Experiments.

This week I am being quite experimental. I have been developing a yarn, over the last few months, that I would like to sell and although I have knitted scarves with it before, this week I am trialing a very simple shawl pattern. My thinking is that if I can create a yarn that is not too labour intensive to spin and that is intrinsically beautiful then beginner knitters can use it to knit something very simple - just garter stitch - and have something that will be unique and beautiful to wear. More experienced knitters will know exactly what to do with it anyway no doubt.

As you can see from the photo I am dipping into Kari Chapin's The Handmade Marketplace again this week. I do like this book, it is so accessible and makes everything seem so possible which is exactly what I am after at the moment.

Another experiment this week has been with a bit of weaving. I have used my peg loom to weave yarn that I spun from uncarded recycled sari silk and plyed with a silver metallic thread. I have to admit to being a little disappointed with the yarn in the end. I like the look of it but the metallic thread is just not strong enough I don't think. I am really searching for a thread that is strong and quite sparkly or vibrant and fine enough to thread small beads on. If you know of any that you have had success with then please do let me know. Once I have settled on a make that I really like I would like to be able to get it on cones if such a thing is possible - again if you have any tips or experiences I would love to hear them.

Anyway I decided to weave with this yarn using a strong crochet cotton as the warp and I will make myself a little bag with it to see how it wears before spinning any more of it. This means that I now have two bags ready to put together as I have not finished this one yet.

A major experiment for this week that I am sharing with everyone is that of seeing what it is like to live on a planet without David Bowie - I don't like it one bit and I don't think I want to get used to it either. My daughter, who is 13, has been playing the Hunky Dory album pretty much non stop on her MP3 player since she heard the news. I think these are her favourite lyrics -

And if you ever have to go to school
Remember how they messed up
this old fool
Don't pick fights with the bullies
or the cads
'Cause I'm not much cop at punching other people's Dads
And if the homework brings you down
Then we'll throw it on the fire
And take the car downtown

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along and Frontier Dreams' Craft Along.