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?

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.

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.

I found a website with Lion Brand Fun Fur at a good price....had to share!

I needed yellow Lion Brand Fun Fur for the project I'm currently working on.  I have been to every local store that carries it...even a few stores in IL when I was there last week.   Then I ran into a web site that not only carries it but it was $2 cheaper than the stores I was looking in!  Well worth the $2.39 shipping I have to pay.  Probably used 5x that much in gas driving around looking for it!  Not to mention that I'm exhausted.  So excited about getting a good deal I just had to post this to give you a link.   http://store.knitting-warehouse.com
I hate having to wait to for it to be delivered but whatca going to do.  Guess I'll have to clean or something lol,  guess it is SPRING.  Although here in Pittsburgh PA you would never know it....was actually snowing this morning.  This summer when it's 90 degrees, I will not complain!  This had to be the longest winter EVER.

Learning to use Double Pointed Needles

I woke up at 2 am this morning and couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to learn how to use double pointed needles.  Seems there are A LOT of different techniques. So many videos on You Tube.

After playing around with different ways to knit on dpn, I like the one in this video.  You cast all the stitches on one needle, then knit them off to the other needles.  Once they are equally divided on the needles, you join by grabbing the tail and knitting in the tail.  Of all the techniques The one in this video at the link below is the easiest for me and it seemed to join the stitches from each needle the best.
http://youtu.be/5F1El_m_A-M


Here are the results of my first try at knitting with double pointed needles:

I know exactly what I want to make!  Have to take a little nap (it's now 9:30 am) then go find the perfect yarn.....does the time change affect anyone else this way?  I get so mixed up.  Wish they would leave it alone.

Finished the Bouncing Baby Set....WELL almost.

I finally finished the Bouncing Baby Set, well almost lol.  Just have to make another legging and mitten.  For someone who doesn't know how to use double pointed needles (which is me) to knit booties and mittens this is really a cute pattern to knit.  The seams aren't really that noticeable  and I think it's adorable.  For my first go at it, I don't think I did too bad of a job.  It just reminds me of something my Grandmother might have worn on my Dad.  I've decided that since I don't know anyone with a new born baby to give it to that I'm going to get a pretty box and put things I make in it for my future grandchild.  Either a boy or girl could wear Aqua, right?  Guess I'll have to use more neutral colors.   I followed the pattern for a 3 month old with #3 needles and used Bernat Softee Baby yarn.  Wish I knew a 3 month old to see if it really fits.  My friend's  great niece is 1 year & 3 months and the leggings almost fit her but I guess acrylic stretches.  Thanks Evie for letting me try my knitting on you for size.  I'm going to finish this up and then.......WHAT SHOULD I MAKE NEXT?  

The Bouncing Baby Set is in the Home Spun Hand knit book.  There is a link below. 

 That is the last post you will have to see about this pattern!   LOL.   I just really liked it !

Still working on the Bouncing Baby Set........

Well, I'm getting better at it but still doing something wrong.  I found another video on You Tube that helped me a lot to identify what stitches to pick up around the tab to form the foot.  http://mercedesknits.com/2012/02/01/tutorial-how-to-pick-up-on-garter-stitch-edge/.  It still doesn't look right to me but I'm learning.  Something else I'm learning is the weight of the yarn makes a big difference!  The pattern called for a fingering weight yarn.  According to this chart, that's what I used in my last attempt.  As you can see the results in my previous post....not too good.

                                     
The legging above is made on #3 needles with light worsted yarn and it seems so much better and so much easier to work with.  Wish mom was here to help.  There's a local knitting group at the library (wonder if I could get them to help me lol).  Anyway, getting tired of the leggings.....going to move onto the bonnet.  I was kinda wishing the BIG snowstorm they were predicting (TITAN)  was going to snow me in so I would have nothing else to do but knit lol.  They were predicting 12" at first here in PA, then 4-6".  No such luck!  So far we got just 2".  Only 17 more days to spring.