Tuesday, April 29, 2014

My obsession to spin husky hair into yarn......

A few years ago I had the opportunity to go to Kenai Alaska.  While there, we took a boat tour in Seward.  There was a woman on the boat that had a knitted headband made of husky hair.  She said it was so warm.  It was awesome....I had to have one.  This started my search.  I thought it would be easy to find, after all, I was in Alaska.  Kenai is far from where she said she bought it in Fairbanks.  Not being able to find one, I started to search for yarn made of husky hair.  Couldn't find that either.  So I had to leave Alaska with no headband and no yarn.
Like always when I see something I want I was obsessed with finding either a headband or yarn made of husky hair.  Spent hours searching the internet, just couldn't find what I wanted.

Then the bright idea.....why not make my own!   My friend has a husky.

Called her and asked if she would save me fur from her dog.  Found a local yarn shop that had spinning classes and signed up.  I was going to make that headband lol!
I enthusiastically showed up for class at Dyed In The Wool.  The realization then set in that "I was way out of their league".  But I was determined.  Picking out a drop spindle was a personal thing.  After trying a few I found one that felt comfortable with.

To put it bluntly...I sucked at spinning. IT'S HARD!  A few times the teacher grabbed my hands to try to show me what I should be doing.   And...who picked those colors?  Not very good at that either lol. My interest in spinning gradually faded although my desire to own a headband made of husky hair hasn't, it just isn't an obsession. This all took place a few years ago.  What made me think of this adventure in spinning again was a message from my friend that she has a bag of husky hair for me....can you imagine how big it is by now. Too funny. I've found places on the internet that will make it into yarn for you. Maybe that's what I should do. But I can't help feeling that I want to do it myself! Could I finally get my hands on a headband made of husky hair?

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Finally finished the Golf Club Covers


I think they turned out pretty good for just learning how to use Double Pointed Needles. If you want the pattern it is in my previous post.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Pattern for Knitted Golf Club Covers

It's weird how things happen.  I wanted to learn to use double pointed needles for awhile.  My sister calls me about these golf club covers she saw on the golf course in FL.  She had seen a lot of knitted covers but these were the BEST.  A woman on the hole next to her had them so she ran over and asked her where she got the pattern because her sister just started to knit again and would really like to make them lol.  She was so nice to share the pattern with her.  I don't think she would mind if I share it with you.
So...After watching many videos on YouTube, I finally found a technique I was able to use.  (The link is in a previous post)

I used 1 ball of fun fur per club cover (1/2 ball of each color for the variegated ones) 50g each
(Something I found out too late:  Not all eyelash yarn is the same length)
2 balls of Red Heart Soft yarn for sleeves. 5 oz each
The pattern calls for 4 two oz skeins.  Maybe she used sock yarn?

KNITTED GOLF CLUB PATTERN

Materials:

4-ply knitted worsted, use 2 strands for neck of club
4 two oz skein main color
1 two oz skein for each contrasting color use
(2 strands of  "Fun Fur" and  1 strand knitted worsted for head cover part)
 1 set of (4) size 6 double pointed knitting needles.

With #6 dpn and two strands of knitting worsted, cast on 32 stitches (12-8-12) for 3,5 and 7 woods.
For driver, cast on 36 stitches (12-12-12).  For utility clubs, cast on 24 stitches (8-8-8).

Work k 2, p2 in ribbing for 8".  If you want to put in contrasting stripes to denote different clubs, do so after 4" with knit stitch only.  Work in stripes as desired.  After 8" change to 1 knitted worsted strand and 2 strands of fun fur and knit for 4" (you can try it on the club to see if length is right).  Or continue knitted worsted only.

For the driver, increase 4 more stitches (40 total). At the beginning of 4" of plain knitting.

End with shaping the top.  This adds approx. 1" to length.
Shape top:
K5, K2 together around
K 1 around
K4, K2 tog around
K 1 around
K3, K2 tog around
K1 around
K2, K2 tog around (I stopped here for 3 & 7 woods)
K1, K2 tog around
K2 tog around.  Cut yarn leaving 12" to draw through stitches on needle.

Devise your own method for stripes or:
Driver- work 2" with main color, 3 rounds of contrast color, finish with main color
#3 club-work 1" with main color, 2 rounds of cc, 2 rounds main, 2 rounds of cc, 2 rounds of main, 2 rounds of cc and finish with main color.

HINT: Measure how long you want neck to be on each club when it is in your bag and adjust     accordingly.