So... I'm done with the Teddy Bear production. Onwards and upwards.. I saw that KnitPicks (online sales only) brought out a new cotton that looks luscious, it's name is "Billow" and it looked very hand-spun and soft in the photos. It's packaged in twisted skeins which look oh-so-organic and handmade. The problem is.. winding it into a ball so you can actually USE it. :-) Dayle is my go-to guy for holding the skein while I wind these lovely balls. WELL.. this was the first one we endeavored to "tame" into a ball. OH MY GOODNESS! We had such a tangled mess it wasn't even funny. Kristi also took a turn or two to help us.. at one time three of us were working on it at once! It took at least 2-2.5 hours to get it done.
The good news is that it IS soft and the colors are very earthy.. almost like clay and moss, etc. The bad news is the yarn often goes down to a very narrow, skinny thread. We'll see how it works when I use it.
Did I say soft? Oh yes.. it is.. yummy.
Here are the two balls that are wound.. when I told hubby that we have 3 more to do he almost went apoplectic. :-)
I do love their simple, organic, low tech labels.
I've pondered what I will make with this... I've never done a big granny.. a "Lucy" bag, a neat ripple.. or.. what would YOU make with this?
I have a project bag for it.. a vintage "basket purse" or "sewing basket". I have 3 of these.. I'd love more.. but don't tell hubby. LOL! :-)
On the home front.. we're enjoying having the kids around. Corbett School is 4 days - fridays off.. so tomorrow we're taking Kristi and the boys to the State Fair, while Travis sleeps. He works nights. That should be fun! Thanks to you all for your good wishes on our new "modern family" here on the farm. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
That looks like very nice yarn. I think you should try a Lucy bag if you've never made one. I did mine in cotton and it has been very durable and I drag it all over with me. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely soft wool Teresa but what a pain to wind into balls. I'm surprised that any wool these days is sold as skeins? Your household is really changing isn't it...you are so kind to invite your son and family to live.....my house is so small we would have to share beds...lol! X
ReplyDeleteLovely yarn Teresa - have fun whatever you decide to make Also loving the basket. Have fun at the fair. Anne xxx
ReplyDeleteThose skeins look lovely. Looks like they have a bit of a sheen to them as well. I can't wait to see what you will make out of them.
ReplyDeleteErin
I do not like tangly yarn. Bought a silky yarn in the states several years ago that came twisted like that and I never could get it completely untangled. It's in a heap somewhere around here. All the teddy bears you made turned out so sweet. Have a great Friday. Tammy
ReplyDeleteWell it sure looks beautiful from here, and soft and yummy! I always unwind my hank of yarn and drop it over the back of a chair, I stand up and roll it into a ball, rarely have I had trouble, but now I have just jinxed myself haven't I. I think a bag would be beautiful, but maybe a granny bag so you can really show of the beauty of the colors. Glad things are going well with the family, have a fantastic time at the State Fair, it sounds like lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
I have got in a similar tangle trying to wind skeins of yarn......it takes ages to sort them out! Btw, I meant to say on your last post how much I love those sweet bears you have made for each of your grandchildren! Lovely makes, and they look so cuddly :)
ReplyDeleteHelen x
That yarn looks so pretty. I would love to place an order with Knit Picks sometime soon but I'm a little nervous considering the card security stuff last fall. I think I would have to take a very long breather if it took that long to wind one ball. You guys are troopers!
ReplyDeleteI L-O-V-E your knitting purse/basket. It's gorgeous. Where did you find it?
The fair sounds like fun. Brad, Mandy and Piper are hoping to go on Saturday. Have fun and thank you again for your generous offer on my blog.
Blessings,
Betsy
I love the colors you chose in your new yarn! How about a pillow (or two)? Or maybe a rug for your kitchen? Something like this: http://hub.tutsplus.com/tutorials/crochet-a-gorgeous-mandala-floor-rug--craft-6032
ReplyDeleteI would make a bag too, I think it is really pretty and it would look nice in a lucy bag. XOXO
ReplyDeleteI put a reply in here, but I don't know if it got lost. I would make a bag. XOXO
ReplyDeleteThose colors are so calming. I can see why you picked them. I agree, they are earthy, and gentle. I would have trouble deciding what to make with them, the possibilities are endless. I am sure you will come up with something that the rest of us will ohhh and ahhh over. My hubby use to help me unwind tangled yarn too. I recently bought one of those yarn winders, you know, the kind that winds them into cakes. One of my blogger friends recommended one sold on Amazon. I have yet to use it. My one little dog got a hold of a skein of sport weight yarn once when I was out to the mailbox and got side tracked in the garage doing something. She had it strung from the living room all the way down the hall to the bedroom. It looked like she definitely had one heck of a good time with it (although she never admitted to the deed, lol). I learned to set my yarn basket up in the chair and later to store it all in a tote. It took hours to de-tangle it. I never thought I would ever get done. So glad you have started off with all good experiences since your family has come to stay. Blessings come in all forms.
ReplyDelete(((HUGS))) Susanne :)
Incredible colors--love them! I sure hope it's easy to work because I am very excited to see what you make from it!
ReplyDeleteI love a 4-3 split. At one point in my working career I did that--loved it:)
Have a wonderful time at the State Fair--so much to see there.
Blessings,
Aimee
I love the new yarn colors! I would love to buy a swift for rolling yarn into a nice ball.
ReplyDeleteHave fun at the fair tomorrow. Have a fried oreo or something!
Hugs,
Kris
I LOVE to untangle yarn. Too bad we aren"t neighbors.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy, Candice H Southern California
Hi Teresa, What beautiful earthy colors!!!I think a Lucy bag will be splendid!!!It will show of the colors in all their glory!!!Enjoy your day at the fair!!!
ReplyDeleteLove
AMarie
A ripple throw for me !
ReplyDeleteoh I hate tangled messes. You must have a great deal of patience to have got that sorted. Have you decided what to make yet? I'm still in the hospital but at least I now have some yarn and am working on a baby's blanket whenever I feel up to it. xoxox
ReplyDeleteMy hubbie doesn't like it when he sees more wool coming because he is my 'go to' guy! What a pity that they are so difficult to wind! Those are lovely colours....I think they would look lovely in a ripple blanket. Look forward to seeing what you decide. Joan
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your new yarns, the colors are beautiful. That first pic looks like you are holding up a handful of spinach fettucine!
ReplyDeleteSince I work in a school, I really like that idea of a 4-day school week ;P
Enjoy the fair!
Smiles, DianeM
Hahah I feel your pain with tangled yarn. I bought a winder to make yarn cakes and I got into SO many tangles, unfortunately J wouldn't help me :(
ReplyDelete