Cold and crafty days

Here is a simple embroidery or tapestry frame that I have snagged for a band weaving loom. I am practising my pick-up technique, something I used to do a lot of as a child. It is not hard to do, but it will take a while for my edges and tension to be even. It's really quite fun though. I am using cotton for both warp and weft.

 

 

 This photo is of the WooLee Winder on my Polonaise wheel . We have been working together ( machine and I) to make a gorgeous single out of merino wool.

 

The glamour shot.

 

The lustre and soft, sexy shot.

 

The fiber I am using is from Fat Cat Knits in New York state. Here's what it looks like in the braid (combed top). I have bought a fair bit of it. I suspect I will be  making at least a two ply yarn, although 3 ply is calling out to me.

After my art yarn play time of a couple of weeks ago I still had some alpaca woolen singles left over. Today I plied that with a Lionheart ladder yarn called Trellis. The latter was a very excellent thrift store find. I like how the little metallic looking flags in the novelty yarn offset the smooshy softness of the white alpaca.

 

It almost looks like a beaded yarn.

And on the knitting needles is sock number two of the Turkish sock saga. I knit this up as a sample for a class I recently taught. I haven't yet blocked or woven in ends. Maybe I will get some better shots once the pair are totally done.

With temperatures just around freezing and damp weather on top of the chill, Texas is experiencing what passes for a hard winter here. We have not had snow yet this winter. But there is a little ice out there. Stay warm and stay crafty!