"Torpedo" The Charkha

My husband and I have built "Torpedo" the Charkha from the specs from Spin-Off Winter 1996.

The box is a "Hoja de Habano" Cigar Box. Inside features wheel with orginal Dave "Pi" designs. The spindles were built from double pointed knitted needles purchased from the Loop Halifax.

The Charkha works every other day - as the hunt for a more effective drive band continues. Right now it has cotton yarn and it isn't as effective and consistent as I would like.

Dog Hair Hat

Do you have a pet that you want to remember forever? Why not eternalize your pet in a handspun item! I created this hat for a friend from a mixture of his black lab's dog hair and Icelandic Sheep's Wool. I think it turned out great! It doesn't smell dog at all! Also the great part of the dog hair/wool mixture is the dog hair gives a little bit of hairy bits that stick out!

Organic Mittlets

These mittlets are made from hand spun wool and alpaca. The pattern has cables that run up the top of the mitts. This creation was for my Master Spinner's project for level two.

Stay tuned for Master Spinner's project level three. Slated for release Spring 2009.

Colour Wheel

Currently I am working on my Master Spinners Level 2 workbook. Here is a picture of the finished skeins. Each of the secondary and teritary colours are a blend of the primary colours. I find it so interesting that I only began with three colours and ended up with 12!

Nature Socks

Hello Everyone!

These nature socks are a newly completed project. The ribbing is handspun from Fleece Artist Roving http://www.fleeceartist.com/ and the rest is knit from Lucy Neatby http://www.tradewindknits.com/ merino yarn. I created it especially for Molly at Celticswans. She makes amazing knitting needles and other needle art supplies. http://www.celticswan.com/

CRAPS!

So the story of my spinning wheel isn't a happy one. When it was transported from Alberta to Nova Scotia in January it was damaged.

AND now months later it has decided to have a new issue. Of course when you really want to spin and work on my Master Spinners Level 2 workbook, it has to crap out on me. Now I have to wait weeks for my part to come from New Zealand.

What is a multifunctionalist artist to do? Well I should be working on a table runner and sending some of my writing away to be published. No, instead I dream about spinning.

Kitty versus the Llama

Here I am ready to take the hair off of the llama! It was great fun that included: a spitting llama, a sock, and a grumpy alpaca. I can't wait to spin up something warm.

Two New Projects

Here are two new finished projects. The first is a tall ship displayed in the window of The Loop in Halifax. The owner of The Loop and I fashioned it to celebrate that the Tall Ships have come to Halifax. If you are in the area of Barrington Street make sure to check it out.

The second is my handspun handdyed handwoven jacket inspired by Chanel. I wore it in a fashion show at Fibre Week 2007.