knitting is as addictive as tattoos

at least in my case! I fractured my hip back in February. I've been out of work since the end of that month. I'm an EMT so sitting around is only a part of what I do! I'm usually very busy for the other parts. It's driving me crazy as I am not only out of work, but I am NON WEIGHT BEARING. For the first month, I focused on spinning. As my last post mentioned, I got a supported spindle, or five...and spun enough to ply on my new drop spindle... I've spun up quite a bit on those spindles! I made some baby booties and a hat! and started a new shawl - I also finished my gnomes - one I started last year and one that I managed to make IN TIME FOR A MKAL START AND FINISH! That's a completely new one for me. And then...another completely new to me thing - creating my own design. I couldn't finish the other shawl because I need a longer needle and can't get one until this week. I was searching for a half circle design. I tri...

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!