Spinzilla

Spinzilla... it's a monster! RAWR!

This year's Spinzilla challenge was much tougher than previous years'. No, the objective was still to spin the most yards, but now we had a baseline. Goals were set, records prepared to be shattered. Strategies and preparations were made, we got hyped up. While I was going thru my fiber stash I found this little gem, the first yarn I spun on this wheel! It's random wool that came with the machine, and I still haven't knit with it... (let's not talk about my stash problems.)

Since Team Fancy Tiger won last year, we had the pressure to repeat our victory. There was shit talking, well as much as some nice crafting ladies and gents can do...

 My first bobbin, and about my largest! I discovered that my bulky flyer can hold about 13 oz. of sock weight singles, which is way too much for our counting helpers to handle at once! After this I would give smaller bobbins over to them for winding off...

For the most part I was spinning thru a bunch of alpaca given to me by Mr. Crafty, some Gotland greys from New Zealand, and the mystery wool I bought in Ireland. Thus, that pile of finished objects is pretty plain in color. But I did have a few colorful braids given to me!

My final total was 6756 yards, 7 lbs. of fiber. 7 breeds, 2 species, 3 countries of origin, 5 natural colors. Half of the fiber was hand processed by me. One spinner who is looking forward to knitting for a while...

Team Fancy spun over 171,000 yards, which is almost 100 miles of yarn. We have our work cut out for us next year!

Celtic Knot Capelet

I've been sitting on this lovely Donegal Tweed Aran since returning home from Ireland last year (no, not literally sitting, it's been in bins...) and I gave myself the challenge to start working thru all my "souvenirs". I had not quite enough for a regular sweater, so a capelet seemed suitable. 

I wanted to keep in the spirit of the yarn's homeland, but cables are not my style. The Celtic Knot Hat seems to be the only colorwork celtic knot pattern on Ravelry! It's a rather nice one, so not really much to complain about...

I did a spaced increase system for the yoke, knitting 2 rows then make one every 2 stitches, knitting 3 rows then make one every 3 stitches etc... up to 10. I still did increases the whole way down to give it a slight flare. When I had used up most of my yarn I did the knot pattern along the bottom, and finished it off with a few rows of seed stitch.

Before steeking the front I did four rows of slip stitch crochet, one on the first column of knit stitches to either side of the steek rows, then it was turned inside out and one row was done into the side of each column of purl stitches. 

After the steek was cut I picked up a few stitches and made two button straps to close the front. Here it is washed and blocking. (The exchange student has moved out, and I'm only a little ashamed to admit I'm happy to have a spare bed for blocking things again...)

Here it is, keeping me warm on a grey autumn day, Pink Knit, Ginger Approved!

Summer Solstice Mitts

 This year my journey of learning herbal wisdom, and my love of fiber crafts are set to collide! I've decided to really dig into the art of plant dying, hopefully getting some wonderful colors in the meantime.

One of my inspirations was this layout of plant colors from Ireland, bought on my trip last fall. From left to right - Mature gorse, young gorse, heather, sorrel root, tormentil root. All with alum and soda.

Of course I wanted to keep this gorgeous rainbow effect, so I created a chart of Scandinavian style diamonds that slowly shifts colors. I must say, after working with sock and lace yarn for many months, worsted on size 8s knits up SO FAST!

So here we have, a gentle range of yellows and greys, just like the solstice sun poking out of clouds. It was fast, simple, and just interesting enough to keep you going. I'll be making a matching hat with the rest of the yarn, tho maybe not for much summer use. And if you think I won't use these in the summer, you've obviously never been to Colorado!

Here's the pattern I created, it could have extra rows of single color inserted to stretch it out a bit. What are you knitting for the summer? Blessed Solstice everyone!

Irish Goodies

 Here's some more highlights from my trip to West Ireland, I'll return to regular blogging soon!

We visited Coole Park, the estate of a wealthy Englishman that was planted with extensive forest and gardens.

 A lovely old Abbey has become cow pasture. These are by far the happiest cows I have ever seen! No wonder Irish beef and dairy are so good.

 After the Abbeys were dissolved or abandoned people began to be buried in the Skyclad (roof-less) churches.

 And ancient tomb uncovered. These were built in a range from 4,000-3,000 BCE, and were originally piled over with dirt and stones. They dot the Irish landscape, but are found across the entire range of Indo-European culture.

 Nestled in the rough rocky coastline was this lovely white sand beach, that on a sunny day had pleasantly warm water. Ireland actually has a considerable amount of surfing spots!

 Horses, ponies, cows, and sheep all pastured together right up against the Flaggy Shores.

 A view of a 3,000 year-old ring fort built on a promontory. I was on the largest of the Aran Isles, and saw two of this neat ancient forts. I also bought an Aran sweater, straight from the woman who knit it!

 Riding bikes along the Burren Coast Road into Galway Bay.

 Small hidden path that led to a ruined church, lined with blackberry bushes, yum!

 The fleece I brought home from Ireland. The breed wasn't specified, but in the area I saw Blackface and Suffolks. Look at that lovely crimp! I washed the fleece, and I'm looking forward to spinning with it for Spinzilla.

I also found some wonderful hand-dyed yarns at the Sheep and Wool Centre. From right to left they are dyed with tormentil root, sorrell root, heather, young gorse and mature gorse.

I'm somewhat inspired to pursue natural dying again, my previous attempts were underwhelming. But if those gorgeous yellows can happen, it's worth the effort!

The Green Lands

 I've been in Ireland the last few days, I'll be here for two weeks exploring the Burren country and learning about local plants. Here's some photos of the lovely landscape.

A Burren, or large limestone bluff. The stones are paving the valley, and they've been used to build long low walls and old buildings.

We went to visit an old church with a sacred well. The natural spring site has had a stone well built next to it, people have left tokens for luck and healing tied to a hazel tree. The site is attributed to St. Coleman, an important figure in Irish history. The area also has a wee fairy cave and lots of lovely hazel woods!

 A sacred well near the town of Kinvarra, notice the cloth bits tied to the tree.

 Here's the well at Kinvarra, it hasn't been used for water in some time so it's full of algae and watercress.

 An old house minus the roof. The blocks were neatly quarried and carefully fitted.

 Dunguaire Castle in the bay, it's very small inside, so it was likely used as a lookout for the coast.

Creating bike culture in the Galway region! Lots of the signs dot the roads, but they are narrow and winding. We will be touring on bicycle next week.

It's an enchanting countryside with lush greens and beautiful seascapes! I'll be posting about Ireland for the next few weeks.