Tag: Jacob’s sheep

Shave ‘Em Two Save ‘Em Circle Vest

On By CarynIn Craft

I crocheted several more rows onto LazyTCrochet’s circle vest pattern, past the “plus size” listed in the instructions. I followed the general feel of the pattern up to that point, and crocheted until I ran out of my hand-spun Teeswater yarn. It was still feeling small and tight.

Photo description: Circle vest crocheted from hand-spun Jacob and Teeswater wool showing three color variations, dilute calico cat photo bomb

I do have more Teeswater roving, but need to spin it up. I decided to tie off the row and weave in the ends, then give the vest a good soak with some gentle fabric wash. I laid it out to dry on a homemade PVC and nylon mesh drying rack.

Photo description: same vest laid out to dry

The stitches relaxed and the vest increased in size.

Photo description: same vest after blocking

It is now a wearable garment. The wool feels softer after blocking and has a beautiful drape. I call this my “Shave ‘Em Two Save ‘Em” vest because both Jacob and Teeswater sheep are on the Livestock Conservancy list of Heritage Sheep. Jacob is Threatened and Teeswater is considered Critical.

Photo description: same vest hanging on a cedar hanger to show the drape

I’m rather excited that I have created something I will actually wear and supports farmers raising endangered heritage breeds.

Sizing

On By CarynIn Craft

I find knitting and crochet patterns for clothing items very frustrating. There is the whole sizing issue – just making more rows or making the pattern “bigger” does not mean it will fit right when you’re done. Putting hours and hours into a project and then have it not be a useful item is defeating. I’m working on a circle vest, because I like vests, and they are generally easier to fit than items with sleeves. Up until this point I have followed the pattern by LazyTCrochet, checking fit as I went. I used the largest version XL, and added the “Plus size” extensions, which are a joke.

Photo description: circle vest crocheted with hand spun Jacob’s and Teeswater wool with color variation, NOT my pattern

Fitting for multiple body sizes is hard. Most designers add rows and call it “good.” Frankly, there are more body types than XS-5XL (this particular pattern went from S-XL). Arm circumference, bust size, height, arm length, waist size, shoulder to hip, are all so individual. I could flail and complain about pattern designers, but I think it is the crafter’s duty to know their body and learn how to make adjustments to fit. For me, patterns are starting places, they just have to be. For this vest, I’m going to add more rows in the same style as the rest of the vest, not only to balance colors, but to get more coverage. I did purchase this pattern, but it wasn’t expensive (warning sign), but I won’t be purchasing from the designer again.

Jacob Sheep fiber page

On By CarynIn Craft

I finally mounted the samples from spinning Jacob’s sheep on a fiber page.

Photo description: Jacob’s sheep 12×12 scrap book page with four paper bobbins of spun and plied yarn, unspun roving in a bag, nålbinding swatch, knit swatch, crocheted swatch, and woven swatch

I do like spinning Jacob’s sheep wool. I like the natural color variation, and it makes me happy to see the colors spiral together. The sheep are wicked cool looking too.

My swatches are getting more consistent and closer to my 4×4 inch goal.

I think it took me so long to put this together because my fiber books are undergoing transformation, mostly in my head, but there are things I want to do differently. I have a new cover design coalescing in my brain, and I think I shouldn’t pre-cut my blank pages with my Cricut cutter, but hand cut them to fit each project. Changing that the unspun fiber goes into a bag instead of a box was a great move. Now to implement the rest.

No yarn chicken

On By CarynIn Craft

When I’m not sure how much yarn I have, I try to pick a pattern that is flexible. This circle vest from LazyTCrochet Designs fits the bill. It is crocheted from the inside out, and the circle can expand. One downside of the pattern is that it only has two sizes, s/m and l/xl. It has instructions for expanding the circle for coverage, but that only goes a few more rows. The idea is expandable though, and the pattern is inexpensive.

Photo description: in-process circle vest crocheted with hand spun Jacob’s wool, pattern by LazyTCrochet Designs

I used the darker of my hand spun Jacob’s wool yarn for the center, then the lighter color for the next band. This is as far as my Jacob’s wool could take me, aside from a few small scraps. The vest needs more rows, so I’ll add some hand spun Teeswater wool for the next row. I just need to finishing spinning it first. Both Jacob sheep and Teeswater sheep are on the endangered list and part of the “Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em” initiative by the Livestock Conservancy. I’m considering calling this my “Shave ‘Em Two Save ‘Em” vest since it will have two breeds from the list. Unless I end up needing a third breed, then I’ll have to rethink the pun.

Jacob’s wool swatches

On By CarynIn Craft

I started on the swatches for Jacob’s wool, and then finished them all in a day, even the nålbinding. I must have thirty other projects I’m not working on. Hm.

Photo description: four squares made from hand spun Jacob’s wool: knit (top left), crochet (top right), cut open nålbinding (bottom left), woven (bottom right)

I had two large cakes of yarn, and two small nostepinne balls, so I used the smaller amounts to make the swatches. I hope to make something wearable out of the larger cakes of yarn.