knitting is as addictive as tattoos

I learned to knit way before I ever even thought of spinning but it was always present in my life. My great Aunt Jo had a flax wheel in her living room that always fascinated me. Aunt Jo was the one who taught me to knit as well! Years later, I would become friends with someone who would introduce me to spinning and I would jump head first into this new fiber art. At least I'll always have yarn to spin (as long as I always have fiber!) I used three wheels now, one a beautiful antique wheel that was gifted to me right before xmas last year. But today, I am focusing on the supported spindles. They are new to me. I started out on an old Clems and Clems wheel. Big and clunky but a good spinner. I got a Louet S10 next and then I found the portability of drop spindles!!! I owned many over the years. Most are gone now, either lent or lost in my moves from one place to another. The only one I could put my hands on was a gorgeous turkish that spins like a dream. When I decided I wante...

i managed to spin enough to ply and knit a hat the other day! yes in ONE DAY! it was supposed to be a hat for hubby, but i adapted a pattern a little too much and it was too small for him - perfect for me though! hats are usually too big for me so that's a good thing! I went to The Spinnery in Frenchtown to search for some bobbins - antique wheels were made more for tight twisted singles made for weaving so you don't usually need several bobbins for plying. The person working (owner?) suggested winding off the bobbin when it's full, then plying from the wound balls. it worked perfectly! and it knit up with great sheen and softness - warm too! i'm planning on spinning and knitting one for hubby tomorrow!

i was gifted this awesome little number this month from a RAK who happens to live close by. i was thrilled to take her home. it came from Czechoslovakia (like my grandmother's family). It left Czechoslovakia in 1945 to avoid the communist takeover. it was then acquired in Germany in 1984. It is now in my home in New Jersey being loved. I also got this awesome drop spindle with some of my Xmas gift money. and the fiber was a gift from my mom. i really need to work on my consistency but it has been a good long while since i've spun so i guess practice makes perfect. i brought the drop spindle to work today, but i have all day tomorrow to have fun!

i actually started knitting some christmas gifts early this year. earlier than ever before! a few of them even got finished! this was my first dish cloth ever: then two of these were made! much more fun and even: these were for my mother and MIL. i even finished a shawl/scarf for myself - my Grinchmas shawl - Grinchmas yarn colorway from Hypnotic yarn and the "Closer to You" shawl pattern on Ravelry. there were a few bits of knitting that didn't get done, my gnomes, the ornaments for my daughter and two scarves. but hey, i got more done that ever! oh - i'm already planning for next year! maybe i'll even start NOW!

For a long time I always wanted to craft for a living. some form of craft, be it quilting, home decorations, cross stitch, knitting, spinning, drawing...anything. I had a dream of opening up a knitting store/cafe in New Hope PA where I lived and I would sit and knit all day while people shopped and knit with us. Maybe someday I can do that, but I am still doing things I love. I am an EMT and I love being on the ambulance, helping folks at often the worst time of their lives. On the plus side, I do get some down time at work to knit! It's holiday season and I am knitting away at several gifts I'm hoping to finish. This one is the hat my grandson Miles wants. He wanted "all the colors" and that's what he got! When I'm done with this one, it's on to his brother's hat!

Friday the 30th was a fun day for my husband and me. We spent the day with our moms visiting thrift stores - a thing my mom and i do a lot, but that his mom now that she is retired wanted to try! we hit several stores and found some very nice things for a lot of folks in the family for general purposes and holiday gifts, some holiday decorations for my husband and my new house and one very special item i could NOT pass up. i saw it wrapped around the shoulders of a dress hanging on a door. the dress was black and it was white...it popped beautifully and had nice drape...i reached up to feel it...mohair! i love mohair! it felt...no, it couldn't be! on closer inspection i knew it was a hand knit shawl and a beauty at that! i took it down knowing i was buying it and wondering who i might have to convince to lend me money if i couldn't afford it. this is such a beautiful pattern! i read the tag...3.99!!! i could afford this all on my own and afford it i did! it ...