Yarn

Recycled Yarn

stargrace September 2, 2020 No Comments

I’ve never really thought about how much waste we create with clothes – but I’ve started to. There’s an Etsy vendor called The Frogger Niagara who recycles pure wool clothing from 2nd hand shops, and sells the yarn once it’s cleaned. I’ve made a few purchases from her now, and the yarn is lovely to work with and is typically a sort of luxury fiber that I wouldn’t be able to regularly afford. Pictured above is 50% wool, 40% angora, 10% nylon in sport weight. I’ve also purchased some lace weight from her in cashmere, and while I don’t have any projects in mind for them yet, I can’t wait to knit it up – so soft!

Slouchy Hat

stargrace August 31, 2020 No Comments

I recently knit myself a slouchy hat using some of my handspun yarn from Three Waters Farm. I absolutely love how it turned out. It’s a merino / tencel blend and I did it up in a three ply. Not only was it one of my best spins ever, it just knit up so beautifully.

I’m quickly learning that just because a batt or skein LOOKS good doesn’t always necessarily mean I’ll enjoy working with it. I’ve come across more than my fair share of hard to work with materials. I’m also learning which one are a dream to process, and what price I’m willing to pay for that.

Knitting Yarn

One Sock Done

stargrace August 29, 2020 No Comments

I finished knitting one of my cable socks and now I need to knit the second one (I’ve cast it on and started the ribbing so far). Hopefully it doesn’t take me too long to finish up, I love how these turned out. Next on my needles? Not sure, but I’m thinking a sweater or cardigan of some type. Winter is coming, after all!

Knitting Yarn

Clark Sock Progress

stargrace August 22, 2020 No Comments

It won’t be too long until I’m onto the toes! Then it’s time for sock two…

Spinning Yarn

Alpaca That Up

stargrace August 14, 2020 No Comments

I recently participated in an auction hosted by a Canadian alpaca farm – and in my eagerness to ensure I won ‘something’ I ended up winning -9- fiber auctions (each for an amazing price) and a little over 6 pounds of fleece. Oh. My. I am REALLY looking forward to this fiber. Alpaca is fantastic for those who suffer from wool allergies because there’s no lanolin in the fiber, and typically those who are allergic to wool have no reaction to alpaca.

The fiber also has a few other unique properties – each fiber strand is hollow, and it provides more warmth than wool. It does have a few downsides, like it has little elasticity, and doesn’t hold shape very well – but I’m hoping to knit a hat and mitten set for me and my husband, and maybe for friends / family depending. I have no doubt it will come in handy here in our Northern post. I’ve never spun 100% alpaca before, but I did knit a part of socks using alpaca, and I loved them (and learned not to put them in the wash, next time). Fingers crossed I don’t have too much of a wait!

Recycled Yarn

Slouchy Hat

One Sock Done

Clark Sock Progress

Alpaca That Up

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