Brown, White And Green---Cotton, That Is

I have so many pounds of natural colored cotton in my fiber stash--I have been spinning off and on this fluffy stuff for years--I think this stuff multiplies in the night!  I love the feel of this natural fiber.
I decided to weave some hand towels from my handspun cotton--so on the loom 6 yards went after I finished my towels.  I'm lazy--I just tied on the warp and pulled through.

It took some time before I could wind the warp as I have to ply my cottons.

I have some dyed cottons for another warp, but think I'll prepare

those well in advance to warping! 

Singles are not a good idea for warp!!

In this photo you can see where I tied on to the previous warp

And we are being carefully to pull through the lease sticks slowly to keep the

threads in order.  I ran two threads at a time on the warping board--don't know if

that's the best thing to do but it saves time.

We are well on our way to some handspun woven towels!

Stitching Halloween!

Amy of Random Acts of Amy has designed this cute Halloween sampler

for your stitching pleasure.  Check out the neat PDF she has for you.

Also, check out her backside of the hoop area--here she interviews

fellow embroidery artist, like herself.

This is a fun page to surf through

and the stitching is a bonus!

Spindles--Oh, Yeah!

Are you as crazy about spindles as I am?!  I love my spindles!  They come in various sizes and shapes; weigh little and spin wonderfully!  Easy to travel with and easy to store, and sometimes, easy to make!  Need more information on spindles, then check this out Ask The Bellwether

I have several of these 'wheel' spindles--these can be made to give as door prizes or

gifts.  In fact, the price is small too!  It takes only a toy wooden wheel, a cup hook and

a short piece of dowel rod (over time, I have come to favor 6" length on the dowel)

Some of the spindles are painted, some left plain--I also have couple clay spindles. 

I've even made spindles from old CD's, using a grommet to secure on dowel--it came be a

top or bottom whorl

In this photo you can see the rubber grommet on the dowel--I've also been known to

use a door knob for spindle top.  But, on the other hand, I've purchased some

expensive spindles by fine wood makers

These are my storage containers for my fine expensive spindles--

saves many a broken spindle

And here is what is inside--

This is my most expensive spindle--Golding--the weight is just perfect for spinning silk!

Oh, yes, you can never have too many spindles!

Knitting For Cooler Weather--HAT!

I'm hoping, just hoping, by writing this blog about cooler weather--it will arrive---soon!  So, I'm preparing my fall (cool weather) wardrobe by knitting some cooler weather items.  First up, A HAT!

But, WAIT! Which HAT should I knit?

Picacho Peak

by Alyssa Latuchie

Oh, so cute!  and I have the right yarn too! Picacho Peak is a lightweight, all-over lace hat. It is great for those cool mornings or evenings when you want just a little something to break the chill.

Or should I knit Sea Folk by Jennifer Lysen

The Sea Folk hat is a modern take on the fisherman style. Featuring an asymmetrical twisted rib brim and a three needle bind off on top, this slouchy cap is suitable for both men and women and will keep you warm on blustery, salty days. It requires just one skein of Worsted yarn and knits up quickly 

Okay, I'll knit both of them!  

Pumpkins! Pumpkins! Pumpkins!

Yipee!  A free pattern from Debby Kratovil!  Pumpkins!

and a quick make too!  This is one of her most popular patterns featuring pumpkins and you have enough time before October 31 to make it. And it doesn't have to be for Halloween. Pumpkins are perfect for Thanksgiving or anything Fall related.

It's all laid out there for you in a great tutorial!.

Here are my setting for the above pumpkins.  I still haven't decided on the border.

Our friend, Judy, had this super duper pumpkin candle mat on her table.

This is from Bits And Pieces By Joan.  Well, needless to say, I couldn't find the

pattern on her website--so, I'll just look for something similar.

I found this on Fave Quilts!  

Holy Smokes!  More patterns from Quiltin Inspiration

Socktaober!

What better way to begin October?

Carolina Fiber Girls podcast is hosting this knit along for interesting socks! check it out!

This sock features a little bit of colorwork, a lot of texture and the wonderful double gusset heel by turtlegirl76 on Ravelry .  Lilliput Yarn is offering kits in her etsy shop that are available now. There are five color options!

The sock is written for one size, but if you have very small feet, you can switch to US 1 (2.25mm) after the colorwork section to snug it up.

Scrappie by  Adrienne Fong

Mystery pattern for SOCKtober for the Carefree KAL group on Ravelry. Uses left-over sock yarn. Pattern will be released in its entirety on October 1, 2016. Pattern includes both written instructions and charts.

Do YOu Double Knit?

Do you double knit?  I don't!  In fact, I think I have a Craftsy class on double knitting

that I haven't watched.  Well, here is another video on double knitting.  And just might

learn how to do this technique!

Here is the pattern you can practice with--a beginner's pattern, it is called! 

TPHPE - The Prettiest Hot Pad Ever! by Heather Zoppetti-

You'll find this pattern on Ravelry!

This hot pad uses the double knitting technique. Just like magic, it makes a positive image of the pattern on one side and a negative image on the other – there is no ‘wrong’ side. The fabric it makes is double thickness, so it’s perfect for a hot pad.