Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Another 1st Handspun

..... no, this is not a repetition of my previous post. This is another 1st handspun with a wheel! I joined our local spinning guild & rented a wheel .....


It's a Sickinger & is quite small so it's just right for me. For the past 3 weeks, I have been sitting out on my patio, listening to all the oldies on the radio & spinning away .....


.... it is just so relaxing, although not at first when I was getting to know the wheel. I managed to spin 2 bobbins of Meridian wool in silver grey & dark grey ....


.... then I had to ply the 2 singles together & I had this bobbin of 2 ply wool .....


It was so exciting to see the finished product (although I can see several areas of imperfection). I weighed it & measured the length .....

.... I have a skein of 130 gms of 2 ply handspun wool & there's more than 500 yds in that skein ! I was so amazed that in 3 weeks (I did not spin everyday) I managed to spin so much but I did realised that I was spinning quite thinly. I am so happy with this wool & I can't wait to knit something out of it. I know there are lots of stuff that I have to learn about spinning but I think this is a good start.

Now I have to buy a wheel as I want to spin more & I have to return this wheel to the guild. I can't wait to get my own wheel !

Don't worry, this post is not all about spinning as I am still knitting. I pulled out my Hemlock Ring from the basket as my niece wanted a blanket. So I thought I will finish off the Hemlock Ring which I cast on 1.5 years ago. I don't know why I kept it for so long as it just took me a week to finish it off .....


.... but the blocking nearly killed me. It was so difficult to stretch out the feather & fan portion & then to pin each & every one of the cast off loop. It took me 1.5 hours ! But it was worth the effort when I stood back & saw the beautiful blanket.

It's hugh as it measure 46" across the diameter & I just love it. I was so worried that I will run out of yarn but I had enough - 8 balls of Jo Sharp DK wool which has been discontinued & I still have 1 ball left.


I love this edging as it's so pretty & really finished off the blanket well. I am so in love with this blanket & can see myself knitting on the couch next winter with this gorgeous blanket on my lap. I don't think I can give it away ..... I have to knit another blanket for my niece

7 comments:

Rachel said...

I remember blocking my Hemlock...unpleasant! But it's such a beautiful blanket once blocked and yours is no exception. I never thought of making a 2-toned one...it works well with the pattern!

Kate/Massachusetts said...

Oh Ann, you've been a very busy lady! Beautiful handspun and doubly beautiful afghan! Great job!

Roseann said...

Your Hemlock Ring is gorgeous!!! I love that you are spinning on a wheel now. Your yarn turned out beautifully, you must be so pleased with it, I can't wait to see what it becomes.

Michelle Lee said...

Looks like you've got bitten by the spinning bug!!! Hehehe

I love love love your patio!!!! What a nice spot to knit/spin :)

Your hemlock ring blanket is gorgeous!!!!! I will have to make that one day.

Rose Red said...

How lovely to sit out on the deck and spin! And you did a great job on the yarn, I think you are a natural!

Maybe your next lovely Hemlock Ring can be made of your handspun!

Bogie said...

Lovely spinning & knitting! What type of wheel do you think you'll get?

Sue said...

Oh it is so pretty. I really want to knit one of those one day.