2 posts tagged “wool”

Spinning Wheel

A little over a week ago, I made what could be labelled an impulsive purchase. One I really never thought I would make. I bought a (second hand) spinning wheel.

I've maintained for several years that I would never take up spinning - rather like my assertion that I will never take up quilting (but not quite so emphatic as that one).

I'm not the most coordinated person in the world (unless you're talking matching shoes to an outfit), and in the couple of times I'd tinkered with my Mum's wheel it was plainly obvious that my usual inability to do use my hands and feet at the same time with purpose (I usually only swing one arm when walking) and complete lack of patience and dislike at not being good at not being good at things, all meant that spinning and I would not gel.

So, why do I now have a spinning wheel? I'm not really sure. But I can report that with a little perserverance, and rather a lot of swearing, I'm actually spinning yarn that looks like yarn. Knitting it, even (a cushion cover and hat, so far). I'm seeing improvement, and that's enough to keep me going!

Because I'm such an awesome daughter, I decided to knit my Dad a woollen vest to keep him warm on the days when he ventures out in the cold to take swings at golf balls.

A vest, which I knitted on a circular needle up to the arm shaping is an excellent garment for someone like me who finds it difficult to commit to a garment which requires multiple pieces, and sewing up - even I can handle the quick seams across the shoulders!

The wool (Hummingbird "Ikaros" 12 ply) was an absolute bargain at $2 a ball, in the Knitworld winter sale, and the subtly flecked green (named "Forest", but more a khaki) perfect for a conservative man in his mid-70s. I adapted this pattern, working in 3x2 garter-rib (on the front only). If there's one thing I love about knitting in the round, it is most definitely that stocking stitch becomes just a bunch of knit rows!