Friday, 15 August 2008

Ravelympics - First Event Completed

I mentioned a while back that I'd entered the Ravelympics didn't I? For those who aren't in the know, the Ravelympics is an event hosted by Ravelry (my favourite site ever), where participants aim to complete one, or more, knitting or spinning projects during the Beijing Olympics. I've entered two projects into the 'Handspun Heptathlon', a Morning Surf Scarf, knitted from some handspun yarn I made during the Tour de Fleece, and I'm spinning some merino/silk laceweight yarn on my drop spindle.


Last night I finished the Morning Surf Scarf, finished blocking it this morning and here it is!


Morning Surf Scarf

Isn't it being nicely modelled by the tree? Fortunately, this will be the one and only time the tree gets to wear it, as I'm keeping this for myself, for neck-warmy goodness in the autumn.


Morning Surf Scarf

I can thoroughly recommend the pattern, it was really quick to knit and my 225 metres of precious handspun yarn went a long way, the scarf's 140cm long and 20cm wide.


Now my other project is not nearly as close to being finished. But I guess I have set myself quite a challenge. I want to turn this 100gram merino/silk roving, which I dyed in 'wild rose' colours...


Tour De Fleece - Merino Silk

...into a two-ply laceweight yarn, spun on a feather-weight lace spindle. I'm doing ok, I'm about halfway through it at the moment. This was the spindle shortly before I wound the singles off and started another lot.


Merino Silk laceweight spinning

I've got two weeks left to finish spinning and plying, so I've got plenty of time to get it finished before then. Unfortunately, I'm rapidly getting bored with spinning laceweight. It's fiddly and the colours of the roving are too pale to keep me interested. I'm sure it will make a lovely yarn, but I need to keep myself motivated to finish somehow. Perhaps the right knitting pattern would encourage me. I reckon I'll end up with 200-300 metres of the yarn, maybe a bit more, and I'd like to make a lacy scarf or shawlette with it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

5 comments:

Kai said...

I LOVE the scarf! It's stunning. And the laceweight is looking good too..

Linda said...

Thats gorgeous, I love the colours.

~ Phyllis ~ said...

Kathy,
I love the scarf. Beautiful yarn

~ Phyllis ~ said...

I'm sorry. I meant to say Karen. Don't know why I said Kathy.

needlesandpins said...

I really love the scarf. It turned out great.
I think I am going to make one for me if I will find the right yarn for it.
How many sts did you cast on?
Brigitte/Austria