I finished my Zweig sweater! I will probably live in it for awhile. I made a few adjustments for mine. I knitted up a size smaller so that it would be more form fitting, I knitted it to 18″ below the separation of sleeves, and so I also made the sleeves longer. I prefer my sweaters/shirts to hit at the hips, not my waist. I am in love with it! I used a yak/silk blend yarn, so it is very soft. So happy to have it done, and just in time for the cold temps we are getting.
I also got going on my big spinning project. I took some white bamboo fiber and some roving that I had received from my amazing Fibre Share partner last year. I blended them with my hand carders, and made rolags. I ended up with just under 4 oz. of fibre, which I divided into two equal piles and I then started spinning with a Z-twist. I have actually finished spinning the first bobbin, and have started the second. I am really hoping to get it finished over the weekend so I can ply them S-twist. It should make a fingering weight(fingers crossed) yarn that I can use in a shawl. Below are pictures of the fibre from beginning to the bobbins.
This week has been a bit slow, I have been dealing with back pain for a few weeks now. Doctor figured out the problem(spondylolisthesis), and will start physical therapy soon. It, in addition to my chronic pain that I already deal with in my lower back/SI joint….It has been a very uncomfortable time. I have had to decrease my knitting time and that has been miserable for me. I have always turned to my crafting to help me through pain, so I now need to find another way to deal with it until things work their way through with Physical therapy. Any suggestions? I thought maybe I could do some cross stitch or embroidery, but find my self in the same, head bent, position. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. On the bright side though……
I released the SO Twisted Hat pattern!! The second of three hat patterns in my A Twist Collection E-book. You can buy the hat patterns separately or save and buy the E-book(all 3 hat patterns). The third pattern will be released near Valentine’s Day. I have been very blessed with amazing test knitters for each of these, I don’t think I would have tried to learn how to knit left-handed if it hadn’t been for their needs. I have my next shawl pattern ready for testing now, but I will wait until I have finished up my sample knit. This one is a warm sophisticated asymmetrical triangle shawl. It uses DK weight yarn and has a gorgeous border worked right from the beginning cast on, framed by a simple i-cord edge. The main part of the shawl is worked in a fun pattern that requires no purling whatsoever! I can’t wait to show more teasers….but I will wait until it is finished. Let me know if you are interested in testing it for me. For those that do not know what is needed to be a tester, I just need knitters with basic knitting experience to knit up the pattern as written. While doing so, keeping a watch for any errors. You would get to keep the pattern for free, and with my bigger test(such as shawls), I also gift you any one of my other published patterns. It is a fun way to get new patterns before anyone else. If you’re interested, feel free to go to my Ravelry group and let me know.
Well, I hope you all have a good remainder of the week, and a great weekend. If you are here in the USA, keep warm! This polar vortex has hit so many with extremely cold temps.
Be creative, and be YOU!!
Handmade By Zan 