ewww Dogs.

  Postman woke me up this morning delivering some yarn and my new mouse. Its an optical trackball type, I'm still getting used to it as it seems super sensitive at the moment. I should read the manual and see what adjustments can be made. Very expensive for a mouse but I can't stand the normal ones and my old trackball did out last two computers, 11 years.

  So pretty early in the morning I'm up and open the back door for the dog and notices he's thrown up in the kitchen and there appears to be a dead round worm in it, ewwww breakfast time it ain't. As a care assistant I've cleaned up a lot of nasty stuff but I'm no good first thing in the morning, gag very easy. Just been the shop and got him some dewormer stuff so he should be cleared up pretty soon.I'll also look on the net in a bit for natural stuff seeing as he's already on medication, maybe I can stink em out with some garlic or something.

  I didn't get any spinning done yesterday but the pocket scarf is coming along nicely. The yarn I got this morning is the same stuff but in white I'm going to use for the second pocket scarf. I'll get the oatmeal spun up today and ply tomorrow, well that's the plan.

Tired

  I'm shattered today for some reason. Went to the library before but it was closed for an hour for lunch so didn't get to have a look around. Lidl has some new yarns in but there not very good, 100% acrylic and the colours aren't great.I did pick up some white with little flecks of colour though. I couldn't help myself, I have no idea what I'll knit with it but I'm sure it will get used eventually.

  Filled both bobbins with white bfl over the weekend, I need to spin some more of the oatmeal before I can ply them. Hopefully it will get done tomorrow or maybe Wednesday at the latest then I can spin up the rest. I think if I fill the bobbins once more will be the last of the rovings I have. I could be wrong there and fill them again, soon find out.

  I've made the turn on the pocket double basket weave scarf I started, think I have about a foot done so far. Its not very wide for pockets really but is stretchy so should be fine.

  Bought some of the same yarn I'm using for the pocket scarf last night but in white. I'm going to use it for another scarf, mainly in moss/seed stitch but with pockets with some cabling on them. Think the cable is called 5 braid cable, looks very complicated but reading it and it seems simple enough.

  Hope you all had a great weekend.

Kick spindle

Kick Spindle

   Here are the pictures of my kick spindle. You don't really kick it, more of a push with your foot than a kick. I'm left footed but use my right foot and draw the ball towards myself for a clockwise spin.

Kick spindle

I find it tiring on my leg but I think that's to do with the chair I'm sitting on, I walk over an hour a day and ride my bike most days so my legs are pretty strong. I tend to start out sitting down then when the yarn gets a certain length I stand up and carry on spinning until its too long to carry on, unhook the yarn and wrap it around the bobbin and start again from a sitting position. My couch is too low for it to be comfortable really, I need to looking to getting a chair to use with it.

kick spindle

I'm still getting used to drafting the yarn whilst spinning, I think its a lot like drafting with a spinning wheel, or like rubbing your tummy while patting yourself on the head. Its nice to have both hands free to draft though, I just need to figure out what I'm doing. I think long draw can be done with the kick spindle. You can see the white bfl on the bobbin. I don't think it spins as tightly as a top whorl drop spindle and at the moment I'm plying one yarn from the kick spindle and one from the drop spindle.

White and oatmeal bfl

   Picture of my first plyed yarn, white and oatmeal bfl. The white was done on the kick spindle and the oatmeal was done on my small drop spindle and both were plyed together on my larger drop spindle. I'll do another picture post next week with more pictures of my plyed yarn. Or go to my flickr or photobucket page to see more pictures now.

kick spindle

I really like the kick spindle, its solid and well made. The ones I've seen video of you have to put your foot on the base to stop it running away but with this one the base is hefty enough to stay put. I'd still like a wheel but for now the kick spindle fits the gap between drop spindle and wheel nicely.

 Have a great weekend, I'm going to go use my kick spindle. 

(ETA I got the kick spindle from here)

Still here

     Well the wind didn't blow me away, was very strong last night though. 70mph + gusts inland, 80 + on the coast. No real damage apart from my back gate that was blown down, looks like it needs new screws/bolts to hold the frame post that the hinges attach too. I'll do that when the winds died down a bit more.

  Not much else to report today, did a tiny bit of spinning with the oatmeal bfl on the drop spindle and managed another section of double basket weave on the scarf.

  I did start a batch of bitter, will do a lager and another batch of mild or maybe something a bit stronger for Christmas. I've not done a IPA in awhile, could also try and make a mead. Tis the time of year to be jolly.

  I'll have a picture post up tomorrow, think it will be the kick spindle one. Have a good day and weekend.

Windy Knitting

    Dang its windy out, sort of wind that leaves you breathless. Its going to get stronger too, a lot stronger. Will be gusting over 60mph soon and could reach 80 mph. Glad I did my washing yesterday although it never got fully dry out on the line it came close, gives me a reason to put the heating on.

   Filled the first bobbin of white bfl and did a bit more on the drop spindle with the oatmeal bfl, not sure how much time I'll have today but will try and get some more done. 
   Got a tiny bit of knitting done with the scarf, still haven't made my mind up about what pattern to use for the pocket scarf. I might run a poll and see what you folks think but then again I'm the one who has to knit it not yous.

    Put the pictures onto my computer and deleted the shaky ones so should have a picture post for this Saturday, I think I'll put the kick spindle ones up and maybe my first plyed yarn.

    Found a really nice aran pattern I want to do a sample of in my new book but don't really have the time at the moment, will be glad when Christmas is over and its not even December yet.

   The dogs acting funny, was most up of the night restless and has been sniffing around a lot, it will be four weeks again tomorrow since his last fit and I'm wondering if he's going to start again. Hope the meds are really working but if they do happen every four weeks I think there may be other ways to manage them.

  Stay safe and warm, hope you all have a good day.

Chilly Knitting

   Brrrrrr it was chilly this morning, didn't stop me putting some washing out on the line though. Not sure it will dry before dark, it is sunny and theres a fair wind though the wind is kinda icy.

  Did well with my spinning yesterday, got one kick spindle bobbin almost full with white bfl and made a start with the drop spindle and the oatmeal bfl. I'll finish off this bobbin today and spin mainly oatmeal. I should be ready for plying by Friday.

  Only did a little knitting on the scarf but its already 5 feet long and nearly finished. I'm still not sure what to knit the pocket scarf as, guess I'm a little sick of the double basket weave pattern now. No idea why but I fancy doing the pocket scarf in moss/seed stitch which is kind of crazy, approx 6" wide and 6 feet long of moss stitch is enough to send anyone mad. I did do the sleeves straight across in moss stitch though, about 15 inches wide and 7 feet long so I guess I'm already nuts.

  I've seen some nice red merino yarn for my moms scarf but can't order it until Friday, I could knit that one next and leave the pocket scarf for latter. That's if I do it in red, fancy doing it in a green maybe.

  I've been reading the aran knitting book and after Christmas I'm going to spin up a load of white fleece, probably bfl, and knit myself a nice warm aran shirt/sweater. A pretty big project as I'm going to design it all myself. I'll keep the jumper construction simple but all the patterns should make it interesting. I think it will be a great project for my home spun yarn.

First Christmas Yarn Plyed.

   I plyed all the bfl that I had spun, well have a little oatmeal left over. I'll try and fit a little more on the kick spindle bobbins next time, today. I got over 100 yards, 107 but call it 105 for shrinkage. It only took me two to three hours to ply it all, its lot easier if theres no tangles. The tupperware boxes worked great. I think I'll have the second lot done by the weekend, then I'll do another lot and maybe a forth. Figure 300 to 400 yards is enough, should be enough for a scarf or mittens.

  I even managed to fit in some knitting and did another 4 inches on the scarf, this will be definitely finished by the weekend then I can start another one. Beginning to think about a different pattern for the pocket scarf, maybe a reverse cable or even a simple moss/seed stitch one. Can't make up my mind and no idea why I've changed my mind.

  Well I'll let you folks get on, I've got more spinning to do. Have a good day.

Productive Weekend

   Well the good weather didn't last long, had gales last night with gusts over 60 mph. And rain, lots and lots of rain. Temps are starting to fall off too, though isn't so bad I've had the heating on yet.

  Had a good weekend spinning, filled two bobbins on the kick spindle with the white bfl and almost filled the small drop spindle with the oatmeal bfl. I'm thinking around 60 to 70 yards on each bobbin and maybe around 100 yards on the drop spindle. I could be way way off there though so don't quote me. I'll start to ply what I have today so that I can get the rest spun up.

  Did ok with my knitting too but not as much as I had planned, think at the moment the spinning is more important because the scarfs not far off finished. I've done just over 4 feet of the scarf so can slow down a little and do more spinning. Hopefully the plying will go much quicker this time as long as I don't mess up and tangle everything. A very real risk.

  I took photo's, a fair amount of pictures. Kick spindle, my plyed yarn and some pictures of the Iphone socks I've been knitting. I also took a couple of pictures of my weaving. There not on the computer yet but that should be done by the weekend so that I can get some pictures up for the Saturday posts.

  Hope you all had a great weekend and the rest of the week is dry and warm for you. 

Baby Socks.

Knitted baby socks

    These are the second pair of socks I ever knitted, my very first pair of socks were a pair of white ones done in the same yarn as the baby hat and mittens. Not sure if I've put up the baby mittens pictures yet, maybe next week I'll do that along with those socks too.

knitted baby sox

  One of the socks is inside out that's why it looks a little odd. Baby socks are great beginners items to knit as there small making them quick knits using very little yarn. All baby clothes are like that making them great beginners projects, even if you only end up giving them to a charity shop.

  I used good sock yarn to knit this pair using the magic loop method. One tip a friend gave me when knitting baby socks and mittens is to knit 3 items because theres a very high chance one will get lost, its a good idea and also added practise for beginner knitters.

knitted baby socks

     Short and sweet post today, I need to get more spinning done. I'm half way on the scarf, just over 3 feet but have fallen behind on the spinning. Hope its as lovely and sunny where ever you folks are like it is here, even put some washing on the line its that nice. Have a great weekend.

Started Christmas Spinning.

    Started spinning the new oatmeal bfl and its spinning fine, doesn't smell odd either. Kinda confirms the last lot of oatmeal I had was a bit dodgy. 
    I do wish I could guesstimate how many yards I've spun though, guess that comes with experience. The last lot on the kick spindle bobbin was roughly 60 yrds, think this time it might be a bit more but not sure. I'd like an idea on how many yards I have before I start to ply but winding it around the back of the chair and then winding it around the tupperware box runs more of a risk of birds nests. The less you play with it the less chance of it going haywire.

   The scarf is coming along nicely, I've got 30 inches done already and for a slow knitter that's very good. Hopefully it will be a slow weekend and I can get a couple more feet done, I reckon it will be finished by Wednesday. Famous last words!!! Think I need to throw myself into spinning too so I can get this parcel together at the same time.

  I should be getting a slow cooker/crockpot in a day or two for free so that I can start dyeing again. Can't beat free stuff. I can carry on using the one I already have for food, crockpots are great this time of year for soups and stews. I use mine mainly for making stock with chicken carcases. Add noodles, yummy. I'm hungry now.

  Got the camera charged but haven't taken any pictures yet, the light sucks big time at the moment. I'm not sure I'll have the spinning pictures I said I would have for tomorrow. I'll probably post the baby sock pictures or find something else I have. Its nice to have surprises.

 Have a great day and a fun filled Guy Fawkes night.

Interrupted

   Got my bfl today, pretty darn quick. I've made a small start on the spinning but really need to do much more. I'm getting used to the kick spindle and its a much faster way to spin, though I'm not sure if it spins as tightly as the drop spindles do. My plan is to do half on the kick spindle and half on the drop spindle then ply the two halfs together.

  Discharging the batts. so that I can recharge them for more pictures for the weekend. I'll do some spinning pictures I think, but no promises. ...........

 Sorry the post is late today, I got called away. Now where was I???

  As well as getting the bfl I got the gray yarn I had ordered and also another book, this one is all about arans and cables. I'll write more about the book once I've had a chance to look it over better. From what I've seen so far there are loads of cable patterns for me to knit.

  Going call it quits for now, my minds all blank(nothing new there really). I'll catch you all tomorrow, take care and have a good evening.

Scarfs, scarfs, scarfs, scarfs...

   I've knitted about a foot of the double basket weave scarf , I think I can easily do 6" a day and hopefully a bit more so the two week deadline shouldn't be a problem. I ordered 200g of oatmeal bfl and 100g of white bfl last night so while knitting a lot I still need to spin a lot too. I think if I get it all done before the end of November it shouldn't be a problem.

  On top of doing the scarf and spinning I also need to knit two more scarfs, I'm thinking of doing another double basket weave scarf in the light grey I just bought but this one will be the one with pockets. I need to get some nice red yarn for the flame scarf I want to do, think this one will be for my mom for Christmas. 
   The first double basket weave scarf I did I think I'll give to my sister who has just moved down South. That just leaves the tartan scarf I want to do for my last sister. That's a lot of scarfs and knitting to get done, figure about 6 feet for each scarf, I'm just glad there not plain knit scarfs or I'd go mad with boredom.
  
   Just got back from the vets with more meds for the dog, a months worth this time. I can keep getting the same script for 6 months then we need to see the vet for tests and to decide on what to do next. The meds work out at around £15 a month so not so bad, not sure how much the tests will cost but think they will be a regular thing if he stays on these meds.

   Back to knitting and spinning for me, have a good day folks.

New Scarf.

    Started another double basket weave scarf for my friend in the States. I frogged the first one, didn't like the way it was turning out. The frogged one was started on 4.5mm needles, this new one is on 4mm needles like the original one I did. I'm knitting this double basket weave scarf in the same yarn I used in the original one as well. I figure it will take two weeks, 3 weeks at most but I really want to finish it well before two weeks so I can get it in the post on time for the States. I've already got 6" knitted so if nothing comes up I should be able to do it.

  I also need to spin some yarn for another friend in the States to be posted at the same time, I figure I can get two skeins done or maybe 3. I'm thinking of white and oatmeal bfl but not sending my first one, that's for me. I have made a start on the white bfl on the kick spindle, just need to buy some oatmeal now. I could chose another colour but am uncertain about types of yarn so will stick with bfl for now.

  Well I best get to knitting if this scarfs going to be done on time, also need to see the vet for more meds for the dog but can't find there opening times.

Plyed

  Well I got around to finally plying some of my homespun yarn. I had planned to ply the oatmeal bfl together but one of them exploded and I couldn't find an end in which to start sorting it out. It was very frustrating, I wanted to go Alexander on it and chop the knot in half. I gave up and very carefully searched for an end on the other skein of oatmeal bfl.

  Finding an end on the white bfl was a lot easier than with the oatmeals, lesson learned I really need to be more careful and organised when putting up the yarns. In future I will tie a bit of bright yarn to the ends to make them more easier to find.

  I wrapped the white bfl around a large ish tupperware box and the oatmeal was placed on my skein winder thingy and I plyed with my larger top whorl drop spindle. Next time I think I'll wrap both yarns around tupperware boxes, they seem to work so much better than the skein winder for holding the yarns.

  The results look pretty good, sort of a tweedy yarn about aran weight for the most part, bit more chunky in some places and a bit like dk in others. I got 110yrds from 50g of white bfl and approx. 50g of the oatmeal.

  I've now set the skein in hot water and once its dried I'll take some pictures. I'll also take pictures of my spindles including the kick spindle and put then up for the Saturday post. Well I'll try too.