Muse Breaks

No, you don't need a spinning wheel.  Those things are expensive!

You can start out spinning your own yarn very inexpensively and quickly, actually.  How do I know this?  I totally just made some today.  Let me tell you - it's insanely addictive!  Now I have to brag about it show you how, too!

I started out with four valuable tools:

Some fiber (free-$10 or more)
A drop spindle (more on this in a sec)
A book on spinning (check your library)
Youtube!

Let's start with the fiber.
Because I'm interested in keeping goats, I started with mohair.  I recommend starting with any kind of wool, from sheep or goat, so long as it's been carded/combed or whatever it is they do to it to form it into big ropes.  It will be easiest to begin on something where the fibers are already going the same direction, rather than beginning with something raw or locks.  Definitely ask the fiber/yarn store person - they'll be able to help you find a good beginner yarn!  Fibers that are longer will be easier to draft, so stay away from short fibers like dog hair in your first project.

The spindle.
The spindle does NOT have to be fancy.  You can buy a simple one for about $5-7, or you can make one out of a wooden dowel and something round like an old cd.  Google instructions to make your own, or start with one like this or this.  I'm actually not learning on the one my book recommends and I haven't seen it used before, so that just goes to show that spinning is NOT that hard, and you can pick it up no matter what your resources may be.  Get creative!

A book on spinning.
The book I used was Spin It: Making Yarn from Scratch by Lee Raven.  You don't have to buy one, though, go ask your public library if they have any books already!  In fact, even if they don't, many libraries nowadays share books among networks of other libraries, and might be able to request one for you to rent.  In fact, you can skip the book completely if you're good at finding what you need on the internet!

Youtube.
Youtube and other video services have some tutorials by skilled fiber artists to show beginners like us just how to use the tools available to us to make yarn from raw fiber.  Just go search for spinning tutorials!  :)


I wish I could give a full run-down on how spinning works, but I'm definitely not skilled enough yet to share anything of much use, heh.  What I can do, however, is point you in the right direction if you're interested in spinning and give you some of the bare basics.

There are several sources for fibers, both synthetic and natural.  Animal fibers include those from sheep, goats, rabbits, dogs, alpaca, llamas, etc.  There are also fibers from silk, cotton, bamboo, and of course, blends of anything you can think of!  You probably already know about synthetic fibers, but I'll be skipping over these since they seem to be unfavored in yarn shops.

Once you have fiber that is ready to be spun, that is, at least facing the same direction, the first thing to do is separate the fibers out as evenly as you can.  Slide a small amount out from the group of fibers (this is called drafting) and spin them between your fingers - pay attention to the direction you spin, as this is the same direction you'll be spinning the rest of the yarn.  VOILA!  You have yarn.  Pull on the twisted portion, separating it from the bulk of the fiber as though you were going to pull it right out, but stop when you have enough fibers separated to about match what you began with, and - you guessed it - twist!  You're going to continue this until you have about 8 inches or so, then attach it to whatever weapon you decide to use.

The rest depends on the tool you're using, but long story short, you use the tool/spindle/stick to do the twisting for you.  In my case I twisted what was coming off the spindle tightly, stopped, then drafted out one small portion at a time, letting the twist work itself into the drafted section until I ran out of twist to carry up.  Then, I'd spin the spindle again, stop it, draft out some more fiber and release my hand from the first section of yarn, letting it twist up the drafted part.

I'll try and get a video of that up soon, as it's WAY easier to show someone than to explain it (but my book does a pretty darned good job!), but in the meantime I recommend checking out online videos to figure it out based on the tool you have available to you.

Here's my before-and-after:

4 ounces was PLENTY for me to learn on!

This is the only picture I have so far, but 4 ounces makes TONS more than this!  Isn't it pretty?  Itzopretty!

If you get the chance, I highly recommend a spinning class.  Some can get pretty expensive, but look around!  There's one this weekend nearby for $30 I'm hoping to get into if I can afford it.  I'll report back if I can!  :)

-MM



Oh P.S. - recent projects:

Modified pattern from here.

Slightly modified pattern from here.

Yay - productivity!  :D

Well,

I just got back from Christmas in Iowa, where I got to donate my table runner to the dinner table.   Here's a photo of how it looked, complete and beneath a gorgeous centerpiece:


I definitely recommend giving that one a go if you're looking for some wintery charm around the house.  The link to the pattern is right here.  I also promised ages ago that I'd post the picture of the completed lace doily I did as my first lace project, so here that is:



I've also been crocheting like mad lately to get several projects done for other people, as well as to fundraise for my dog's upcoming leg surgery.  So far I've completed four cowls, six dog sweaters (with a seventh and eighth on the way, and a ninth promised upon receiving measurements), two beanie hats.....and I think that's it.  I've also got to finish a piece of cover art for a local company, so I've been a really busy bee!

BUT!

Not too busy to post pictures, patterns, or recipes!



The dog sweaters are too complicated and varied to really give instructions on, but here are some of my faves:





All made either from free patterns on the web or improvised designs based on what I learned from practicing those free patterns.  Once you get the hang of how the sweater fits, it becomes a lot simpler and faster!

Hats are just about the easiest thing to make, though.  All yarns are different, so you really have to improvise your hat and constantly fit it to make sure you make the right size.  For the two hats I made over the break, I just increased in every stitch to keep the top flat until it started to ruffle, then increased less and less until the top of the head was done.  Then you just work the sides in rounds (I did the whole main piece in double crochet, one color) without increasing until you get to the brim, which I worked in alternating front post and back post double crochets for 2 or 3 rows.  Voila!  You have a beanie.  Here's how my first one looked:


The cowls are even easier.  Just chain the width you want (slip it over your head - it can be SUPER loose, or super snug, it's just up to you!), slip stitch to join, chain two, turn, and double crochet back across (don't twist the chain!).  Turn if you want, or work in the round - it's all up to you.  You can keep it all one width or decrease toward the top to keep it up on your nose like a scarf.  You can pretty much do whatever you want with it.  Here's a couple photos of one I made for myself and one for my fiance:

All one width, made with scraps of lion brand ruffly yarn.  Homespun, maybe?

This one decreased slowly and steadily from bottom to top so it would stay up on the nose in the cold.

Both yarns are wool and alpaca blends, if I remember correctly.  Very soft and warm.  Remember not to throw wool in the washer - it will felt!

You don't have to be too picky about the shape - cowls are meant to be carefree, loose, and cozy.

There you go - a ton of crochet stuff.



What about a recipe?  Here's one for kringla, a Norwegian type of cookie, passed down generations in my fiance's family (the Henrysons):

Ingredients:
2 c. sour cream
1 c. buttermilk
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 t. salt
1/4 c. butter, melted
4 1/2 c. flour
3 t. baking powder
2 t. baking soda
about 1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix dough and chill.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  You may have to add more flour until the dough is workable - then layout some flour on the counter and put a small bit of dough on that.  Pull off a small section and roll it out into a long tube (about 8 inches or so), then fold it on a baking sheet into a figure eight.  Fill pan in the same fashion, then bake at 400 until VERY lightly browned (about 9 minutes in my oven).  The browner, the crispier - which is fine unless you love tender, soft kringla like me!

Extra dough or cookies will freeze just fine - but fresh kringla is best shared with as many people as you can!


-MM

Tonight my fiance decided to make pasta, but wasn't sure what to do about the sauce.  I tried to give him a recipe for one, but wound up experimenting over the stove instead.  Here's what I came up with - a very simple white sauce with a citrusy flavor that goes great over angel hair:

Ingredients:
1/4 stick salted butter
1 cup or so whole milk (depending on how thin you want it)
1 egg
1-2 tbsp flour (play with it)
1/4 cup parmesan
Artichoke hearts
Capers
Lemon juice
Powdered garlic
Parsley (fresh or dried)
Salt

Directions:
1.  Melt butter in small pot over medium heat.
2.  Add milk and heat through.
3.  Add flour and parmesan, stir constantly from this point on to avoid cooking the egg.
4.  Add milk or reduce as needed to maintain consistency you desire.  Add in the artichoke hearts and capers so they can start mixing in their flavors.
5.  Once you have the thickness you want, season with lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and salt, all to taste.  That's it!  You have sauce now.

I'm sorry I didn't measure specifics, but honestly, it's whatever tastes right to you.  The salt will counteract any leftover flour tastes (which you should try to work out before you put in the artichokes, or they'll catch all the flour.  I freaking hate using flour in sauces.) and will bring out the lemon, the lemon will compliment the garlic (don't ask me how), and the parsley adds nice color and garnish.  I always have trouble melting the parmesan fully, which is why it's added early on, and using grated over shredded helps, too.



By the way - I'm SO close to finishing that lace doily I started ages ago, have several tiny glass doilies I ought to get around to posting photos of, and I completed the snowflake table runner but haven't sewn in the ends yet or blocked it.  Pics soon, I promise!

-MM