New-to-me in 2013: spindle spinning :)
In my post Knits and Purls of 2012 from around this time last year I wrote a 2012 knitting retrospective of sorts, with lists of things that I had tried or learnt. I’m really happy I did, because it was so much fun going back and reading that post today :)
The following post is for my future self, who hopefully will be equally happy reading this in a year or two..!
Quite a few things from last year’s wish list happened:
I started drop spindle spinning yarn
I started hand dyeing yarn using acid dyes (in the microwave oven)
I knitted a cardi for my mum
I designed and started knitting a cardi for myself (currently in progress)
I took part in the Pick A Boo! Knitalong (and enjoyed it immensely!)
I wrote several knitting patterns and published them for sale
I’m still keen to give needle felting a try, and I’ve even bought the basic supplies. I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
More new things I’ve tried and learnt this year:
How to run test knits
Writing, designing, publishing and selling knitting patterns (Swedish & English)
Twined knitting
Designing cables
Designing top-down raglan cardis
Spinning on a Turkish spindle
Many new spindle spinning and drafting techniques and fibre preps (short forward draw, medium backward draw, from the fold, around the bend, across the top, traditional 2-ply, rolags, carded batts, making and spinning fauxlags from combed top etc)
Discovered a new favourite pattern designer: Boo Knits :)
Knitting and dyeing 100% silk yarn
Translate knitting patterns for others (English to Swedish)
Immersion dyeing, space dyeing, glazing, dip dyeing and several other techniques using acid dyes
How to dye self-striping yarn
Designed a couple of lace shawls and a colour-work shawl
Designed a sock pattern for self-striping yarn
Designed a hat pattern for handspun yarn
Took part in my first spinalong (so much fun!!)
Took the “Spinning Dyed Fibers with Felicia Lo” class on Craftsy (it’s fab, highly recommended!)
Learnt another few new-to-me heel construction techniques for socks (Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Patty-Joy White is my current fave!)
Designed a fingerless mitts pattern for handspun yarn, and knit two pairs with my own handspun! (yay!!)
Some of my most favourite knits of 2013 (click to enlarge):
…and a few more:
I keep discovering new knitting podcasts/vidcasts all the time, and I’m really enjoying them :) My current faves are Yarnraising, Knit 1 Geek 2, Just One More Row, Stick och spinn, Stockinette Zombies and The Knit Girllls.
Here are some of my intentions, hopes and plans for 2014:
Pay closer attention to moderation (for health reasons)
Spin and dye BFL+nylon (custom blend ordered from World of Wool) aran weight yarn and knit it into a pair of socks
I hope to find inspiring and fun knitalongs, spinalongs (hoping for a second run of Yarnraising’s New-To-You!), dyealongs and crochetalongs to join
Sew several project bags, to make organisation and storage easier
Try new dyeing techniques
More things I would love to try & learn:
Try new and different kinds of fibre for spinning: polwarth, corriedale, falkland, baby alpaca, baby alpaca & silk, bamboo, BFL & silk, rambouillet, firestar/trilobal, camel etc.
Try new techniques for spinning art yarns, like for example adding angelina sparkle (combination drafting), beads and/or silk thrums, or plying fat thick-and-thin singles with skinny silk or metallic threads etc.
Spin really nice, fat, woollen singles (fulling them slightly and taking some of the twist out afterwards)
Learn how to spin on a supported spindle (mostly curious about Russian and Tibetan ones)
Try using a custom built Turkish spindle in a semi-supported way (Ian at IST Crafts made one for me, yay!!)
Learn how to Navajo-ply on the fly
Dye fibre for spinning
Knit a square shawl (Bridgewater, Growing Flowers..?)
Knit a circular shawl (Evenstar, Celestarium..?)
…and here’s another couple of things I’d love to try, that aren’t likely at all to happen (or even possible for practical reasons) but I felt like including them anyway :)
Spin on a spinning wheel
Spin on an e-spinner
Use a drum carder (or blending board) to blend my own batts for spinning
Dizz roving for art yarn on a blending board
Take a spindle spinning class with Abby Franquemont
Well, I think that covers most of it. In short, it’s been amazing and so much fun! Here’s hoping 2014 will be even better..! :)