FO Friday

Friday, January 30, I finished the Benon Headband today.  I love how it turned out.  Thank you, Hazel T.

A little more Shetland and Grey Wolf

Before I left for Grey Wolf NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) I intended to post more photos from Shetland.

We returned from camp on Saturday (June 28).  It never ceases to amaze me when I see the youth staff develop over a five-month period during developments, and then work with the participants to put on the best program possible.  There were 72 participants that came into the week and 72 graduated!  This was the first opportunity Jim and I had to serve together on staff after 8 years of Grey Wolf.  He is a good leader and mentor for the staff and participants.  Even though I have been with the program for some time, it was an honor and pleasure to be on the same course with my husband.  Ben was on Week 1 and we were able to see him a few times.  It does not seem so long ago we dropped him off for leadership training!

Mr. C. watching the action.

Gery Grey Wolf our mascot looking sharp with his uniform.

Mr. C. living it intensely (note the bracelet--it says "live it intensely," referring to the Scout Oath and Law.  This happened during the ballista event.  

I finished the replacement Urchin.  It is not hand spun, but will be a nice hat.  I feel badly about losing my hat, but it is in a lovely place--Shetland!  Perhaps one of the local critters will find it and wear it at a jaunty angle.  The ends of the project bag are woven in, the lace is finished, and the handle is about halfway finished.  Washing, blocking, and then sewing up are next.  I will make a lining for the bag and sew a facing on the handle for stability.  It would be nice to incorporate the little button that Jane gave to each of us, or make a Dorset button closure.  Next up is the Little Black Vest, which turned into a KAL (knit along).  I decided to go with the triangle design instead of the tumbling blocks for the texture stitching.  I cast on for the Greta, by Rowan.  I am thankful it is a shop sample and not for a class because of the fine yarn and small needle size it will take some time to make.  Shwook is my personal project.  I love knitting color work and I think about Shetland as I knit.

Going through the UFOs I was surprised I did not have as many as I thought, which is good.  Summer is flying by and it would be nice to finish up projects for me and for gifts.  Lots of little ones to knit for this year!

Spinning up a storm with the drop spindles with focus on Iceland and Shetland.  I have to come up with something for Spin-Off and maybe even Knitty!

Speaking of Shetland...

Elizabeth spinning some fine Shetland wool. 

Her lovely little Shetland spinning wheel.

The Shetland Designer was bursting with colorful knitwear.  The color ways shown here are the ones from which the volunteers at the Shetland Museum and Archives chose for their uniform vests.  The vest at the top left is one of the vests the volunteers wear.  

Neila's studio has a lovely view and her innovative designs were such fun to try on.
My favorite piece is Toog.

The flowers and colorfully painted spinning wheels add charm to the shop exterior.

Textile Museum 

Hazel Tindall was a pleasure to meet.  She was knitting away on this beautiful sweater.  Watching her work is a wonder!  Her quick, efficient movements create magic.

The photo before the loss of my beloved hat.  Taking a walk on a beautiful day in a beautiful place was worth the loss.  The wind was blowing and the air smelled so sweet.  Wildflowers abloom and the waves splashing on the rocks...I was in heaven!

Halfway through the project, Jane taught us how to make Dorset buttons.  

A little friend joined my on my walk around Lerwick.   I believe the colors of the cat, pavement, and wall might work as a nice colorway...mmmm...

I bought the pattern and some yarn to make the Eid top (in front) designed by
Hazel Tindall for Wool Week 2011.  I will post photos of my color choices soon!

This treasure was at the Shetland Museum.  How sharp the Boy Scouts look in their uniforms!

Spinning, Knitting, and Shetland

The night before I left on my trip to Shetland I took a spin-for-color-class taught by Doreen of Goldfish Love.  I grabbed the bag of colors from the Kerry Woolen Mill, Louie, and learned about spinning Noro-style yarn.  It was such fun.  I actually liked the mistake skein better than my second skein.  In my excitement I pulled a color out of order when I was spinning. A happy accident.  There are many possibilities with this spinning technique!

Naturally I had to choose six colors!

This is how the single looks on the bobbin.

The bottom skein is the one with the "mistake" and the top skein is my second and successful skein.  They are both two-ply yarns.

The more the colors are carded, the more subtle the color gradation.

I had this going when class ended.  I have to admit I like the color bits in the transition colors.

With wool and color dancing in my head I slept well before leaving the next day for Shetland.  The first two legs of the trip were eventful by spirited children and a screamer.  (Having traveled with a little one and experiencing a painful ear during take off and landing I understand.)  The seven-hour and one minute flight to Dublin was one minute too long, as I gave up my aisle seat on a very crowded airplane.  I am a seasoned traveler, but over the years I prefer to sit in an aisle seat on long flights.  My neighbor was a nice man and we chatted off and on during the flight keeping tabs on the hockey playoff scores.  Anyway, the leg of the trip between Dublin and Edinburgh was uneventful.  I met up with the group at the gate and after introductions we had a short flight to Shetland.  

My first impression was that it reminded me of Ireland.  The cliffs were impressive!  I was  not expecting them to be so high.  It was warm, with the mist rolling in and out the first day. 

Audrey peers out the window at the spectacular cliffs of Shetland.

Wildflowers were blooming everywhere.

Color in every nook and cranny!

Whale bone

Add caption

Steep cliffs in the mist.

More to come...