Thursdays are for Spinners

 This Thursday morning was spent sipping coffee and knitting wraps from handspun wool I had spun in the past.  Its interesting to see how the thread weights change depending on my mood.  This pale aqua and violet-teal-orange mix was spun late at night when I was tired.  It is chunky and erratic, which is how I was feeling at the time.

The wool for this wrap was spun slowly, carefully while I concentrated on my treadle speed.  It had much more of a regular twist and a much more relaxed feel to the wool.

Wednesday

There is a crispness in the air.  Crunchy leaves are under foot.  Slouch beanies are warming heads.

Every Night We Make Something Awesome

Owl Hats in Peacock, a deep teal color, were what I made last night.  The Owl Hat in Peacock is an adorable, woodland inspired animal hat for you or your little one.

 Every night, I sit down with a basket of yarn to create playful animal hats or some other flight of fancy.  You can get your own Owl Hat here.

Winter is Coming

Thursdays are for Spinners

Thursdays are for Spinners.  I learned a new way to draft wool batts in spin class today!!  Draft across the entire batt rather than in strips as I was doing previously.  I'm crossing my fingers that when I ply this yarn, the barber poling will be reduced.

The two singles have a nicely random color placement and are fairly consistent.  That was my goal with this spinning.  I can't wait to see how it plies!!!!!

 

The Color Pops!!  Each bit of grassy green, lavender, acid yellow, tomato red, and violet really zings throughout the yarn.

 I have grown so much as a spinner today, just by adjusting my draft.  This looks like a mature little ball of yarn.  I am super excited to crochet it up and add it to the handspun wool blanket I've been working on.

A big thank you goes out to Brenda, my spinning mentor, for suggesting this "draft across" method and to the latest issue of Ply, that detailed how to do it!!

The Star Blanket Tutorial - Free Crochet Pattern

The Star Blanket Tutorial

Round 1: Ch 7, dc in first ch, *ch 3, dc in first ch. Repeat from * 2 times. Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch to join, ch 3. (5 spaces) 

Round 2: 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in first ch 2 space, *shell in next ch 2 space. Repeat from * around. Sl st in 3rd ch of beginning chain to join. (30 dc/5ch-2 spaces) 

Round 3: Sl st in next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next dc, shell, *dc in next 2 dc, sk 1 dc2tog, 2 dc, shell. Repeat from * to 5th point. 2 dc, sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch to join. (50 dc/5 ch2 spaces) 

Round 4: Sl st in next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next 3 dc, shell, *4 dc, sk 1 dc2tog, 4 dc, shell. Repeat from * to 5th point. 4 dc, sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch to join. (70 dc/5ch 2 spaces) 

Round 5: Sl st in next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next 5 dc, shell, *6 dc, sk 1 dc2tog, 6 dc, shell. Repeat from * to 5th point. 6 dc, sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch. (90 dc/5 ch2 spaces) 

Round 6: Sl st in next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next 7 dc, shell, *8 dc, sk 1 dc2tog, 8 dc, shell. Repeat from * to 5th point. 8 dc, sl st in 3rd ch of beginning chain. (110 dc/5 ch 2 spaces) 

Round 7: Sl st in next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next 9 dc, shell, *10 dc, sk 1 dc2tog, 10 dc, shell. Repeat from * to 5th point. 10 dc, sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch. (130 dc/5 ch 2 spaces) 

Round 8: Sl st in next st, ch 3, 1 dc in next 11 dc, shell, *12 dc, sk 1 dc2tog, 12 dc, shell. Repeat from * to 5th point. 12 dc, sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch. (150 dc/5 ch 2 spaces) 

Round 9 +: Continue with this pattern as above. Each row will increase by 20 stitches with 5 chain 2 sp.  When you decide you Star Blanket is large enough.  Snip the end on the thread.  Pull through and weave in loose threads.

To purchase this Star Blanket as a finished Item go to RhinoSaurusRexKnits.  Custom colors available upon request.

The Star Blanket

 The Star Blanket one of our newest creations.  It is shown here in the smallest size, 36"x36" from star tip to star tip. This whimsical Star Blanket is sure to give you sweet dreams as you nestle beneath it stripey softness. Made in radiating colors of pale and darker hues, The Star Blanket is a playful, celestial addition to any crib, couch, or bed.

The Star Blanket is available for purchase at RhinoSaurusRexKnits in three sizes.  Small is perfect for a baby or toddler.  Medium is just right for a child. Large would make a star spangled addition to your couch.

 

To Make Your own Star Blanket click The Star Blanket Tutorial for the pattern.