Winter cowl

My own design, with bulky yarn and big needles.  This was a quick knit, with slip stitch color work, and it practically knit itself!

This cozy beauty is a commission peice, and I'm sorry I won't get to keep her!  

The newest member of the flock!

The Art of Spinning Wheel Maintenance

I'm fortunate to have a guy who's willing and able to tinker with new spinning wheels I acquire. This one was given to me recently by his mother.  With a little love, it should be up and spinning.  Until then, it sits looking pretty in my studio. 

My hometown Holiday bazaar.

I had fun selling my natural dyed handspun, a few shawls and other items at my local HEA Holiday bazaar.  I took my spinning wheel along, spun a bit, and made a lot of new friends...what a great day!  Thanks to all who came to say hello, and to those who wanted to take something home made by me. 

In gratitude, Babbs

Filemot shawl

Here is my finished Filemot shawl on display at The Yarn Studio in Casey, IL where I purchased the yarn, a merino-silk blend, Spud & Chloe Fine, in the Shitake colorway.  I loved making this once I got into the rhythm of the lace pattern, and was even able to work on it on a road trip to New York. 

The Yarn Studio loved it too, and shared it on their Instagram feed!

It's already packed away in a box for a very special person ;) 

Indigo socks

I seem to be on an indigo kick lately.  

These socks, made of sport-weight wool from the Sonoma coast (Bodega Pastures) that I dyed with indigo, took just over two months to complete.  See previous post for an explanation.  They are my own design which I made up on the fly, and I really do love them.  

These will keep my toes very warm in the upcoming colder months.  I worked them from the toe up, separately, until I reached the lace portion on the leg.  I then joined them, and worked them together on two long circular needles. 

Happy indigo toes!!!

An Alabama Chanin Handmade Wardrobe

My current obsession with creating all things Alabama Chanin has temporarily slowed down any  knitting progress.  I didn't see this obsession coming.  In fact, I bought a sewing machine recently, and right away bought a companion sewing book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design.  I could have looked closer at the subtitle (A Guide to Hand-Sewing an Alabama Chanin Wardrobe) to realize that this book is all about sewing by hand, and there is nary a mention of a sewing machine anywhere among its beautiful pages.  Nonetheless, I picked up my needle and thread, dove straight in, and fell in love.
All of the patterns recommend using 100% Organic Jersey fabric which you can purchase from the Alabama Chanin store.  I need to hone my skills before cutting into something so special and pricey, and so I went to my local thrift store and bought several XXL men's t-shirts.  I used my seam ripper to cut them at the seams, and was able to harvest ample yardage to start on several small projects.  The first project is the Fitted Top, in navy blue jersey:
 

 

It was a joy to create.  The art of "slow sewing" is right up my alley.  

And the best part is, it fits!  And I love it!