Mastodawn

consumableJoy 3d ago

#Shetland Projects / Stash - I bought more yarn in Shetland than I expected, primarily local yarns difficult or impossible to get in the US (some exceptions). I tried to stick with yarn with patterns that I intend to make rather than random stuff which I have found difficult to use (tbh I already have tons of stash that have projects in mind too but it’s better than no project). So this thread will be a recap of “what I bought in Shetland / the UK” #knitting #TextileArts #spinning #yarn (1/?)

consumableJoy 3d ago

I bought some 2-ply jumper weight yarn from West Lynne Wool - from the Tait family’s sheep, some Shetlands but also crosses with Cheviot and Llyen. I started making Gudrun Johnston’s Riggies Cowl (free pattern). It’s almost done, needs blocking and then seaming up the back.

https://ravel.me/riggies-cowl

https://www.paparwark.co.uk/west-lynne-wool/

#knitting #TextileArts #spinning #yarn #shetland (2/?)

consumableJoy 3d ago

Donna Smith talked to us about dyeing yarn with natural dyes, and I bought 3 skeins - 2 in DK weight for a hat (undyed) and a cowl (naturally dyed from color from the lac scale insect), and one in a beautiful indigo lace weight for a lace shawl. I don’t knit much lace but I felt so inspired by the yarn itself.

https://donnasmithdesigns.co.uk

#knitting #TextileArts #yarn #shetland (3/?)

Ronnie of Uradale Farms showed us his sheep and fleece and talked about how the colored sheep are used to produce different colors of yarn and then how dyeing them creates a range - such as oranges from lighter to darker. Uradale has all native Shetland sheep which made the yarn even more appealing and unique. I bought the yarn for these Croft mittens. I’ve cast them on already but I’ll probably start over using flexiflips

https://www.uradale.com

#knitting #TextileArts #yarn #shetland (4/?)

consumableJoy 3d ago

We went to Jamieson & Smith Wool Brokers. I didn’t buy any regular J&S. I did buy undyed fiber to spin. And I flipped through a book of patterns for tweed yarn and found a sweater I liked. And discovered this yarn is not easily available in the US - Croft Aran Tweed from West Yorkshire Spinners. I have 8 hanks. I’m excited to cast on to see how it knits up and also because the gauge means it should be a fast knit.

https://ravel.me/imogen-sweater-2

#knitting #textilearts #yarn #spinning #Shetland (5/?)

consumableJoy 2d ago

Spinning fiber and spindles: here is a drop spindle from a class we took at Eldamato from DJ, an amazing woman who emigrated to Shetland from America and opened this shop. She also gave us little samples of local Shetland fiber and other breeds (merino, and an amazing cashmere/silk blend). The braid is Shetland Wool hand-dyed in Shetland. I have no actual plans for this other than enjoying spinning it.

https://www.instagram.com/myeldamato?igsh=bmc0NGhjbmZnbnc1

#shetland #FiberArts #textileArts #spinning #knitting

(6/?)

consumableJoy 2d ago

This is a repost of an earlier pic to focus on the spindles instead of the fiber. The left supported spindle is made of Indian rosewood and sycamore. The right Turkish spindle is black alder with a walnut shaft made by a local Shetlander who recently moved away. Both were bought at Eldamato. The center drop spindle has a whorl made of stone local to Unst - Serpentine - and was purchased at the town community center.

#shetland #fiberArts #textileArts #spinning #knitting

(7/?)

Paws 2 Spindle 1d ago

@consumablejoy What a wonderful trip! Was this a commercial tour you were on, or something you put together with a group of like-minded folks?

consumableJoy 1d ago

@Paws2Spindle This was a tour organized by Deb Jones of Fiber Garden which is based in Black River Falls, WI. Deb teaches the beginning spinning classes at Wisconsin Sheep and Wool, and she organizes fiber tours to various places.

We (my cousin and I) joined the group with 3 other friends of ours and 7 other people for a total of 12 going around together.

https://fibergarden.com/travel/

Paws 2 Spindle 1d ago

@consumablejoy Thanks for the link! Also sounds like an awful lot of fun.

Elizenery🔻1d ago

@consumablejoy Beautiful tools. That left one looks interesting and fast.

consumableJoy 1d ago

@lisettedeboer It really is. I haven’t used it much yet as it has a metal tip and my metal spinning bowl is not with me (I was told not to use it with a wooden bowl) but I’ll update once I use it more.

Elizenery🔻1d ago

@consumablejoy Found this ceramic one at an Asian supermarket. Cheap and works for metal tips.

Sobtanian 3d ago

@consumablejoy remember that Star Trek scarf? That was West Yorkshire
Spinners. It was lovely to work with.

@consumablejoy What a great trip you had!

consumableJoy 2d ago

@pointysticksncoffee It was loads of fun to see everything and hear their stories!

@consumablejoy I love the speckles, what a fun combination. West yorkshire spinners is lovely stuff.

consumableJoy 2d ago

@pointysticksncoffee I have recently discovered how much I like tweeds so I’m super excited. I’ve never used West Yorkshire spinners but I’ve heard great things!

Allysse Riordan 3d ago

@consumablejoy gorgeous yarn :)

What is the fibre you started to spin?

consumableJoy 2d ago

@allysseriordan The fiber is from local Shetland sheep, divided by natural color of the fleeces

Anna Miriamsdochter 3d ago

@consumablejoy Croft is one of my very favourite yarns, so glad you got your hands on it! Love WYS. They pay so much attention to breeds.