The Knitting Shepherdess

2011-11-23T11:15:00.000-05:00

I am forever looking up mm on the 'net to find what needle size I need for knitting. Here is a great chart for just that!!

Knitting Needle Sizes for US, UK, European and Older US Needles

Civil war shawl continues

2010-09-16T12:59:00.000-04:00

Civil War Shawl

2010-09-13T13:54:00.000-04:00

I hand spun a lamb's fleece for this shawl on my production wheel, on my Ashford Kiwi and some on my Trindle drop spindle. It was all plied together on my Louet. I spun close to a pound for this shawl.

The Civil War Shawl was designed by Suzanne Puffpaff. It was published in Cast On, winter/spring 2001. There is a knit along going on at Yahoo! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CivilWarShawlKAL/

Purl 3. Takes a little patience.

As I knit more, I will post more. I can honestly say that this is the first shawl that I have ever knit that has ribbing in it!

Natural gas commercial

2010-03-24T13:02:00.001-04:00

Making Of Natural Gas

2010-03-24T12:59:00.000-04:00

Crocheted Tess Shawl

2010-02-27T06:02:00.002-05:00

Shawl #4 done for Ravelry's 10 shawls in 2010. I love this shawl!! I can't wait to do her knitted version. I used our 70% wool/30% mohair sock yarn to knit this shawl. I dyed it in skein form in indigo (colored) dye. Apparently, I had it tied a little too tight. So you can see lighter spots. But, that is fine. It will look fantastic with jeans. (-;

3 of 10 shawls (done in January) for the 10 shawls in 2010 challenge.

2010-01-31T10:00:00.007-05:00

Eva's shawl-http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evas-shawl

I used some of my stashed handspun for this shawl. Years ago, I had carded some wool, thrown in some colored fleece/wool and some one ply handspun silk yarn. I spun it, skeined it, washed it, and then put it away (after it was dry of course!). When I saw this pattern on Ravelry, I felt this yarn would work. I am happy with the results.

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The Dane Shawl-http://knitjaneknit.blogspot.com/2009/06/dane-shawl.html

Knit on size 6 needles with my handspun wool/alpaca. 350+ yards.

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The Sleuthing Shawl-http://web.archive.org/web/20080120020014/pumamouse.com/crochetshawl.html

Started January 14th, finished January 20th.
6 skeins of Lan Grossa Bouclerino, 80% Merino (Extra Fine)/20% Polyamid.

I did 34 rows instead of 44, and 3 rows of border instead of 5. I also used a size I instead of the recommended H. It is 86" from tip to left/right hand top. It is 47" from bottom tip to top, and 7'2" across the top.

This shawl reminds me of my great-grandmother. She is the one who taught me all of the needle arts that I use today. And she did granny squares. This shawl is going to feel like a giant soft hug to whomever the receiptant should be.

Ravelry challenge-10 shawls in 2010

2010-01-05T07:18:00.004-05:00

I failed miserably on the knit from your shelf 2009. Hopefully I can still fulfill that for 2010, but with all shawls. Some of the patterns will be from my shelf, but ones that I have downloaded.

My first shawl for 2010 will be the Dane Shawl by Jane Tanner knit in handspun wool with alpaca. Pictures to come later...

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dane-shawl

Fingerless gloves

2009-12-20T08:03:00.004-05:00

I was requested to make a pair of fingerless gloves for Jennifer Carson, the Dragon Charmer. They were made with a thick & thin cotton yarn. They have 'tendrils' on each of the openings. The pattern will be available someday...I will let y'all know when and where. (o;

http://www.thedragoncharmer.com/thedragoncharmer.com/Welcometothedragoncharmer.com.html

They look much better on Jennifer!!

Knit from your shelf 2009 on hold

2009-10-09T19:23:00.002-04:00

I've not had time to work on the sweater I started as I have been busy spinning and knitting for others. And...I may have another knitting gig coming up. These are all paying jobs, so those come first and I come last.

BUT....2010 is my year. The Shetland fleeces and roving is yelling my name from the walk in cedar closet, and all the knitting I've put on hold is calling also.

So. I guess it will end up being Knit from your shelf 2010 for me. I was so hoping to keep up with this. )o:

2009-10-09T19:22:00.001-04:00

Your Socks Say You're Alluring

You Are:

- Quite dazzling

- A lively person

- Known as exciting

- Warm and open

The Socks Personality Test

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

Mohair

2009-09-01T07:59:00.002-04:00

I am going to try spinning some of my mohair according to her directions. When life slows down again that is. Winter is coming......

http://ronanfibers.com/ronanfibers_008.htm

This website is a wealth of information about mohair!!

Knit from your shelf 2009-continued

2009-03-19T09:38:00.006-04:00

This is what I started to knit in January for the Knit from your shelf 2009 challenge. Needless to say, I got bored and it got set aside... )o:
I have started binding off for the cap of the sleeve, but haven't finished...yet. Jerry has to shear this Sunday, so this will come with me to get finished. Maybe I will have time to start on the fronts while we are on the road.

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I have not stopped knitting though. I am working on socks from 3 of our yarn lines and I am knitting through my wool stash (commercial yarn) making hats and toys.

My kettle dyed worsted weight wool yarn. I started with 400 yards and got one pair of socks for Jerry and I believe I will have the same size socks for me when it is done. I did these both toe up with different heels. Jerry's socks went into the wash (hot wash/cold rinse) with the laundry and survived without shrinking. They just softened up and look slightly 'furry' compared to the one in process.
My wool/llama worsted weight yarn. Natural colored and dyed.
My kettle dyed wool/mohair sock yarn.
My hand dyed wool/nylon sock yarn.
3 of the socks from our own yarn that I need to finish.

One of my 'green' grocery bags. Right now it is holding the socks that need to be finished. Jerry will be shearing a lot soon, so this bag will sit in the Jeep and I will finish them up during shearing season.

Hats are something I can do in my sleep and work well when stuck in the car. And they are something I will sell at my Farmer's Markets.

This is a new to me book that was not (yet) on my shelf. But, they are things that I've not knit before (toys), and I needed something different to do. Garter stitch is one of those boring things, but great for down time, which is something I need right now.

knitting socks with our kettle dyed worsted weight yarn

2009-03-03T09:30:00.005-05:00

A couple of years ago I dyed a bunch of my worsted weight yarn that Zeilinger's Wool Company spun for us straight off the cone. This particular cone, after dyed, weighed 1# 12.2 oz. I had it for sale for the last few years, thinking it would make someone a great sweater.

Well...I decided to start knitting socks for Jerry and I from our yarns (all 5 lines!) and writing patterns as I go. I skeined off 400 yards from the main skein to knit these socks. I used a toe cast on that I used to use, but had gotten away from in going with the flow of the rest of the toe up knitters who use the figure 8 cast on. Nothing against this cast on! It does look nice, but mine looks nicer. (o;

I also decided to use the traditional heel flap, instead of the usual short row heel, in reverse. It looks good and fits wonderfully.

I started out with 12.6 oz and 400 yards. The sock weighs 5.9 oz and the left over is 6.7 oz. It is 10 1/4" from toe to heel and an 8" cuff.

I will be making another pair from the left over for myself. I plan to do the same toe and heel, but I will be doing something a little different. Stayed tuned.

OH! There are 2 skeins of this yarn for sale at etsy. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21788570

Ravelry and stash knit down 2009

2009-01-13T08:30:00.002-05:00

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/stash-knit-down-2009

If you belong to Ravelry and have a stash, like I do, you should consider joining this group. There is a personal sock club 2009 that I personnally will do this year. This is an excerpt from the moderator-For those of you who are new to this, the idea is that you package up sock yarn from stash and a pattern for each month of the year. Put each project into a plain, unmarked paper bag such as a lunch bag, seal it up, and pick one on the first of the month. Voila! A sock surprise!

I think I will work on that this week while watching TV with my husband. I probably have enough for 2 a month.........And this will work with the knit from your shelf project as well. I have lots of sock books that I have purchased and not knit from. Hmmm............I can 'kill 2 birds with one stone'.

It is only the 13th of January and I am already on my 3rd sock. I knit a 'vanilla' pair for me of 1 ply handspun wool and 1 ply handspun baby alpaca, knit toe up. I needed a warm pair for work. I need to tuck my ends in and throw them into the washer for a slight felting. I am also working on a 'vanilla' toe up pair that were meant for my husband from our home grown mill spun worsted weight yarn. I increased to 44 stitches and merrily knit along. By the time I got to the heel they were too wide and too long. They may either go into the washer to felt down, or go up for sale for those with bigger feet than ours. I am in the process of finishing off the top of the sock and will cast on the 2nd one today. Pictures will come later.

Knit from your shelf 2009

2009-01-13T06:37:00.002-05:00

The first book on shelf that I am going to start knitting from this month is Lisa Lloyd's 'a fine fleece'. It is a book dedicated to knitting with handspun yarn. I am going to make espresso, on page 58. I need to look in my stash and see if I have enough handspun for this, or if I will spin up the Blue faced Leicester lamb's fleece I just got back from the mill. Or if I will use up some of our home grown, mill spun yarn. Decisions.

It calls for a worsted weight yarn, which means I would have to spin a 3 ply in order to get it thick enough. My mill spun is worsted weight..............hmm. And size 3 and 5 needles. The gauge is 22 stitches and 28 rows=4" (10 cm). Guess I am going to have to knit a swatch.

You can get the book here- http://www.afinefleece.com/
here- http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Fleece-Knitting-Handspun-Yarns/dp/0307346838/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231847560&sr=1-1
or here- http://www.knitpicks.com/A+Fine+Fleece,+Knitting+with+Handspun+Yarns_BD31024.html

isabelle

2008-12-19T17:51:00.001-05:00

adopt your own virtual pet!

2009: Knit from Your Shelf

2008-12-19T13:20:00.002-05:00

What a great idea this is! I have lots of books I have yet to knit from. I will need to get into the wool room and see what is first. Next week I'll look...Honest I will. (o;
And...maybe I can use up all my stash.

The information and idea came from here- http://knitoneschooltwo.blogspot.com/2008/07/plotting-and-planning.html

Some spinning and knitting while I've been away from the blog, and other things.

2008-12-11T08:16:00.000-05:00

http://eweifarm.blogspot.com/2008/12/ive-been-busy-sorry.html

Golden Retriever

2008-10-24T08:37:00.002-04:00

Yup! I am spinning Golden Retriever and it is spinning beautifully! I just need more time to sit and spin. Maybe November 5,6 & 7 when I go to school for the Post Office.........and I will need to bring the 2 knitting projects I am working on for 2 customers. School & knitting. A combination I can live with. Especially when I get paid for both. (o;

Knitting, but not posting

2008-10-15T09:19:00.001-04:00

I am knitting up a storm, but have not taken any pictures. )o: I do plan on doing that this week. Have a great day all!

2008-09-03T09:20:00.001-04:00

http://www.vermontsheep.org/festival.html

Come see our knitting, and the rest of our products, this weekend. It is the VT Sheep & Wool festival's 20th anniversary and we will be there!!

March UFO's

2008-03-16T08:24:00.002-04:00

In my bag for this month (now that the month is officially half over) is a purple lace poncho, and DK weight cable poncho and the Shy Sheep vest.

I pulled out the Shy Sheep and balled up my skeined (handspun) green and white merino yarns. Then I sat down and started to read the pattern. Now technically this is not a UFO, but it has been lounging around for a long time and therefore was designated as such. I do not know if I am ready to tackle this project at this time so it may go into a later dated bag. I am only slightly familiar with shadow knitting, having only done it once. The vest is knit from side to side with lots of shaping and you need to figure out when to incorporate the sheep. I think I will do a swatch (did I say that out loud and did any one hear me???) of the sheep section before I tackle the whole vest.

So instead I started on the lace purple poncho. I started this in the summer of 2005 and it got laid aside when life got in the way. I picked it back up last year and proceeded to knit the wrong row. 200+ stitches of lace weight yarn. While DH and I watched TV the other night, I carefully tinked back to the beginning of the row. He has learned not to interrupt when I am tinking.....frogging yes, tinking no. (o; Now I need to read my written pattern and compare it to the knitted pattern and figure out where I am. (Note to self-Use pen on the copy of the pattern to mark where you've been, not pencil.)
The pattern for this came from the summer issues of a long ago INKnitters. It is called Lacy Linen Poncho and was designed by Merrily Parker. It is supposed to be knit in 100% linen, but any one who knows me knows that I don't always do what I am supposed to do.

The other poncho will have to wait until I find the rest of the yarn in that same dye lot. Hopefully I did not sell it. )o; Usually I have all my yarn and needles and the pattern all in the one bag, generally a Ziploc bag, so all I have to do is grab it and go. I don't know where my head was on this project.

Pictures at a later time.

Project A Long update

2008-03-15T19:11:00.002-04:00

Well, I've made no progress on the Twyla sweater. 15 lambs in 10 days kind of did me in.........

The Boyfriend's Sweater was ripped out. Leave it to me not to make a swatch. I messed up the patterning 4" into the sweater and took it off the needles to frog it back. I then discovered that the sweater was going to be 6-7" too big!!! :o(

So, the Shetland has been repurposed into a shawl. The Chill out Hybrid Shawl by Candace Eisner Strick. Our spinning group learned to knit this shawl with Candace Strick at one of our member's homes.

The designer's website- http://www.strickwear.com/

One place to buy the kit- http://www.yarnbazaar.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=YB&Category_Code=MC-Adagio

You call also call my friend Sue at Hodgepodge Yarns & Fibers at 603-863-1470 and buy the kit from her. Just tell her Cindy sent you. (o; Or email her at hdgpdg_2000@yahoo.com

Project A Long

2008-02-28T08:09:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite Yahoo! groups, the Christian Artisans, is holding a project-a-long. It is a project that is supposed to be just for me. I am doing two of them at the same time. One of the girls (women) pointed out the project she is doing from Berocco, the Twyla sweater, so of course I had to try that one. And I am doing the Boyfriend Sweater from Cast On magazine.

These were my answers for this week to the Project A Long. Which, by the way, started on the 18th of February. So I am only a week+ late......

As always I am behind the 8 ball. We had a death, a birth, a major snowstorm and had to deliver MIL to aiport at the tail end of said snowstorm. Thankful her departure time was early enough that the only traffic on the road were the cleanup crews.

How did you do this week? I did not start the boyfriend sweater until this week, but I got a lot of the ribbing done on our trip to and from the airport. I've got most of my wool spun for the crocheted sweater that Charlotte (I believe) is doing from Berocco.

Did you meet your project goals? I am working on it.

Did you learn anything new? Yes. I have carded lots of things together, but I have never used something prespun before. That was interesting.

Did you have any challenges? Yes. I learned that in order to get the prespun yarn onto the carder, it had to go on the big drum and not the little drum (licker on).

Do you like how it is going so far? Yes on both projects.

What do you hope to accomplish during the upcoming week? To finish spinning for the crocheted sweater and get that one started.

The Twyla sweater- http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/twyla/twyla_lg.html
For this I carded some dark Romney, threw in some Turquoise Border/Blue faced Leicester, added some prespun silk yarn pieces and a little firestar. I have a bobbin full of that spun up, and am now spinning a bobbin full of a little gray Romney which will be plied with the first bobbin.

The Boyfriend's Sweater- From Cast On magazine, February/April 2008, page 56. Designed by Carole Powell. I am knitting this from Fionnualla, a Shetland lamb whose fleece processing I chronicled earlier in my blog. http://theknittingshepherdess.blogspot.com/2007/09/continuing-fionnualla.html

If you click on the header, it will bring you to the Christian Artisans. For there, you can decide if this is someplace you want and need to be. I know I do. It is a great group of Christian women (and one man) upholding each other in prayer, chatting with one another, and offering advice as needed/requested. To me, it is my family. I really depend on these women to keep me accountable, to pray for me, and to allow me to pray for them.

Ravelry

2008-01-14T08:28:00.001-05:00

I joined two more groups today. They both made sense at the time, and maybe I can join the two.
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/burnin-up-the-stash-2008
Stash burning 2008. That will finish up Knit from your stash 2007. Maybe................... Especially if I use said stash to knit with the Mitten-a-month along.
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/2008-mittens-a-month-along

These links will only work for those of you actually in Ravelry!!

Oh yeah!! I need more projects! Like another hole in my head. But at least mittens are one of those things that I can knit in between the bigger projects, or when that particular shawl is giving me a hard time, or when I finish something and are not ready to finish the next thing, or, or............... Oh, my!!

And if you are in ravelry, check me out. I am eweandifarm. Surprised? LOL