The end of fiber challenges

It has been a busy month and a half in my fibery part of the universe.

I spun every day during Tour de Fleece. Tour de Fleece is a personal spinning challenge that runs during Tour de France. I think as a newbie spinner I was over . . . what's the word? . . . enthusiastic. By the time the tour ended, I had acquired an Ashford Kiwi spinning wheel and a fiber stash that competes with my yarn stash.

I had a couple of days break before the Ravellenic Games. Like Tour de Fleece, the Ravellenic Games coincide with the Olympic Games. By the time the Games were over, I had made two knit shawlettes and spun 100 grams of some lovely blue Merino.

So the challenges are done and what's a spinner/knitter to do? Well, in my case, continue to work on my Rhinebeck sweater. I'm holding out on casting on another pair of socks on the needles until a new Sock Knitters Anonymous year begins in September. I'm currently spinning some BFL. Even though the Olympics have been over for less than 24 hours, I am enjoying the fact that I've got no knitting or spinning challenges on the go. Although they are productive, they can suck the fun out knitting and spinning.

To the finish line with two grams to spare

Sometimes knitting is a leap of faith.

I finished my first Ravellenic project with two grams of yarn to spare. It looks like the remnants won't make a lone hexipuff, let alone anything else.

I chose to knit Gaenor as my first Ravellenic project. It's a lovely shawlette pattern designed by Corrina Ferguson. When I chose the skein of yarn I wanted to work with I had my doubts as I was concerned about yardage. But I decided to throw caution to the wind, which isn't necessarily a good thing when it comes to knitting.

I had a quandary near the halfway mark. Do I try to get one last repeat out before starting the decrease section? Or should I play it safe and start decreasing now? I decided to risk it. Since I'm not a person who likes the concept of risk, I decided I should thread a lifeline in my knitting in case I decided I needed to rip back.

Glad I did because I had to frog. Halfway through that last increase repeat I soon came to conclusion that I wouldn't have enough yarn. Glad I listened to my instincts because I would have been SOL without a paddle.

Despite frogging, I started to get worried as the yarn cake grew smaller and smaller as I continued with the decreases. It wasn't until I was at the third last decrease repeat that I started to breathe easier. It was a sprint to the finish.

Although it was too close to my liking, I've since started on a second shawlette project. But I've knit this pattern in the past so I know what to expect.

As my first shawl project of 2012 I'm hoping to gain a couple of inches when I block it.

Double Whammy

It was a double whammy in the mail department today. And it was a much needed yarny goodness and pattern book boost.

My books from Chapters arrived today as well as a package from Acme Fibres. From Acme, I bought two skeins of Merino superwash sock and another two skeins of Blue-Faced Leicester superwash sock. I also bought five ounces of Shetland roving for spinning.

I borrowed Sock Knitting Master Class from a friend last month. I soon discovered that I wanted (must) knit most of the patterns. I had two choices (a) not give the book back in hopes my friend forgets she owns a copy or (b) buy a copy for myself. I bought the book.

I bought Repect the Spindle by Abby Franquemont. Although it has been a long time coming, I think I want to learn how to spin. Last fall I went to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival (known as Rhinebeck in spinning, knitting and crochet circles) with two spinners. I regret not buying a drop spindle from Journey Wheel. My friend, M, generously lent me her favourite Bosworth, so now I've not no excuses as to why I can't spin. I tried my hand at spinning last weekend with some Fleece Artist Merino roving but it was a disaster. My friend recommended I should try spinning Shetland first. Since she's an avid spinner, I did what she suggested.

With the new books, yarn and fibre, I have no excuses to be bored. Now I just have to find the time to fit in dyeing, spinning and sock knitting.