Whim

I recently purchased 4.1 oz (or 116 g) of hand dyed Merino roving from the Yarn Wench and managed to spin out a cool 370 yards (or 338 metres) from it in sock weight. The colors are absolutely yummy!

Knotty or Knice ?

'Tis the season and time is running out - for spinning and knitting, for last minute gifts, for pulling your hair out and just hopes it fits ;c)

In the spirit of the season, I just finished a pair of sock from Interweave Knits' Fall Issue - Knotty or Knice. For this project, I used my own handspun yarn and I must say, I'm quite pleased with the end product :c)

The Fibre Artists Collective

I have been terribly busy lately with "last minute" preparations for an upcoming Fibre show. The show, "Touchable - A Celebration of Fibre to Art", is a juried show and sale which is to take place this coming Friday, November 14 (4-8pm) and Saturday, November 15 (noon-6pm) at the Nights of  Columbus Hall (which is situated right behind Capitol Theatre (Elias Street) in Port Hope). Time is running out and I've been working like a mad woman squeezing every minute of the day spinning, knitting and felting. The following pics are just a few items I have just finished. Lots more to be included. I hope you can come and visit me at the show. I will be sharing a booth with Mara Lusis of WasteKnot Designs, who is a formidable fibre artist. There will be lots for everyone to see and touch. Check out the Collective's website for further details: www.fibreartscollective.com.

Catch the Wave - Finished!

Here's a picture of the completed project. Beautiful, n'est-ce pas?

Catch the Wave

Interweave's Summer 2008 Spin Off issue prominently displays on its front page a stunning scarf designed by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer of Destrehan, Louisiana. The pattern (p.86) is entitled Morning Surf. As you know, I'm no surfer, but I had just the perfect yarn (hand dyed by yours truly) to catch this wave. The pattern is very easy and shows off the colors beautifully. Can't wait to try it with my hand spun warn.

Doggie Spins

Meet Zeus. Zeus is a beautiful smooth-coat (short haired) Saint Bernard which I recently had the pleasure to spin. Now, Zeus' hair was rather short to work with - no worries, just added some extra spins. It turned out to be an awesome oatmeal color. I blended Zeus' hair with Marty's - a beautiful ram from one of my friend's farm North of Port Hope, ON. Zeus' mom is very excited and can't wait to turn this yarn into a memento fit for a God. Below are some pics of the end product.

Here's a picture of Marty, the ram who made the wool contribution. Thankfully, my friend Cindy is a wonderful shepherd
and was able to point him out so I could take his picture. Isn't he a cutie :c)

Interested in getting your pet's brushings turned into yarn? If so, don't hesitate to contact me at julie.verge@cogeco.ca.

The Great Felting Experiment (from fibers) Part Deux

For my second felting experiment, I decided to make a shower mat. Using the same technique as before but using more material the experiment was a great success.

UFO, Finally Finished

It's funny how you get so excited when you first start a project; the yarn is oh so amazing and the pattern is just what you had been looking for. Finally, it's all coming together. And then, out of no where, something else peeks your curiosity; a new yarn, a new fiber. At first you resist; no, I will turn my back, be strong and complete my project. Yeah right, you are we kidding. In to the UFO (UnFinished Object) box it goes and on to the newest thing. Well, I started this sweater about 2 years ago - yikes! I even got the front and back completed. I can't even remember why I left it unfinished. Thankfully I had made a few good notes on where I left off and just finished it yesterday. The pattern and yarn is from Shelridge Farms and I'm quite pleased with the result. So that's one UFO down, many more where that one came from :c)

All Is Blue

All is blue and dye days are here to stay. What fun I had transforming these skeins. This was for a custom order and I'm told will be knitted into a sweater. Can't wait to see the final product.

Sea Breeze

Here's my latest spin. I call this one Sea Breeze and it's for sale! 329 Metres or 360 Yards (155 g), hand dyed, DK weight; enough for a pair of socks or a beautiful scarf :c) For further information, just email me julie.verge@cogeco.ca.

Shearing Days

The warmer weather is slowly coming in just in time for shearing. Went out this week to help out at a friends farm. 150+ sheep received their haircut. What a wonderful way to view the fleece first hand. This farm has various breeds and cross-breeds which makes it all the more interesting.

First the haircut.

Then, on to the skirting of the fleece. That's where we remove what's not usable such as larger flakes of vegetation and whatever cannot be processed at the mill; oh, did I mention "pooh"!

Not a baaaaaaad day at all :c)

All Is Green :c)

It's Raining Again - More Time For Spinning!

Eucalan: A Whole New Spin On Laundry

Eucalan is a product which I proudly carry. For those of you not familiar with this brand, Eucalan is a Canadian company which is owned and operated out of Paris, Ontario. Established in 1989, Eucalan is well known throughout the knitting/spinning community as "the" soap for delicate wash - with no rinsing needed to boot! It is totally environment friendly: it is non-toxic, fully biodegradeable, phosphate free, petrochemical free, contains natural lanolin enriched formula - a great eco-friendly alternative to dry cleaning.

Eucalan is also fantastic for bathing dogs and other animals and because of its natural ingredients (Eucalyptus and Lavender) it contains natural flea inhibitors... how cool is that!

Check out the new scents at Eucalan! Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Lavender and Natural, Unscented.

The 500 ml bottles - $12.00 (tax incl. in price)
Place your order today by contacting me at julie.verge@cogeco.ca

April Showers Bring May Rovings?

Spring is here and I''m loving it! The gazebo is finally up and I've been spinning like a mad woman. My hand spun socks (from Kerry's beautiful rovings) are flying off the shelves. I'm currently taking orders for spun yarns (DK weight) and/or knitted socks (all in these beautiful hand-dyed rovings) for Christmas already, so if you're interested don't hesitate to get in touch with me at julie.verge@cogeco.ca.

Here are my new colors... simply yummy! Just can't wait to spin them all.

Spinning Tales

Here are some latest spins from Kerry's hand dyed rovings; perfect for knitting socks :c)

Louet's Newest Wheel - Julia

Louet’s newest arrival, Julia, is now available and it is literally flying off shelves. This wheel was made available at the end of March and had sold out. The second orders are expected in May.

This is Victoria's big sister (bobbins, flyer and the Scotch tension are the same as on the Victoria). As most of you know, I own and absolutely love my Victoria. Not only is it small in size and practically weightless, it folds up in a flash and comes with an awesome carrying case.

Now, the best way to describe this wheel is a Victoria version of the S51DT. Bobbins, flyer and the Scotch tension are the same as on the Victoria. There are four ratios: from 6:1 up to 19:1. An optional high speed set, which is also the same set as the Victoria uses, provides an extra 27:1 ratio and make it easier to treadle the 19:1 on the Julia. A removable insert provides two orifice sizes (12mm and 8mm). All rotating parts run on ball bearings for smooth operation, while the unit itself is constructed out of beech and birch plywood, smoothly lacquered.

The optional stand-alone Lazy Kate comes with an adjustable brake for the three bobbins it holds. 
As an introductory special, the Julia is being delivered with a FREE stand-alone Lazy Kate, and 1 additional bobbin (for a total of four). Wheels are made of laminated hardwood with a "birch" exterior finish.

This offer will be available until May, 2008, or while supplies last.

The base with treadles can be easily disassembled from the upright with the main wheel (unit does not fold) for easy transportation.

If you are interested in obtaining this gem, please don't hesitate to contact me at julie.verge@cogeco.ca.

The Great Felting Experiment (from fibers)

I recently purchased beautiful Border Leicester fleece and thought I would try experimenting with felting from fibers. The objective was to create a mat of some sort. Just to be different, I thought I would try to make a circular shaped one. Here's how I did it.


A bamboo blind would have been better for fulling the fiber but since I didn't have one on hand, I used an old sheet of bubble wrap I had kept from our last move. I began by placing a layer of raw fleece haphazardly onto the bubble wrap - removing all vegetation from the fleece.


Then, I placed about 3 layers of combed fiber (border leicester) on top of the raw fleece over lapping each sections of combed fleece. Once completed, I sprayed with hot hot water and soap (I used Dawn dish soap) in preparation for fulling.

Rolling such a large piece proved easier than I had thought. As you can tell from the (third) picture, I should of placed additional raw fleece on the edge of the mat. The combed fleece flattened out like pizza dough which spread across the edge of the raw fleece. Not to worry, I added raw fleece to the edges on my second roll :c)

Finally, the finished experiment...

Matching Pair

It's a set! Just finished the mitts a couple of days ago. I had to modify the pattern slightly; cast on 28 sts instead of 24 - but it all turned out well. Just in time for spring... which is coming soon... right??!!

Sally Melville's Canadian Winter Hat

Just couldn't wait to try out my new yarn. This easy peasy hat pattern is from Sally Melville's The Knitting Experience Book 2: The Purl Stitch - The Canadian Winter Hat (and Mitts). I'm hoping to have the mitts knitted shortly :c) stay tuned.

Will Spring Ever Come...

Hard to believe Easter is just around the corner. This has been a long winter with record snow falls. Let's hope Spring will be warm and dry ;c)

I've been busy spinning and knitting as usual and have created these Celtic Fingerless Mitts with the yarn I had spun from my last post. I shall post the pattern soon.

This past Friday was our guild's spin day hosted by Kerry and of course, I couldn't help purchasing more hand dyed rovings from her. The colors are spectacular.

The top skein was plied back on itself while the bottom one was plied with brown wool. Cool, n'est-ce pas?

Kerry's Brilliant Colors

My friend Kerry is simply brilliant when it comes to blending and dying. I recently purchased one of her magnificent hand-dyed rovings and spun some today. The colors are to dye for!


To check out Kerry's blog - see favorite links

Leftover Cuties

Found this wonderful pattern for baby socks and made a couple of pair out of leftover sock yarn. Easy, fun eyelet pattern. Found this pattern on Pickin' and Throwin' blog. This blog offers lots of cool free patterns.

Note: The pattern recommended 2.0 mm dbp; I used 2.25 mm. I also used my Tofutsie sock yarn which is made of 50% Superwash Wool, 25% soysilk Fibers, 22.5% Cotton, and 2.5% Chitin (Chitin is fiber from Shrimp and Crab Shells! and is naturally antibacterial - how cool is that!). By the way, I carry Tofutsie ($16+pst) check out the colors at Soysilk. This yarn has amazing meterage - 425m per ball! That's a pair of sock for you and a couple of pair (plus) for baby.

501 Blues

The weather was simply awful yesterday so I decided to have myself a dye day. Took some plain merino and created a dye bath using Gaywool indigo. As I was looking for a variation in color I soaked the yarn several times to obtain the desired shade. I call it my "501 Blues".

Trixie's New Coat

Just finished Trixie's sweater! Hand spun and knitted with lots of love for our little Trixie who does not like the cold weather.


Just a little spoiled don't you think? :c)