Rye Socks

As January nears its end, I still think of and attempt to accomplish my New Year's Resolutions.  I wish to remember Socrates' quote "The secret of change is to focus all your energy on not fighting the old, but on building the new."

I would like to try and concentrate more on finishing and focusing on projects/w.i.p.s.  I would like to be just as excited and motivated on finishing a project as I am thrilled to start a project.  I would like to not be overwhelmed by the amount of projects on the go.  With focus and some dedication, I would like to greatly reduce the amount of projects on the go at the same time.

I am working on these Rye socks by Tincanknits.  It is a lovely free sock pattern that the Dublin Knit Collective have chosen for a KAL (knit along).  I am knitting two pairs, one in sock weight and one in worsted weight.  I am hoping to finish the sock weight first.  The sock weight yarns are my own hand dyed yarns - Ellie and Ada Sock Yarn in the Prismatic Colourway.

Happy New Year!  Happy Saturday!  Happy Weekend!  Happy Knitting!

Handspun Hats

I love wearing and making hats.  I made this too big first so I had to rip it out.  I made it to fit a 20 inch head.  The thing is that my head is really 21 inches.  Hats are often too big or too small.  I really like the fit of this hat. I followed the same instructions/notes that I made to make another hat and I am unsure of it.  I think it might even be the colours.  I don't mind a slightly snug hat because when it is windy, your hat then doesn't act as a parachute.

The brim and the very top is handspun Shetland, that I spun myself.  It is naturally coloured.  I also purchased these Hedgehogfibres batts in 2012 and spun it.  I wasn't too happy with my spinning job.  I spun the batts quite bulky, which I don't always do but I am happy with this hat.  This hat goes well enough with my new garter stitch shawl.  Funny enough, my new shawl is also spun Hedgehogfibres merino and silk handspun with a tan sock yarn.

Both are keeping me warm as it seems to be getting cooler here in Ireland.

I am now on Instagram as Ellie and Ada.  

Entente Florale 2015

Trim Town has taken part in the Entente Florale Competition.  The town looks great and it was so wonderful to see such a level of participation.  The judging has taken place last week.  I decided to share this video. This video was done by a local business in Trim, Stockhouse Restaurant.  Thought you might like a little break from pictures of wool, knitting and dogs...  If you are ever in the town of Trim, be sure to visit Stockhouse Restaurant.

Day 8 Tour De Fleece

Didn't do much!  haha!  Very tired!  Maybe more tomorrow....

Day 7 Tour De Fleece 2015

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Spinning Falkland Wool that I dyed with turmeric.  I'm covered in turmeric now.  I love the colour but I don't know if this is going to work out.  Little disappointed.  Would love a hat this colour but I don't want a yellow mark on my forehead.  Will have to decide if I will continue spinning it or not.

Day 6 Tour De Fleece

I spun up these batts that I made with hand dyed superwash merino and some silver angelina fibre.  I think it will make a nice hat.

Will wash and set this yarn tomorrow.

I dug this yarn out of my handspun stash and decided to attempt knitting one of these hats.  I have a small head and knit with a big gauge so I am knitting with 5mm needles and cast on only 72.  I will see how I get on.

Happy Spinning!

Day 5 Tour De Fleece

I got a bit of spinning done today.  Yesterday and today, I didn't have as much time for it.  It is great to do this spinalong because even if you do 5 minutes, it's something and it counts.  There are no real rules.  It is nice to be spinning again.  I might even run out of hand dyed wool before the Tour is finished.  It is fun thinking about what I will knit with these new yarns.  I'd like to make some simple shawls and hats.  I've been looking up patterns and digging through all my handspun yarns.  I do want to start some but I have so many projects on the go.

One day, I will dye and spin matching hat, scarf/cowl/shawl and mittens/fingerless gloves.

I am beginning to find appreciation for fingerless gloves.  A shocking truth is I wore a pair of fingerless gloves that I dyed, spun and knitted while taking Lexi out for our last walk tonight.  Shocking because it's July.