Holiday Wishes

Wishing all of you happy and joyous holiday season!

I'm still on hiatus, but I will be returning in the next few weeks with some new tatting, dying, and other craftyness!

Current Spinning Projects

Found a local fiber store. Well, I say it's local, but it's really about an hour away on the other side of Athens from here. The store had a really nice selection of yarns and knitting needles, but had very little in the way of spinning fiber (which they told me they were so low because of Christmas). I'll see if I can get some pictures to share next time I go (and go I shall! lol).

I was able to get a few things, which I wanted to share with those who like to spin/knit/crochet. Sorry, no new tatting in this post, as I haven't gotten any pictures of my current works!

First up, I wanted to touch on the one that I -should- be finishing, but am finding it a bit hard to focus on. Remember the "Twilight" fiber I got?

Last I showed, I was just starting to ply. I've gotten the majority of the fiber spun, and only have about an ounce left to fully spin and ply.

I also learned a new technique with this -- Navajo Plying. I follow Monika's blog Smoking Hot Needles, and every week she has "Homespun Fridays." After reading about some of the beautiful fiber she's spun being plied using the Navajo technique, I had to give it a try and I think I have it down.


In the photo above, you can see what I have fully completed, as well as where I am in spinning. I have two small hanks of tri-ply yarn and one surprisingly thick hank of two-ply. Not sure of the full yard count just yet, and these haven't been blocked. I'll keep everyone updated!

One of the fibers I got at the fiber store was made by Ashland Bay, and is a merino/tussah silk combo, in their "Red" color, 4 ounces total.

I got this to make my sister something for next year, and depending on how much yarn I get out of this will tell me what I'm going to make with it! ^^ I couldn't wait to spin it, and while watching Sanctuary (I'm such a sci-fi geek!), I got started pre-drafting and spinning.

Here I have about half of the fiber spun:

As soon as I get the other half spun, I will be plying this in the Navajo method. I had been told this was a little harder to work with than the pure superwash that I am used to, but I'm finding it a joy to work with! I'm super glad that I got the other fiber to go with this, as I can't wait to work with it!

Also, I'm finding that I like spinning with a heavier drop spindle. Huh.. Never thought that would happen! This particular spindle was made by me, and is about sixteen inches long. I love the whorl of it! To see it, look at the second picture on this post. It's so pretty!

Happy Holidays to all!

25 Motif Challenge, Finished!

A quick tribute to all of my tatting done this past year. I nearly didn't make it, but whew! To view the newest of the challenge, click here. (Thought that may make it easier for you, Sharon!) Links to the patterns will follow at the end of the post. This is a little latter than I promised, sorry!

My challenge started on December 19th, which I posted these four ornaments. I never got around to posting finished pictures of them.


Next came these..

Afterward, I went on a snowflake spree..

And then doilies..

How many times can one have #23 for the challenge? Aparently, three times.





And finally, the finished products..


The first picture was while I was working on the Hearts in a Snowflake, and is the only phone pic that I'm re-showing on this post. I can't find the Merry Christmas Snowflake, otherwise I'd have a better picture to share.

I suppose this is a bit of an anti-climax, but I'm glad I was able to complete this challenge! I will be joining again after the first of the year, only this next time I want to make all of my own patterns!

Thanks to everyone who has commented and supported me in this challenge!

And here's the breakdown of the patterns that I promised.

1. Victorian Ornament. (Cant find the link to the pattern. If anyone knows who the designer is, please tell me so I can add it here!)
   
2. Snowflake Book Clip, via the Online Tatting Class & Georgia Seitz
   
3. Dream by Yarn Player
4. Ruffled Heart, by Vicki Clarke
   
5. Merry Christmas Snowflake, by Sharon Briggs
6. Various Snowflakes, from the book Tatted Snowflakes by Vida Sunderman:
   Ribbon Floss snowflake, Tiny Snowflake, Trefoil, and Flower Flake
   
7. The DMC Tatting Book, Medallion #17, from the Online Tatting Class (open domain)
8. Eight Inch Doily, from Easy Tatting, by Rozella F. Linden
9. Edging, from A New Twist on Tatting, Catherine Austin
   
10. Indian Summer Earrings, by Nina Libin (kit number BNL-102 is the necklace version that I'm getting the courage up to work on..)
    
11. Hearts in a Snowflake, by Jon Yuseff

Threads Used (mostly):

• "Icicle" and "Shades of Gray" HDT size 20, Lady Shuttle Maker
• Purple Omega size 20, Nylon
• Lizbeth size 20, Black, Victorian Red, Leaf Green Light, Spring Garden, Falling Leaves, Denim Whisper, Antique Violet and White
  
• Personal HDT's, Aunt Lydia size 20
• Royal Size 10, "Bridal Blue"
• DMC Cebela, size 1o White

Hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday rush! I may not be posting much this month (getting ready for reunions that seem to come every weekend and work and lots of other things). I'll try to post, but no promises!

Happy Hols to everyone!