So finally got the time to go to this local event, it's been a few years that it's been around. It falls on a weekend in the spring when I would in times past be going to an SCA event. Typically it would interfere with other domestic things too. Although I have been wanting to go for two to three years now which was made more complicated by the Pandemic. Plus in years past, I wouldn’t have money to spend. Luckily this time, I was all set with a few methods of payment and had some free time. Working on my credit during the Pandemic and it’s been looking much better. Had a stress-free day of fantastic fiber conversations, as my spouse had to work. I don't torture my spouse by dragging him to things I like, we have our own unique interests. Will also share my haul of purchases with you because yay wool things! Planning for next year, it's on my calendar already.
I knew of one item I wanted, a teal blue purple sweater since I saw it at another local festival, Kriskindl by the same vendor. Lazy Meadow Alpaca's is a fiber arts store and mill in Hughesville Pa. Was able to locate and purchase the elusive beastie. It is worth the markup for it to be profitable, its Peruvian Alpaca. I will have to see about another style, later on. If they are at Kristkindl again, I may look into their other sweaters. This by far is my best one, and the one I wanted from their selection. Many of the long sweaters I love are becoming worn and have some holes. I have been making repairs, but it is nice to add a new sweater to the collection. It’s nice and warm, alpaca, and goes down to mid-thigh. Just a beautiful sweater! It’s an XL but I like the room in my clothing, especially most knits. This was $150.00 is the most I have spent on a sweater but so worth it.
I bought two big bags of wool for spinning one a tawny Shetland wool 20 oz was $40.00 Another 10oz of almost black Shetland wool was $30. I have more of the dark brown at home to make up the difference. It's in the bag to the left buts it's compressed to keep the cats out. I keep a basket of spools on top, as extra protection. If I do not have enough of the darker Shetland, I have the contact info to get ahold of the vendor for more. As she has more of this fleece back at her home store. I didn’t have merino like I thought, so there is that. It was shetland also, makes sense when I was looking at prices I didn't remember spending much last time. Merino does cost more per ounce. Just adding to the affordable Shetland lot of wool. I will be spinning them into separate colors. As I did a test and wasn’t fond of the blending of the colors together. The cotton canvas bag was also purchased there for $20. I would have bought more but they just had this one. Love a good big bag!
Came right home and was inspired. So I did an hour of spinning before going grocery shopping. I mentioned this as I wanted to show the progress and how the dark Shetland is spinning up. Now I will do the same as previously with weaving. I will use a commercially made wool yarn then my handspun is the weft. I have woven my homespun singles wool yarn done as warp and weft. Its survived and made fabric, was a test. Although I want something just a bit stronger when being put through metal heddles on my loom. With all that I can say I got my steps in the other day, 4,500 it was much more activity for me in a while. So almost two miles, that’s a lot for me. Definitely feel the difference today but have good energy too.
Looking up my pattern, I will need to make up about 6 yards warp to make fabric for my Tudor English Fitted Gown. I have to get to spinning to get to the weaving part this fall. I like this breed it spins up nicely so far. Hoping it goes well, fingers crossed. The plan is to spin the wool, weaving the cloth, then sew the garment. So here is the garment inspiration image to the left. I will be making a plain sleeve not the puffy panes sleeve for the gown, the half sleeve one. That is so I can change it out with lower sleeves to coordinate. The one I am making is the top left gown in the image of the pattern supplied to the left of this paragraph.
Couldn’t go to a fiber festival and not buy some yarn but kept it to two skeins. There were all sorts of silk, wool, plant fibers too, and even specialty fibers like mohair and cashmere. Lots of selection, very impressed with the quality of the vendors. This yarn the lavender variation was really calling my name but not sure if two skeins are enough to do for a shawl but I will see what can be done. Was considering socks but I have no experience making socks. We shall see! These two lovelies will live next to my Welsh spinner doll for now. I just love to look at it! So it can sit and be pretty for a while, like a fiber offering to the knitting gods. These two were $30 total, not bad for handspun, hand-dyed yarn. Makes Michaels and Joann's selections look sparse and boring by comparison, but very price friendly. Granted that is like comparing couture silk clothing to synthetic Walmart off the peg, two different markets.
Yeah, I spent a bunch but have a fiber project iron in the fire. Scored a super nice sweater and yarn so going to take that for what it’s worth. Plus it was past time to bless the new floor loom with a proper project. I am going to focus on no warping mistakes and get really get a smooth setup before weaving. Actually the past two months I wasn't buying much in, so this wasn’t that bad. It’s most was the sweater and the project supplies that cost the most.
Fibery Goodness,
Marrin
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