!

Nancy