Weeks 13 & 14 in Review

Posted on by Dan

If you have been following this one-a-day photo project, you’ve probably noticed some similar themes. I guess I’m pretty predictable in my daily activities. I go to work, I do some baking, I spin a bit, I play in the yard, rinse and repeat. In some ways, my documenting a snapshot of my life each day, has made me more aware of what I’m doing and allowed me to explore more variations to those activities. Nobody wants to look at the same loaf of bread every week, or the same destination on a walk. I find myself thinking about what to include in my daily activity that might make an interesting photo, even if only a snapshot.

Week in Review - 13

Still, there’s a reason for the repetition of certain activities. They are fulfilling, fun. So, you’ll probably continue to see variations of baking, spinning and yard work.

Week in Review - 14

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Spin, Spun… Span?

Posted on by Dan

Now that I’ve started to make spinning a more regular part of my routine again, it’s finally time to share some of the finished yarn that I’ve spun in the last couple of weeks. It’s been fun mixing up the types of fibers, the colors, the amounts, feeling my hands and feet work  together in the old familiar rhythm.

These first two projects are from fiber sent to me by Ted. (Thank you!) A cozy 50/50 blend of merino and yak, this fiber was dyed a rich, deep, wine color that is hard to capture digitally.

Handspun Merino & Yak

There are approximately 290 yards of 2-ply yarn, spun from about 4.2 oz of fiber. I see a new scarf for next season – something I hope I won’t have to wear for a good long while, but when the time comes, I’ll be ready (and my neck will be nicely wrapped).

This next skein is another interesting blend of merino and tencel. Tencel gives the yarn a silky drape, but the wool adds some loft and warmth. There are approximately 295 yards of 2-ply yarn, spun from about 4 oz. of fiber.

Handspun Merino & Tencel

Speaking of exciting packages, delivered to our doorstep was last month’s installment of Hello Yarn fiber. Adrian always has such an amazing way with color, and “Scorch” was no exception.

Scorch Spun Up

Scorch Spun Up

This is from 4 oz. of Bluefaced Leicester, spun and navajo-plied to approximately 340 yards. Virginia has already started on a pair of socks, so those will be making an appearance in the not-too-distant future.

Tonight, while a loaf of bread rises in the kitchen, a whirl (and clack) will be heard emanating from the living room. Hope your Friday night is as exciting as mine.

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Weeks 11 & 12 in Review

Posted on by Dan

Plenty of good things happened over these last two weeks. First, not only did I pass a two-year mark of being diagnosed with leukemia, I also (for the first time in more than two years) had a normal white blood count and my quarterly test came back negative. One of these days I’ll be able to approach these blood tests without much anxiety (perhaps when I have a dozen or so under my belt).

Even more exciting (as you see pictured in the middle frame below), the snow started to pull back from the ground, revealing signs of life. This has been such a long, cold winter. Both Virginia and I are so ready for some warmth and some green (not long after that picture was taken, another 6 inches of the stuff fell and promptly covered it up – we’ll get there one of these days).

Week in Review - 11

I’m starting to go through some old family photos, and thought I’d share one of yours truly playing in the kitchen. This week, I replaced the Tupperware helmet with a cast iron wok, but other than that, not a whole lot has changed.

Week in Review - 12

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Two Years

Posted on by Dan

I invite you to commemorate my second anniversary of being diagnosed with cancer by making a conscious effort today to limit your exposure to cancer-causing agents and activities and increase those activities that fight it. So, maybe spring for organic produce at the market, take a long walk, choose a vegetarian option at dinner, and stop by the library to check out this book.

Have a happy, healthy day!

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Motivation

Posted on by Dan

Recently, we both faced large projects in need of finishing — Virginia, a sweater pattern; me, a pound of roving. There were days when it seemed like neither of us would actually finish. But, even with projects that seem to drag the most, there’s always a possibility of finding that nugget of inspiration to push you through to the end (even if what motivates you is just getting it off the dining room table).

Virginia’s project, a pattern in Berocco #228 called “Nopareil,” was knit with some beautiful Blackstone Tweed.

Nonpareil

Sometimes projects take on a more generous amount of inertia, making forward progress more of a slush. From what I overheard, this also must have been aided by choices made by the designer, in terms of construction, details and a collar that would not end.

Nonpareil

Still, all in all a nice sweater.

Nonpareil

My own project was spinning up a pound of roving. If you have been a regular follower of ScratchCraft you may have noticed a drop in the number of spinning-related projects. I have started to kick things back in to gear, but got a little ahead of myself when deciding to tackle a 16 oz. blend of Pygora, Wool, Mohair and Silk.

Handspun Yarn

All told, I spun approximately 1050 yards of 2-ply yarn. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely fiber making a lovely yarn. But, if you aren’t spinning regularly, 16 oz. can feel like it’s taking forever (must be some sort of fiber equivalent of ADHD). At any rate, it’s done, and I think Virginia already has a sweater idea brewing.

Handspun Yarn

My motivation to finish came with the arrival of my installment of fiber from Hello Yarn. This is “Scorch.” I knew that in order to dive into this luscious 4 oz. pile of goodness, I had to free up the spools.

Scorch

And, now I can — tonight, in fact.

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