Review: Know Your Wool Craftsy Class

Craftsy is offering a FREE class called "Know Your Wool" from one of the authors of "The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook."  I decided to do the class and learn a bit more about the wide variety of wools out there that can be spun up into yarn.

I had some problems getting the video to load at first.  From reading the comments section, others have this issue too.  I was using Google Chrome, and what worked for me was to click the little "HD" button at the bottom right until the video began.  The first section, I had to have the HD off.  The next, HD had to be on.  So if your video isn't working, play with the HD settings and see if that helps.  I'm going to contact Craftsy to let them know about this problem.

Deborah Robson does a nice job of talking about the different types of wool.  She mentions a few breads and classifications for the wool she shows in the video.  I wish it had been in HD, because you don't quite get to see the detail of her swatches.  I think a class like this is nice, but if I could take it in person, it would be better.  There is no substitute for being able to touch the wool and yarn while someone tells you about it.  

I found the information on the different breeds of sheep to be fascinating.  Deborah takes you to a fiber show where you learn more about breeds, and get to see the sheep and hear from the breeders.  As I watch, I imagine what the fleece feels like as she stands there petting the sheep.  

Another portion of the class is learning about websites where you can find breed specific wool  yarns.  She gives a list of sites to check out.

Having trouble with Lesson 5 loading.  Eventually got it to work, and continued to learn more about swatching.  Swatching has never been something I enjoyed doing.  I've done it a few times for projects, mainly for sweaters, but if I can avoid a swatch, I do.  Deborah teaches about swatching as a way to get to know your yarn before making a project, not necessarily for finding the right gauge.  As I listened to the lesson, I have to admit, all I could think about was tons of swatches, lying around, not being used for anything.  I also thought that if someone were to make "seriously silly" swatches, as she calls them, then you would need to purchase extra yarn to have enough to do a project later on.  The swatches could be sewn together to make a blanket someday, I suppose.  I can understand doing this process if you are going to design a project, and need an idea of how the yarn is going to behave.  I'm not at the point in my knitting/spinning journey to design, so for me, I would rather just grab the yarn, start knitting, and see what happens.  

At the end of Lesson 5, she gives an idea for those who don't like to swatch.  Hey, that's me!  I won't spoil the idea, but I thought it was very smart and way more to my taste.

The final lesson was on projects to make using breed specific wool.  Deborah shows off some of her hand knits and talks about the categories of wool once again as a wrap up.

I enjoyed taking this free course through Etsy.  I learned a lot and it makes me even more excited to go to fiber festivals this year and look for the wools she mentioned.  I recommend this course for knitters and spinners.  

Snowy Day Spinning

We had 5 inches of snow the other night, thought it's melting off fast.  Spending my afternoon doing a little spinning.  Feels so good to spin again!  Wanted to show off a few progress photos of the BFL from Frabjous Fibers I'm working on.

Showing the width of the yarn by comparing it to a quarter.

An ice skating duck and goose from my backyard to make you smile.  :)

Able to Spin Again!

Yesterday the stitches in my hand came out.  14 days without being able to do much with my left hand was torture.  I'm happy to say that I am able to at least spin again! I have to go slowly with it, and be careful with my hand, but it's doable.  The easiest wool to work with is BFL right now, so I started with some Frabjous Fibers I bought at Fiberworks.  It's a beautiful tri-color braid with greens, reds, blues, browns, and black in it.  

I'll post pics of my progress soon.  :)

Fiber Withdrawal

I was suppose to get my stitches out today, but the doctor says a few more days.  I was so hoping to get back to spinning or knitting sooner!  Bummer!

I've spent this week, browsing Ravelry and looking at patterns, yarns, and fibers.  My husband says it is sad, and yes, perhaps it is, but this fiber addict is going through withdrawal!  My wheel sits over to the side of the room, silk/merino mix on the bobbin.  My yarns peek at me from the bins in the cubed bookcase, patiently waiting for me.  I read about what others are spinning or knitting, and I just wish I was doing the same.  

Funnies

While recuperating, I thought I would share something funny that my husband found on YouTube.

This just cracks me up!

Avocado + Knife = No Knitting or Spinning

I hurt my left hand the other night, trying to pit an avocado.  Hard to type with one hand, so details later.  For now, no fiber arts for me for a little while.  :(

I'll be back soon!

Smells like wool!

    Image of sheep from FreeFoto.com.  Text added by me.  

I'll admit it, I LOVE THE SMELL OF WOOL!  I'm currently drying some yarn I spun, and it just fills my living room with that wonderful smell.  You probably think I'm crazy, but there's just something about that smell!  It's just so natural!  Maybe it reminds me of the goats I had when I was a kid.  Maybe it's the smell of something pure...not treated with chemicals or detergents.  Whatever it is, I always love washing my spun yarn and having that smell waft through the apartment.  My husband may disagree, but it's a pleasant smell to me.  

My homespun drying on a clothing rack.

Using spray bottles to weigh down the yarn to help work out some of the kinks.