Random noodling

I amble from one knitting station to another.  Summer means project migration from warm areas of the house to airy, cooler parts.  Finishing is secondary to process, has been for several months.  Huge WIPS teach me that. 

Featherduster shawl is almost done.  I am binding off.  I would say I have been binding off for a month, but that is only partly true.  The Three Bears visited my knitting:  "the bind-off is TOO TIGHT".  "Nonono, the bind-off is TOO LOOSE".  My knitting friends watched and said, "the bind-off is JUST right.  Keep on."  After said friends helped me undo tinking glitches in silk/mohair, blocking will not be far behind.  (I don't think S/M stands just for silk/mohair in this case.) So much time was spent in the knitting, I knew the finishing had to be good.

Volt is shown, 70% done.  Good thing I like st st.  

Massachusetts Sheep and Wool came once more.  Weather cooperated, the gathering of the clans happened.  Manise and I coenabled each other with Alice Field's able assistance.  We are splitting (yes, I know there is a theme here, but I am helpless in its clutches) an exquisite black Cormo/merino X.   Alice raises amazing fleeces. (Picture at the end of wool shots, displayed with ruler.)

My fleece lust was tempered not at all by the Morro Fleece Works box that arrived last week.  Dick and Gretchen Regnery (Whitefish Bay Farm) produce fine Corriedale fleeces every year.  What poofed out of the opened box was spinner's paradise.  I grabbed a short piece, compelled to spindle spin a sample to see what it would become.  I was so excited, that I forgot to ply it, so what you see is a little skein of singles next to a piece of the roving.  Yum. 

The garden is a mess, but it is a beautiful mess.  All my clematises died to the ground during this difficult winter.  That includes the Class II group, which blooms on old wood.  I have few blooms, but the plants are resprouting from the roots, as they should.  The only flowers are from Alionushka, which spends each winter in the garage, and each summer in a container on the deck. 

More garden, less noodling next time.

 

 

Comments

[Martha]

That black fleece is gorgeous! so jealous!

[Lynn]

I should knit more S/M.

[Paula]

Beautiful fluff and fleece! We had a relatively mild winter and the clematis are going gangbusters, but not blooming yet. That pink one is very nice!

[Caroline M]

My mother lost her clematis this winter, we bought here another which so far has had one flower. I spy side shoots so there's more to come.

I would have had all of the black, I don't care how big it is, I wouldn't have wanted to share.

[Carole]

I love how you suck us in with the whole "splitting" the fleece. 1/2 a fleece doesn't count, right?

[pumpkinmama]

You and Manise always find the best fleeces!

[gayle]

Pretty fleece! (Gracious of you to split it...)
I'm anxious to see your Feather Duster. I have the pattern set aside with my handspun merino/tencel. (If I ever finish Maplewing and/or Lyra, I'll cast on for it!)

[margene]

Black Cormo? It must be heavenly. Feather Duster is my most oft worn shawl. You will find it worth the time and effort. Not only would we love to see more garden shots, we'd love to see more of your spinning. I, for one, never grow tired of seeing your handspun.

[Vicki]

I was just at Whitefish Bay Farm a couple of weeks ago for their annual Shepherds' Market! Lovely setting... I had a fun photo session with some of their sheepies (posted a few photos on my blog).

[Cheryl S.]

I'm sure that Featherduster will be well worth the time getting the bindoff right.

[Melissa G]

Planning the summer projects here while trying to clear the deck for them. Hot all of a sudden to must get warm weathers in, but the heat slows me down. Light is orange from AZ fires.

[claudia]

Pretty fleece! I actually spun for a moment last weekend. It might be coming back....

[Nick Neat Heel Balm]

Shame to hear about your clematises - hope for a midder winter next year!