Tag: knitting

June/July 2023 Update

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I thought I would post some of my recent projects from June/July since I haven’t posted on WordPress for a while. You can find me on Instagram @emily_wallace_handwoven & also on Facebook as @emilywallacehandwovendesigns.

I’m preparing for a Scottish Festival in October, so lots of tartan scarves are on the loom. I’ve started with Middleton, Wallace, and Wallace Hunting–but more will follow.

I’ve also been weaving some handspun table runners for this event (and the holiday market in December). One is from various raw fleeces that I’ve had remnant yarn left over from and the more colorful runner is from another handspun yarn from hand dyed roving (BFL)

I’ve been spinning for the Tour de Fleece as of July 1st and here are my completed yarns so far: Handdyed Corriedale, Zwartbles, Herdwick, Icelandic/Balwen Welsh Mtn, and Shetland (finished but still on the wheel in this picture).

Monday’s knitting project was a raw fleece remnant yarn beanie from Gulf Coast Native, Icelandic-x, Babydoll Southdown, and Shetland.

Off the Needles: American Tunis beanie (from raw fleece)

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This knitted beanie was finished a few weeks ago–a project from one of my Tour de Fleece 2021 spinning samples from an American Tunis raw fleece bought from Solace Farmstead in Coalmont, TN.

Although I don’t remember the fiber being exceptional when I was spinning it, the finished beanie turned out wonderfully soft and lofty. This would be a good yarn for a sweater project in the future with the remaining 2.75+ pounds of remaining fleece.

Shetland Raw Fleece Knitting Project

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Macchiato’s fleece was one of two Shetland fleeces I purchased from Ballyhoo Fiber Emporium at the Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival in 2019. These Shetland are raised in Bagdad, KY, along with Gotland, Icelandic, Finn, and other breeds.

I spun a sample of Macchiato’s fleece last year during the Tour de Fleece, but this is the first knitting project I’ve completed with the sample yarn. It wasn’t my favorite to spin, but the end result was fine. I think I left too much lanolin in the fleece when I originally scoured it, so I’ll be washing this beanie in some Unicorn power scour to get the remaining lanolin out.

2022 Raw Fleece to Finished Object: “Weatherwax” Icelandic wool beanie

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“Weatherwax” the Icelandic ram (from Ballyhoo Farms, KY) handspun from raw fleece–using Lopi Braided Hat pattern from Halldora J (free pattern on Ravelry).

I originally spun a sample of Weatherwax’s fleece during the 2021 Tour de Fleece, but I didn’t have quite enough to knit the beanie until I spun about 33g more that I had already drum carded. I have about seven pounds total of his fleece, and I’m thinking about what my next projects will be with this fiber. There was very little lanolin (even for an Icelandic), making this fleece the perfect candidate for spinning in the grease–if I decide to go that route in the future.

My cat Punkie–checking out Weatherwax’s fleece after it arrived

1st Project of 2022: Handspun Icelandic/Balwen Welsh Mtn yarn from Raw Fleece Neck Warmer

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First project of 2022: Handspun yarn from raw fleece knitted neck warmer sample from “Olwen” Icelandic/Balwen Welsh Mountain cross from Ballyhoo Fiber Emporium (Kentucky).

I finally got up the energy to knit a small project from some of the raw fleece yarn samples I spun during last year’s Tour de Fleece. I had about 82 yards of worsted/aran weight 2-ply from this sample, so I decided to knit a small neck warmer–something I can use over the next few days now that it’s actually cold here in Alabama. (We’re even expecting snow on Sunday). I have two fleeces from Olwen, so I’m looking forward to working with them now that I’ve processed her fiber from raw to finished object. (I also have Olwen’s father’s fleeces “Akoya”–he’s pure Icelandic).

“Olwen” Icelandic/Balwen Welsh Mtn ewe from Ballyhoo Farms (Kentucky) (Photos courtesy of Madeline Rosenberg)🐑

Pop-Up Shop Last Weekend & Knitted Beanie

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Last Saturday, I held a pop-up shop at Artisan’s Cove in Owens Cross Roads, AL (where I also teach classes). It was a first alert weather day–meaning tornado watches and thunderstorm warnings, but most of the bad weather had cleared out by the time I opened at 11am. I had a handful of people stop by despite the rain, so I’m thankful for the sales I got. This finished up my 2021 in-person events, so I’ve been taking it easy since then–only knitting beanies for Christmas gifts.

Sold objects from my Pop-Up Shop at Artisan’s Cove on Saturday, December 11th.

This beanie was knitted for my neighbor, but now I’m working on a similar one for my sister-in-law. I’m not sure how many more projects I’ll knit/weave this year, but this may be the last few until 2022. It has been a long, productive year, but I can honestly say I’m ready for a short break from spinning, weaving, knitting, fiber washing & processing, etc.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

100% Peruvian Highland wool knitted beanie

2021 Weaving/Knitting Projects (as of November 25)

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Every year, I attempt to finish at least 52 projects (one project a week on average). This year, I’ve exceeded that goal by a small number as of November 25th. I’m not sure how many more projects I’ll squeeze into 2021, but I’m happy to have surpassed my goal with time to spare. (Many of these projects were sold or commissioned, which is why I make so many items each year. Otherwise, my numbers would be much lower.)

2021 Projects as of November 25th

Finished Objects: GCN knitted beanie & Wallace Hunting Tartan Scarf

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I finished the Gulf Coast Native handspun yarn (from raw fleece) knitted beanie over Thanksgiving. This is the second hat I’ve knitted from Freddie’s fleece and I absolutely love his wool. (Freddie is a GCN ram from a local farm in Arab, AL). Freddie’s fleece ranges from pure black to a silvery gray color.

I also wove a custom ordered Wallace Hunting tartan scarf for an Etsy customer–but in my haste to get it mailed, I forgot to take photos of the finished scarf, so I can only show a photo of it on the loom here. I’ve made many of these tartans before, though, so you can definitely find pics on my Ravelry page (username: southernemma) or my Instagram page.

Wallace Hunting Tartan Scarf (on the loom)

Gulf Coast Native X Fleeces from Summer Fields Farm (Monteagle, TN)

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I totally forgot to mention the nine fleeces I picked up from Summer Fields Farm in Monteagle, TN on October 20th. I had originally purchased three fleeces from this farm on Etsy, but after messaging the seller, I arranged to pick them up in person, since Monteagle, TN is less than two hours away from where I live in Alabama. So, I bought three online and came home with nine (purchasing the other six after seeing them). I purchased a GCN/Romney fleece (which I’m super excited about) and the others were mostly lamb fleeces that are GCN/Navajo Churro crosses.

mer Raw fleeces from Summer Fields Farm (Monteagle, TN)

This week, I sampled one of the lamb fleeces and knitted up a beanie (“Be Loving” pattern by Melissa Simpson) from my spun sample. Although the staple length was much shorter than I’m usually comfortable with, the finished yarn turned out good and I love the oatmeal/beige color of the yarn.

GCN/Navajo Churro cross lamb fleece (Fall 2020 shearing)

Duncan Scottish Tartan Woven Scarf & Several Knitted Beanies, and Misc.

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Before I left for my trip to the pacific northwest, I wove a pickup stick pattern scarf–more to just experiment with new patterns than anything else. The scarf below is the result of that project.

After I returned from my trip, I wove a Duncan Scottish tartan scarf for my friend from Washington, who happens to be a Duncan. This was the first time I had woven this tartan, and because of the width of the pattern, I was only able to do a portion of the warp design…but otherwise, it is a balanced tartan.

Duncan Scottish Tartan Scarf

Since I’m planning to have a booth at the Hartselle Holiday Market this year (Hartselle, Alabama), I have started knitting beanies for those who might not want any of my woven items. The yellow/white beanie was knitted from GCN raw fleece that I handspun and dyed with annatto seeds.