Kumihimo Again

My second braid made from some spare ribbon.
I started with 4 pieces of 1/4" double face satin ribbon, cut 6' long. Fold in half and knot. Standard 8 strand braid. Resulting cord was 13" from knot to knot. About 6mm in diameter. I did use weights on this one. Just some spare coins but it definitely helps with tension.

What I'm spinning:

Sweetly soft Merino wool, that I dyed in a pretty blue.

Spin like the wind...

One bobbin done, one to go.

Plying is done. I can't wait to get it off the bobbin to see what it's like. The last part plied was of course part of the first spun. So isn't a true picture of the yarn, as the drafting gave me fits on the first bobbin.

Saturday mornings

Now there are two of the periwinkle and purple merino wool bobbins.

There wasn't enough time to ply so I started on the next bump.

Fiber content: 56s falklands wool.
Colors: burgundy and teals
Hand-dyed by me.
Weight: 7.2oz

Knitting failure happened. I was trying to get just a couple rows in. I was muttering under my breath 'did you forget how to knit?' as I fought the stitches. When I turned to put it away, it hit me, I was continuing the pattern to the sole of the sock so the stitches were extra tight. I've frogged back to the toe to start over. That is just so frustrating. I keep telling myself at least I can frog back and reload the stitches successfully! There was a time, I couldn't.

Purple and mornings...

I am still working on the periwinkle and purple wool. I am almost done with the singles. There is about 1/3 ounce remaining.
This is the first bobbin.

I seem to be sleeping a wee bit later. Of course, forgetting to go to bed might be a factor in that! I worked late trying to get caught up. That never quite happens though, a never ending cycle. That's ok. I like my work, most days anyways. Sleeping just means not as much free time to play. I did spin, which I still think is a grand way of starting the day. I find it peaceful.

Again with the obsession...

I managed to spin again this morning. Sleep? Who needs sleep! Hours later, I still want to spin. I am being good though and doing everything else that needs doing.

I dragged the niddy-noddy out yesterday. This is off the bobbin now.

I'm not crazy about it. It is a low-contrast thick and thin for the simple fact some of the colors just would not draft well. It was a loaded batt so I guess I should have expected that. I didn't have enough to keep experimenting so settled on a backwards draw(modified long draw).

Like usual I have no idea what I will make with it. It's still not washed so it is off to bin camp for a while. I never have enough time so I wash when my bin fills since I prefer to spin or knit.

Yarn details:
Purchased batts of Superfine Merino, Merino 64, Corridale, BFL, Tencel, Silk, Bamboo, Firestar
Before wash: 212 yards, 4.5oz.

On the bobbin currently:
A periwinkle and purple batt I made a year or so ago. It is a slow spin. I am trying for as thin as possible and it is resistant.

Sleep or Spin?

That seems to be the question these days. I woke early yet again. As I sat there trying to decide whether to get up or not, since I had only slept 3.5 hours, I realized I was actually debating which I preferred, sleeping or spinning? Needless to say, spinning won, at least for today.

 

I have decided spinning is my new 'exercise' routine. ha! Yes, I will come up with near about any excuse to play at the wheel. I've been spinning every morning...my legs ache. Not bad, just enough to notice something is different. I was spinning as fast as I could go this morning trying to finish plying some yarn. I swear it was just liking biking up a southern hill. It was worth it. The yarn came out just lovely.

 The photos are before setting the twist so it is still a extra bit bouncy.

Lovely Merino

Up early, yet again, this morning. I started spinning that 'missing' wool. A lovely hand-dyed superwash super fine merino. Oh my, it is lovely to spin. I am getting a very fine, very even, single. It just slips along like butter, a true joy to spin. I am shooting for something in the fingering range. I don't expect any problem getting that as it practically spins itself.

I must remember to take some photos along the way. I never seem to remember to do so then regret it later when I want to replicate something.