I've got a few test knits going right now, so I sadly cannot show those (but they are all seriously awesome).
Knitting:
My Gaia is still just coming along slowly, I've just started the lace section which is much more entertaining than endless rows of stockinette stitch. But the cotton/silk/nylon combination does make for a great summer project.
Spinning:
This Targhee fiber is really starting to annoy me (it is almost brittle?), but yesterday I finally finished the spinning portion of the project. Next comes the plying, which I think will go by very quickly.
Misc:
Here is the progress on the cashmere sweater upcycling (this totally counts as a project). My mother has become addicted to unraveling, I've been plying it because the strands are old enough that they snap without reinforcement. This is going to be amazing to knit with, I can tell!
Also, I visited another thrift store in Newton, Kansas over the weekend and managed to pick up another cashmere sweater as well as a cotton one for a total of $6 (both are white for excellent dyeing opportunities).
That's all for now! I hope to have something new to show you for next week.
I hope that you are all having a great Wednesday and I hope that you also join in for WIP Wednesday with Tami's Amis.
oooh pretty sweater, i love the green!!! can't wait to see the test knits too :D
ReplyDeleteGaia is gorgeous! I love the lace panel so far. I can't stand large stretches of stockinette either - they just seem to go on forever and you never get anywhere. I can read at the same time though so that's an advantage! I'm sorry the spinning has been horrible but the colour is gorgeous and I can't wait to see how it looks once it's plied. I'm glad your mum's haing fun frogging the sweater - I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with the yarn, and the other too - what a great bargin! :)
ReplyDeleteMan, you are addicted to upcyling! haha that's ok though because it's a very cool idea. And even though the yarn isn't super soft, that spinning looks really pretty. That's a lot of yarn though! I may end up close to the same with my merino/silk blend though! And I am so glad you finally defeated the stockinette on the sweater, it will be done in no time now!
ReplyDeleteThe thought of unraveling old sweaters is interesting and I can imagine that it's satisfying to rip something apart and imagine what it could be made into.
ReplyDeleteThe sweater upcycling definitely counts as a project. I can't believe you found two more!
ReplyDeleteYou are SUCH a talented spinner! I'm terribly impressed with your yarn, and can't wait to see what you decide to spin with it. Also, great score on the sweaters!!
ReplyDeleteI like your project diversity. I'm so intrigued by the upcycling... but honestly have no idea how to unravel an old sweater. May I suggest a tutorial or maybe a few pictures? ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou are like your own little indie wool/spinning/knitting studio! I love all your projects and am just in awe of your spinning. You keep inspiring me and I thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm always on the lookout for something to upcycle but I have never yet found anything vaguely suitable. I love everything that you've shown here today. Hope you have a wonderful week with all your projects x
ReplyDeleteGosh that first picture and yarn colour is just so gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteNina x
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I'll be really interested to see how that yarn looks when you've plied it together.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a huge amount of progress has been made on all of your projects to me. I find that big projects put you in a time warp where it feels like you've done absolutely nothing... which isn't true. You're moving at a breakneck pace.
ReplyDeletePretty projects, and I love that you are upcycling old sweaters--that is just too great!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a pretty celery green for your Gaia. What patience you have to spin roving and then ply. Such great bargains on those sweaters to recycle for something even better.
ReplyDeleteAahh, how lucky you are that your Mom does the unraveling. That would go along way towards speeding things up I'd think! That's awesome! I love cashmere, so I can't wait to see what you make!
ReplyDeleteYour summer projects are awesome. i'm just loving that spinning and the unraveled sweater is certainly going to be amazing!!!! I wonder what you will make with it?
ReplyDeleteIt might not be much, but it all looks really cool!
ReplyDeleteThe Targhee's colors are beautiful and it's all looking really good. I would love to learn how to spin.
ReplyDeleteYou've been a busy girl! I don't know how you have the patience to spin by hand. It seems so hard to me! Anyway, everything is moving along and it's all about the journey right?! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteohh I love all the secret knitting, mostly when I get to see it! Go you with the upcycling, can't wait to see what you do with it!
ReplyDeleteI'm working with Targhee right now (http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/roving/mountain-colors/), and I find it almost spongy. Any tips you can share?
ReplyDeleteThe Gaia looks great and I totally hear you on the stockinette. Whilst it is quite nice to knit away without having to concentrate too much, it does get boring after a while. I look forward to see it finished as well as your use of the up-cycled cashmere
ReplyDeleteOooh reclaimed pure cashmere! I've always wanted to try unraveling a sweater to reclaim the yarn, but so far haven't found any good candidates in the charity shops. Really love the colours of that handspun as well - I hope the texture improves upon plying...
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm Angeliki and study physics in Athens! Found you via crochet nirvana! I read your about and thought we have similar interests! I recently started crocheting and like it a lot!I'm following!!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day,
Angeliki
That is a whole lot of stuff going on Ivy. You Gaia is looking beautiful. Can't wait to see your test knits!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the color you're using for the Gaia. Looks like a perfect summer knit.
ReplyDeleteYour projects sound very interesting! I was born in Newton! And I still have family there. It is a small world. Can't wait to see what your other projects are.
ReplyDelete