Fiber Arts Friday: Tibetan Mastiff Fingerless Mitts, part 2

I mentioned last time that I need to practice lace.

I don't know what it is, but lace is my nemesis.

I had a hard time getting past the first iteration of this small lace panel.

The first time I was nearly finished with the last knit round and realized I neglected to do the second half of the last yarn over (yo) round and also dropped a stitch.

The second time I was nearly complete with the first knit round and accidentally pulled half the yo round off the needles.

sigh.  Thank goodness for life lines.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Alpacamundo Monday: Intro to LGDs

Our friends at Northwest Guardians are offering an Intro to LGDs online course in October.

Video Announcement:



This course covers the following topics:

• Week 1: Expectations and Reality – Prepare for Your LGD
• Week 2: Priorities and Bonding – First Weeks/Months
• Week 3: Shepherd Leadership – Be a Good Boss 
• Week 4: Future Proofing – Anticipating and Addressing Issues

There will be live videos on Wednesdays and Sundays via a private Facebook group, written content, and an early copy of her forth-coming eBook.

Natalie is one of my fellow mentors on the Learning About LGDs Facebook Group and is a breeder of working Sarplaninac and Anatolian/Great Pyrenees crosses.

While I am developing my own class for a wool market in 2020, I am a believer in the idea that there is always more to learn.  So I hope you will join me in attending this course.

The course is $100 and registration is required.  She is offering a 50% discount to those registering by Saturday (9/27/19), Pacific Time.

Fiber Arts Friday: Tibetan Mastiff Fingerless Mitts

My current fingerless mitts were modified by Gunnar (a few years ago) and again by Wilma this past year.

At least they both worked on the same mitt, but they are too far gone to repair now.  So I am making a new pair for myself.

This pattern has been in my queue for a long time.

Since I love the opposite-spun 3-ply TM I used on the Twined Mittens, I decided to use the left-over yarn for these mitts, but in standard knit.

Since I'm using my own handspun yarn and different needles than recommended in the pattern, a swatch is necessary.  To be honest, a swatch is always recommended, especially for a fitted garment.  But in this case since since both the yarn and tools are different, I need to decide if I should modify the pattern so I can make it out of my chosen yarn.

Details:
Gauge: US2 needles, 7 sts/inch
Palm Circumference: 7 1/8 inches

Based on this, I will make the M/L version.

This pattern has a small lace detail.  I don't think it will show very well in the finished piece, but I need to practice.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Travel Reading, part 7 - Becoming

On a long trip home in mid-April, I had finished my book (The Google Guys), I figured I would finish it on that trip, so I had a knitting project with me as well.... which I normally do anyway, but it wasn't speaking to me.

Fortunately(?), I had a layover long enough to find a book that I had been wanting to read.... so while it wasn't next on my list.... I can say that I loved it.

As a general rule, I like to wait a bit before reading these types of memoirs.  But knowing Michelle Obama's background, having heard her speak, and recognizing how much I loved her and her husband while he was in office, I expected this book to be well written.

After finishing my last book, my travel schedule got more early and more late, so I started listening to Becoming on Audible rather than actually reading the book.  I found it quite nice listening to Michelle Obama's words in her own voice.

Though I have been listening to Podcasts recently, this was my first time listening to a book.

I think what struck me most is how invested Mr and Mrs Robinson were in their children's lives.  This is the thing that makes the most difference in the next generation, having adults interested in helping you become who you want to be.

If you haven't read Becoming already, I definitely recommend it.  Michelle Obama is a wonderful writer and story teller.  I learned a lot about her life prior to their public life.

Garden 2019, part 5

So this year's garden did not go anywhere near the plan.

We had a late freeze and an extremely wet spring.  My new whiskey barrels were essentially just buckets of water, which means that all of my herbs drowned except for the chives.

My cherries and plums were all lost to hail, just as they were ripening. sigh.

Some years are just that way, aren't they?  Even so, it's never all bad.

Somehow the chives keep surviving.

My neighbor started keeping bees, which explains why I've seen more this year...

... and certainly explains why our apple tree has fruit in it's off year.

I think they'll be ready to start putting up next weekend.

Fiber Arts Friday: Watchman Hat, part 4

So after fixing, ripping out, and buying more yarn (twice), Hubba's Improvised Watchman Hat is finished!

... and I am + 8 skeins on my stash busting project, that turns out.... didn't need any more yarn.  :-/

At least I have a idea that will feature the new yarns...  ;-)

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Shave 'Em to Save 'Em, Karakul-American

source: The Livestock Conservancy

Karakul - I had heard of Karakul Sheep prior to SE2SE, but this is my first time touching the fiber.

It is reminiscent of the Navajo-Churro, but more coarse.  My first thought is that this would be a great rug wool and I love the red color.

First blush.... this is very hairy, and should draft easily.... I like that it's in the pencil roving format.... so this should go quickly.

This Karakul sample has a generous 4-inch staple with very little crimp.

There is very little down in this sample, so the character of this spin is quite different from anything I've spun before.... even different from the Navajo-Churro, which I was not expecting.

This is a lovely pencil roving.  Pencil roving is generally my preferred preparation to spin from... since this fleece drafts so easily and is quite a long fiber, I broke the roving several times, which caused me to spin more slowly for a while... and a few sections were a tad felted.

The texture of this wool has me thinking about straps, rugs, and felted outer garments.  I think it would pair nicely with the Navajo-Churro, but not in a blend since the staple-lengths are so different.

From the Livestock Conservancy:  The Karakul originated in Central Asia.  Like the Jacob Sheep, there is a distinct difference between American Karakul and their Central Asian relatives.  The Karakul first came to the US between 1909 and 1936 as a multi-purpose breed.

According to the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, Central Asia is one of the "cradles" for livestock domestication, and therefore considered one of the oldest breeds of sheep.

They are listed as Threatened by The Livestock Conservancy, meaning that fewer than 1000 sheep are registered in the US each year and that the estimated global population is less than 5000.

I met a Karakul breeder at the Estes Park Wool Market earlier this year.... I believe this sample came from her sheep, even though I sourced it from Aspen Kid.  I did purchase a second sample from her, along with another SE2SE breed, that you'll see later.... so I will definitely be spinning this breed again.

It feels good knowing that I am able to support a local conservation breeder of rare breed livestock.  :-)

Final Yarn:
Single Duration:August 4 - 25 - 2019
Ply Duration: August 25 - 30, 2019
ounces: 4
yards: 168, 2-ply
wpi: 16
Ready to Submit:  September 2, 2019 

SE2SE Status:
Total Breeds: 22
Breeds Sourced: 11
Breeds Spun: 5
Breeds To Go: 17

Months Remaining: 28 (12/31/21)

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!