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Re: Not masks!

 

Shannon,?
I took up weaving to use up my handspun and I have found it a really creative outlet for my handspun. I am getting into more complex weave structures that only work on a multi-shaft loom, but handspun works brilliantly in plain weave on a rigid heddle loom. The more texture and fun the handspun is, the better the end result.?

I find that I am most creative when I restrict myself. So I don¡¯t start with a patten and get yarn to suit it. I start with what I have on hand and find ways to combine it in unique ways.?

For example, I am now using Shetland DK (Jamieson¡¯s) that I bought long ago to sample for FI a la Janine, as warp to make scarves with handspun weft. Or using other yarn I bought or was given to me in the same way.?

My next two woven projects are using some merino/silk that Peter once gave me with a merino/silk spindle spun gradient in deflected double weave. I¡¯ve also done collapse weave with energized singles and will do more. That was on a RHL.

I am spinning and weaving more than I knit. I find people like woven items and scarves and shawls (I decide based on how much yarn I have) are very easy to give to people.?

My spinning guild also has a swap every year and that is another way to donate handknits but I haven¡¯t had to do that yet.?

The only thing I still buy is fiber to spin. For me, the learning of new skills and techniques keeps me mentally sharp and active and for that reason I am constantly experimenting with spinning and weaving and the end result is the least of the problems. I am always able to find someone who loves what I¡¯ve made and takes it.

On Fri, Jul 3, 2020 at 12:08 PM Shannon Shields <shields.shannon@...> wrote:
Not here, despite the triple-digit temperatures predicted for this weekend. Our house is shaded by 50+ trees and stays tolerable in the summer but is really cold in the winter. This year was especially bad all through March and April - I had a space heater blowing beneath my desk, wool socks, wool slippers, sweaters and shawls. I definitely appreciated the handknits. Being in our office is even worse due to constant AC, but I won¡¯t be going back there until at least 2021 (I¡¯m kind of hoping never).?

But I understand the dilemma of aging handknits and too much yarn. My LYS has an annual swap day where you can bring knit items that you don¡¯t wear and gift them to another knitter. You know the people who come to potlucks and eat but don¡¯t contribute? I¡¯m the opposite - I never bring anything home with me from these events, but I have seen my shawls being worn by other people at the shop.?

My family back in Canada are steady recipients. And Jeff has taken to asking me if I have items that he can bring along to redistribute when he goes back.?

I am trying to be a lot more deliberate about what I knit for myself, choosing colours and designs that I think will be lasting for me versus getting swept up in something that looks lovely but on closer examination I would never actually wear. A lot of the lace shawls that I gifted my MIL fell into that ¡°what was I thinking, I will never wear this¡± category.?

My newer problem is all the handspun I¡¯ve been producing. I have a hard time parting with it because I made it and the fiber was lovely to spin but realistically I will knit with about 1/50th of it. One day it might also get dumped on the table at the LYS with a big sign saying ¡°have at it¡±.?

- Shannon

On Jul 2, 2020, at 4:58 PM, Amy Brotslaw Schweiger <brotslaw@...> wrote:

?Fellow Californians, don¡¯t you feel the effects of climate change on your sweater wearing? We hardly have any winter anymore. Most evenings i go out I wear a shawl over a shirt- sweaters are too much. Of course now we don¡¯t go out anymore... I wear a wardrobe of black and white t shirts.?

Amy


--
Jaya
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