what i have been up to

Well this is what I have been up to. Surprise, surprise spinning. But this is a mixture of the dyed silk caps and the fleece from our jack. I really had heaps of fun working with the silk. Of course I checked out a few web sites on how to prepare the silk caps and then I was away. Even though I am only a novice spinner i did find the silk harder to seperate and draft than the fleece but I love the feel of it . And the colours. I would like to try and ply it with itself, but I dont know what i would use it for.

THis is some of the brown roving I spun. It was not as smooth as the fleece but I was impressed with the colour, much nicer than I had thought.

Then i have balled up my sock wool ready and waiting for me to finish my shawl.

And during all this my old girl Lilly just looked on not sure what to think. Poor girl is starting to loose here memory and her already timid nature has moments of total unsureness. She really can not cope with anything new or different at this stage of her life and then at times she becomes strangely rebellious and wanders not really sure of what she is doing. But we still love her and hope she still remembers she is now safe.

holidays, visitors and nature

My last few weeks have been with visitors. And this is some of the fab food they made us while they stayed with us. And just when I thought christmas was over we had lots more yummy food to eat. The kids loved the cooking and alas it is all gone.

But of course I could not spend all my time eating so I have branched out into some dyeing. I guess it is the natural progression from spinning to dyeing. Those colourful ones will become socks and the tan wool will become a jacket for number 3 child, if I can find a pattern to fit him. Now I am totally taken with the dyeing process and will have to get to and spin some more so I can dye more wool. I am eager to see what effect the sock wool will have when knitted up so I can get an idea of what type of pattern to use while dyeing. JUst lots more trial and error. Fun, fun, fun.

But in amongst all this spinning and dyeing I have been really lucky to have been visited by some great natural sights. Nature will never stop to amaze me and make the world a better place to live. This blue tongued lizard has been sunning himself in the middle of our driveway for a few days, which means stopping the car, moving him out of the way and then driving on. Luckily I have not seen any snakes yet.
While away for a beach break we were luck enough to see a stingray really close in to shore. He seemed really happy to just flap around in the shallows as we watched on. Then at the other end of the beac I saw a pacific gull drop something from high and them dive down to the sand and eat it. So of course I had to go and see what it was. He had dropped a sea urchin, the shell had brocken so he could eat the animal but what amazed me was that the spines on the shell were still moving as if it was still alive, even with nothing inside. It was one of natures amazing sights that had me captivated.

my new obsession

This is a new hat I made for my self for those cold soccer morning . it is the noro hat and really quick and easy to make.

Well here it is, my new obsession. Yes it is a spinning wheel and I have become a little bit excited about spinning. And I must say it is relaxing and I hope that if I practice lots and lots and lots I will get really good at it and then their is the new frontier of dyeing as well. But I have not forgotten my shawl. That is still on the go, but very slowely.

And if you are wondering what I am spinning ,well here is Jack just after she has been shawn by our friendly shearer.

And this is how it all turned out. It is slowely getting there. But I will be spinning lots from now on. I have two fleeces to get through and that will take me a long time to get through.

spinning

Well it has happened. I have started to spin. And it is great. I think it is my new passion. But I have lots of practice ahead of me to get to be a good spinner. I have a great teacher, my mum. So I am sure I will be able to knit something from it soon, or am I dreaming a bit. I am also off to do a dyeing workshop so I will be able to colour my new yarn. The only problem is that I have been neglecting my shawl while I have been spinning. I will have to find a way to share my time.
The poodle loves to eat the fleece so I have to keep him away from it.
I am spinning the wool from Jack, our beautiful sheep and it is a good fleece, so I am told.

post christmas

Well here we all are at the other side of christmas and woow. It all started with a pre christmas swim at the water hole. So relaxing and not too cold. Then christmas day with the rellies at our house. What a great day. i made cooked too much food, but it is christmas and it was good to have at the beach later on. I am so happy and lucky to have family that enjoys each others company. It was a really great day and we had some yummy pud and fruit meringues and ice cream cake.
Our family then had a few days at the beach. Not huge waves but enough to atch a few waves and give the new wetsuit a whirl. I am a convert. Wetsuits are the way to go for someone of my age that feels the cold. The beach and the water must be one of my all time favourite places. I could stay in the water for hour, just floating about and enjoying the waves.
The dogs had great fun checking out all the new dog friends that passed their way. For dogs that never see dogs pass there possie at home I reckon they must think it is dog heaven.
All this was served with a huge dose of backyard cricket, Just like when I was a child. Can I never get away from the game?
I hope you all had as enjoyable a christmas time as I have , and there is still more to come.

st Lucia

Well we know it is getting close to christmas when we have the st lucia celebration. The kids were happy to go in the parade for atleast one more year. Each year I am so happy to see them being involved. There were lots of children there this year and of course the swedish choir was great as always. Not that I braved to sing in swedish. And then there was the wonderful lucia buns and hearts and stars. YUMMMY. Will I ever get to see the real thing again in denmark. I was thinking that we could try to arrange to be there for one of the festivals, for the children of course.

I must say that it is really starting to feel more like christmas now. We all went to the local carols, the tree has been chosen from my parents place and the boys decorated it. The advent candle is burning lower. BUt where is the warm weather. I even went out and bought a new wet suit for the summer but I am thiking I was a bit optimistic when it comes to the weather.
The only thing that we seem to have in abundance around here is crows. I saw a huge flock the other day. They settled in the dead tree and there must have been at least 100 of the things. The noise was just deafening. A little like something out of an alfred hitchcock movie. I can totally emphasise with the farmer of old when they really must have fortold a future of doom to those liking on the land.

december has arrived

Well I have finished my argosy scarf and am actually blocking it at the moment. It is such a great design and I think Vyvyan Neel is a wonderful designer. I would love to have a go at doing one of her shawls or wraps. But this time I would really like to use a really colourful graduated yarn. I saw some great Noro the other day. So Maybe if I find some on sale I will get it. But where to get cheap wool is the eternal question.

But of course before I can start anything like that I have to finish this wrap. It is the Muir by Rosemary Hill. I have really wanted to try a lace pattern and I am really happy with this one. I just go slow and do it row by row. I will keep everyone updated as this goes. I was really inpressed with being able to knit this while on a knitting retreat out in the bush with some other wonderful ladies. How great is that, to get away and sit with a group of women all knitting and talking wool and patterns. Food for the soul.

Not only did december arrive today but it is also the start of our advent calendar. I had fun searching out the lollies to go in the treat bag. Now we are really on the count down for christmas.

And where would dinner be without the advent candle. And it is a "made in Denmark" candle. What more can I ask for? Well it is a small part of denmark in my house for christmas. Sad I know but it helps to know others that still decorate with danish christmas decorations. I have to try to decide how much time to spend on knitting and how much on christmas decorations. I just love this time of the year and making christmas decorations. I hope you all have a great december and let me know what you are making for your christmas.