The Year of Handspun

My first post of the year was a handspun project so it is only fitting that my last post this year is also using handspun.  Curious because prior to this year I had never knit anything using handspun and then for whatever reason it suddenly captured my attention and I've knit four projects this year with it (Handspun Scarf, Pamuya Shawl, Fingerless Mittens and this scarf).  Now I'm hooked on handspun and of all the many things that I've knit over the years, these projects are my favorites.

Before I tell you about this scarf, I'll tell you about the above picture.  It is taken in front of an old ruined cabin where only the rough hewn stone chimney remains.  I "discovered" this ruin with Simcha on one of our morning hikes.  I had shimmied up a mountain slope following what I believed was a trail only to have misgivings about half way up when I began to suspect what I was following was actually a watershed.  Parenthetically, it's moments like this when you look around and realize it's a steep climb up or a slippery slope down that the thought crosses your mind that it might be a while before your body is found if something bad were to happen.  But I managed to work my way to the top (Simcha had no trouble as he climbs like a mountain goat and I appreciated when he worked his way back down to encourage me on - we were in this together) where we then picked up a trail along the ridge that lead to this ruin.   How cool is that?  I love our morning hikes.

I also love my morning hikes for another reason, namely, they provide me with an infinite number of excuses as to why I need more yarn!  I can always rationalize a purchase with "I really need this to make something to wear on my morning hike.  It is cold, you know, early in the day."  See how well that works?

And this yarn was a splurge purchase where I used exactly that excuse.   It is a lushes heavy worsted alpaca in multi-color and it wasn't cheap but it's fabulous.  And, as is the case with most handspun yarns, they really rock in a simple design that focuses on texture.  You don't need to gild the lily here as the beauty is in the yarn.  A simple broken rib pattern with a fun ruffle edging and you have the perfect scarf to walk your dog any ole day of the week ~

Particulars:  1 skein Cherry Hill Alpaca, LLC (multi colored alpaca - dark) spun by Pam Wilkins, 6.5 oz 247 yards.  I used a free pattern (Misti International Ribs & Ruffles Scarf) as modified by using US 8 needles and fewer pattern repeats.  Finished scarf measures 4"x 64"

I threw in this last picture so you could see how the yarn looked still in a skein.  You can generally not tell from looking at a skein of handspun how it will look when knit up, and the bold blocks of color in this scarf just flowed naturally and were unexpected.

Peace on Earth

Mr. Puffy's Knitting Blog wishes everyone the gift of peace on earth this holiday season and all year long.

Decking the halls is exhausting work so follow Simcha's example and take plenty of time to relax and take naps.

I leave tomorrow and will be away through New Year, so until next time, be well and love well and have a happy and safe holiday season!  Steve, Claudia and Simcha xoxoxo

My Lumberjack Shawl

I call this my Lumberjack Shawl because that's the name of the colorway and because it suits the personality of this shawl so well. Something I would know because I have a history with lumber jacks having come from a family of manly men who know something about felling trees and living off the land.

My dad grew up in Raymond, Washington a place described by Wikipedia as "a wild and wooly lumber mill  town" where the lumber industry was part of everyone's life.  My dad's family lived next door to a logging company; my grandfather worked as a lumberjack (for about a week); my dad's brother Keith spent his Summer working as a Whistle Punk (the person who signals when the logs are ready to be hauled); and I was almost killed by a logging truck when I was a child.  If you ask my dad to tell you about lumberjacks he'll be able to tell you everything you ever wanted to know, and then some.

Which is a long way of saying that I have an appreciation and understanding of what makes a lumberjack and to give context as to why I chose this yarn and how knitting is a very personal journey for me.  The yarn itself is also special because it was handspun by my very dear friend, Monika who writes the blog Smoking Hot Needles.  Monika is an incredibly talented fiber artist and besides spinning yarn she also writes patterns and you may recall that I knit her Kyla mittens a few years back which I still wear and enjoy most mornings.

When Monika spun this yarn she knew it would make a fabulous shawl so she divided the roving so that when the skeins were joined they would blend seamlessly into a continuous fabric.  Skillful and thoughtful she's a pro in every sense of the word.

Particulars:  Pamuya Shawl designed by Alexandra Wiedmayer who blogs as Karigan's Husky World; 698 yards(8 oz) Falkland wool; 2ply; colorway Lumber Jack; dyed by FatCatKnits and handspun by Monika Smoking Hot Needles (shop link).  I loved knitting this shawl as it's very easy to knit but still creates a complex looking fabric.  Mods:  I used US 5 needles as I used a slightly heavier weight yarn I also used more yarn than the pattern calls for.  The heart necklace I'm wearing was made by the very sweet Tracy of Pink Purl who has an etsy shop called Prana Light where she sells spiritual and inspirational items.  There is a better picture of this necklace in a post years ago called Romantic Beaded Scarf.

Until next time, be well and love well and I encourage you to think about where you came from and how you can make that history part of your life.  I'll leave you with a glimpse of my Dad as a young man who I admire more than I can say.