Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Where in the World is fleegle?

No, I was not suffocated by mountains and billows of the Queen Susan shawl, although it was a close call there for a few weeks. I've actually been quite busy, but just haven't had the urge to photograph anything. Fortunately, Hyperactive Harry got a new camera for Christmas, and condescended to take pictures for me. I winnowed out the dross, namely an extremely unflattering set of early-morning-before-coffee snapshots, and instead present you with the remainder.

First, I managed to slog through the Queen Susan border--all 165 miserable rows. By the time I was finished, I hated the pattern, loathed the yarn, detested the stitch markers, despised the needles, and abhorred the color. The instant I finished the last stitch, I zoomed into a closet, threw the huge hairnet inside, and slammed the door. At some point, I will have forgotten the tedious slog through the endless rows of repetition and optimistically resume on the edging, but in the meantime...

I've been busy spinning. All of the skeins shown below were spun on Tibetan supported spindles.


And some closeups...





After the Knitting gift rush was over, I took the incredible step of actually knitting warm things for myself. The first is a simple neck warmer in circular honeycomb brioche stitch. I wanted something very warm and soft, so used one strand of silk and one of cashmere. Fortunately, Harry wasn't around to see the first attempt. I forgot that brioche stitch is really very stretchy...and the result was more of a waist warmer. By eliminating 3/4 of the original stitches, I obtained something that actually fits my neck.



I always wanted a pair of hand-warmers, but always ended up giving them away. This pair is a keeper. Knit from a worsted-weight merino-silk, the pattern is my own invention. Too lazy to find a cable needle, I simply knitted three rows, then knitted the third, second, and first stitch on the left-hand needle to produce a cable-ish effect.



And I finally got around to casting on for two lovely shawlettes. Percy here is being knitted in my own gradient handspun:




Krokus is being knitted with Malabrigo laceweight in the Amoroso colorway. The beads are 4mm bi-color faceted rounds.






Both patterns are freebies and lots of fun to knit--there's little repetition, so boredom cannot set in.

In other news, I decided to discontinue my spinning series--few of my readers seem interested, so I will forgo publishing the rest of the articles that apparently bored my readership into a stupor. Anybody still there?

58 comments:

Carolyn said...

I'm here! I loved your spinning series, but admit to managing the impulse to rush right out and buy quite well. The knitting gene is too strong.

Michael said...

Oh no.. I want to hear more about spinning. Please post them somewhere!

Winterhart said...

I'm reading! This is a good reminder to comment as well as read; too often I forget. Your post about impeccable batts is bookmarked, and I refer to it every time I get the urge to go shopping for new spinning toys.

You /have/ been busy; I can't believe all of those lovely skeins, the purple/blueish/black one particularly. And three cheers for knitting for oneself!

Enjay said...

I concur, I really appreciate your spinning series and I'm far from bored to tears! THank you for writing it :)

Anonymous said...

I'm reading!

I am NOT bored!

I would love for you to continue:)

Kathleen Dames said...

Your spun yarn is beautiful! I haven't read your series closely (just skimmed), since I'm trying to avoid adding another hobby right now :)
Sounds like with three kids and two kittens, I should probably avoid Queen Susan right now. Can't wait to see yours though.
And you've just pushed Percy up in my queue - like I don't have enough to do!

Katie K said...

I'm here,even if I'm not a spinner (yet). The beauty of the internet is the ability to access archived information, so when I do become a spinner (oh frabgious day!) I will definitely turn to your posts to learn what I need to know.

The shawls look fabulous, BTW.

Anonymous said...

Your spinning is amazing. Who wouldn't want to read about your advice?

GinniG said...

Please don't stop the spinning series! It's hard to find info on lace spinning and I've printed off each blog so far and am keeping them in a notebook for reference. I'm sorry that we don't comment as often as we should, but that doesn't mean we're not reading!

Unknown said...

Beautiful work! I've been curious about how to knit the honeycomb brioche in the round for a long time. Would you share either the pattern or the source? Thank you!

Feri said...

Always&still waiting for Fleegle's new posts :)

Linda said...

Another vote to continue the spinning series. I can just stare at the photos of the finished skeins and be content, but lessons on how to work on my own skills are invaluable.

bobbins said...

Another reader that loves the spinning series. I spin much more than I knit and am seeking to improve my skills. Your descriptions and pictures make it easy to understand HOW it is done.

But I love everything you write, and thanks for each and every blog entry.
Tobey

Carol said...

pretty yarn! pretty shawls. it's all so pretty I feel inadequate.

Laurie said...

*Sigh* Flogged out of lurkdom to say I enjoyed the spinning series.

CozyStitches said...

I'm here...not a spinning fan but it was neat to see your pictures. ;) Love the looks of the yarns they look yummy! When I saw your fuchsia shawl w/nupps AND beads I thought you may be a bit crazy, not something I'd ever try, but looks BEAUTIFUL! :D

Delusional Knitter said...

Your spun yarn is so lovely. I just learned to spin recenlty, so I'm all for spinning series. Lovely shawls - I'm on a shawl kick recently too.

MimiD said...

Still here, still here! Still wanting to learn more about supported spindling. If you have the opportunity to write more about it, I'll do my best to soak it up. Your work is exquisite (so is your sense of humor). Happy New Year (to Harry too) Mimi

sabelt said...

Dear Fleegle,
please continue your spinning series!You don't know how much it helped a lot of people to refine their spinning skills.
After watching your videos I ordered a Tibetan Spindle and now I'm practising with some Yak fluff.
Without your postings I wouldn't have dared to try my hands on this, so pleeeeaaase keep on writing...
Thank you so much for your work!

Kitty Kitty said...

I'm Here.... Though I for one want to hear the next installment on the spinning series.

Wow you are a busy one these days with your spindle. Wow Wow Wow is all I can say. Very impressive.

Prue said...

Not bored just overawed.

Prue said...

Not bored just overawed.

Anonymous said...

No, don't discontinue your spinning series! I find it fascinating, helpful, and inspiring. I promise to comment with lots of questions :)

KPiep said...

I'm still here, and glad you are back! I actually enjoyed your spinning articles....and learned from them, so please continue!

I completely understand your feelings about Queen Susan. I'm having the same with the Princess shawl.

Love all of your handspun - especially that green!

Jane said...

I wasn't bored by the spinning series - I loved it! I'm just completely overwhelmed & drained by work right now. So I've simply been lurking...
but I wish you'd post them so that, when I have time & energy to spin again, I can refer back to them.

Don't hoard the knowledge!

weavinfool said...

I agree with all the other comments. I find your spinning series very informative.

Unknown said...

I enjoyed your spinning series. You've been very busy with your knitting and spinning. I love your fingerless mitts.

Erica said...

I love ALL your posts, but please, oh please keep posting spinning stuff! You helped me so much with my supported spindling by posting those videos. Please keep up the great work!

:::scuttling back to lurkerville under the sofa with the dust rhinos:::

Karen said...

I just started spinning (and reading your blog, as it happens) and I'm eager to read anything and everything you have to say on the subject!

Unknown said...

please keep publishing your spinning series. I'm sorry to be such a lurker. Your first video inspired me to find a local spindle maker, grippingyarn, and try support spindling. I'm clumsy, but watching your videos helps get me on track to more efficient movements. Just got a google acct just so I could let you know your spinning series is appreciated.Thanks for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

I was enjoying the spinning series as well - I'd love for you to continue it!

Rosemary said...

Hey! Your support spindle spun yarns are gorgeous. I recently purchased a GrippingYarn Russian, and I love it dearly. Do you ply on your support spindle, too? I can't seem to manage that little trick, so I ply with my drop spindle and hope that the spinning police doesn't get me.

Your arm warmers are stunning, I'm going to have to try that stitch! Also, I love brioche, just love it, but it does get WIDE doesn't it?

Thanks for another glorious post!
Rosemary

Laritza said...

You have been busy! Lovely.
Please, please publish the rest of the spinning series. It is all so beautiful and informative, don't let it be lost.

Vivianne said...

I *love* the shades of orange in your Percy, I would love a yarn with just those kind of orangey yumminess. The malabrigo you've chosen is OK too ...;-)

sabelt said...

*ggg* It looks like a 34:0 for continueing the spinning series...
Please, keep on writing and teaching us!

gayle said...

Apparently, you couldn't see all of us out here bouncing up and down in our chair seats and chanting "are we there yet? are we there yet?"
Spin, write, repeat, please!

Deborah said...

Your spinning is exquisite. But your lace knitting makes me want to run to my lace yarn stash. Beautiful work!

Nora said...

Another lurker -- delurking to say that I was enjoying the spinning series.

Unknown said...

Oh Fleegle! I just 'discovered' your blog! **PLEASE** don't discontinue blogging on spinning! I have learned SO much from you that has improved my Russian & Tibetan spindling. Everyone blogs about knitting---but spindlers are a rare and special type of blogger!
I (previously) may not have been much of a commenter--but definitely a reader!

LittleBerry said...

lovely to hear from you.... no wonder you've been quiet....

I enjoyed your series on supported spindle spinning although I don't get on with spindles prefering my wheel when I dust it off...

Projektmanagerin: said...

Another silent reader who LOVES all your posts. I am not a spinner myself (yet) but I appreciate that there are dead few spinning-blogs and quite a lot of knit-blogs, so please keep it up! You are a rare one!
And thanks for lightening up my days. Always glad to hear what you, Harry and Rambo are up to...
Oh, and I wouldn't mind to learn more about your embroidery skills as well. Just in case you were wondering...

carolpa said...

I'm fairly new to knitting and am just feeling comfortable with lace. I have been very interested in your spinning series since this is something I want to learn. I've been trying to absorb as much as possible before diving in. You see the first knitting project was lace. Yep, I don't start at the beginning I just jump in. Please continue your series!!!

Sharon said...

I'm new to your blog and very excited about reading about spinning AND lacework! Plus, you make me smile with the antics of Rambo and all. Don't stop! Keep inspiring the rest of us, especially about spinning laceweight. And what videos? I'm going to have to look for them, but wanted to thank you for taking the time to do all of this.

CeltChick said...

I'd just about given up checking your blog; so glad you're back! OOO, pretty handspun. Wouldn't mind seeing more closeup shots...but maybe it's just as well there aren't more, as I seem to have an urge to buy yarn. Must resist! And as I haven't succumbed to the siren call of the spindle/wheel, I have been relatively unmoved by the spinning series. I have bookmarked your posts for future use, like after I win the Lotto & have lots of time & moola to spend on such fibery pursuits!

librigeekgirl said...

(aarrgghh - my original comment was killed by blogger)

I also have loved your spinning series. As an aspiring spinner, trying to learn via the internet, series such as yours give me something to aspire to (especially when it comes to spinning lace - almost don't knit with anything else, so don't see the point in spinning anything heavier. Start as you mean to go on, I always say) and point me in the right direction as to what to look for when purchasing batts. Please keep them up.

E said...

I'll never spin or knit lace but still find your blog well worth reading. Please keep it up!

ChelleC said...

Ah!!! What? I love hearing about your spinning. I'm reading. Please don't give up on that. Pretty please?

By the way your yarn is gorgeous.

steelwool said...

Thanks for the spinning series. Have been waiting for the fiber fest season to see some supported spindles. Use top whorl spindles at present. The do it yourself gene does not run to complex woodworking at present. You make the spinning look effortless. Alas, I realise this is the mark of a true artisan and does not reflect the ease of execution of the task at hand. I hope you will continue to inspire us.

Mia said...

Priscula keeps sending me the links about the lace spinning. I think she is trying to tell me something. Maybe she wants me to spin her more lace weight?

I am learning from your posts about lace spinning. I am a wheel spinner though. I am going thinner and thinner though for lace weight singles. But a Tibetian supported spindle is now on the list to purchase at MDS&W.

I am just often quiet. Please finish posting the spinning series!

yarnlot said...

The handwarmers are fabulous and I am looking forward to see the full colour range of the Percy shawl. But the Krokus is definitely something to fall in love with, Amoroso indeed...
And I hope that Queen Susan I returns from exile soon!

Lacefreak said...

Wow! Have you been busy! I am a total slug next to you. I LOVE your hand warmers. They look great on you. I commend your marathon knitting on TQS but understand it you set her in the corner to sulk a bit. Your spinning, as usual is beautiful and the two new shawls are fabulous. I am stuck with "duty" knitting so no fun for me. I will just have get my thrills from watching you knit.

Unknown said...

Girl, you are my "Go To" source when I want to learn how to do something.
Love to see you on Ravelry as well.

simona said...

Please, do not stop.

simona said...

Please do not stop, love you blog.

Connie said...

I don't spin, but I love to see your work. I couldn't find the Krocus pattern on Ravelry - is it the same as Crocus?

Ann said...

Arrrrkkkkk!!!!!

No, No, No!!! Don't stop the spinning series. You are my "go to" spinning lady. PLEASE, continue. We need you, as well as enjoy you.

*~Diana~* said...

That orange handspun is divine- I'm in awe! (oh, and the shawl is beautiful too!) :)

carolz said...

I would love to learn to spin, but had no idea how to do it, please continue with the series.