Tuesday, June 2, 2009

It's What's Not For Dinner


For years, my husband would call me at home to ask me what I made for dinner. Last year, after about 3 months with both of us working afternoon shifts, he stopped asking. Now I only cook on weekends, but that doesn't mean my expensive collection of pots and pans are going to waste. I've found a different weekday use for them, and what's for dinner tonight, is leftovers from Sunday.


I finished spinning one bag of Golden Hibiscus Creamsicle wool. On impulse, I bought a second bag so that I could knit something more substantial than a hat. Or a scarf. The first bag has given me about 250 yards of two ply yarn, which means I spun about 500 yards with a fairly thin consistency. I don't know how many wraps per inch I've achieved, but dry, this looks like a worsted weight yarn. I can't wait to swatch it out to see how it drapes, but with the sheen that the silk is giving this, I'm thinking it'll make a stunning tank top.


Tonight, I'll start spinning the second bag of Creamsicle wool so I can make way for my next spinning project. I have about two weeks or so to prepare it and plan on spending a lot of time at the yarn store so I can use the drum carder. This very slippery, short stapled fur belonged to a very special dog who passed away a couple of years ago. Way back then, I convinced my friend to groom her ailing Newfie and save his fur for spinning. I promised her that once I learned how, I'd spin him up into something worth keeping.


On June 19th, I'll start that project during an outdoor spinning and knitting benefit for a local animal shelter.

15 comments:

Jane said...

What a coincidence with the dog fur. DS2 wanted to know if I could make Tugger's fur into something as we get so much when I brush him

Jane said...

What a coincidence with the dog fur. DS2 wanted to know if I could make Tugger's fur into something as we get so much when I brush him

Stephanie V said...

Wow! You just jump in with gusto...I'm so impressed with your projects. The yarn is very pretty.

Rose said...

The creamsicle is gorgeous! And what a great idea for the animal shelter benefit! I'm avoiding fixing dinner as I type :)

Joanna said...

My aunt who lived on a farm with a Newfie had a spinning wheel and made her daughter a sweater with some pattern made of the Newfie's spun fur. As I recall it was too soft to make the complete sweater.

Nice to see that your pots and pans are being put to such a good use.

debra said...

It's beautiful yarn, rudee. We had a friend who made a sweater from her dog's fur. Every time it rained, she smelled like wet dog!

Gail said...

I love the color!

Rositta said...

I know someone here who spins the hair of her golden lab and plies it with wool. She makes mittens that sell for 80 bucks in a shop. She's now getting all the neighbours to save their dog hair for her. Soon I'll jump on board and start spinning too...ciao

Lisa L said...

awesome re: spinning dog fur. awesome..

Renie Burghardt said...

What a great event, a spinning benefit for an animal shelter! That should draw quite a crowd, and lots of donations.

The yarn is just lovely.

Brenda said...

I wondered if dog or cat hair could be spun and now I know. I need to go check out your spinning blog now.

Kathleen said...

That is just SO cool! My auskie's undercoat is fabulously silky and it's blowing like crazy right now. I think I'll collect it. (Oh, Mr. B's gonna love this one!)
Thanks for the awesome idea!

Darci said...

That is a great way to use your pots, I love the color! Some days I'm tempted to see if I could collect my cats fur for spinning (not that I know how.)

Betty F said...

GREAT use of your pots and pans! I love it.

Jane said...

Gorgeous colour. Must show P.A. this post next time he asks me what's for dinner ;-)