first yarn production

I have just recently received my belated birthday gift in the form of a Kromski spinning wheel. Even more recently I received the nitty noddy to accommodate it (this is necessary for finishing the yarn). And thus, within two days, I've finished two skeins of yarn, spun from jacob wool. As I will be leaving for a road trip to Colorado tomorrow, I think I will spend my time crocheting myself a scarf, made from scratch. Well, almost from scratch.

I did receive the wool already carded and processed, but fortunately my father's cousin has a llama and alpaca farm in Washington and has kindly supplied me with enough llama and alpaca wool to make an army of sweaters. This wool is straight off the animals - it still has the dirt, dust, and leaves. But now I am fully equip to scour, wash, spin, ply, set, and crochet this filthy wool. I am most excited. My next step is a sheep.

my first skein of finished wool

setting the twist (yarn soup)

I am most content.

christmas

We have returned from a trip to northern California. The redwood trees were quite dazzling. While we were hiking in Muir Woods, we received inspiration for this woodland hooded scarf (now listed on The Second Fiddle). John Muir (for whom the scarf and national park is named) was an amazing naturalist who aided in the conservation of the redwoods. we've even started a flickr group (Rustic and Rugged) in honor of John Muir, Jeremiah Johnson, and all the mountain men, lumberjacks, and rugged men.

fine figure of a man: (John Muir)

Etsy is also having the annual Christmas in July sale! stop by our shop for 10% off