Our Summer Spin In has finished and, oh boy, did we all have fun! So many great projects were entered. We announce the winners here and Kelly reports on her visit to the wool auction. Plus, Marsha has a big finish. Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com Join the community on Ravelry or become a patron and support the show on our Patreon Page. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Subscribe on Android. Prue Hill recommended the BBC’s Food Programme on butter that aired last month. Shout out to Littletownknitter–Tracy who is recovering from surgery. Bailey finished her Companion Dog (CD) title. Marsha’s Projects Rag Rugs: Finished! Planned on two 24”x36” rugs. Final size 28”x32”. Such a fun project! Socks: Finished! Paton Kroy in colorway Rag Rug. Socks: Using Red Heart Heart and Sole in colorway Black Jack. Working on foot of the first sock. Mountain High: Heidi Kirrmaier. Using my handspun Flowers From My Garden. Deer Scarf: Ben and his roommates rescued a concrete deer lawn ornaments. I am making a red scarf for the deer to wear this holiday. Weaving Studio: It’s a work in progress. Spent some time cleaning the studio after the rag rug weaving. Weaving creates lots of dust, threads, and pieces of fabric. Cleaned desk and set up sewing machine which I think will work well for sewing. I’m trying not to buy anything for the studio but find what I have around the house and make it work. Kelly’s Projects Started and finished spirit yarn hat #6. Took it to the college free table even though it was muggy and 70-ish this week. More Izzy Bears have ears! Still almost finished with Lace and Fade Boxy by Joji Locatelli. Using a merino silk handspun along with a skein of Sincere Sheep Vernal (silk/linen). I’m on the ribbing and using a 1x1 broken rib based on Marsha’s suggestion. Fireweed Socks are finished and have been worn. Love the color! Continued Combing the remaining CVM. Debating washing the stickiest leftovers of this fleece or consigning them to the compost and calling the combing done. Washing and Processing Ernest (2017 fleece) Still carding the first batch this fleece with silk. Still have to finish washing the last couple batches. Natural Dyeing Experiments I dyed three small white skeins from spirit wool (about 150 g) with fig leaves. I pre-mordanted the wool with alum, rinsed it and let it dry. Then I put it in a dyepot that had simmered for many hours. The result is a greenish gold. Future natural dyes from my yard—toyon leaves/twigs, ceanothus leaves/twigs. Also have some dried tan oak leaves from a long ago camping trip. Another possibility is to vary the water I use. I may experiment with ocean water. My tap water is quite hard so playing with the pH of my water is another possibility. Summer Spin In Prizes Listen to hear if you won! Lambtown Festival Lambtown is October 4-5 (workshops start Oct 2) in Dixon, CA. 2KnitLitChicks Podcast Get Together Lake Tahoe, CA, September 18-21
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1:20:33
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1:20:33
Control My Impulses
There is still time to finish projects before our Summer Spin In ends on September 1st. We have a few finished projects and lots of fiber prep to discuss. Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com Join the community on Ravelry or become a patron and support the show on our Patreon Page. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Subscribe on Android. Marsha’s Projects Simple Shawl by Jane Hunter. Finished! Used my Into the Whirled handspun. Socks: Using Patons Kroy sock in the colorway Blue Striped Ragg. Turned heel and finished gusset of second sock. Spacetime 18: Heidi Kirrmaier. Using my handspun Flowers From My Garden. On hold. Rag Rugs: Finished threading the reed plan to start weaving today. I’m making two 24”x36” rugs. Deer Scarf: Ben and his roommates rescued a concrete deer lawn ornaments. I am making a red scarf for the deer to wear this holiday. Weaving Studio: It’s a work in progress. I brought two prints to the framer yesterday that will go in the studio. Kelly’s Projects Almost finished with Lace and Fade Boxy by Joji Locatelli. I’m using a merino silk handspun along with a skein of Sincere Sheep Vernal (silk/linen). I had a mistake in the lace pattern somehow because my stitch counts got off so I ripped back about 4 inches and am back on track. Fireweed Sock sock two is on the second foot. A definite candidate for finishing during the two PD days at school before students start. Continued Combing the remaining CVM. I have two-pitch wool combs from Red Barn Farm from long ago. I had about 1.5 lbs left of the fleece that I plan to comb. So far I have about 150 g of combed top. With about 50% waste I figure this is about half done. The remainder of the fleece is very sticky and needs another wash. Washing and Processing Ernest (2017 fleece) I’ve rewashed two more batches of about a pound each. These batches are less matted and will be easier to pick. I also started carding the first batch. All have been through the carder once. I decided to add silk to the second round of carding in this batch. My plan is to prep this so that I have a fall/winter spinning project. Natural Dyeing Pelargonium leaves–orange leaning beige on CA Red fleece and barely beige on BL cross fleece. Purpleleaf plum leaves–pink leaning beige on Tunis yarn and Shetland from suint bath experiment. On both I mordanted the yarn with alum. Future plans from my yard—fig leaves, toyon leaves/twigs, ceanothus leaves/twigs. Also plan to try some dried tan oak leaves from a long ago camping trip. Summer Spin In Now until September 1. All spinning and making with handspun yarn counts. Preparing fleeces also counts. We’re close to the end! Monterey County Fair Wool Show See page 31 of the exhibitor handbook for these details. Wool Auction: Labor Day, Monday, September 1. At the Community Stage rather than the Livestock pole barn. Auction goers get into the fairgrounds before the fair opens to the public. Enter at Gate 3, auction starts about 11:30 but there is open viewing time for at least an hour or so prior. I think I arrived about 9 am last year. Lambtown Festival Lambtown is October 4-5 (workshops start Oct 2) in Dixon, CA. 2KnitLitChicks Podcast Get Together Lake Tahoe, CA September 18-21
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1:07:20
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1:07:20
Less Wool to Put in My Will
Kelly has finished a monumental spinning project. We have lots to discuss about our projects, dog shows, summer house projects, and general summer fun. Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com Join the community on Ravelry or become a patron and support the show on our Patreon Page. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Subscribe on Android. Marsha’s Projects Spinning: Finished! Another combo spin, this time with fiber from Pat Eisner that she put in the destash room at NoCKRs. About 1,000 yards of 3-ply worsted weight yarn. Cheviot Top: Finished! 8 oz braid of Cheviot Top in hot pink. Have 572 yards of 2-ply fingering weight. Socks: Using Patons Kroy sock in the colorway Blue Striped Ragg. Finished first sock and halfway down leg of second. Spacetime 18: Heidi Kirrmaier. Using my handspun Flowers From My Garden. On hold. Simple Shawl by Jane Hunter. Using my Into the Whirled handspun. Rag Rugs: I put the warp on the loom and threaded the heddles. Now I need to thread the reed, and sew fabric strips together. I plan to make two 24”x36” rugs. Deer Scarf: Ben and his roommates rescued a concrete deer lawn ornaments. I am making a red scarf for the deer to wear this holiday. Brought on an overnight trip and had my friend Sue knit on the scarf. Weaving Studio: It’s a work in progress. Kelly’s Projects Fireweed Sock sock two is still in the leg. Worked on it while the handspun sweater was in a time out! I am back to working on the Lace and Fade Boxy by Joji Locatelli. I’m using a merino silk handspun along with a skein of Sincere Sheep Vernal (silk/linen). I had a mistake in the lace pattern somehow because my stitch counts got off so I ripped back about 4 inches and am back on track. Finished spinning the 2018 CVM that I’ve been carding since November. Total yardage isn’t calculated, but I spun almost 700 g (1.5 lbs) of yarn. I have three colors. Dark and medium blue-green and then a red-purple. They were all dyed with the same dyes and the colors were blended in the batts. Combing the remaining CVM. I have two-pitch wool combs from Red Barn Farm from long ago. I had about 1.5 lbs left of the fleece that I plan to comb. So far I have about 120 g of combed top. I timed myself to see how long it took to comb an ounce (28 g) of fiber. It took about 45 minutes and I got 4 balls (about 14 g) of combed top. Slow process with lots of waste. But the fiber is really nice! Washing Ernest. First time processing merino. Very greasy. Six 1 lb batches. Overnight cold soak of the whole fleece. Two very hot washes in a pot on a burner using Dawn. Two very hot rinses. Still greasy. Two batches got an extra wash and seem a little felted. International Tour de Fleece YouTube binge: Mijn Wolden: Jente spins and dyes mostly local Belgian wool. She does all the fiber crafts with her handspun. Etienne is somewhere in Québec. He spins on a Canadian production wheel. Also watched Knitting with Ève (Montreal) and Piiamt (Estonia) Tour de Fleece content. Summer Spin In Now until September 1. All spinning and making with handspun yarn counts. Preparing fleeces also counts. Let’s go! Monterey County Fair Wool Show See page 31 of the exhibitor handbook for these details. Fleece Judging: Saturday, August 9, 9 am at the Fairgrounds. In person at the Fairgrounds in the wool room and on Zoom. Message me if you want the Zoom link. Sheila January is judging. Handspun and handcrafted judging is usually the next day, same time and location. Wool Auction: Labor Day, Monday, September 1. At the Community Stage rather than the Livestock pole barn. Auction goers get into the fairgrounds before the fair opens to the public. Enter at Gate 3, auction starts about 11:30 but there is open viewing time for at least an hour or so prior. I think I arrived about 9 am last year. Lambtown Festival Lambtown is October 4-5 (workshops start Oct 2) in Dixon, CA. 2KnitLitChicks Podcast Get Together September 18-21 at Lake Tahoe, CA
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55:38
Dogs, Chickens, and Rag Rugs
In this episode we talk about dogs, chickens, projects, and have a pop-up prize drawing for our 250th episode. Our Summer Spin In is underway and the Finished Object thread is now live. Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com Join the community on Ravelry or become a patron and support the show on our Patreon Page. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Subscribe on Android. Marsha’s Projects Socks: Using Patons Kroy sock in the colorway Blue Striped Ragg. Finished first sock and cast on second Spinning: Another combo spin, this time with fiber from Pat Eisner that she put in the destash room at NoCKRs. Have spun two skeins of worsted weight yarn about 660 yards. I have refilled three bobbins and am about to ply into a 3-ply. Spacetime 18: Heidi Kirrmaier. I plan to use my handspun Flowers From My Garden, but the project is on hold. Simple Shawl by Jane Hunter. Using my Into the Whirled handspun. Rag Rugs: Bought self-healing mat and cutting tool and cut three queen sheets into 1” strips. I’ve wound the warp. I plan to make two 24”x36” rugs. Deer Scarf: Ben and his roommates rescued a concrete deer lawn ornament. I am making a red scarf for the deer to wear this holiday. Weaving Studio: It’s a work in progress. If you have Netflix I recommend The Quilters. Kelly’s Projects Finished the armband for dog shows that I was making using tablet weaving I have warped to make and name plates for each dog’s crate. But I only have about an inch of plain one color weaving on the band. I’m using 3/2 perle cotton spirit yarn in black and gray. I'm using Linda Henrickson’s pattern from my Handwoven library. The pattern can also be found on her website here and then click “free instructions.” Fireweed Sock sock two is still in the leg. I love the way the colors are striping. Still spinning the 2018 CVM that I’ve been carding since November. Finished three skeins (162 grams) and have two full bobbins of plied yarn from the second round of plying. I still have about 100 grams of blue to top up the bobbins. I have another batch (240 g) with more red to spin when the blue is done. I started the Lace and Fade Boxy by Joji Locatelli. I’m using a merino silk handspun along with a skein of Sincere Sheep Vernal (silk/linen). I’m on the second band of the lace pattern. Summer Spin In Now until September 1. All spinning and making with handspun yarn counts. Preparing fleeces also counts. Let’s go! Monterey County Fair Wool Show See page 31 of the exhibitor handbook for these details. Fleece Judging: Saturday, August 9, 9 am at the Fairgrounds. In person at the Fairgrounds in the wool room and on Zoom. Message me if you want the Zoom link. Sheila January is judging. Handspun and handcrafted judging is usually the next day, same time and location. Wool Auction: Labor Day, Monday, September 1. At the Community Stage rather than the Livestock pole barn. Auction goers get into the fairgrounds before the fair opens to the public. Enter at Gate 3, auction starts about 11:30 but there is open viewing time for at least an hour or so prior. I think I arrived about 9 am last year.
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1:17:05
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1:17:05
Tell Us How You Really Feel!
Lots of project updates and lots of opinions in this episode. Plus, our Summer Spin In is in progress and information about the Monterey County Fair Wool Show. Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com Join the community on Ravelry or become a patron and support the show on our Patreon Page. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Subscribe on Android. Marsha’s Projects The Weekender: by Andrea Mowry. Finished. Used Cascade 220 in colorway Wine. Socks: Using Patons Kroy sock in the colorway Blue Striped Ragg. Finished first sock and cast on second Spinning: Another combo spin, this time with fiber from Pat Eisner that she put in the destash room at NoCKRs. Have spun two skeins of worsted weight yarn about 660 yards. Filled two more bobbins with a third to go before plying more. Spacetime 18: Heidi Kirrmaier. Using my handspun Flowers From My Garden. Now nervous about casting on with my handspun. Maybe I should just make a shawl where fit is less of an issue. Considering Simple Shawl by Jane Hunter and using my Into the Whirled handspun. Weaving Studio: It’s a work in progress. Rag Rug Handbook by Janet Meany and Paula Pfaff. Interweave Press 1996 Kelly’s Projects Izzy doll bears progress: Four finished bears have gone to school. Creating the faces was fun. I haven’t been back to check the table and see if they are gone. The flat bears are still flat and I still have one on the needles that hasn’t been touched. Too much spinning! New Projects: Tablet weaving to make an armband for dog shows and name plates for each dog’s crate. I finished the dog paws–two bands with seven paws on each band. Each one is about 12 inches long. I made a prototype of the armband with some leftover ribbon and plastic from a sheet container. I'm using Linda Henrickson’s pattern from my Handwoven library. Pattern can also be found on her website here and then click “free instructions.” Fireweed Sock number one is done. Sock two is past the ribbing and into the very simple patterning on the leg. I love the way the colors are striping. Spinning the 2018 CVM that I’ve been carding since November. Finished three skeins (162 grams) and I’m on round two of filling the three bobbins. Almost finished refilling the second bobbin. Love the dyed-in-the-wool look of the overdyed gray! Started washing the rest of that CVM fleece with an all day and overnight cold soak. I have plans to comb at least some of what is left. Locks are long enoughIt’s a really nice fleece, especially for $8.50/lb but there are some second cuts and tender sun bleached tips causing some neps. This fleece was purchased in 2018 so it is one of my oldest. Swatching for the Lace and Fade Boxy by Joji Locatelli. I’m planning to use a merino silk handspun MPD in Color group Summer Spin In Now until September 1. All spinning and making with handspun yarn counts. Preparing fleeces also counts. Let’s go! Monterey County Fair Wool Show See page 31 for these details. Fleece Judging: Saturday, August 9, 9 am at the Fairgrounds. In person at the Fairgrounds in the wool room and on Zoom. Message me if you want the Zoom link. Sheila January is judging. Handspun and handcrafted judging is usually the next day, same time and location. Wool Auction: Labor Day, Monday, September 1. At the Community Stage rather than the Livestock pole barn. Auction goers get into the fairgrounds before the fair opens to the public. Enter at Gate 3, auction starts about 11:30 but there is open viewing time for at least an hour or so prior. I think I arrived about 9 am last year.
Who are we and why are we podcasting? We are Kelly and Marsha. We came at yarn and fiber from different directions, but we both love it. Marsha is an accomplished knitter, learning to dye yarn. Kelly is a spinner who knits and weaves. Fiber is one of the many interests we share after over 30 years of friendship.
South Africa