Handwoven Huckleberry Dishtowels

You know, I really thought I blogged these. Apparently not. I wove them last year, but they've sat in my hemming basket awaiting needle and thread. Finally I've done the hand-hemming (I prefer that over machine-hemming, mainly because I'm all thumbs with the sewing machine) and taken some pictures. I've listed them in my Etsy shop - I have 6 available. I also had a short one (end of the warp) that I'm keeping for ME. They remind me of my beloved Montana, and of my friend Sandi who lives there (and bakes huckleberry muffins each time I visit - so the first towel I hemmed was gifted to her!)

The details: I used 6/2 unmercerized cotton (with 20/2 cotton in plum for hems and hemming), in mulberry and purple. The structure is log cabin. The finished towels are 26" x 18". They're soft and absorbent, and will be more so over time and laundering.

I'm transitioning us to using cloth towels in the kitchen and cloth napkins at the table. Not just environmentally friendly, but more pleasing to the hand and the eye!

Handwoven: Emerald Forest

As the holidays approached, I wove several scarves for gifts and several for the Etsy shop so other people could give them as gifts. :) One of them was the Emerald Forest scarf, woven with a combination of merino/silk/alpaca/sparkle yarns. It was quite lovely, and sold in the shop quickly to someone who wanted a gift for her mother.

Fortunately, I had warped the loom for two scarves. :) This one waited patiently until this week, when I had a chance to weave it. I love the undulating color changes of the greens with the hints of brown. I used one of my favorite yarns as the warp - Enchanted Knoll Farm's "Fairy Dust", a lovely merino/nylon yarn with a touch of sparkle for elegance. The weft is an alpaca/silk blend from WEBS.

The finished scarf is 70" long (excluding fringe) and 7" wide. The hand-twisted fringe on both ends is 5" long.

I sold it in my Etsy shop.

I'm always weaving, though - if you want something custom-woven for you, give me a shout and we'll work something out!

A Winner Is Me!

Cyndy of Riverrim asked if anyone could guess the weight of her spindle with the cop on it, and my guess was closest - so she sent me this wonderful prize. It's a handmade wooden button - isn't it beautiful?? She offers them for sale in her new Etsy shop. She suggested that I use it as a closure for a woven bag - now I will have to plan the perfect bag to go with the button!


Her packaging is beautiful as well - I wish I'd thought to take pictures of how carefully it was wrapped. I suspect even the string is handmade, as Cyndy is a flax-spinner. Thank you so much, Cyndy - this is such a treat!

Last Yarns of February

I finished spinning the lovely birthday gift batts from Sherie. The yarn is 500 yds of 20wpi 2-ply softness - lighter than air and super-soft. I'm going to knit the Twilight Scarf/Stole from 'A Fine Fleece' with it... someday. :)

This is 200 yds of 9 wpi 2-ply bulky yarn I spun from Polwarth dyed by David of Southern Cross Fibre in his Teresa colourway. Very squooshy and soft, and for sale in the Etsy shop.



Currently spinning Amy's Spunky Eclectic Club offering for February: 'New Day', in yellow/orange/red/brown corriedale. Very nice - I'm aiming for a heavy fingering or light sportweight, and a lovely pair of thick socks. :)

Sister Blanket

This blanket is for my sister. Fresh off the loom, not yet wet-finished or fringe-twisted. She asked for a woven blanket to keep her lap and legs warm while watching tv.

30" x 85". 8 epi/ppi. Used LB Woolease so she can throw it in the washing machine.

Gifts From More Dear Friends

I was so very pleased and delighted with the generosity that was showered on me last week. So I was flabbergasted to open my mailbox today after work and find two more packages. Obviously my mailman wanted to space out the presents and lengthen the celebration. (Or he was hoarding the packages for himself - in which case he's in deep trouble.)

First, from Josette/Farm-Witch of Enchanted Knoll Farms, a beautiful ounce of Tussah silk roving in her gorgeous ‘Johnny Jump Ups’ colourway. It's so lovely - the spindles in my spindle vase are eyeing it and jostling for first dibs:

And from David of Southern Cross Fibres, 4 ounces of Polwarth (my new obsession) dyed in his beautiful ‘Snow Gums’ colourway - the subtle shades of green and blue and grey are delicious:


I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Fibre friends are the BEST.

Tomorrow: pictures (hopefully) of the blanket I've been weaving for my sister on the Macomber...

Gifts From Dear Friends

Last week I got some lovely birthday gifts in the mail from dear friends far away. Amy Boogie of Spunky Eclectic surprised me with some delicious Corriedale/Alpaca in her "Riverwalk" colorway:


Sherie from Amarillo, my dear Swa(m)p partner in the Spunky Eclectic Swa(m)p, sent me a delightful package. Inside - her beautiful scarf/stole handwoven with her handspun Pumpkin Juice (a Club fiber from Enchanted Knoll on Etsy).




Also in the box: a lovely pair of fingerless mitts, knitted by Sherie in Debbie Bliss cashmerino. They are soft and soooo warm - perfect for my Reynaud's. They keep my hands warm while typing, knitting, weaving, or spinning.


Lastly, Sherie conspired with David from Southern Cross Fibres in Australia - he dyed the fibre and she blended it - polwarth, camel, silk, and a little glitz - and she carded it into these spectacular batts:


I've already started spinning them into what will be a lovely 2-ply laceweight yarn. They draft and spin wonderfully.

I am so blessed with great friends and an abundance of equipment and supplies for my obsessions passions and hobbies. This is a lovely journey - I am certainly enjoying the ride!