Monday, November 06, 2006

One handspun hank...2 funky kids beanies

I guess in the year 2007, for your average knitter on the street (not you fibre art enthusiasts) hanks or skeins of yarn are weird. Handspun is weird. All that handmade stuff like Sheepychic and MMD yarns....weird, weird, weird.
In reality most knitters head down to Spotlight or Big W to grab some yarn...all kept in straight rows, bundled up perfectly, ...uniform balls...all identical...by the truck load...mostly from China. (Pretty inexpensive, too, yeah...?)
hehe...handspun can never take the place of commercial yarns, I guess. I mean Tye and I would get really, really tired..hehe. But seriously. It's kind of like comparing say, a reproduced poster print to a hand painted oil painting. There are benefits to being able to predict perfectly each and every time the colour, quantity and availability of yarn. However, there is something special and beautiful about snipping the bindings on a one-off hand dyed, hand spun 100% Merino hank of yarn, rolling it into a ball...and create.
Here is a beautiful hank of MMD yarn I pinched off Tye at the Craft festival. I loved it as soon as I saw it. (It's funny how that happens) It was for sale at a Craft festival bargain price of $15 (you need to contact her via her blog at http://merrymunchkindesigns.blogspot.com/ for her usual prices)
I've knitted two kids beanies...check out the two different effects achieved with the same yarn! Cool, hey! And the colour!! THE COLOUR!! I love it!!

As you can see I've added half a hank of white Sheepychic slubby yarn. The cute little beanie with the tele-tubby type thingo on the top also has a rainbow novelty yarn knitted right along side of the white. (See...there is a use for the commercial stuff! hehe) Check out the flat top beanie. I've knitted this off without a pattern...so it's a one off. It's probably a good thing! hehe. But little D looks adorable in it...believe me. I love the bibbly bobbly knit. Very unusual...but it's merely the wrong side of a stocking stitch switched so that it's the right side. Tye and I stumbled over how good this looks recently at our peaceful Thursday morning. (Twins are having a ball at occasional care) ( I cope..hehe)

So please. If you're new to handspun and you've never bought yarn that's hand made and looped beautifully in a hank consider giving it a go. You'll love it!!. You can email me at sheepychic@hotmail.com for any yarn enquiries. All the best, Ruth x

7 comments:

roseys madhouse said...

wow Darl these look fantatic.I cant beleive you have finally got a morning to yourself thats fantastic. Give yourself a few months and you'll be finding you dont cope unless you get that time to yourself lol.

Ruth.... said...

hehe...I hear you. I did put it off for a long time, I guess. On our first morning there the duo loooved it. (barely said goodbye!) And what's best is the centre has a twin rate...hooray! Actually thinking of a 2nd morning a week...waddya think?

roseys madhouse said...

definately DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!!!!!! you would be crazy not to, especially if they have a twin rate

Kerry said...

Ruth I was thinking about you on my shopping trip to Southland on Saturday..an art&craft shop displayed at the front of the shop,two massive boxes of the wool you mention for only...wait for it....49 cents ball!!

On the occasional care issue, Em loved it coz she had her cousin there with her. The next year attempted to send Jack but he just wasn't interested, so I didn't push it any longer...too many tears.
If your kids love it, go for it.
Enjoy some time to yourself...

"A happy mummy makes happy children."

Merry Munchkin Designs said...

Darling, this is why I love you so dearly, thnkyou so much for your lovely comments and your wonderful use of my wool! Could not have wished for a better outcome for that Hank! Wait till you see what Im doing with the one you swapped me for it! you are a wonderful friend and very talented!!! I LOVE thos e hats, they are stunning! Love Tye x

Merry Munchkin Designs said...

by the way, which spotlight were you in last, I have NEVER SEEN it neat and tidy, ever.....

That Spinning Place said...

Love the gorgeous funky hats, Ruth. Wooooh!

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