But first, that FO!
This has been in the UFO pile long enough. It’s now done, and I can use it. It’s a linen facecloth. I’m not doing the whole Project Details thing on this one. The yarn is Euroflax linen, the pattern is from Knitters’ Stash. Here’s the Rav link for the pattern. This one is the Lacy Vine pattern. The needles I used were 3.75 mm. I probably will make more of these, if only because I have a bunch of this stuff in the stash, all in different colors, of course, so I can’t use it for much else. The Euroflax is sort of stringy and harsh feeling while you knit it, and splits like crazy. It softens up amazingly when you wash it though.
Enough of that. On to the “pretties” of the title. Click on these photos to really get a good look. Try not to drool on your keyboard.
Those are all of my spindles, out for inspection. Well, all of them except the Ashford boat anchor. Oh, OK, I’ll show you that one, too.
That thing weighs over 2 1/2 ounces, compared to less than an ounce for most of the other ones. Next time I get each of them empty, I plan on weighing them and recording it for future reference. Somebody remind me to do that. I usually think about it when it’s close to full and I’m wondering how much fiber is wound on. It would be very handy to know what the empty spindle weighed.
Here’s another photo of the pretty ones. Clickety-click.
From left to right:
1) My latest acquisition, a Greensleeves Damsel Monique. Very lightweight, great for lace. The whorl is redwood burl with purpleheart, and the shaft is mahogany. The fiber is an Abby Batt, in the color Glitterpigeon.
2) Cascade Spindles Mt. St. Helens. This is just a great dependable spinner. The fiber is a merino silk blend, I think it’s from Louet.
3) Bosworth Midi, in Zebrawood. I want a Bossie in every size and wood, really. The fiber is a merino-sparkly blend that I got at the spin-in on Whidbey earlier this year. I’m actually almost done with the plying here, fortunately. I’m not sure how much more I could get on this thing.
4) Another Cascade spindle, this time the Cougar. This one weighs next to nothing and is terrific for lace. The fiber is more Louet, 80/20 merino silk, color Golden Hibiscus.
5) Last but not least, my first Butterfly Girl spindle. This has a whorl made from Italian resin. It’s also quite lightweight. I say first since there might just be a second one from her shop on the way. The fiber is also hers, a merino/bamboo/firestar batt called Blue Morpho. There might just be some more fiber coming this week, too.
You might note that while I seem to be happiest with only three or four knitting projects going at any one time, I seem to have absolutely no problem having a spinning WIP on every available spindle and bobbin.
After I got my wheel, the spindles sort of sat around some. They’ve gotten a lot more use in the last few months, and I’m rarely without one close at hand. Don’t get me wrong, I adore my wheel, but if somebody put a gun to my head and made me choose, I’d pick the spindles.
I’m off to check the mailbox for the umpteenth time today. Have a good weekend, everybody!
There was a time when I thought that knitting washrags (face cloth does sound much nicer!) was the essence of silly. However, I got a kit for a present, knitted them up, and everyone loved them. And they were reasonably instant gratification. Now we only use knitted-by-us washrags. And hot pads too – but they are crocheted by my daughter. I don’t think knitted ones would be very effective. Ouch!
Love the Bosworth – mine is Tulip Wood, which is a rather nice reddish shade. Also have a Mt. St. Helens – aren’t spindles fun 😉
Gorgeous spindles all…. but I;m surprised that there isn’t a turkish one in the pack yet..
Love those Cascade spindles! Connie and her husband do an amazing job.
What beautiful spindles. I’m sorry you weren’t able to make a believer out of me. Maybe some day! I guess it will all depend on whether or not I’m finally able to spin laceweight on the wheel!
Yum! Nice lineup. You should get on the list for a Bosworth Moosie.
Very pretty, kind of like a line of chorus girls 🙂
I think I’m too clutzy for spindles, I have never been able to get the hang of spinning with one, so I use my wheel, when I spin, which isn’t often.
I can just picture how much the kitties would enjoy spindles…
I agree with the instant gratification that facecloths/dishcloths give me when I need to knit and want something NOW.
As for the spinning, I will drool and continue to be in awe. All of them are beautiful!
Oooooh, very nice pretties! 🙂
Love the Bosworth, it is beautiful. Initially I hated spinning with a spindle but now I really like it.
Those Knitter’s Stash washcloths have always been in the back of my mind as a nice TV knit/simple present, but the Louet linen always put me off. I have some sale organic cotton that I might devote to that kind of project. Yours looks really nice.
You could also use the EuroFlax for a market bag of some sort. I think I saw some on Ravelry knit with it. I have been eyeing spindles for a while but I haven’t bit the bullet and bought one yet. I love my wheel but I would also like the portability of a spindle but I want a pretty one so maybe one of these days.
Oh boy! I see another obsession on its way to me. Thanks so much for this post. It has really whet my appetite for the spindling class that is right around the corner for me! I love collecting things. You and are so much alike!