Fiber Arts Friday: Scrappy Palindrome

After finishing Hubba's Improvised Watchman Hat, I decided that I needed to get serious about my Stash Busting... or at least my Scrap Busting.

I have a few different weights of yarn that aren't enough for a single project on their own.  I had been thinking about a few projects over the years, but nothing was quite right and my scrap stash wasn't too huge... yet.

But after working on the Watchman Hat, and holding the orange yarn double, I decided that I could muster a decent project.

So armed with a pair of US3 circular needles and a set of DPNs for checking gauge, I have decided on a Palindrome Scarf.

I love my old Palindrome Scarf, and still wear it a lot, along with the Scrappy Scarf that BitsnPieces gave to me a while back.

So here's the yarn I'm starting with...

There is yarn from Hubba's Paralympic Medal Socks, Hubba's Improvised Watchman Hat, Socks given to me by Spinster Beth, some sample yarn, my Forever Wingspan, a hat/scarf set I made for my sister, and a couple of scraps from BitsnPieces.... a total of 128 grams (~4.5 oz) in this photo.

I asked Hubba if he likes it.... he said, "It's too soon to tell."  lol

I'm thinking I should have started with larger needles, some of this fabric is more dense that I would like for this scarf.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Tibetan Mastiff Fingerless Mitts, part 4

Ultimately I made a few adjustments to the Fingerless Mitt pattern, mostly in length and with the thumbs.

As I suspected, the lace detail is nearly invisible with this yarn.  Although I find it interesting to see how pronounced the columns are with the opposite-spun yarn in a standard-knit project.  This might be a fun effect for a future project.

They've already gotten some use.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Tibetan Mastiff Tuesday: Supported Entry

I'm happy to see that the Tibetan Mastiffs have a Supported Entry for the upcoming Morris and Essex Show.

This means there will be other prizes available during the breed competition.

Fiber Arts Friday: Tibetan Mastiff Fingerless Mitts, part 3

Thanks to the Life Lines, I was able to make progress and take some risk.

I started counting stitches and thinking about the YO row while I'm doing the knit row.... this may sound simple, but for some reason I hadn't really done this before.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Tibetan Mastiff Tuesday: Sponsorship

While attending a local dog show recently, I was overcome with sadness.

With my travel schedule, we haven't been able to enter our dogs in conformation events, let alone even practice for them.

I've attended a couple of the local shows to see and support our friends, but wow, the last one.... really made me sad.

First there was a large entry for Tibetan Mastiffs, which rarely happens in our area and second, I just really missed doing the event with my dogs.

I love showing.  They love showing.  It makes me sad that we can't do it right now.

So when I realized there was an opportunity to to sponsor the Best of Breed Trophy for the Tibetan Mastiffs at next year's Morris and Essex Kennel Club Dog Show, we volunteered.

The Morris and Essex show is held once every 5 years in New Jersey and seems like a wonderful event.

Alpacamundo Monday: Hay Delivery Day

Hay Delivery Day is one of the best days of the year.

We've been getting hay from our current Hay Farmer for the last few years.

He grows a high quality hay, bales in small squares, delivers, stacks, and arrives at the pre-arranged time... and if that's not enough, he checks the bales as they are being offloaded and removes any that don't meet his standards of quality.

The alpaca are always excited for Hay Delivery Day.  This year, I noticed the dogs were excited too.

Rather than putting up a defense, it was more a happiness to see a friend.  I'm sure my body language contributed to the welcome, but also the fact that the barn was set up and ready for his arrival with the doors left wide open.

Hay used to be my biggest worry.

Thanks to my Hay Farmer, it's no longer a stresser.

We are set until next fall.

Fiber Arts Friday: Shave 'Em to Save 'Em, Lincoln

source: Lincoln Longwools Sheep Breeders Association

Lincoln Longwool - I have spun this breed before.  At first touch, this roving reminds me of Navajo-Churro, but it has a less course and more silky undertone to the handle.  I love the luster.

Upon beginning spinning, I'm struck by how white this roving is.... it's screaming white!

And Longwool is right!  This sample is has a 7-inch staple.

According to the Livestock Concervancy, the Lincoln is one of four English Longwool breeds; Cotswold, Leicester, Lincoln, and Wensleydale.  They are currently listed as Threatened, meaning that fewer than 1000 sheep are registered in the US each year and that the estimated global population is less than 5000.

Cotswold and Leicester are also on the SE2SE Priority List.  I have recently sourced them, so they are now in my queue to spin.  I have some Wensleydale locks in my stash too, so I will be spinning it at some point in the future.

According to the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, Lincolns can be traced back to the Roman Empire.  Lincoln is a sturdy wool, and appropriate for hard-wearing uses such as outer garments and upholstery... and in my opinion, the luster is quite wonderful.

This is one of the four rovings sourced from Aspen Kid.  I know I've said this a few times now, but feels good knowing that I am supporting conservation breeders of rare breed livestock.  :-)

Final Yarn: Lincoln
Single Duration: August 30 - September 21, 2019
Ply Duration: September 21 - 22, 2019
ounces: 4
yards: 203, 2-ply
wpi: 17
Ready to Submit:  September 29, 2019

SE2SE Status:
Total Breeds: 22
Breeds Sourced: 16
Breeds Spun: 6
Breeds To Go: 16

Months Remaining: 27 (12/31/21)