The Art of Zib

Out The Backdoor

2010-03-12T19:01:00.005-05:00

Blue skies and sunshine, a walk was had. Right out the backdoor, well ok, up the hill, past our fluffy friends all the way to the end of the road, turn right and cross over the stone slab bridge, yeah, the one next to the statue of a butt. Head across that next field and follow the trail markings into the Hafod Estate. Our target was the cave with the waterfall. It's an amazing location, you take the gentlemen's path (I think it's the red one, might be yellow though), if you have less time you can double back on the trail instead of making the loop. That gives you time to meander the fields and make your way to the picnic table on the riverbank then follow the river back up into the village. Early on we passed two forestry workers. The first had stopped the chainsaw as we passed by. We said hello then I told him he worked in a very beautiful office. He grinned and said Yes, I know! When your 'office' gives you these views. Board meetings must center around a fire pit or bbq. When a feasible 'workday' for me includes taking advantage of the sun to hit the trails and gather wool... big fluffy masses of wild wool floating about a field where lamb and mom watched our antics. Same field I must back track to in hopes of fetching my gloves. I'd set them on the stile as I was stepping over and pulling the camera out of my pocket to get a shot of the lamb. Immediately after shooting I heard "LOOOOOKKKKKIEEEEE" and hands were then needed to stuff wool in the backpack. Poo Free Wool! Just a lot of dry crackly leaves to shake out of it. Nice enough a little fluffing and a bit of floofing, no carding needed can spin it as is right in the grease. I'm guessing at least 1lb post VM. Yippie! Just in time for the dyeing experiments!

Melikawoods & Beyond

2010-03-11T15:26:00.002-05:00

Some Spin Some Knit

2010-02-26T18:49:00.003-05:00

Some knitting. Some knitting makes it out the door before I get to take a picture. Sometimes I go out the door to take pictures but it's toooo cold. Today, instead of the roof of the duckhouse as the back drop, I moved back inside to do some shots.

Oh the joy of hand carders! I love the tissues it produces.

I like the pretty colors the tissues produce.

Plied with the dark brown Viking wool. Colorful bits wool waste from the mill.

And finally spun up the very short, brittle fence wool [which is different than the light fluffy clean Gorse wool mind you] with a bit of Seasilk for color. Spun and BCoDed it using rocks collected the last trip to the beach in a tin, hot water from the kettle and a bit of hand soap. Green, smells really nice.

No Lambs Today

2010-02-26T16:19:00.002-05:00

There was more blue than white in the sky and no snow on the ground out front so layers were layered, knits were put on and boot strings tightened. Speaking of which, I have learned how to properly tie my shoes. A balanced knot that does not loosen up with round shoelaces. Boots don't get loose on long walks, always annoying to have to take off the gloves to tie them when it is cold.

Word has it the fields are full of lambs, tis the time of the year. I thought a short walk up our favorite stream to the fields was called for. The upper valley, it is where the morning sun hides. A fresh breeze rushed off the far ridge adding that sparkle to the scene and gave the red kites something to play in.

We exited the woods into a field in time to watch a sheep dog working the flock in the adjacent field. Watched the shepherd signaling the dog. Watched the sheep flock thru wide gates into the feeding area. Giggled as more than one would be walking along and just walk right into another sheep. Whoops, didn't see you there, pardon, so sorry.

Alas, no lambs sighted in the flock we visited but lots of interesting things to see. It was a very fine walk.

65mph

2010-02-19T19:25:00.003-05:00

That is what you need to run, to walk on water.

65 would get rid of the clouds hiding the sun. Try as it could, was no chance against the dark grey clouds promising overnight snow.

Woke up to that morning snow stuff, but it wasn't snowing, just very sporadic bursts that end thirty seconds later. The back road and the road up to the sheep on the corner it was.

Sprouting left and right despite the white cold stuff.

Looks to be what you'd suspected, Peri! "Mommy get the flower for me please, the thistles will 'get me''. Ok! Camera, got it. A few minutes later, So?? Where is the flower, we read on wikipedia we could really eat it!

Angels Singing All Around My Door

2010-02-12T16:56:00.006-05:00

I mused to a friend why certain songs always came to mind while walking about the valley. Turns out this is the location, well, actual one is about 15 miles down the road, where the songs were written. Made perfect sense. Sitting atop the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales, how could one not be inspired. Every direction offers another spectacular view, something that draws you closer inviting exploration and contemplation.

Kiddo's shrub. Definitely slows one down while walking thru the thistles. Large bunches of it grow near the treelines bordering on sheep fields. Makes me smile to find windblown bits of fluff on them (which are happily added to the back pockets bum warmer).

There are a notable number of unusable fields. Just too rocky to offer sure footing to man or sheep.

Not much in the way of blue sky today but no rain either so out we went. To Kiddo and I, the days just don't feel complete now without a walk. What I'd though would be a one hour excursion turned in to a 3.5 hour hike. Once off the road, thru the gate and feet hit the trail, all that is behind you is a world away.

It is startling, the difference in effort twixt the UK, US and moreso Italy is doing in regards to reducing their carbon footprint. The awareness here, I see, is more than just talk. Conservation is part of the daily life. You look around you a bit differently after finding the land you are in was once 90% covered by ancient forests.

I had the pleasure of meeting artist Sue Clow. She recycles in a most beautiful way. I gasped when I saw her wool rugs. So lovely! You couldn't imagine putting your feet on them yet at the same time you want to do nothing more than take off your shoes and enjoy the soft wooly warmth. She will be teaching a rug making class at the Wonderwool Wales festival in April.

On we continued, after exploring along the river, up thru fields so we could check out a lane we noted on our last walk up there. Around a bend we found another stile, another field, another long fence covered in fluff. I think tomorrow will be a stay in and play with fluff day if I can swing it. The kids are all out for mid-term break so they'll be busy doing kidstuff hopefully so I can do fluff stuff!

As the sun dipped below the valley ridge we thought it time to head home. No way we wanted to be galavanting thru the woods in the dark. We meeeehed our goodbyes to our wooly friends and headed back for a perfectly tempered potato, leek soup with basmati rice and crumbled aged sharp cheddar.

Looks like a butterfly, doesn't it.

Gathering

2010-02-11T20:01:00.011-05:00

On the Fence

2010-02-10T17:18:00.007-05:00

Great big fluffy clouds and blue sky with big beams of sunshine beaming down beckoned to us. We MUST go OUT! We thought to revisit the trails up the hill and go right instead of left. Then I remembered the neighbor who is giving us Welsh lessons mentioned a river up that way so I went over to get precise directions to it. After a discussion of walkways and how to get to the entry point the quickest the conversation veered to the fact that he'll be building an ancient Celt style boat to go down the rivers here with his brother. We will be invited over to see the building of it - bent wood frame covered by cow skin. They are oval shaped, open top and low, much more stable than the modern canoe and definitely not constricting kayak-wise. Lightweight and watertight they are carried on the back when ported on land. I asked if people still use them or did they have one before. I was told no, they 'saw it on the telly' and thought it would be fun to make. Adventures await!

Another glance out the window as I was heading out the door, suddenly I had a guide for our walk. Half an hour later we set out to see the river. We learned the proper [and extremely cool] way to walk up and over the stiles rather than straddle the fence and swing a leg over. We went up past the last entry point we used and used a public access walking route which took us thru somebody's garden. And what lovely gardens they are! Up the river we went. The higher we went up the more snow and ice we saw. Icicles hanging on low branches over the mini falls, caches of ice in the form of firey clear diamonds nestled in open treasure trunks. Creeky swings low slung over the edge of a farm's sideyard.

Suddenly I look up as we come to another stile, I stop. I squint and walk up to the fence. I turn to Kiddo a bit behind me and ask her if THAT IS WHAT I THINK IT IS!!!! And it was. Wool On the Fence. Wool On the Fence *insert happy dance here* Wool On the Fence! Finally! Before us, what so many had mentioned.. ooh here in Wales we have wool on all the fences! As it turns out, we just had to know which footpaths passed the right fences. One took us into a field, there was a flock of sheep to the side. I was enjoying the scenery and stuffing highly compressed balls of wool that were coaxed off of fences by Kiddo. I am happy to announce I found the perfect HikingColdButt cure. Looks silly as can be as you stuff wool back there but keeps you nice and warm. We were shown the entry point for a six mile park of walks that were built by one of the local barons. The paths are marked with colored shale. Can't wait to explore!

Home again, wool came out of the pockets, coffee made and soup for dinner put on then I sat down to meet the fence wool. Kiddo said ooh, it's recycling!! I pondered that for a moment then said no, we get the wool before any cycling starts. No machines involved. Sheep is fluffy, brushes against the fence or nettles or brambles and the wool pulls. We gather it, spin it, create with it in a very non machiney way. No, not recycling, Kiddo, it's PREcycling. I picked out a couple balls of the cleanest looking stuff, fluffed, floofed and spun a single in the grease. Amazing the twist that it can take when fine and a touch thicker, much less needed. The lanolin makes the fibers behave beautifully. Two plied on itself I knit up a small cabled swatch then washed it to see that magical bloom. Photos of that tomorrow along with photos from tomorrow's return to the fleecy fences. We'll make our way back to the river again. I'd love to shoot the ice crystals before they melt. Snow is forecasted, who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Final words of wisdom from a native ~ There is no bad weather, only bad clothes.

2010-02-06T15:29:00.007-05:00

Out and about we were today. For once the weather forecast was right! Pretty puffy white clouds lazed in the spring sky and the sun was shining. Yes, yes, the birds were singing too. Nice when that happens and we don't hesitate to pull on boots and jackets and take a hike. We decided to head up the hill towards the next village to explore the set of paths we'd spied on a previous excursion.

As we entered the trail we immediately had to choose, left right or up. We went up up up. We climbed high up along the ridge that the cottage is on crossing over two little waterfalls on the way and making note of other trails to go back to for further exploration in the near future. People come from near and far to traipse around the mountains here, I feel quite fortunate to have those trails right outside the front door.

The first time I'd seen one of these we were walking to friends house taking The Shortcut. It happen to be right after the last snowfall and everything was cold slippery and my only focus was not breaking anything as we navigated roots brambles and fences. An odd yet wonderfully convenient spot to leave a bench, I'd thought. The stiles certainly do come in handy!

I'm still waiting for that time I go over one, look up and see a naked sheep leaning against a fence post swinging a bag of fleece round asking what the heck too me so long. Oh that reminds me of a sheep joke.. I'll stop now.

Scooch

2010-02-01T15:21:00.003-05:00

I was talking with a friend who is also a fiber artist, though of another kind, and we got on the topic of the tools we use to design. I have never found one bag/organizer that had exactly what I needed to keep the tools I need at hand organized. Well it so happens Emma specializes in Bespoke canvas structures. Not only structures but bags, organizers, and baskets. The canvas she uses is 100% industrial waste that would otherwise go into the trash. She accents the function with curves and shapes that reflect your workspace. The organizers are then accented with antique fabrics. So, imagine that ideal work organizer, the one with all the features you need, then, imagine the one that you want, then, write it down. I had no idea I'd come home from tea with homework!

Color above is "Emmazure". Bright, vibrant, full of cool energy, sky and sea with a splash of sun. Made from wool waste, those messed up bits from the combing machines. Hand color blended, spun in to Z 2-ply. I'm mixing this with creamy white alpaca, also hand spun, a bight lighter in weight with a beautiful halo that will bond with the wool creating a lightweight, colorful warmth.

According to the modern Celtic calendar, tomorrow is Imbolc, the start of Spring. The Hedge Druid has an informative post on the holiday and the traditions that come along with it.

Now, I'm off to recover from Snowman Building 2 [ ~ Yes, we learned how to roll giant snowallsl! Hurray!] spinning, knitting and pondering that ideal organizer.

Rainyday Spin

2010-01-27T15:30:00.009-05:00

And a Great Rainy Day was had by all. I've held on to very few fibers and yarns. One that did not leave my non existent stash is a hank of Handmaiden Seasilk, my Viking Wool and a bit of fluff. The Sirri yarn was one of my early political fiber purchases. Exercising political opinion by being a consumer, right. In this case, a protest against the emargos cross the mid-East after the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy. It's quite versitile. Finely spun singles spun from Farose Island sheep at 600m a hank. Just too much of a bother to measure when designing. But, it's great as a play yarn. It felts and fulls beautifully. Even a simple St st scarf on large needles then fulled in alternating hot and cold water with a bit of conditioner makes the yarn double in thickness as the fiber blooms. Even better, though delicate in appearance the wool strengthens as the fibers lock together.

The single Vikings also work well as, well, singles! I plied them with some random bits I'd spun up of wool waste. And spun up a bit for Kiddo. The first with the tan, second with the cream. The blue/green/white hanklette was immediately claimed by Kiddo, she wanted cuffs with the squiggle on it.

Kiddo got a long lesson in color theory, applied maths and then hand blending. She came up with the next two wooly colors we'll be creating.

Then we baked peanut butter cookies and a fine Rainyday was had by all.

Today's Walk

2010-01-26T19:38:00.015-05:00

A Wee Bit of This

2010-01-26T15:14:00.006-05:00

A Wee Bit of This takes about fifteen minutes to hand fluff and floof. It takes a wee bit less than fifteen minutes to enjoy spinning it all up. I really do have to step up my mad blending game. While I continue slow and steady, I have gotten a few more colors to play with. Bright, vibrant "waste". More once I clear off the spindle of the soysilk/alpaca and experiment a bit this evening. Yes, parked in front of the fireplace is where I'll be. They are predicting snow again. Yay! Snow is fun! Nooo! We been exploring the walking trails and came across another network that goes to new to us places.

It's so cool how the Wee Bits look like cocoons. When you squeeze them the colors darken giving you an idea of how they will spin up. Today's walk was spectacular! Pics will be up soon. Those new trails, wow. We left the cottage at 2pm. We'd discussed the trails we'd take to make a nice loop woods walk and a bit of village walk. Near the end of the second segment Kiddo spied the next string of trails. After the second trail we had to choose from a split we thought it best we turn back and come back mid morning so we'd have more time to explore. The point at which we had stopped had a grassy lush green trail to the left and one to the right was one heading up a hill and around to another ridge. We stopped, had a look around, both blurted out ~ We're goin UP THERE next time!

A new neighbor moved in this last weekend. Today a van pulled up out front. I was sitting out on the front deck weaving in endless ends, glance up, see a man hop out of the van and immediately hoist up his trousers. Eyes glance down to my fine weavinginendlessends job then back up as a second guy hops out of the van and immediately hoist up his pants while turning and look over towards me on the deck. I stopped messing about with the ends wondering if they were indeed coming here and not to the neighbor. Then, a third man exits the van, hoists up his pants, turns back to get something out of the van and shut the door. They head to the neighbor's house. It was then that I noticed that they were plumbers.

Made my day.

Eeks! Leeks!

2010-01-25T16:09:00.008-05:00

This is part of the view from the front deck. Open the door and voila! The surrounding valley in its wintery glory - sans snow! I love how the strands of evergreens mix with the deciduous trees, colors muted in the distance, once closer, tis an endless riot of green. The distant side of the valley is obscured by low fog. Fog, not smog. Love it.

I have learned that the leek is The Vegetable of Wales. That explained why they were so readily available and on the one pound coin here. Leeks leeks leeks. Leeks are a new veggie for me so I asked a couple of people how they normally prepare them and googled recipes as well. It was only fitting I give the leek and potato soup making a try. A very basic soup was prepared with leek, potato, garlic and herbs. I didn't have any cream on hand so I added a splash of milk. Kiddo thought it was quite tasty, just asked for pepper and suggested I add more potatoes so it would be thicker. The UK divas over at glittyknittykitty have up an awesome leek and potato recipe as well as olive, feta and sundried tomato scones which immediately went to the top of my To Do List. I've never had a scone, high time I made some.

I still can't get over how the sun is not OVERHEAD where it belongs. We're at a latitude of 52, much higher than any place I've ever lived. NOW I get the whole winter gloom/lack of sunshine thing. It took me a few days when we first got here to realize what was different. The sun always seems shoved to the south. Sure, it rises and sets but it's always so low in the sky. Quite unsettling, frankly, but I suppose one gets used to it. I'm told it doesn't set till round 10, 10:30 in the summertime, so there is a good flip side! When the sun does come out the jackets and boots come on and out we go. Today we walked to the village of Ysbyty Ystwyth to have a look around. We saw horses, sheep (of course), the village cemetery with the small war memorial in front of it.

On the way back down to our village we discovered the entry point for a new set of walking trails to explore. We also saw early signs of spring. Big green buds on the rhododendron trees that line the road and the first flowers of the season. No idea what they are but they are quite tiny and lovely.

*grumbles*

Zibspin ~ Hand Blending

2010-01-23T18:16:00.026-05:00

Here I posted a couple of photos of a soysilk spinning project. Yes, I had been calling it bamboo, then.. I actually read the label on the bag, whoops. I had spun the soy into energized singles while manipulating color and weight then knit it right off the spindle. The most challenging part of that was spinning thick after a stretch of finer spinning. Knitting it up I changed from knit to purl rows as color and weight changed. I now have a long, narrow scarf with great weight, drape, tactile and visual interest. I had a second bag of the soysilk that was earmarked for a matching hat. I thought about spinning up some alpaca and doing colorwork or a band in the same style of the scarf and the rest done with alpaca etc.

But but but, spinning lovely white fiber for meters on end gets quite tedious so simply plying a single of soysilk and a single of alpaca was out. After reading this article in Fall 08 Knitty by the Loop lady, I was quite inspired. I should be able to mix the fibers, blend those colors in to the alpaca, right? Of course, I have neither drum carder or the hand carders, dog brushes or whatnot around.

After a couple false starts I found the only way to achieve the blending I wanted was to break the fibers down to comparable lengths so they would draw fairly evenly. I alternated several thin layers of the alpaca and soysilk making sure to keep the fibers going in the same direction. Then I patted it down and squished (oh yes getting technical here).

Once the pile felt dense I gently pulled the ends as I twisted the fiber. This allowed me check for any soysilk globs/clumps that snuck in and time to further floof them out.

Out came the trusty spindle, gift from a goddess and it was time to see if the fiber would succumb to my demands. The fiber must bend to my will! It must! I love the warmth of the alpaca and lightness of it and the colors of the soysillk. Is a lovely, tough, fine, strong, able to handle being handled and shuffled about without having a complete collapse too much to ask for from spindlespun? I don't think so.

As I spun, the single formed with ten to twenty cm stretches of soysilk then alternatively spun with both mixed in equally.

I did about thirty meters before winding it off on a nostepinne for a quick ply z-spin two ply job.

Once plied, I grabbed some needles and knit up a stitch that had been in mind for a few days now. I am quite pleased with how the color behaved on the tiniest of swatches. I know it will lay differently in the full blown project which prompted some design features to showcase, if you will, the play of color.

Starting with 100g of alpaca and 100g of soysilk. Shooting for at least 300m of two ply. No idea if that is enough fiber or way too much for the wpi I'm spinning. Humm.

Instant gratification is not had oft in spinning or knitting. It does take time. Since spinning the soysilk/alpaca up for the project will take a few days, I started a design draft of the project subbing in cotton. I had picked up a couple balls of Peaches & Creme while in Charleston intending to submit a fab summer bag design to Amy but we had to relocate and I completely missed the deadline. So I've repurposed the cotton for the first run, already a variation as I had to take in to account the very different behavior of the cotton compared to the soysilk/alpaca blend. No, I can not explain why I would purposely design something which would have you wind up with an assload (another high falutin' technical term) of ends to weave in other than - it makes it look pretty.

Proper Usage

2010-01-23T15:52:00.009-05:00

After living in Europe for twelve years then a brief visit back to the States I have surmised that *insert drumroll here* America has lost its collective mind. After living here in Wales a bit more than a month, I have continued surmising and have learned quite a bit.

Most surprising is the fact that I do not speak English. No, I do speak English, I just do not speak it very well, apparently. I do love the language with the history, flexibility, nuances, flow. It is as absolute joy to read or listen to a master of it. Not only have we been learning proper usage of English words, we have also started Welsh lessons. Kiddo is picking it up quite quickly. Ah, to have a young brain ready to learn all. I think I can count to ten now, so it is a start :) Nothing says American buffon better than calling trousers pants.

I've recently read that human beings can differentiate more shades of green than any other color. Something to do with our gatherer past I bet. When mentioning this to a friend at dinner last night, she promptly told me the Celts once had over thirty words to describe green. I've made a mental note to tote the camera along on our next hike, there are most definitely a lot of greens out in the forest strands. More than thirty, to be sure.

The pebbles are from the beach of Aberystwyth. Kiddo and I hit the beach last week when we went in to town for a few hours to run some errands and just get out of the village. Aberystwyth is home to, if I recall correctly, Wales' largest university. If not the largest, then a pretty large one at any rate. I was told it has an oddly high number of pubs, something like fifty five licenses to serve in one square block. Wonder if any studying gets done!

A long walk down the beach looking for shells and interesting rocks was enjoyed. Back home we came with all sorts of stones and pebbles for various projects. I do like these ones, my intention was to get a nice mix of them, right size, interesting colors for a Mancalamia set felted from local wool. Some felted projects are in the works, yes, the BCoD is alive and well in Wales. More on that once the knitting part is complete.

Not quite

2010-01-10T17:07:00.009-05:00

The past few evenings have been too cold to knit or spin. Sitting with toes nearly in the fire just isn't prudent when there is dangling yarn and fiber being flung around the abode. So I've been doing the next best thing, catching up on the Yarn Harlot. I've two years to catch up on. Two years of archives I've been perusing, one post at a time (don't like scrolling thru an entire month). I'd forgotten about the blog until I was mid-knittyboard drive-by and saw somebody ask if they really needed a ball winder and swift. No, I thought, no, you do not. You could just knit from the hank as does Ms. Tuttle Hamilton. Is it bad that I aspire to be so coordinated as to be able to knit from the hank? I pondered that as I dove into the Harlot's archives.

Today, after kindling duty was completed, it was decided we would build a snowman. During my much needed coffeebreak, Kiddo made a 'practice snowman'. Then off to the garden it was to build the 'real snowman'. So HOW exactly are giant balls of snow made?? I vaguely recall something about rolling an already big ball across the snow and it grows bigger but... grrr. Kiddo and I are not slow people but the logistics behind making a giant snowball was suddenly as mysterious as pyramid and Stonehenge construction techniques.

Perhaps some chocolate would help. Who knows, an empire was built on several cups of tea, surely a snowman could benefit with a bit of chocolate. A friend happened to post some Barack chocolate bars to G. G tossed a couple to me after we were done with the kindling and it was break time and out of my pocket it came. We were quite amused. Barack simply did not meet our expectations. The wrapper just built it up way too much. Barack Obama CHANGE HAS COME TO AMERICA. Change! We will be Newed and Improved and retsin filled by one man! Mommy? (Happy to note I've not been called Wendy since our time in Charleston, Thank You, Gary!)Huh? Did George Bush have a candybar? I don't think so. I think his bar would have been better. At least there would have been nuts! I could see George pulling at the very least World's Finest Chocolate quality. I can't be the only one who sold those for school fund raisers!

Back to the "snowman" we went. About ten minutes in to the middle section we figured we just were not going to have one of those classic curvy snowmen. I am quite certain Obama's change is at work here. I just know it! Are people still blaming Bush for things? Humm, I'll give Obama the snowman point at any rate.

We were quite pleased with our SnowShmoo, even if it is not what we'd set out to build. It was just enough time outside to lob snowballs at each other and get all rosy cheeked and appreciate the hot cocoa and toasty fire that much more once back inside.

Rhinos Do Travel

2010-01-06T10:53:00.009-05:00

Every evening as the sun creeps closer to the far side of the valley, I creep closer to the fire. The handspun creeps closer to the fire too. this particular handspun is a lovely wool/tencel blend from Traveling Rhinos. I found wickets work quite well as an impromptu drying rack.

I can't be the only person who thought wickets was what pirates got due to not having enough vitamin C on those long piratey voyages.

Destined to be knit up with some smushy alpaca from Erica. Tis the first time I've knit due to necessity.. and spun for the same reason. Of course I'd also fantasized about toe cozies. The merits of designing while living in a coldass environment have not escaped me. I will keep the experience close while continuing my fiberly pursuits from the beach in Barbados.

He approves of said plan.

Welsh Cakes

2009-12-19T11:49:00.004-05:00

How do I love thee... these savory sweet delights fall somewhere between pancake and cookie. The first day we were here G picked up a packet of Welsh Cakes from the shop across the way. I was quite underwhelmed, didn't see the appeal as he and Kiddo raved about them. "You can make these you know, there's a recipe there in the kitchen."Next day I figured no better way to get to know your way around a new kitchen than to cook something up eh. From the first batch that followed the recipe to the letter the nearly daily batches of them have evolved. They're most definitely a nice way to warm up the otherwise cold kitchen. I was quite amused to see lard as an ingredient. LARD. I've come to realize it's along the the lines of shortening/Crisco and whatnot but LARD!

Welsh Cakes
1 Cup Self Rising Flour
1/4 Cup Butter
1/4 Cup Lard
1/4 Cup Demerara Sugar
1/3 Cup Currants
1/4 tsp mixed spice
1 egg
pinch of salt
splash of milk

I measure out and start melting the butter and lard in the small frying pan as I mix together the rest of the ingredients. You could nuke to melt too, either works :) Sift dry ingredients together in mixing bowl. If you do not have a sifter, or not sure if you do, just stir it up well with a fork so you don't have any clumps in the flour. Once clumpless, add in the butter and lard then the currants (raisins work quite well in here too). Finally stir in the egg, well beaten and a splash of milk.

The dough should be soft but not sticky when you roll it into a ball. Roll the dough, I do it by the handful, on a floured surface about 1/4 inch thick and cut in to 6cm/2.5 in rounds. A plastic cup works well for this. Cook in a lightly greased pan on med heat approx 3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. The above makes 12-18 cakes depending on size :)

Absolutely best when right out of the pan with a pat of butter and a fresh cup of coffee in the other hand. They are quite nice cold as well, store in an air tight container if you expect them to last more than a day, otherwise leave them out on the counter and they will magically disappear as the day passes. Future variations will include subbing the wheat flour for almond flour, adding in seeds and or other dried fruits. How ever you make them up, Enjoy!

Pond Bloom

2009-12-18T17:07:00.013-05:00

Imagine my delight once I figured out how to get the macro setting to come up on the camera. Bit of fiber there I probably won't try to spin. It amuses me to think the steel wool comes from steely wooled sheep though :)

This most definitely did not come from a steely wooled sheep. It did come from Fun With Yarn eons ago. Hand dyed soy silk in Pond Bloom. Evenings spent in front of the fire while spinning. Experimenting with wpi, color flow and energized singles I knit it right off the spindle.

I do like these colors.

I like these colors too. These are from the pond out in the garden. The swirly white towards the bottom are the clouds above.

Kiddo finally gets her winter hat :)

2009-12-18T16:50:00.006-05:00

Kiddo was quite pleased to get her new hat and scarf for the season. A bit late this year, lucky me, no complaints from her, just a request for a pompom on top on the hat (which was added later, of course). Lovely what you can do with three hanks of Blue Sky Alpaca. Kiddo sends her thanks to Wendy B. for the "perfect non itchy yarn".

The hat was knit flat and used short row shaping, I wanted the pattern to flow up and down, hence the flat knitting.

Ever the ham, here she is showing me the duck house that G built.

I was quite pleased with the set.

Eccomi

2009-11-18T12:58:00.000-05:00

I will post actual posts once I, well, have something to post. =) New designs are on the needles and I'm in the process of dusting off old ones that were WIPs at one point as well. Must get current WIPs, including this season's hat & scarf for Kiddo done before I can properly drool over O-Wool's Balance, the first yarn in ages that I had the pleasure of meeting that brought on that flood of design ideas. Yes, yes, finish up some other things before I even look in to ordering it.

Still many busy days ahead making our new life here and looking forward to each and every one of them. To all of you who have helped us along on our journey, thank you. I have not forgotten you, I just haven't had the time to sit down and address all of you individually in the middle of getting things done.

Gioia Scarflette

2009-11-17T10:35:00.000-05:00

The Gioia Scarflette
I’d gotten this luscious hank of Noro Kochoran in the mail from a friend in the states. So lovely! I wanted to make something that would show off the beautiful colors in it without having to mix it with another yarn so project ideas were limited to something small.

It does not get cold enough in Sicily during the winter to warrant heavy scarves but it does get chilly. Hence Gioia, a little something to throw over your shoulders or wrap around your neck to keep warm when the breeze (or AC!) kicks up. The simple crossed stitch columns add an interesting texture when working with smoother solid colors and the eyelets and over all shape add a touch of femininity.

Difficulty: Advanced Beginner

Size: One

Finished Measurements: Width at widest point: 22in, Length fron center bottom to points: 30in

Materials: Model 1 [above] Noro Kochoran, 175yd/160m, Model 2 Handaintedyarn.com's HK37 135yd/123m

1 set US #11/8MM straight or circular needles, stitch holder, tapestry needle.

Gauge: 18sts/14rows - 4in/10cm in stockinette st. on US11/8mm needles [gauge post blocking]

Fanny Shawl

2009-11-17T08:24:00.001-05:00

Fanny Shawl

I adore shawls but really large ones have never been practical for me and being that my patience for working with lace weight/fingering weight yarn is rather low (but I just had to have something lacy) Fanny was created. Mid sized triangular shawl knit from the bottom up with cable cotton. The model is knit in mercerized cotton which subtly accentuates the texture and lace.

I’ve included the lace pattern in both written and chart versions. You will need to print out both pages of chart 2 then join them together (I’ve overlapped one row which it is marked by a vertical line under the chart.)

Difficulty: Adv Beginner

Size: One

Finished Measurements: Width: 44in (112cm), Height: 30in (76cm)

Materials: Filtex "Cable" Egyptian Mercerized Cotton, Robin's Egg blue used in model; 454yd/416m

1pr US #9/5.5mm circs or straights, 1dpn or cable needle, tapestry needle

Gauge: 20sts/24rows = 4in/10cm in stockinette stitch

Free Patterns

2009-11-17T08:20:00.002-05:00

The Frilly Scarf, shown with the Stellina Hat.

The Delight Hat

Frufy Hat & Scarf

Il Cestino

Very Special Things felted boxes

2009-11-17T08:20:00.001-05:00

Very Special Things

I had made a set of felted baskets out of my first hank of handspun Blue Faced Leicester. My daughter immediately asked if they were for her. She “needed” pretty little boxes to keep her Very Special Things in. I told her I would make a set of baskets just for her and her Very Special Things.

The boxes are worked from the bottom up on on DPNs. I have included step by step instructions for the optional internal structuring and how to hand sew the lining.

These are a great way to use up odds and ends of feltable wool. Whether you choose to embellish them or leave them unadorned, lined or unlined, the boxes make for wonderful gifts.

Difficulty: Advanced Beginner

Finished Measurements: Large [orange]: Width; 8in/20cm, Height; 3in/7cm. Medium [lime]: Width; 6.5in/
16.5cm, Height; 2.5in/5cm. Small: Width; 4.5in/11.5cm, Height; 1.75in/4.5cm .

Materials:[Large] Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 [100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220yd/201m per 100g skein]; color: 7825 Orange; 145yd/132m. [Medium] Cascade 220; color: 8910 Lime; 90yd/82m. [Small] Cascade 220; color: 7801 Red; 44yd/40m.

1 set US #10.5/6.5mm double-point needles, Tapestry needle for weaving in ends. (optional, needed for faux i-cord and lining) Oddballs of feltable wool. 1 US #10/6.0 needle. Approx 1 yard of fabric for lining, Sewing needle, Sewing thread.

Gauge: 16sts/22 rows = 4in/10cm in stockingette stitch on US10/6.5mm needles [pre-felting].

Stellina Hat

2009-11-17T08:19:00.005-05:00

Stellina Hat
[shown above with the Frilly Scarf]

Instructions for worsted weight and bulky weight are included.

As Kiddo is getting older, her ‘fashion sense’ is also changing. The latest request was a ‘French hat’ and a little scarf. What else can one do but raid the stash and make a ‘French hat’ :)

The hat is knit top down ending with generous ribbing which can be turned up or left down when extra warmth is needed on the ears. Hat shown with the Frilly Scarf. The Frilly Scarf pattern can be downloaded in The Garterbelt.com’s Complimentaries section. Star pattern adapted from the Stella stitch in the Manuale di Maglia.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Sizes: To fit a 19-22in/48-56cm head (the ribbing is nice and stretchy!)

Gauge: 20sts/24rows = 4in/10cm in St. st.

Yarn used in purple worsted model: 216 yards/198m Mystery brand worsted weight wool

Needles: 1 set US#7/4.5mm DNs or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: tapestry needlel for darning in ends

Stellina Hat ~ Bulky
Of course, once the lilac worsted wool version of Stellina was complete, Kiddo already had another yarn in mind for one more hat. We always need more than one! This time it was a thick and thin bulky handspun merino wool. Different gauge meant some pattern altering was in need. I wanted to keep the star motif on top and not lose stitch definition in the squishy yarn. The yarn I used for the hat is from Soul Wool (previously Happy Wool). It is comparable to Handspunyarn.com’s Handspun Bulky weight wool.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Sizes: To fit a 19-22in/48-56cm head

Gauge: 16sts/20rows = 4in/10cm in St. st.

Yarn used in bluky model: 106 ards/97m bulky weight wool.

Needles: 1 set US#10/6mm DPNs or size necessary to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle for darning in ends

Ali Bag

2009-11-17T08:19:00.003-05:00

Ali

I wanted a splash. Color, texture and a pocket. Not just a little internal pocket hidden in the lining but a big pocket conveniently located that offers easy access when digging out change at the market.

The bag is knit bottom up in two separate pieces which are then joined. Bottom shaping leads to a clean three needle bind off. The handles are made of twisted cord with ends concealed by the top facing. The Ali bag is a great way to use up small amounts of cotton while experimenting with color combos on the outer shell. Applied i- cord adds a polished look to the works.

Difficulty: Intermediate (requires some sewing)

Finished Measurements: Width: 7 inches (18cm), Body Height: 7 inches (18cm), Gusset Depth: 1.5 inches (4cm)

Materials: [MC1] BBB “Nilo” [80% cotton, 20% acrylic; 185yd/170m per 100g skein]; color: 32 Sea Blue; 1 skein, [MC2] BBB “Nilo” [80% cotton, 20% acrylic; 185yd/170m per 100g skein]; color: 1 White; 1 skein , [CC1] BBB “Nilo” [80% cotton, 20% acrylic; 185yd/170m per 100g skein]; color: 32 Light Green; 1 skein

1 # 16-inch US #4/3.5mm circular needle, 1 # 16-inch US #7/4.5mm circular needle, 1 # set(s) US #7/4.5mm double-point needles

Waste yarn for provisional cast on, 1 piece of fabric approx 18in (46cm) by 10in (25cm) for lining, Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, Sharp needle for sewing in lining, Thread for sewing in lining

Yarn Subbing: I used the BBB cotton blend because it is easy to find here in Italy. The suggested needle size on the label is US8/5mm. The internal bag is knit in St st. on US7/4.5mm circulars which gave me a gauge of 19 sts over 4in/10cm and resulted in a firm fabric. The bag would work up well in most any worsted to aran weight cotton/ cotton blend, adjust the needles to suit the yarn. Final measurements will vary when subbing but it is a bag as opposed to a garment so gauge is not terribly vital. I have written the instructions specifying length, rather than number of rows to make working with subs easier.

Gauge: 19 sts/26 rows = 4in/10cm in stockinette stitch on US7/4.5mm needles [gauge measurement post blocking].

Roxylady Bag

2009-11-17T08:19:00.001-05:00

Roxylady

[Includes instructions for both cotton and felted versions]

It started with a couple of unruly balls that kept jumping off of a shelf in the stash. It was like they were just asking to be used. I wanted something with simple lines that was funky and fresh. Yes, I admit, I've always wanted a handbag that I could hypnotize people with.

Both versions are knit top down in the round. The cotton version is lined and has i-cord handles. The felted version is slightly larger than the cotton one, lining is optional (though I always recommend it!) and uses “faux i-cord” for the handles. The stitch pattern is included in both written and chart format.

DIFFICULTY RATING: Intermediate (requires some sewing)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Cotton Version: Width: 7 inches, Body Height: 8 inches, Gusset Depth: 2.5
inches. Felted Version: Width: 9 inches, Body Height: 10.5 inches, Gusset Depth: 3 inches.

MATERIALS Cotton Version : [MC] BBB “Nilo” [80% cotton, 20% acrylic; 185yd/170m per 100g skein]; color: 1 White; 1 skein
[CC] BBB “Nilo” [80% cotton, 20% acrylic; 185yd/170m per 100g skein]; color: 142 Orange; 1 skein

# 16-inch US #4/3.5mm circular needle, # 16-inch US #7/4.5mm circular needle, # set(s) US #7/4.5mm double-point needles

1 piece of fabric approx 20in by 10in for lining (optional but recommended, 20in by 10in piece fusible interfacing, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, sharp needle for sewing in lining, coordinating thread for sewing in, lining

Felted Version : [MC] Quadrifoglio
“330” [100% wool; 185yd/170m per 100g skein]; color: Salmon; 2 skein [CC] Grignasco “Gri Nordette” [95% virgin wool, 5% acrylic; 191yd/175m per 50g skein]; color: 548 Charcoal; 2 skeins

Yarn Subbing for felted version: I swatched both Cascade 220 and Elann’s Highland wool and got the same dimensions as with the wool actually used in the model but of course hadn’t enough of either to make the bag so I used what I had on hand. The wools I used both are thin two plys which, when held together, gave me the same weight as Elann's Highlands Wool. If subbing and using either of these alternatives you will need approx 190 yards of each color.

# 24-inch US #10.5/6.5mm circular needle, spare needle of same or smaller size for bind off.

(optional but recommended )1 piece of fabric approx 24in by 13in for lining (optional but recommended) 24in by 13in piece fusible interfacing for additional lining support, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, sharp needle for sewing in lining, coordinating thread for sewing in lining

GAUGE: Cotton Version: 20 sts/28 rows = 4in/10cm in stockinette stitch on US7/4.5mm needles [gauge measurement post blocking]. Felted Version: 20 sts/38 rows = 4in/10cm post felting.

Sparticle Bag

2009-11-17T08:18:00.004-05:00

Sparticle

[Includes instructions for both cotton and felted versions and bonus pattern, Sparticus]

I have found the larger the bag I carry the more stuff I carry. I end up carrying a couple necessities for myself and a whole lot of stuff for the husband and child. Enough! The Sparticle Bag is big enough for keys, sunglasses, money and a bit more. First came the cotton version, I liked the relief the slip stitch creates across the fabric and vibrant colors. A perfect compliment for spring and summer.

The felted version I made out of a simple desire to felt something. As thedays started cooling off here I rotated the stash and found I had some feltable wool (very hard to find here in Italy) from a previous Elann order. On a hunch I knit up the second felted model with only slight modifications from the original pattern. Both have become fast favorites amongst my handbags (a girl can never have too many fab bags!).

Finally, there is Sparticus (for lack of a better name). A little something to make with those wooly leftovers. A small basket I found perfect for taming those unruly center pull balls, it would also knits up quick for those last minute gifts.

Finished Measurements:Cotton version: Width: 6in (15cm) Height: 6in (15cm) Gusset Depth: 1.5in (4cm). Felted version: Width: 7in (18cm) Height: 6.5in (16cm) Gusset Depth: 2in (5cm). Sparticus: Width: 4.5in (11cm) Height: 3in (8cm).

Materials: Cotton version: [MC] Grignasco Mexico [100% Mercerized Cotton] 93yards/85meters, 50g Color #003 - tan, 1 ball, [CC] Grignasco Mexico [100%Mercerized Cotton] 93yards/85meters 50g Color #023 - fuscia, 1 ball.

Felted version: [MC] Elann Peruvian Collection Highland Wool [100% Highland Wool] 109yards/100meters 50g Color #0211 Mocha Heather, 1 ball [CC1] Elann Peruvian Collection Highland Wool [100% Highland Wool] 109yards/100meters 50g Color #1700 Periwinkle, 1 ball [CC1] Elann Peruvian Collection Highland Wool [100% Highland Wool] 109yards/100meters 50g Color #1520 Precious Turquoise, 1 ball

Sparticus: [MC] Elann Peruvian Collection Highland Wool [100% Highland Wool] 109yards/100meters 50g Color #1520 Precious Turquoise, 37yards/34meters [CC] Elann Peruvian Collection Highland Wool [100% Highland Wool] 109yards/100meters 50g Color #1700 Periwinkle, 30yards/28meters

Cotton version set of 4 US9/5mm double pointed needles, Felted version set of 4 US11/8mm double pointed needles, Tapestry needle for weaving in ends. Fabric piece approx 8in x 18in (20cm x 45cm) for lining. Sewing needle and thread for sewing in lining. Cotton version (optional) beads or other embellishments for closure.

GAUGE: Cotton version: 23 stitches/24 rows = 4in/10cm in pattern;Felted version: pre-felting 4 sts. per inch (4 sts per 2.5cm); Sparticus: pre-felting 4 sts. per inch (4 sts per 2.5cm)

The Val Bag

2009-11-17T08:18:00.003-05:00

The Val Bag

Val is a fun one. Simple body with a bit of shaping up top. Her pattern is not an obvious one unless you get it at just the right angle, otherwise she just looks like one loud broad! And she looks great in horizontal stripes, I do wish I could say the same for myself.

The bag is knit bottom up in the round then split into two sections which form the upper sides. The upper sides are then worked flat ending with the handle tabs. The handle tabs together with the bottom gusset to add a gentle shaping to the body. Applied i-cord adds a polished look to the works.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Finished Measurements: Width 10.5in (27cm), Body Height from bottom end of handle tabs: 15in (38cm), Gusset Depth: 2in/5cm

Materials: MC1: 185yd/170m, MC2: 185yd/170m, CC 152yd/230m

1 16inch US #7/4.5mm circ, 1 16inch US #4/3.5 circ, 1 set US #7/4.5mm dpns, waste yarn, 1 6 inch wide half ring bamboo handle with d-rings, taestry needle, sharp needle, sewing thread (optional) piece of fabric aprox 23in (58cm) by 11in (28cm) for lining.

Gauge: 24sts/22 rows = 4in/10cm in pattern stitich ono US7/4.5mm needles

Serena Wrap

2009-11-17T08:17:00.001-05:00

The Serena Wrap
Some days I end up not wearing a wrap when the weather dictates one should be worn for fear of snagging the lacework. A textured wrap was called for and I had this lovely mercerized cable cotton I had picked up at the local market begging to be used.

Form the raised diamond lattice by wrapping clusters of stitches. Sections with elongated diamonds have longer intervals between rows with wraps. The lines and their crossing pattern create an energized flowing design, a bit of Serenity Now!for those chaotic moments of life.

Difficulty: Easy

Size: One

Finished Measurements: Width: 15in (38cm), Length: 60in (152cm) without fringe, 72in (183cm) with fringe.

Materials: 270ds/246m heavy cable cotton used for model [A wool version in KnitPicks Panache took 522 yards],

7mm knitting needle or size needed for gauge, straight cable or dpn, darning needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: 12sts/17rows = 4in/10cm