I opted out of the Tour De Fleece this year on Ravelry simply because I don’t have the time to spin, well, I do have the time, I just decided to sit this year out. Last year I did participate in this fun event and ended up with a few good skeins of workable handspun.
Before the tour began last year, I warmed up my wheel by spinning up a gorgeous braid of fiber in a lovely blend of 75% Blue Face Leicester and 25% Tussah Silk in the colors of pinks, creams and browns – rather reminded me of a chocolate covered cherry. This particular braid was part of the Springtree Road Fiber Club last year in the colorway Tumble.
I was so happy that I achieved 260 yards of DK weight, almost light worsted weight yarn. Now this skein of handspun has been sitting in my stash for a year because I couldn’t find just the right pattern for it until I discovered a very unique and ingenious design by Carina Spencer called Zuzu’s Petals. When I saw this pattern, I knew I must knit it using my Tumble.
I have to say that Carina’s pattern is a quick knit project with step by step written instructions that includes a chart for the lace pattern. If you love shawls and cowls, this project is so fun and it is sure to please.
Before the skein was created.
Tumble became a lovely skein of handspun!
Blocking is very important with lace designs.
A Finished Cowl!
I enjoyed knitting my handspun so much, that I’ve decided to knit a fun set by fellow designer, blogger and fiber friend, Anne Podlesak, a.k.a. Bunnyspinner on Ravelry. Anne’s Blenheim Roses Cowl and Mitts appeared in the Summer 2012 issue of Spinoff Magazine and I instantly fell in love!
For this project I will be using my own handspun from last years Tour De Fleece, a 100% BFL in the colorway Secret Garden from the Springtree Road Fiber Club, for the main color and Springtree Road Philomath Worsted in the colorway Atia, a dusty rose. I think these two colors will look yummy together!
240 yards of light worsted weight handspun.
Photo courtesy of Springtree Road
Blenheim Roses Cowl – Photo courtesy of BunnySpinner
Blenheim Roses Mitts – Photo courtesy of BunnySpinner
You can follow Anne’s adventures on her blog, How The West Was Spun, you can find more of her designs online at Ravelry and you can purchase her gorgeous yarn and fiber in her online shop Wooly Wonka. Anne is also the co-editor of one of my all time favorite online magazines, the Ennea Collective.
What fiber do you have on your spindle or wheel?
What projects are you planning with your own handspun? Please share, I would love to know!
Until next time, happy knitting, spinning, crocheting and crafting!
I have Zuzu’s Petals in my favourites. I love the way yours turned out but I haven’t found the right yarn for it yet.
Those mitts are gorgeous! The ccolours are absolutely heavenly! Lovely on all counts, the spinning, plying, knitting and the finished items
Thank you so much Bonny. It’s an awesome pattern that seems to knit up quite fast. I noticed that several gals finished in a day ~ must be speed knitting
They look awesome! I love the lace on the cowl.
I think they will be fun projects Michelle and I agree, the lace on the cowl is quite lovely
These projects look awesome! I love the lace on the cowl.
Your handspun is beautiful! And I know what you mean about finding just the right pattern for handspun … I tend to hoard mine like pirate’s treasure. lol
The cowl and fingerless glove are going to look amazing in your handspun. Can’t wait to see progress shots
Thank you so much Simone
Isn’t it funny how we tend to hoard our handspun…. I think I do that way too much but I always say it’s because I can’t find the right pattern (lol).
Hi Tina,
As one fellow Arizonian to another- your yarn is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing the links. I finished my first handspinning class last month and can’t wait to purchase my first spinning wheel. It’s a whole new world, isn’t it?
The fingerless mitts are very cute.
Thank you so much Beth
Yes, spinning in a whole new world and just as addictive as knitting – be prepared to grow a large stash of fiber! Congratulations on finishing your first handspinning class, that’s is awesome! So, what wheel are you thinking about purchasing?
Absolutely exquisite handspun! Brava!
Thank you so much Angela
What a wonderful spinner! The yarns a luscious. And then the knitting…… WOW!
Oh my goodness, thank you so much