Work to Do

Prepping my next project-2 years worth of angora fiber to spin. Plan to coordinate colors and do separate batches mixed with this beautiful assortment of yak, camel down, alpaca, merino, shetland, tussock silk (that I purchased on Etsy), and baby Bichon from Nolan. The baby Bichon hair will be spun with the tussock silk because they are both stark white.

Nolan and his baby hair

Getting ready to spin

Infinity Scarf

Infinity scarf in progress; double strand of Satin angora and nylon metallic yarn.

Fall on Drummond Island

A quick trip to Drummond Island, Michigan earlier this month-up on Saturday back on Tuesday.  We had planned to stay another day but a "monsoon" blew in on Monday night and we decided not to sit in the cabin all day. Otherwise it was a beautiful weekend with a bit of rain on Monday and some of the best lighting I have ever had there for photography. We hike and fished; didn't catch anything and just puttered around.  It was a good time.  I knitted Nolan a sweater on the way up and later a matching hat for myself.

Knit One...

This past week I have been busy making baby booties for the new three babies in our family. I also made some knitted driving mitts for my godfather who is celebrating his 70th birthday this coming weekend.  The baby booties are 60/40 red satin angora and cream alpaca.  The driving mitts are 100% blue-faced leicester wool and are very warm. Hoepfully the recipients will love them as much as I do. Amazing what one can accomplish without the distraction of a computer. Ours in in repair hopefully coming out today.

Mass Production

My girl Vesper sure can grow the fiber. Here she is after being groomed yesterday; surrounded by the fiber that I pulled out of her.  And as much as there is on the grooming table there is still three times that much on her body. She's the best wooler I've ever had. Sits very patiently while being groomed and is just an easy going  doe. Crazy up and down temperatures and weird weather is inducing molt in my rabbits and I don't want to take their coats all the way off because I think we are still going to have some chilly temperatures.  I'm saving all that I get this spring to mix together and handspin into yarn of 100% angora.

The Warmest Mittens Ever Made

I finally made the time to knit some mittens for myself. Just in time for the dumping of snow that we received the last week of December, my friend Maureen sent me a super easy pattern and I used a 4 ply angora/alpaca yarn to make them. This yarn was made with red Satin Angora fiber from my girls and cream alpaca from my SIL's alpacas. They are super warm.  I've worn them out in the wind and snow and they are the warmest mittens I've ever had.  Next project is a sweater vest but it may take me some time to get myself motivated to start a larger and more time consuming project that is sure to sit and stare at me until I get it finished. LOL

 Modeling my new mittens

 

Yarn processed by Stonehedge Fiber Mill

Knitting Help

I knitted a Convertible Center Row Lace Headband/Neckwarmer for myself this past week. I used a double strand of lace weight angora/alpaca blend. My plans are to use it as a neckwarmer with the new black leather coat that I got for Christmas but I also like the way it looks as a headband.  In any case my new little buddy Tafari loves to sit on my shoulder and he is very curious and wants to get his little beak into what ever he can find that is nearby. He loved playing with the yarn that I was using for knitting. 

Griffin Gets A New Coat !

My friend Robs Bichon Frise has never had a coat. Griffin is 14 now and I decided he needed one  (mostly because I was looking for a way to return a favor that Rob had done for me and though this would be something he would like).  I requested and Rob sent Griffin's measurements and I altered Daisy's coat pattern especially for him (Griffin weighs 6 pounds less than Daisy).  They got the coat today and I am happy to report that Bichon and owner are both pleased. I was hoping he would have it to wear to grandma's on Thanksgiving.

Fashion Diva

I finished knitting Daisy's coat last evening. The yarn is an angora/BFL blend (what else).  She seems to like it and she sure looks cute wearing it. Next up - hat's for holiday charity endeavors at Andrew and my work places.

The Legend of the White Buffalo

My aunt in Colorado is the bookkeeper for a gentleman and his wife who have several businesses including a wild game ranch where they raise white buffalo. When we were out there this summer Janet brought me a large bag of their wool. I washed, spun and knitted it into a scarf. It has a bit of a course texture but is lovely wool. The native Americans revered the white buffalo. I found this website which tells the story. The animals themselves are quite an imposing sight-its no wonder the native Americans were in awe of them.