Friday, December 04, 2009

Seeing Red These Days

Seeing Red These Days

I have to admit that I learned how to spin about four or five years ago, bought a wheel and then set it aside. It's been collecting dust and would continue to do so if it not for the small group of spinners that belong to Yarn for Breakfast. I have talked about them before. Every once in awhile they meet at someone's house and spin, talk about fibers and where to get the "good stuff". Being with them inspired me to start spinning a little more every week.

I went to Rhinebeck (NY Sheep and Wool Show) and bought roving. I have five fleeces stored in the house but thought I needed some more color in my life. I bought red roving what was really meant for felting but didn't realize that until I started to spin it. It's coarse and I have no idea what the fiber was other than it was a nicest color of red. So I snagged it and started spinning. I ended up with this... It's a bit blurry but you get the jest of it. I triple plied the yarn for a project. I did two plies red and threw in one in a misc. light colored roving that I had. The yarn ended up being a bulky yarn. That was what I wanted. It's for a project that needed bulky weight yarn.

I wanted to make my very first bowl from this book. I love books but never seem to use them after I buy them (except for sock books). I have thumbed through this book many times and admired the felted bowl. I have seen them on blogs and different sites and decided I wanted one. So I made one. I have to say that I was totally impressed. The pattern was wonderful. You can be the judge.

Here is the yarn in a cake (same blurry picture as above). Then I knit the bowl. I am sorry that I didn't get a before shot but I was so excited about getting it into the washing machine that I forgot.


After I felted it I found a bowl to serve as a form to put the newly felted bowl on so that it would dry like a "real" bowl. I was lucky because I found a pyrex bowl the perfect size in my cabinet. I wanted the outside of the bowl to dry first so I flipped it upside down and left that way on the dining room table for two days during Thanksgiving.

This is the bowl upside down drying. Once the outside felt dried to the touch I turned it back on the flat side of the bowl so that it would sit flat . Worked like a charm.

I love the texture. I haven't shaved it. Don't think that I will either. I did think that the two colors would be stripped or marbled or something but it turned out speckled. I really do love the way it looks; hairy and speckled.

Here is the final bowl. It's dried and it stands up really well. The walls are not as thick as I thought they would be but I really love the bowl. It has given me great satisfaction to spin the wool, knit the bowl, felt it and now get to use it. I have got to use my books more often!

8 comments:

Tracy Batchelder said...

I love that you used your own handspun. It turned out great!

Susan Luni said...

You're right, that's a great bowl. Clever that you made it from fiber to finish! That's a nice pyrex bowl, too. Love that green. :)

vlb5757 said...

WW-This is only the second time I have used my handspun to make anything. I am working up courage to spin my 5 fleeces that are under my bed. I made a scarf with UT's colors but have never give it away and have never used it. I hate to part with my handspun. I feel great satisfaction when it was finished. I still check One Snap and go back to things on the old site. Still very valuable information.

Luni-I am so excited that it turned out. I was nervous about since my spinning experience is very limited so I do it so seldom. I had forgotten how much I enjoy doing it. Do you love that Pyrex bowl? You know how I love my green things. It was a three bowl set but I broke the largest bowl so the medium (the one I used) and the small one are the only ones left. I use they a lot!

Sharon said...

I am so excited for you Vicki. It's a great satisfaction to see your creativity. You have good reason to be proud!!

Tina T-P said...

Well that bowl is just way too cool! Isn't it fun to make something from yarn that you've spun. It's just satisfying... T.

vlb5757 said...

Sharon-since KnitPicks had 40% off of books, I just ordered a beginner's book of felting so that I can learn more. I have some felted bag books, but I never use them. It was a fun project. I am sure it will be a collect all!

Tina T-P-I got such a kick out of watching it in the washer and then stopping it and looking at it transform. It's great to use up my handspun for something useful!

Kim said...

I know what you mean about using books... my personal rule is I need to use it once for every $5! Your bowl is lovely, and the satisfaction well earned!

Paula said...

Wow! That is beautiful!! You ROCK!! And I love the yarn- I wish I knew how to spin...*sigh*...