My focus has changed some since I last wrote in this space. During the previous month my world was all about making toys for selling in my shop as well as at a few holiday fairs. Then while knitting a gnome mama doll I suddenly stopped mid stitch and realized that toy making is usually fun for me, but at that moment it was anything but fun. It felt like a chore; something to cross off a list and not in a good way. Usually at this time of year I really get into making lists of what to make, ordering yarn and knitting, knitting, knitting lots of toys. This year it wasn't jibbing for some reason so I decided to stop knitting toys right then and there and take a break to spin some roving into yarn. My husband was thrilled with the idea of no holiday fairs by the way. As he is my support for caring for our son, dog and house before (I always seem to need more knitting time) and during these fairs it can a lot of stress for him too. This year I will only sell toys in my shop on Etsy and hope my inventory can keep up with sales. It's a big relief.
Spinning is a great relaxer for me. If I go too long I can tense up and get sore muscles, but usually it really sets me in a good mood both body and soul. Compound that with rainbows and you 've got a heck of a Ann feel good combo going on. The rainbow wool is a blend of domestic (to the US) sheep's wool and is plant dyed by Judy at Mamajudes and the undyed brown Jacob sheep's wool comes from Almapark also on Etsy. The yarn came out to a DK weight with a whooping 328 yards! It will make a long rainbow gradient from red to purple and I'm really hoping whoever buys it will send me a picture of their completed project. You can see the yarn's listing here.
In the last photo is a view of my new yarn labels designed by my fabulously talented friend and graphic designer Emily. She made them as stickers for me to attach to whatever paper I like to create the label; since my skeins very in thickness it's great to have the flexibility this allows. I'm also exited to use them to seal wrapping tissue on gifts - oh the versatility! As you can see I'm still working on my photo taking and they still look a bit dark, but I don't seem to have a good location in my house for picture taking. Where do you take your photos of your creations?
Joining in with Fibre Arts Friday and with Linda for Creative Friday.
Beautiful yarn. But how do you figure the yardage of hand spun? I'm a spinner but have never figured that out. Do you use the distance around a yarn winder? Do tell. :-)
ReplyDeleteI count how many wraps I make around my Niddy Noddy when skeining it up off the bobbin. One wrap is 60 inches (some Niddy Noddys are a full 2 yards so check yours.) So, I multiple the amount of wraps by 60 then divide by 36 (inches in a yard) and voila your yardage. It's pretty accurate too I find. Hope that helps!
DeleteThank you so much!
DeleteI love this! I have just spun my first ever gradient and tickled to see how different yours is (of course, given that I used totally different fibres and methods!)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I'd love to see your gradient yarn. I have only done a few, but I know there are other techniques for gradients I'd like to learn.
DeleteYour yarn is beautiful and the labels are rock star! Wishing you great shop sales in the upcoming months.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love your shop on Etsy with all your scrumptious fiber especially that coffee mocha brown - yum!
DeleteThat yarn is so cool! Rainbow Dash would approve;)
ReplyDeleteLove your new labels, too.