Roses

Little drawing of Roses on my desk on a piece of gessoed masonite, micron pen, 4" x 6"

The Cardigan... It Worked Out Pretty Good

I thought it was about time I posted about the alpaca and wool fiber I spun up last summer

(see this post for beginning of the spinning process : https://gwenbuchanan.blogspot.com/2019/05/heading-into-my-little-studio-early.html 

I handspun on my traditional Ashford wheel.. such a simple dependable tool... I love working with it.

 skeins done up after removing from the clothesline

on the skeinwinder... another dependable tool

using the ball winder here to make it easier to use the yarn.. 

It keeps the loft in the yarn as it is not wound on too tightly

beginning pics of the knitting/experimenting on the wool/alpaca blend... I really enjoyed the entire process...  

still hoping it will turn into a cardigan.

At first I was going to make a knit purl diamond design across the body of the sweater, but it seems the yarn has so much colour/texture that they would disappear so I am just doing stockinette stitch on the body and an interesting ribbing for the bottom of the sweater and the sleeve cuff. 

 I persevered with my limited knowledge and made the 2 fronts and the back

 seamed them together at the shoulder and picked up the stitches for the sleeves from the bodyback and front side seams ( before sewing together) 

Well, surprisingly, I finished knitting my  cardigan.. 

...can't believe I did it.. 'cause I do not know how to knit a cardigan.. 

took measurements from a very worn out old shirt, scribbled notes on several sheets of paper...

I did not know what I was doing but I just kept knitting, changing things as I went along...

 I did not know how to make buttonholes or a real collar... but it eventually turned into a cardigan!!! 

...took 3 weeks.... and I am really missing working on it. 

 

It actually fits and is really warm... I'm pleasantly boggled ...I think I love it!

A big Thank You to all the YouTube people who share your knowledge..

Happy 2020 Everybody

After we put our new years's apple pies together, my son, Max the tattoo artist, and I, started playing with the remaining dough and did a bit of decorating.

I liked Max's "Crow" pie  the best... 

But they both tasted super delicious.

The best of the new year to everyone... Time moves too fast so make yours exciting and special !!!