I can't believe it's almost a month since my last posting. A lot of things have been going on in my busy little world.
First! I finished my very first 'Hand Spun' knitted project. Whoo hoo! This was spun from Hand Dyed BFL from 'Fluff' Fibers that I purchased on Etsy. I chose a free Entrelac Hat pattern from the internet. I didn't quite have enough fiber to finish the hat, so I completed the hat using a hand spun/ hand dyed fiber that I purchased from Purl Soho's warehouse here in Orange County. I think the hat turned out quite lovely. What do you think?
I'm still knitting my very first spun yarn 'First Born' into a cabled hat, however, it's taking me some time to finish. Hopefully, by next week I will have that finished.
I did manage to finish spinning all of my burnt orange Shetland fiber (2oz.) that I spun lace weight. It has been washed and is ready to be knitted up into a sampler scarf.
In between knitting and spinning, I had begun to look for a SECOND wheel! Oh my, did I say a second wheel??? That was a question I proposed when I purchased my first wheel. Why do people need more than one wheel? I received many responses and have met many that have more than '5' wheels, average is SEVEN!!! I can't even begin to imagine. After doing much research, I narrowed it down to an Ashford Joy or a Lendrum Complete. They say timing is everything. And, the more I thought about it, the more I thought it would make sense to purchase the Ashford Joy for two reasons: Portability, and bobbins are interchangeable between my two wheels. As U was leaning more towards the Joy, there was an add on Craigslist. I hemmed and I hawed for more than a week. I then emailed the seller to see if the wheel was still available. It was. He was in Az, me in California. We spoke on the phone. He is a member of Ravelry. I felt a good 'comfort level' with the seller. I sent money via PayPal and I had my new Joy in two days. Once 'she' arrived, I knew I had made the right decision. I love her dearly and she spins like a dream!!!
My wheel is named Grace after my grandmother. Her name was Gladys but those who knew her well, called her Grace. It was my grandmother who taught me simple little handi-crafts and needlepoint tapestry and plastic canvas as a young child. As I grew, so did my passion for crafts. I have had Grace for less than a week, but she has already traveled with me to work, to a spin-in, and to the local mountains to a cabin overlooking the San Bernadino Valley below (photo above). I look forward to many more travels with Grace.
I am in the process of ripping apart a quilted tote bag I made many years ago to adapt for Grace's travel bag. Wish me luck in the process!!!
