Wordless Wednesday . . .

FIber Festival 2014

The competition part of the Festival

A guilds Challenge to make the same pattern . . .

Raw wool competition

Shearing demonstration but the sheep were quite bloody.

Beautiful wool roving to spin into yarn or to needle Felt with

Beautiful wool

Alpacas all in a row.

  The Fingerlakes Fiber Festival is held annually.  Folks who love wool, yarn and felt come from all over to attend this event.  There is competition in many categories- raw wool, skeins and knitted or felted garments.               
                         I go to this on an irregular basis . . . This year I was able to go with a friend who had never been before.  It is really something to be surrounded by all this fiber and color.
                    When you stop to think about what goes into a hand knitted item,  it is really amazing.   First the sheep farmer has to raise, feed, shelter and shear the sheep.  The the wool is washed, prepared carded into wool roving, then it needs to be spun into yarn.  The the knitter has to buy it and follow a pattern to create whatever item they are doing. I am leaving out  many steps in each of the 3 areas - sheep, yarn preparation and knitted item.  There are just to many things to mention them all.
      There are a number of these Fiber Festivals around the Northeast- they vary in size and activities but if you have an interest in any of the areas- Sheep raising, Spinning or knitting/Felting- try to get yourself to one of them, it will be great fun and Inspirational.

The Moments No. 16

Imperfection at its best, but diligence to keep trying.

This to be scarf looks one way on the bottom \

and not so on the top. There will be some ripping out tomorrow.

On and Off the Needles

There is always something on the needles- and never enough that gets off the needles.  The middle photo is a completed neck cowl from some nice yarn I bought in Bath Maine this summer. The piece I am knitting and in the bottom photo is another Neck Cowl.  These short term and 1-2 skein projects fit my allotted project time  right now.  The finished one I have worn and it is perfect for our kinda cold and definitely wet winter.   What projects are you working on?

Off the needles . . . . .

This was called a Pashima Rib Scarf and it has traveled many miles over several summers. It came off the needles while on Acadia this summer. woo hoo!!! The colors are many of those seen at Acadia. The blue/gray green hues of the Ocean and rocks, pink granite rocky cliffs, yellow and brighter red/pink wild flowers, light green grasses and mosses. The yarn is a very soft cotton alpaca that was a true delight to work with. Can't wait to wear it !! ( but all the excessive heat this summer has not been conducive to that. )

On the Needles

This is what is on the needles currently. It will be a hooded jacket with a front zipper. This is the beginning of the back portion. It is made with NORO yarn Kochoran this link is actually to the real Noro site so it is in Japanese but there are lots of American sites with their yarns. They are Noro - the World of Nature. They have the best yarns, both in combos of fibers and in colors and transitions. I have knit with their fibers and patterns before and it is always very enjoyable. Their patterns are easy to follow and well written. They are however not cheap! I have been planning and saving for some time to make another Noro garment. I will post as it progresses. However it will not be near as fast as some of you out there that can finish a sweater in a weeks time. I find a little knitting improves my concentration. Right now that is a much needed thing in our house. this is straight garter stitch which to some might be boring or not challenging enough but for a busy distracted mama much of the time, it is just right for me.

Off the needles

Well the brown one I made from here called a chunky Beanie, On the right side of her blog is a spot for Knitting patterns of hers. Look there. I made it out of a nice soft Alpaca for my husband but he did not like it at all so it needs to find a new home.

The colorful one on the bottom, my daughter made, I finished the crown a little bit for her. It was made from One skein of Nepal on Circular needles. It was a fast knit for sure.

Both of these hats fit very nicely and are easy to make.

On the Needles

Currently I am knitting a Swing Jacket by Noro. Noro is a yarn made in Japan. It is beautifully dyed wool in very natural colors. My choice is quite representative of the spring colors herein Western NY
When it is finished I will post a finished picture. I am on the yoke and then I need to do the collar and sew up the seams. I have not made a knitted garment in a very long time. It has been very enjoyable.

On and Off the needles

This Hat is almost done- 2 more rows and given the cold snowy weather of today there will be lots of time to wear it still.


This has been off the needles for a while but I did not have the ends woven in, I finally finished that and wore it today! It is yummy warm and the colors remind me of the spring that is yet to be. A week from Saturday I think!! How will you celebrate it's arrival?