11.14.2008

Transformation - and a Contest!

I was recently asked what colors I like best in spinning fiber - and you know what? It was really difficult to answer the question! I have my favorite colors, of course - colorways that I'm drawn to (browns/blues, for one). But really, since learning to spin, I find that my color preferences have opened up. I'm trying new things - looking at color in a new way. I see some lovely dyed roving, and try to image what the end result will look like. There have been times that I've not liked something so much while spinning the singles, and LOVED the plied (end) result. It never ceases to amaze me.

The transformation is part of the joy for me. Looking at fiber, and loving the colors:
And then spinning it up into a yarn that I love even more!

The above fiber/yarn is a merino from The Fiber Denn (etsy seller). The yarn is a 2ply (that will be part of a collab at YINIA's Black Friday stocking). I love it. Seriously love it.

Another example is this fiber from Fibers 4 Ewe. I fell in love with the color combo:
But I am even more in love with the yarn! Spinning was a dream, and the end result? Just lovely.
(If you love this as much as I do, it will be available at our Hyenacart on Monday!)
Of course, there is another step - the knitting or crocheting of the yarn into the finished project. Many spinners have a plan for their fiber before they even start spinning it up - an end result in mind. I can honestly say that this is not typical for me. Although, next time I post, I'll share a recent project that I actually DID take from fiber to knitted scarf! Most of the time, I spin the fiber, and then have to set the yarn aside for a while (after it has been sufficiently cuddled, of course). Sometimes, the yarn is put in the store, where one of you can decide what it should become. Sometimes, the perfect project comes along, and I just have to use the yarn myself. Truly, the joy is in the entire process for me.
So I'll ask you what was asked of me. What colors are YOUR favorite? And to take it further, what fiber content do you love? What yarn weight are you most likely to use? If you could have the PERFECT handspun for the PERFECT project, what would it be? (we'd love to hear what the project would be, too!)

The contest? Post a comment with your answers to the above questions! On Monday, between 6 and 7pm (eastern), I will draw a winner from the comments. The prize? A 15% coupon code to use on any purchase at our Handspun by SweetKnits store! We will have a stocking this Monday evening at 8pm (eastern), so you'll have an immediate chance to use your discount - or perhaps you'd rather wait for your PERFECT handspun to come along! Or maybe, you'd rather use it for a custom spinning order. The choice will be yours!
So please enter to win! And tell your friends! Comments can be posted up until 5:59pm on Monday. :)

5 comments:

Genevieve said...

What colors are YOUR favorite? Golden ochre, turquoise, brown. I really do love all colors but these really stand out to me.

And to take it further, what fiber content do you love? Merino, bamboo, silk.

What yarn weight are you most likely to use? Usually worsted.

If you could have the PERFECT handspun for the PERFECT project, what would it be? A bootie, hat & sweater combo for a new little one. A hat and or scarf would be beautiful as well.

Davina said...

So I'll ask you what was asked of me. What colors are YOUR favorite? Greens, turquoise, asure blue, pinks

And to take it further, what fiber content do you love? Mostly wool, but merino/bamboo is really growing on me lately

What yarn weight are you most likely to use? Sport or DK

If you could have the PERFECT handspun for the PERFECT project, what would it be? (we'd love to hear what the project would be, too!)

A worsted/aran merino/bamboo blend, enough for a long cardigan for ME!

Rachel said...

Oh man! My favorite color combos for handspun are mixes of lights and darks, so when two plies are spun together, you get TONS of color variation. My favorite fibers are merino and BFL, or anything that's next-to-your-face soft. I prefer light worsted to worsted, and my perfect project would be a stole or scarf that stops people in their tracks!

Selah said...

What colors are YOUR favorite?
I love deep, brilliant colors (not dark, more full of color deep) - it gives inspiration to my heart, it's a treat for my eyes and it's beautiful to look at.


What fiber content do you love?
I have really yet to meet one I disliked, but I love anything with merino - it looks as soft as it feels.


What yarn weight are you most likely to use?
Aran. I don't have much patience for much thinner. ;)

If you could have the PERFECT handspun for the PERFECT project, what would it be? (we'd love to hear what the project would be, too!)
Something brilliant in color, spun in merino/bamboo (superwash?) and I'd knit a scarf (and matching hair bandy thing). I love when deep color plies with another deep color that is not the same, it's just luscious!
~Julie

Amy said...

What colors are YOUR favorite?
Deep, vibrant colors (jewel tones, I suppose best describes it)

What fiber content do you love?
BFL, Merino, Silk

What yarn weight are you most likely to use?
DK or Worsted

If you could have the PERFECT handspun for the PERFECT project, what would it be?

A shawl!http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sonoma-shawl