Tour De Fleece 2015

Tour De France Fleece 2015 is here!

What the heck is Tour De Fleece?  Tour De Fleece is a spinning event over on Ravelry where you spin fiber in conjunction with the Tour De France. You rest win on rest days.  You challenge yourself on challenge days.  Wear Yellow for Victory!!!!!!  How fun is that?  This year my goals are the same as last year:

Spin at least 30 mins a day

Spin on my Turkish drop spindle

Learn Long Draw

I started the tour with some Threewatersfarm  farm fiber, SweetPea its reminds me of berries.  I managed to finish one Bobbin once I finally was able to sit down at the wheel.  I did have a little help from Lord of the rings:).

I think this fiber will be really pretty once its finally plied as a 3 ply.

Looks like this may be a nice DK weight so that’s exciting!  Feels good to have fiber my hands again.

If you are a spinner I encourage you to participate its a ton of fun and you really build your skills.  See you later…..Ride On!

Toodles!

Emonie

Follow me on Ravelry: Hopkinsstudio

 

 

Yarncon 2015

 

What’s going on peeps!  I have been working on a few things and still battling the eye!  I have an appointment this week and I am so glad.  Amist the eye misbehaving and critical changes at the office I managed to squeeze a little bit.  I went to Yarncon this year and for some reason it was a different experience for me.  I wasn’t overwhelmed and made my purchased carefully.  If you’ve ever been to these types of events lets just say ….you just get stupid.  The fumes take over you and Bam you’ve spent well over your budget.  You know what I mean? So I really felt in control of myself this year:).

Here are my spoils!

Claymates Pottery shop on Etsy

How nice is a handmade mug??  A  mug with a zipper that looks like denim blue jeans…Priceless.

 

Cloudlover odds and ends

My intent was to grab some fiber for my turkish spindle. To consider spinning 4 oz  on a spindle is daunting but little bits and bobs is very doable.

Knit Circus-beautiful gradients

 

 

Yellow and Gray is my favorite color combination.  I saw Knitcircus at Stitches Midwest and they were out of this colorway Brass and Steam.  So I snatched it up this year!

 

Cyborgs Craftroom

 

This photo is not doing this yarn justice.  Meet Hivemind from the cyborgs craftroom.  S-P-A-R-K-L-E.  I wanted to try her yarns for sometime so why not get an Yarncon exclusive colorway.

Hearthside fibers in the calliope colorway

 

Hearthside Fibers…yes confetti cupcake!…right??  When I got home my husband said you should remake your scarf and hat out of that yarn.  Ack….I called them, ordered a second skein, they were kind enough to give me the show special.  Great customer service!

 

 

Can we say Fruitstrip Gum, lol.  Loved this colorway simply had to have it.  The colorway name is Freak Like Me.

That was my yarncon haul for 2015.  One way to keep the hobbies alive is support.  I encourage you to support local events.

Toodles,

Emonie

 

Blueberry Oatmeal

I love it.  This is my first handspun on my new Matchless and let me say I am in love!  The fibers were prepped really well and very easy to spin.  Both were a combination of 85% BFL and 15% Silk.

CorgihillFarms and Spry Whimsy

 

 

2 Bobbins spun on Bluebonnet Wheel. One bobbin spun on Matchless.

All 3 bobbins spun on Matchess……swoon!

Look how pretty!  This was such a great spin.  I had some learning with the new wheel but it spun so smoothly.  My plan is to make this pretty right here, the Serena Shawl.

 

My yarn is wound keep you posted!

Happy Spinning,

Emonie

 

 

These are the days of our lives

Since coming back from Costa Rica I have had a heck of a time!

Saturday: Back from Costa Rica.

Sunday: Left church heading  to pick up the pooch I cracked a filling on my tooth whilst eating Terra Veggie Chips.

Monday:  I woke up with a swollen eye!  wha?????eh…….painful.

Tuesday the  eye went down during the day……itching had begun.

Wednesday quasimodo! Eye barely open.  I went to the Dr and was given some ointment…it took some adjusting.  Think Vaseline in the eye!

Thursday: Headed to the office the bus driver slams on breaks, my ear slams against the metal bar….stunned….ear bleeding as I had my earbuds in my ear preparing to knit

Friday get to the dentist to the repair the filling….deep cleaning needed around the permanent retainer about 5 shots in the gums. Only half was complete.

 

I have had some week now with all that said each incident could have been worse so I thank God for last week and His grace.  Amisdst all that I still tried to find some to create cuteness.

 

On the Wheel(s):

L=Blue Sunset 4 oz BFL (Matchless)

R=Burnt Orange Tonal (Espinner)

On the hook:

 

This is still on the hook!  It may become my office hookin’ not sure.  Also thinking of starting this hat too!

The Knitwit:

My socks are still on the needles sans heels and toes as the yarn  arrived today so  I will dye it up this weekend.  Can’t wait to get those off the needles and wear them.

I have been doing some sewing too!

 

Whew what a week but I am on the mend!

Toodles!

Emonie

 

 

Sunday Spinning and Fellowship

What a great Sunday! It started out with Sunday School we have begun a new study, The Life of Christ….GREAT STUDY! Service today was refreshing Who Knows was the topic as we are continuing our Study on Prayer.  After service we had dinner with our dear friends.  Oh its such a joy to fellowship, dine and talk about the Gospel.   Heart is filled!

After a fulfilling day we made it home about 7 in evening and I took some time to spin.  I have been trying to spin for 15 minutes a day but I don’t push it.  Sometimes I am simply too tired..DO.NOT.SPIN.WHEN.TIRED.  i’m just sayin’. I have learned this.  Back over the summer I purchased The Weeping Angels 2 (5.4oz) colorway from CorgiHill Farms with the hopes of combining it with a Natural BFL I picked up at Midwest Fiber Festival.

 

 

Content:Both Fiber contents are 85% BFL and 15% Silk.

Plan: 3 Ply-I love the way a 3 ply creates a round bouncy yarn.  It’s spinning smoothly on the Matchless and I have been using some of the techniques from my Craftsy Class Drafting Worsted to Woolen-review soon!  I am really enjoying this spin both fibers were combed top and really easy to attenuate and are spinning well.  I have one and a half bobbins left to spin.  My plan is too keep spinning until I am tired so it may be a while before you see my finished yarn.

Here is what I have in mind based on my yardage, the Serena Shadow Shawl by Anatonia Shakland  I love the look of this !

Photo courtesy of Ravelry

 

I have some time off before vacation so I should whip out the last 1 and half bobbins.  Happy Spinning!

Toodles!

Emonie

WIP (Works In Progress) Wednesday!

Good Day to you!

As you know I have been knee deep in creating the Sewing and Fiber Suite.  That  got me to thinking….there are other areas in my life that could use some improvement too.  It reminds me of a remodel…you start with one room and up redoing the entire house..well that’s what happening. I accept the challenge.  Today I would love to share everything… I feel like anything you work on is a Work In Progress…you agree?  Agreed.  So here’s is what I am working on:

On the Needles:

Made this pattern up since i have such an issue with gauge.
Yarn: Aquaman-Gnomeacres

Plain Vanilla Socks
Needles-Addi Turbo Sock rock
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts-True Blood Colorway

Source via Ravelry: Cathy Carron

Hidden Treasusre Cowl
Yarn Knit picks-handyed by me
Needles: Knitpicks Harmony

 

I am swatching for this cardigan to use with some handyed yarn.

 

Hookin’

I have a repair for a customer.  Its a beautiful American Flag very similiar to this.  I have picked up the yarn as the some of the stars have unraveled.  I am testing out a few star patterns to see if I am able to replace those that have unraveled.  Here’s one pattern:

 

Source: Via Ralvery Lydienne

Spinning

A beautiful gradient of Organic Polwarth/Silk Combed Top 4oz in the Cranberry Bog Colorway

Scrappin’

Working on a 6x 8 BestFriend Mini Album

Continuing my Road Trip Series

Organizing

Wrapping Up My Scraproom I will share pictures shortly!!

Bathroom

My Office

Personal/Home -with Planner System

 

Sewing

Curtian Fabric for Scrap room

Craft/DIY

I love this idea! photo source: Etsy

 

Audible

Seeking Allah finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

 

Reading

The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

 

In the Word

Book of John

 

WOW!!! I am tired reading my own list…LOL.  I better get busy!

Toodles!

Emonie

Single Malt Cowl-Using My Handspun

I have been scouring looking for patterns for my handspun.  I hit the jackpot with the Single Malt Cowl designed by Sarah Barbour.

photo via Ravelry

The magic happened!
I can’t believe it. I mean I should believe it but I am in awe.
Guuurrrrlllll just spill it. Ok Ok….squeel!

I spun this beautiful yarn back in mid July during Tour De Fleece.  Check out my project notes HERE.

It was a gradient that I Spun Fractal after reading THIS post on Knitty.  I followed the process and was pretty well  pleased with the finished yarn…..that was BEFORE I saw the finished fabric.  This pattern is great for handspun.

The pattern is free and very easy to follow.

WHAT I DID:

Magic Loop

NEEDLES: Knit picks rainbow 10.5 started 24 cable ended with 47

Mods: YO instead of M1L and M1R

Did 4 row garter at neckline.

 

Highly recommend this pattern for :

Handspun

Anyone learning to work in the round that has made increases before

A quick Knit

A quick gift

Variegated Yarn

Thick and Thin yarn

 Toodles!

Emonie

Top of the Month! Summer Heat and August Violet

Mail.

Yall know I lurve mail.

I Luvrve subscription services too!

As a new spinner I have to say I have fallen in love with ThreeWatersFarm. They announced a Top of the Month Club.…I was in.  I chose the wool version as I am not quite ready for luxury fibers……..YET.

I was in DEEP!  I also purchased the companion colorway, August Violet as well.

Look at these beauties!!!

Photosource: Ravelry

Aren’t they beautiful and vibrant!  The fiber was 4 oz of Finn, which was a new to me fiber.

The Plan:

I saw Qbabe’s project during tour de fleece and I LOVED IT.  She was my inspiration.

A=Summer Heat

B=August Violet

AA-

AB-BB

Spin 400 yards so I could make the Tan Brook House Shawl by Bosten Jen.  Wish me luck!

Source: Ravelry

I  was so careful with this fiber I wanted this project to turn out perfect….ugh well close to perfect. I did my staple length check, made narrow strips and the spinning was on.

So happy to have a consistent drafting triangle.

Here are all the bobbins ready to be plied.

Checking my Wraps per inch

 

Colorway Name: WinterBerries

Weight: DK

2 PLY

Yards 471

All in all the yarn is BEAUTIFUL its my best spin yet and the most yardage.

TAKE AWAYS

8 oz is a lot, LOL.  I found myself becomming impatient as I got to the last combination, AB.  I had to tell myself to take my time.  So maybe next time I mix it up an spin a few ounces of something else or try my drop spindles!

Tour de Fleece made me a better spinner:).

Have my bobbins set aside.  I was so happy to hit the last combinationI forgot that I was suppose to be two plying it and  ended up putting it on one bobbin.  I am to inexperienced to try Andean Plying  so I need to thoroughly plan next time…and get 2 more bobbins for Spinderella.

Can’t wait for next months Reveal!

Happy Spinning!

*PROJECT NOTES HERE*

 

Emonie

Ravely:EmonieDezigns

 

 

 

To Dye For

I have fallen down the rabbit hole.  What else can I learn?  What else can I make or create?  Dying….I must say its a natural progression when you become a spinner…right? RIGHT!  I would love to add that skill to my fiber world so as  way to support my local LYS at  SIFU DESIGN CENTER.

The Dying Class included Natural Dying, Kool Aid and Acid Dyes.  First up Natural dyes using beautiful Marigolds.

Next up Kool-Aid…oh it smelled so good!

 

 

And Finally we used the Jacquard Acid Dyes

 I haven’t been in m LYS in so long it was good to be back and surrounded by all the goodness!  Here was my finished results!

L-R Acid Dyed, Marigolds, Kool Aid and Acid Dyes

I really enjoyed my self and thought the class was great.  If you are interested in Dying there are several resources out there  your LYS, Knitty.com, Hand dying Yarn and Fleece and YouTube.

I will put what I learned into good use this weekend!  See you in the rabbit hole…..

Emonie

Stitches Midwest 2014

Fiber Mecca has come to Illinois again…this time in form of Stitches Midwest. I had a great time last year.   I was captivated by yarn fumes.  This year was different…since it wasn’t my first time I wasn’t really eager to go all buckwild crazy.  Oh that had nothng to do with Stitches it was PLENTY OF FIBER DELIGHTS TO BE HAD BY ALL but I had to check myself.  Wanna know why..see this photo:

Yes you say.

This is all the yarn I purchased last year at stitches I HAVE NOT USED ONE SKEIN insert pitiful here.

Anothercraftygirl, simpliworsted, socksthatrock rare gem mill ends, Miss Babs x2 and the Verdant Griffin

Stithes Midwest is a mix of Indi dyers, local farms  and commercially dyed fibers.  You can purchase yarn, books, fiber, yarn bowls, clay buttons, jewelry, bags, hand creams and even glass nail files.  It is fiber craft paradise.  Wear comfortable shoes, your own handmade knits or crochetwear, and for goodness sake EAT…a banana cost me 3 dollars!  This year I walked through the market/vendor list and mapped out which vendors I was definitely going to see.

This is what I wanted  to purchase:

GnomeAcres-Thor colorway and wood buttons

SockLoom

Stitch markers

Visit the Blue Ridge needle crafts since they were from my home town:)

Knitty in Color

Dragon Fly Fibers

Gradient Set-Possibly for the Tubularity Shawl

Wood Niddy Noddy

Here is what I walked a way with… :

Undyed Falkland, Bow Tie Buttons and stitch markers

Namaste Circular needle holder

Gnome Acres-Aquaman (for Spousie)

BFL

That’s it.  I didn’t find everything I wanted but  enjoyed myself enough to spend 4 hours there:)  Stitches Midwest…see you in 2015!

Toodles!

Emonie