New find

I finally found something I enjoy doing in the way of exercise.  Hiking. I can take Isis and not worry about other people or dogs or cars. She likes to pull sometimes and I usually spend most of my walk stopping to correct her. But when we go to Gold Bug Park, I can just let her off of her leash and let her run.  There my biggest worry is the thought that she would run into a porcupine or skunk or get her harness caught and I would have to dive into the under brush after her.

I had to buy a pretty new pink harness because the last one was getting too small (My grandmother forgets how many treats she gives out.)

We usually take a trail that leads up to a mine shaft, but today I wanted a change of scenery.

We found what I can only guess as the beginning of a mine. Isis loved the smells in the carved out alcove.

The sun hit the trail just right.

This looks like it goes further back than this, but I could see the back wall.  Good spot to take cover if you got caught out in the rain.

We found that this "new" trail met up with the one we normally take. The whole experience have me a sense of accomplishment.

The First Three

Good Morning!!!!!

I finished the first three skeins of my challenge!

 Each skein differs in length and I can't figure out if it's a good thing or a bad thing. 

I really liked how the colors turned out after before I plied, but they look even better after I had plied them.

I had first dyed the whole skein a Kelly green using a supermarket dye in my dye pot on the stove. Then painted it with acid dye and heat set it in my microwave.  I love dying yarn. Seeing the final product, it's like presents for my visual senses!

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88 Skein Challange

I mentioned my  88 skein challenge in my last post. And how I would like to become better with the mediums I am currently working with. I have only had YouTube as a teacher. I have never been shown how to pin by a real live person. But I think I have done well for myself. The yarn I make stays together and isn't over spun. I like how it knits up. Ok enough bragging.

Why did I choose 88 as the number of skeins I should make for this challenge? The number just popped into my head. When I did a search and found that the Chinese feel the number 8 is a lucky number. Besides if spinning up 88 skeins of yarn doesn't improve my knitting even a little, then I NEED classes.

I wanted to start from square one when I decided to take up spinning. So when I found some free fleece on Craig's list, I decided it was a good opportunity to learn via the Internet. I felted a few bowling ball size pieces of wool learning how wash it properly. 

What I am working with for the time being, is a very soft mixed breed of sheep. I haven't ever worked with softer wool and I bought a garbage bag full! 

So back to my Challenge. I want to complete all 88 skeins before the new shearing season. Not only will I be a better spinner, but it will justify buying more fleece!

I invite you to follow along and watch my progress. Or if you want, challenge yourself! I would love to see pics of what everyone is working on. It doesn't have to be just knitting. Send your pics to my e-mail Craftywitch78@gmail.com and I'll blog about them!