So, what has the first have of 2011 looked like from a fiber perspective -
Fibery -
- Don’t buy as much yarn as last year Getting there, although most of my stash acquisition was during the summer and fall, however, I have been more selective on what I buy which I think it the main issue of my stashing, it was somewhat mindless, now I try to get only things for projects and things that are too great to miss out on. I elaborated about my stash back on Day 3 of Knit and Crochet Blog Week and a few weeks earlier.
- Spin regularly and improve my spinning techniques Since the start of the year I have spun about 1062g (or just about 2.3lb) of fluff. I have spun from both batts and combed tops, done both woollen and worsted styles of drawing, done singles, two-plys, three plys and chain-plys. I have even done some art yarn, although most of it has been a result of mistakes and flubs, although I did make a coil yarn, something I won't do again for a while. My spinning is getting more consistent, but I still have so much to learn and more bobbins to buy at some point.
- Try out dyeing so that I can cut down the cost of spinning I have all the tools, but haven't had the initiative or the space to dye, however with it finally being summer I may try some outdoor solar dyeing.
- Improve the techniques I learned this year, including stranded colorwork, lace and cables I have done some cables without a cable needle using Glenna C's directions which rocks, and she has videos! I had originally learned how to do cabling without a cable needle for the Shifting Silt Scarf I made for my grandpa for Christmas. Also, I did some more advanced stranding (which better results) making my Endpaper Mitts this spring. I did circular lace in my Christmas Shawl and short rows with my Annis Shawl.
- Learn new techniques, like intarsia, double knitting, and others I have not thought of yet. I am a process knitter, as opposed to a product knitter, so I am drawn to new techniques. So far I have tried sock making, which has ended with me doing two at a time toe up socks. I made a pair of mittens where I just used the pattern as a guideline.
- Try out crochet, I love the idea of being as bi (tri?) craftual as possible, or just become the Capt. Jack Harkness of crafting. I am crocheting and loving it, my crocheted hexagon blanket is moving along.
- And, make a pair of mittens a month, like so many self-imposed sock of the month clubs. - I haven’t picked the patterns yet, but the first two pairs to finish will probably be my current WIPs (which include cabling for one, and colorwork/doubleknit for the other). -I think that half the mittens will come from the Woodlands Mitten Kit from Knit Picks. Which includes six charts for mittens and enough Palette yarn to make them. This has NOT happened and is unlikely to happen, however I do need to get cracking and making the Woodlands Mittens, because I want to wear the October pair in October.
- Document my fibery activities (knitting, spinning, felting, dyeing?, crochet?) with better pictures and blog posts. I think this has been happening, with my FO posts, WIP Wednesdays and hopefully Fiber Friday starting up soon (the spinning version of WIP Wednesday) I have been more diligent about documenting all the fun I have been having.
So where does this leave us? I am going to make some bold proclomations about the second half of 2011, which we will check in on New Years Eve so I can make my plans for 2012.
I will:
- Knit something out of my handspun yarn
- Spin a yarn intentionally for a specific project
- NOT do any commission knitting
- Make a fancy pair of socks (either a Glenna C or Cookie A pattern)
- Make a pair of thrummed mittens
- Design a Pattern
