I have some cash kicking around in my paypal account and thought I'd like to funnel it into a new drop spindle, since there are some lovely looking pieces on Etsy (Besides, I like supporting creative people, especially if they're selling me stuff I can use to create with too!).  I have an Ashford student, and a lightweight one gifted to me from a friend who re-enacts viking era (which is significantly lighter than the Ashford student spindle, but I couldn't tell you how heavy it is or isn't).  I'm debating if I'd like to pick out a spindle from The Spinner's Emporium, Dragoncraft, or 3G Woodworks.  Any thoughts on any of these spindle makers?  Which are your favourite?  Also, if I've got one heavy one, and one quite light one, what kind of weight spindle would be quite handy for me to pick up at this point?

[If I'm hoping to avoid putting in a closure like a zipper (due to longevity of the garment, and my working on a deadline- I haven't the time or energy to faff about with zippers for 3 or 4 skirts in less than 10 days), then I'm going to have to cut my waist at the same size as the hip, then the elastic/drawstring is what'll bring it in, right? Otherwise, the girls might not be able to get them up over their hips. Does that make sense?]

Hey kids, sorry if this question seems really rudimentary, I'm returning to sewing after a long absence from it!  I'm a better stitcher than a patternmaker, I swear

At the place where I volunteer, I've been asked to make up drawstring/elasticated waist skirts for use by staff members during events, and I'm sort of making them to generic sizes so that no matter who's working, it'll probably fit well enough (I'll cut a small and a medium size for now, based on who needs to wear them for a looming event).  You know when you have to dress up at the museum and they invariably give you that broadcloth skirt with an elastic waistband?  I'm aiming for something a little nicer in quality than that!  I'll be cutting in a weave fabric (not knit).  I've been doing some googling around for patterns or tips for drawstring skirts, and since it's a pretty simple garment, I'm not getting much of a result.

So!  For the TL;DR crowd:

If I'm hoping to avoid putting in a closure like a zipper (due to longevity of the garment, and my working on a deadline- I haven't the time or energy to faff about with zippers for 3 or 4 skirts in less than 10 days), then I'm going to have to cut my waist at the same size as the hip, then the elastic/drawstring is what'll bring it in, right?  Otherwise, the girls might not be able to get them up over their hips.  Does that make sense?

(I was thinking of putting elastic through the back, and drawstring through the front.  I have a few pj bottoms like this, and I was thinking the elastic in the back would offer comfort in a high-action job, but the drawstring in the front would allow the girls to adjust the skirt to fit them a bit better than if I just bung an elastic through the whole waist... any feedback on this master plan?)

I'm wanting to experiment with some yarn I'm spinning on my drop spindle, but it's for a specific purpose and don't want to end up with a load of ruined fiber, lol. 

So, I've got about 50 grams of merino wool I'm spinning (to use as hair for a doll I'm working on actually).  I thought I was buying a greater quantity of fiber, it's all down to my mis-reading the eBay listing really.  Anyhow, I'm trying to decide if I should spin this as two singles and ply it together, or if I should take this opportunity to try out Andean plying.  However, in my researching about Andean plying, it seems like it's best suited to a small quantity of working material (though that term 'small' seems rather ill-defined).  How much is too much to Andean ply?

I'm quite pleased actually   I've been chronicling it on my deviantART, so instead of posting all the pics here in this thread, here are the links to check out the photos and any comments I might have had while spinning it.  I spun (and plyed) it on a student Ashford drop spindle.

Teaser:


http://onela.deviantart.com/art/White-Merino-WIP-78112134 Single on the spindle
http://onela.deviantart.com/art/2-Ply-Yarn-White-Merino-78562846 A skein and a half
http://onela.deviantart.com/art/2-Ply-Merino-Close-Up-78563037 A closer look

If you're a DA user, don't be shy, please leave me a comment, criticism, tip, or suggestion over there if you'd like   I think it's a shame that the fiber arts section of DA gets so under-represented. 

I've got a big lump of merino wool roving just waiting to be spun up- the only thing is, it's all white as snow and I need a little bit of colour in my life!  What's a more suitable beginner dyeing project, dyeing wool roving or dying it after I've spun it up into yarn?  I will eventually experament with both, but am wondering which order to tackle them in.  Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

So, I'm knitting a hat on a circular needle.  An inch into the project or so, I noticed it's all TWISTED!!!!  I cried, frogged it, and am now terrified to waste my effin' time knitting on it anymore. 

What have I done wrong?  How can I avoid this second time around?  I'm all cast on, ready to go, but I'm NOT NOT NOT knitting for another two hours just to find out that my project's all messed up.

I've decided I wanna knit hats for both my boyfriend and father for Christmas.

I'm not so worried about my boyfriend's hat; I might just make hot head in cool colours he'll like, or something.  But, my dad is the trouble.

He's a fisherman.  I want to make him a toque in the colours of his fishing boat, and I want to use intarsia (my roomie shall have to teach me this!) to put the name of his boat near the bottom of the hat.  Now, I know that it won't be hard to figure out how to put the word in, but I need a basic toque pattern that's man-sized so I can even begin this project.  Can anybody suggest any?  I'd prefer a free pattern on the web, but don't mind buying a pattern if it's easy to find. 

I'm getting close to the end of this scarf   Every now and then I put it on to see how it's progressing, and I"ve noticed that even though I've only knit 63 rows since the colour change, the length of the back part is almost as long as the front bit.  Am I wearing the scarf stupid, or is this something that anybody else has experienced? 

Otherwise, it's lookin' pretty bitchin', if I say so myself   I made it to match my hot head hat (which I didn't do any colour changes, per se, I just used a multicoloured yarn). 

I have TWO BOOKS and I still can't perl.  Advice?  Helpful links?  Matches to burn all the stupid yarn I just bought? 

There is no emoticon for the rage I feel at this precise moment. 

 

Edit 2:39 AM Oct 22: 

OK, so I knit/perled/knit/perled, and it made stocking stitch.  That means I CAN perl, if that's what happens when I mix them up...  right?

What should perling look like on its own?

Looks quite much like the one Black Lamb made, huh?  I swear, I didn't start lurking in the knitting sub forum until after I'd already started my project v_v;;

Here's a "close-up" (pardon my bad webcam):


I used a Patons "Divine" yarn in Orangina, acrylic/mohair/poly blend.  Not bad to work with.  Used 6mm needles. 

What should be my next beginner project, girls (and maybe boys)?