Hand Felted Brooch

This was a fun brooch I made. A long piece of felt with added coloured pieces added at random.

Felted using the wet method, let it dry and then rolled it into a circle. I then sewed them together and added a brooch clip at the back. It is 20 cm from top to bottom. click on it to see the colours.

Cardigan for Charlie

Above photo is of the Hand spun yarn I made in preparation for Charlies cardigan.

I did a rough sample of what I would need in weight and needed almost 500gms.

I spun it up and then dyed it with Brown, Red and Blue

Next was my challenge to find a pattern. I looked at many patterns but used fine wool, as mine is thick and chunky I had to do a bit of maths and with a few sample pieces.

I am happy with the final result and must write down instructions in case I need it for later and increase the stitches as he grows up.

Cotton "Sea Island"

No these are'nt those "naughty plants" This is my first attempt to grow from seeds "Sea Island Cotton". I am hoping that they grow and produce cotton for me to spin with.

The top photo, the cotton plant is about 4 weeks old (I forgot to write down when I planted the seeds.) The below photo I only planted the seeds 24th Feb 08 and I have some new babies.

Now I have to find room in my garden to plant them out. Can't wait to pick the cotton!!

Easy Striped Beanies

These Easy Striped Beanes I knitted up using my handspun wool "busy with hand spun wool" Look at the great striped effect it gives without that annoying job of joining in different coloured yarns. Used my Denise Interchangeable Circular Needles and Double Pointed Needles so no seams to sew up, except when I first start using straight needles to Cast On and at the end use a needle and left over yarn to finish off the top part of the beanie.

Busy with Handspun wool

What fun I have been having with spinning and dyeing. The top photo I have dyed the wool first into separate different coloured tops. From each top I have taken about 1 metre lengths.

Then using each colour I have selected I spin up in a continuous yarn in a random order.

I am hoping shortly to show what I have knitted and the effect it has. Stripes without joining

so many different yarns saving time on weaving in the ends.

The bottom photo I have the white which I left, but have plied with white and silver yarn.

The pink is "Landscape : Poppy" and just love the result leaving plenty of white as with the black and white. The burnt red and green is a new colour scheme for me. The black and green and black and purple just happened as I was experimenting. I told you I was having fun.

Very French Berets

I had a lovely day when it was pouring rain outside and what else could I do, but go to my stash of hand spun, dyed merino yarns and knit up berets. Even the white looks great and think how many outfits it would go with. Wear on a coolish day for lots of style or those bitter cold days pop on your coat and beret and be the talk of the town.

Colours Top; L: Red, R: Egg Yolk and Brown. Middle; L:White and R:White. Bottom; L: Green Mixed, R: Purple & Orange Mix.

Old Spinning Wheel -Unknown ?

I purchased this spinning wheel from a seller who was not able to give me information of its origin. I guess it is reasonable Old. I loved the cut outs on the wheel.

I would love to hear from anyone who can help me give it a name and where it came from.

It could be hand made from a private person. Its construction is very sturdy, solid and works with precision. The foot pedals are connected together not individually.

I have not used it very often but shortly I will spin up a yarn on it.