More Forest Gnomes

I love making each one!

Sword Fern Spirit Doll

She is lady of sword ferns, who holds secrets from the cool forest floor. She is filled with fern plant matter inside, and wears a fern on her skirt.

Sword ferns always show up for me in dreams and journeys, as guides and protectors. I am always grateful for their lush and bountiful presence here in the Pacific Northwest.

 

Spinning Wool into Yarn.

I decided to take all this wool roving I have lying around and spin it into some yarn on my drop spindle.  I took a class on drop spindling at Weaving Works a while back, and I have to say, I've pretty much forgotten everything on how to do it!  It felt like it was a little more work than I remembered, I'm not sure if I am quite dropping the spin correctly.

Anyhow, I spun a single ply yarn from a combination of colors and types of wool.  I then crocheted the warmest hat I've ever worn.  It might be too warm!  

It must be the icelandic wool. The yarn, even at single ply, was really thick.  

Next time, I might try and spin a thinner yarn, even though I love thick, chunky, uneven "art yarns." 

But overall, I am pleased with the hat.  Now it needs to get cold enough here for me to wear it outside!

Local Hand Dyed Merino Wool

Hand dyed Merino wool.

dyed by:

Nikki Wheeler
I met Nikki at The Etsy Winter Craft Sale and had to buy some of her gorgeous yummy hand dyed merino wool. It has been wonderful buttery and soft to work with. Nikki is a talented fiber artist who uses paper, felt and lovely colors in her art. This is a flower I felted from her wool.