Shawls

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Comment by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on September 19, 2009 at 6:38pm

What an interesting job! And you NEVER thought about what all that sheep wool and llama hair was going to do...

The guild that I am in has one lady who had not actually picked up a fiber craft (I like to call them arts) as yet, so I would think so... But in talking to people around the country, each guild has it's own personality, so you have to go in and just check it out for yourself. I joined my guild because I have plenty of time on my hands, and am now secretary (an appointed position by the guild leader, because she recognized my organizational skills). I have formed some very good friendships there.

We just let people do what they are drawn to... no one pushes, and we all try out different things.

I started spinning yarn a few months ago, at the encouragement of Peggy Stuart (whom I mentioned earlier)...
but I was drawn to it on my own. I tried a drop spindle (a little disc with a stick on it) and finally when I was asked to do a demo at the guild meeting, produced my best yet single ply yarn. A bit later I got a wheel and some raw fiber to fully understand the process. I washed the wool, carded it, and started spinning a fine yarn.

Comment by Carol Meissner on September 19, 2009 at 5:40pm

Thank you, thank you Susan! Your posts back to me are so helpful. Yes, Ravelry is really something! I felt like a Lilliputian in the land of the Giants there. I scurried back out as undetected as I could, but I did already explore the yarns. That section just seemed fascinating, not intimidating. I am thinking I would really like to know more about yarn, wool, how to make yarn, etc. One of the peculiar aspects of all this is I work at a place that has yarn animals! I work at Green Chimney.org which is a residential facility for kids. I work with adolescent boys who have two or more severe psychiatric disorders and the farm is used as part of their theraputic rehabilitation. I have only worked there since January 2009 but part of what they do there is raise sheep, llamas, and other animals. Meanwhile, I have never even thought about any of what I am now fascinated about, ever! If it hadn't been for being in Delaware on vacation with my twin sister this August, I would never even have thought of knitting! How funny is that. Now, there is pleasure and satisfaction everytime I knit. It just feels wonderful. Go figure. It is really an exciting time. Wait till you see my new pictures tomorrow :) By the way, can a new knitter visit or join a "guild"?

Comment by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on September 19, 2009 at 3:20pm

Carol,
I was hesitant to mention Ravelry, for that very reason! ha ha I knew you would be blown away, but I too have a Ravelry name... sdear... I use that site for information... they have a wealth of "free" patterns available for down load... which is wonderful. and you can save those patterns that you really like or intent to knit on day into your "favorites" or into your "que".
Ravelry also has information about every yarn imagineable! Which comes in handy for checking if one yarn with substitute for another... many times the yarn called for in the pattern is pretty pricey... so you can find a less expensive yarn in the same weight and fiber type you want.

OK, the guild. Our local art museum (the French Art Colony) is home to several groups of people who have similar interests... one of the groups is the Appalachian Ohio Fiber Guild which I joined in January after my retirement. All over the country you will find knitting guilds, fiber guilds, spinning guilds, weaving guilds, etc. A quick search on the internet will show you if there is one in your local area. The ladies in our guild either spin, knit, felt (oh and that is a totally different thing), weave, and most have farms where they raise fiber animals... alpacas, llamas, goats, sheet, etc. I think I am the only member without a farm of a fiber animal, unless you count our 5 dogs of various sizes and shapes.
I also saw that you have met Peggy Stuart, one of the other KP members. She will never let you down when it comes to any type of yarn, knitting, spinning, quilting... etc. information. I hope I haven't further overwhelmed you, but I am just back from the Wool Gathering, and again am filled with excitement... it makes me want to do all kinds of stuff... but right now I'm too tired to move. --Susan

Comment by Carol Meissner on September 19, 2009 at 10:08am

Ok, so I just spent hours on Ravelry.com (name is "cmliveyourlife" but that site is too vast for me right now, too much information for a newbie I think, or at least too much for me) and reading Yarn Harlot's blog which I love! "guild"? what is that? more to find out about. Everything sounds thrilling, and exciting!

Comment by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on September 18, 2009 at 7:23pm

Carol,
This is the Textured Shawl Recipe from Ravelry.. a free pattern... only knitted with a bulky cotton yarn. One of my guild friends liked it so much, but wanted a poncho made the same way... I combined this "recipe" with the Yarn Harlots poncho pattern to create a poncho in the same pattern. You can see it in my fiber guild album... I think. Susan

Comment by Carol Meissner on September 18, 2009 at 7:14pm

Well...I have no idea what type of stitching is used in creating this shawl but it sure is beautiful!

Comment by Tamara Sutton on April 19, 2009 at 11:11am

Hello! Your shawl is very nice. I've thought about making one myself. How long did it take you? Have a great day!

Comment by Joan on April 19, 2009 at 8:47am

Susan, your shawl is just gorgeous, is it for you? did it take a long time to make and lots of yarn? would it be really hard for me to make? i really am struggling with the socks on magic loop, some say it is easier on DPs, but i wanted to do the loop. Hugs J