yop2021

Tour De Fleece 2021 has started off as a rousing success. We had to skip it last year because of the dreaded COVID pandemic but this year, it’s back!! It began 4 days before my #casualcraftalong on Instagram ended (June 26th 2021) and I decided to take that same energy from the make along into this event. The primary making/crafting goal for me this year is to finish, finish, finish and so far so good.

Today’s post features the finish of some rolags I made using a project bag from Sherrill Roy as my inspiration. It’s also the kickoff to a July 2021 to June 2022 timeline of YOP crafty blogging and I couldn’t think of a better way to start! To say that the yarn turned out better than I saw in my mind is an understatement. Watch this space for more inspo to rolag to yarn projects!

Project Details:

Rolag Maker: Me

Fiber: Merino, Angelina

Starting Fiber: 1.3 ozs

Ending Skein: 115 yds, 2 ply, fingering weight (230 yds of singles)

Tools: DIY blending board, Bosworth and Kerry spindles for initial spin, Maggie for plying (Lendrum Spinning wheel)

I’m very happy with the outcome and looking forward to playing with rolags and painting with fiber some more! Next up is to find a Fall spooky colorwork project to really make this yarn shine.

Are you Tour De Fleecing this year? Let me know in the comments!

It’s been a few months since I did a YOP (Year of Projects) post but I’m back to posting in this space. I figured today is as good a day as any to get started so here’s a bit of an update.

My uncle passed after a 5 year battle with his illness and although I knew it was coming, dealing with it was tougher for me than I anticipated it would be. He was in his 80’s and lived a good life but I’m guessing you all know how grief can be and how different it can feel with each loss. After his funeral, although I wasn’t posting, I spent time looking at my Sigma 21 list and working on my spinning goals. The hat in my last post still isn’t completed, I didn’t even have the bandwidth for that simple project. Spinning was what I needed craft-wise so I did a lot of it.

This project was started at the beginning of COVID quarantining. I powered through recently to finish the 3rd bobbin for my first 3 ply skein. The bobbins are still resting, I’m leaving all of my finished singles until Memorial Day weekend and make that weekend a plying one.

The other project that occupied my time was a mini batt series from the nuns of Inglenook Fibers. I have a fondness for the fiber work they do and love spinning their fiber. This series I spindle spun and these are also waiting to be plied.

I’ll give all the details on each of these projects when they become F.Os — fiber details, content, all of it.

The other thing that has been grounding me recently is tending to my garden and fixing up the balcony space I now have. On the very expensive East coast, getting an apartment with outdoor space is a huge deal because of the cost and the fact that most of them in my area do not come with outdoor space. To be able to have one now has been a joy (now that the weather’s allowing me to be outside 😀 I’ve done a little decorating and am getting ready to move my crop of pepper, kale, basil, mint, tarragon and tomato seedlings outside in addition to some impatiens, dahlias, and petunias. On top of that, I’m repotting many of my indoor plants, most of which I bought while on lock-down in 2020, they have mostly outgrown the containers they came in so it’s time to give them new homes.

Here’s a look at my little balcony update:

To say that gardening has been therapeutic is an understatement. It’s going to be lovely sitting outside, enjoying the space, crafting, reading or just being.

That’s all from me today, here’s wishing you all a lovely week ahead! ❤