Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Purchasing a Fleece

Today I went to a local sheep breeder to purchase a fleece.  The ewe you see here is Isabelle, that's where my fleece came from.


 Shetland sheep originated in the Shetland Isles.  They are fairly small and come in a variety of colors.  They are quite hardy and require minimal care.


Fleeces usually weigh between 2 to 4 pounds, but 5 and 6 pound fleeces are not uncommon. Typically, on the Shetland Islands, the fleece staple length is 2 to 4 1/2 inches. In some flocks, however, longer staple lengths of 6inches are observed. 



Dirty the fleece weighs in at 5.6 lbs.  Rolled up in there is a lovey light grey fiber.


On the way there, I noticed this pasture with Norwegian Fjords ... on the way back, I just had to stop for some photos.


It was a wonderful trip.

Monday, May 28, 2012

VideoCast Episode 18





Episode 18
Sunday, May 27, 2012




Updates & Housekeeping


Welcome newbies, if you are returning, thanks!!
Vacation!!!!        
Shop Update
o Yarn order arrived – 6 sw merino/nylon, 2 lace, 4 wool/silk and 4 roving
o June 6th Anniversary
Printer




Revelations


o Baby Blanket
o Achilles HEAL Socks
o Hitchiker
o Ribband – 472 beads
o Spinning
o Camp Loopy starts today – Bigger on the Inside


String Theory   


o Outlast
Outlast is this crazy fiber that interacts with your body's microclimate to moderate temperature from being too hot or too cold. It was used by NASA. Ferrari uses it for their race car seats. 
o Wool Gatherings


Scrolls


o Principles of Knitting


Heresy


o Sheep Fleece
Washing and Carding
Purchasing a fleece


Delusional Jabber


o Stephen King On Writing
o Nightmare Before Christmas Mug
o Dark Shadows
o Premiere Elements Tutorials




Closing




Ravelry: delusionalknitter  
o Ravelry Board: Revelations of a Delusional Knitter Podcast
Blogspot: delusionalknitter.blogspot.com
Gmail: delusionalknitter@gmail.com
Etsy Shop  http://www.etsy.com/shop/delusionalknitter

Friday, May 25, 2012

Fiber Friday

Regular scheduled Feline Friday will commence shortly (after I collect more photos) for now, enjoy Fiber Friday!

I wanted to know if processing a fleece was something I would enjoy doing.  I had some raw wool from the spinning class that I took before I purchased my wheel.


I weighed it, curious how much was there.  I was very surprised to find out it was quite a bit.  Dirty it was 9.14 oz.


I read quite a few different sources to find out how to scour a fleece.  What I learned was that hot water was needed to dissolve the lanolin or "grease".  The different sources listed many different temperatures, but 120º was listed in several, so I went with that.  That temp was exactly what I could get out of my tap as well, so it seemed a good temperature.


I washed the raw wool twice in dishsoap baths.


What came out was pretty disgusting.  I can only describe it as dirt soup.


After two wash tubs.  I rinsed about 3 or 4 times in just water.  I stopped after the water was clear.


Then I laid it out to dry.


The sun went down, so I took it inside and laid it out to dry.  It took about 4 days.  However, it was rainy and humid, so I think that's what took so long.  The last day I left a fan on it for 1.5 hours, then took it to my yarn room.


Its much cleaner than it was, as you can see.  I weighed it post washing and it was 7.2 oz.  There is still a small bit of vegetable matter and ick in it that I will pick or cut out.

Here is a lock.


And here is that lock carded with my flick carder.  There is still a bit of lanolin in there, but not too much.  I do get a "just put lotion" on feeling after handling it. 



I enjoyed the process a lot.  I think I will be in the market for a full fleece soon!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

VideoCast Episode 17




Episode 17
Friday, May 18, 2012


Updates & Housekeeping

·         Welcome newbies, if you are returning, thanks!!
·         Shop Update
o    Ordered more yarn
o    Self-Striping
·         Quinn
·         No finishes yet …


Revelations

o    Baby Blanket
o    Achilles HEAL Socks
o    Hitchiker
o    Spinning

String Theory  

o    Fiber Stash (17 in March)
§  ITW Shipment – 5th Shipment
o    Washing Fleece

Scrolls

o    Spinner’s Companion

Heresy

o    Camp Loopy
§  Knitting a different challenge project each month, for the next 3 months.
·         20% off yarn during a specified week prior to the challenge. 
·         Double points. 
·         All 3 a special colorway in a fingering weight cashmere blend yarn.
§  For the first project, we’re all knitting a 400+ yd. project using a pattern by a designer from a country other than our own.
§  Bigger on the Inside – Kate Atherly - Canada

o    Review 2012 Goals
§  Spin 5 different types of fibers
§  Navajo Ply
§  Knit 5 from books
§  Knit 5 from queue
§  Beaded Neck Warmer


Delusional Jabber

o    Kindle
§  Principles of Knitting
o    TV – Fox canceled Alcatraz and Finder
o    Audible – Clash of Kings

Closing


·         Ravelry: delusionalknitter 
·         Blogspot: delusionalknitter.blogspot.com
·         Gmail: delusionalknitter@gmail.com
·         Etsy Shop  http://www.etsy.com/shop/delusionalknitter

Friday, May 18, 2012

Friday Felines



What's more comfortable than the extra paper towel rolls on top of the fridge?

Monday, May 14, 2012

VideoCast Episode 16




Episode 16
Saturday, May 12, 2012



Updates & Housekeeping

·         Welcome newbies, if you are returning, thanks!!
·         Shop Update
o    Give-a-way – Sabrina from Georgia
·         Quinn
·      Dolphin Browser for iPad – thanks Stefanie



Revelations

o    Baby Blanket
o    Achilles HEAL Socks
o    Hitchiker
o    Spinning

String Theory

o    NH Sheep & Wool Festival
§  Shawl Pins
§  Bunny Blend – www.bunnyblend.com
§  Sock Roving – www.atouchoftwist.net
§  Cormo – Will-Ewe Farm
§  Goat Milk Lotion & Lip Balm – www.wonderfallfarm.com
§  Misc. Roving – Hodgepodge Fibers & Yarns – http://hdgpdg.wordpress.com
§  Ashford Kniddy Knoddy & Flick Carder
§  Road Bug – www.themerlintree.com
·         11 lbs (traveller 15 lbs)

Scrolls

o    Spinner’s Companion

Heresy

o    Baby Mine Pattern
§  How many patterns do I purchase and then forget about?


Delusional Jabber

o    Kindle

Closing


·         Ravelry: delusionalknitter 
o    Ravelry Board: Revelations of a Delusional Knitter Podcast
·         Blogspot: delusionalknitter.blogspot.com
·         Gmail: delusionalknitter@gmail.com
·         Etsy Shop  http://www.etsy.com/shop/delusionalknitter

Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday Felines



Mommy's big boy Riley Jones ... he's so sweet and super cute.  Makes us laugh a lot!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Watcher


He watches over the frog pond ... the frogs seem to like him too!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

VideoCast Episode 15






Episode 15
Saturday, May 05, 2012


Updates & Housekeeping

·         Welcome newbies, if you are returning, thanks!!
·         Dyeing


Revelations

o    Baby Blanket
o    Achilles HEAL Socks
o    Hitchiker
o    Spinning

String Theory

o    Merino

Scrolls


Heresy

o    Knitters Guild Meeting – Green Mountain Spinnery
§  Slide Show
§  Yarn
o    Loopy Ewe Order


Delusional Jabber

o    TV – Psych Finale, Finder, Alcatraz
o    Reading – Kindle Fire
o    Uff Da! Mug
o    Next Weekend NH Sheep & Wool

Closing

·         Ravelry: delusionalknitter 
·         Blogspot: delusionalknitter.blogspot.com
·         Gmail: delusionalknitter@gmail.com
·         Etsy Shop  http://www.etsy.com/shop/delusionalknitter

Friday, May 4, 2012

Friday Felines



"Is it a dog?  I'm pretty sure its not a cat.  Is it an Ewok?  What the heck is it?" ~ Riley

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Surmount the Stash April Check In





Welcome to Surmount the Stash 2012! 

This year I hope to complete all WIPs that I had on the needles at the start of the year. Knit from stash and not accumulate much more and to knit many of those projects that have been in my queue for a long time.

2012 Yarn Acquired to Date: 7
2012 Yarn Used Up to Date: 0 (2 in the queue)

First up to finish: Morderne Baby Blanket.

No finishes yet.

How are you doing?

So far I've been doing excellent at not acquiring much more stash yarn, not so well at finishes, and acquiring stash fiber is a different matter altogether!