Process knitter

Processes are fascinating. A few weeks ago I was privileged enough to hear a speech by Franklin Habit at the mn knitters guild. It was AMAZING and gave me a greater appreciation of this trait I feel that we share (and I have it to a much smaller degree). Wanting to understand the creation of something by starting from the most basic element and going through every process to learn how each portion is created leading up to the creation of the finished product.

To me, in my knitting, that means understanding and working with sheep fleece, roving vs. top, spinning, twist, dyeing, and multiple cool knitting styles. To this end I have purchased spindles and top to learn spinning. Many thanks to the lovely people submitting to youtube for the tutorials (I learned from you)! I have purchased a spinning wheel and WAY more cormo top than I need (but absolutely love)! In a corner of my apartment also sits a bag of Greener Shades dyes for when I finally take the plunge and dye some of this handspun loveliness that I create each summer. In another corner are cones of mercerized cotton that go with my knitting machine - because I wasn't far enough down the rabbit hole.

See it? Somewhere at the bottom of all the things is a rabbit.

And it's a deep rabbit hole. Of course I tell myself that all these acquisitions are to further my understanding of my materials and provide better finished products.

I am sure that these skills do lead to more knowledge that in some way informs my decisions in my projects.

But I can't hide it from myself any longer ... I shall finally confess, I just love everything that has to do with wool. There is a compunction deep inside that must, I must do all these things related to wool. These things are fascinating, worth trying, and investing.

My current project, which has been the topic of many blog posts, is the perfect example. The cloudberry cardigan is a beautiful mix of fiber, designing, and knitting. It's all three ... Three spokes of the process.

And the process continues. I've finished a small skein so the sleeves may commence. Please enjoy this small glimpse into my love of the process.

So, I don't own a niddy-noddy (that wooden thing for creating hanks of handspun yarn and I don't know how it works). I discovered years ago that I could create hanks of yarn by winding them around my swift. That stick thing in my hand? That is my favorite wooden spoon ... Best tool ever.

Here is the new hank that has not had a bath yet, setting the twist. When done I measured (and this new thing I just learned!) the twist is about 20 degrees. I'll soon create my own gauge thing to measure the twist. Sort of like a compass, way cool.

The creamy hank after it's bath. You can still see the bits of fluff and fuzz that didn't spin tightly. And I like it. It's not perfectly smooth ... But I love the look of the sweater and that is what matters.

Now I have 180 yards more for the sweater ... And need to keep spinning. From the math I guess that I need another 400 yards or so for the sleeves and the rest of the body. The process continues. Each time one phase ends another begins up continuing on in the cycle of crafts and creation.

 

In other quick news I finished the lovely thing with the glorious buttons ... But as it's a gift here is my favorite picture that doesn't show what it actually became. Sorry.

So, happy holidays and

Be excellent to each other!