I just finished my first pjoning project: a pair of child's mittens. They will go to the hat tree at Shreve Library, along with another batch of hats. I have been making scarf/hats, because, why not? I got my old addi express king size circular knitting machine back from my daughter-in-law. She hadn't been using it, and had stored it at her mother's place. (Her mother was ready to give it away, not realizing it was Not a toy.) I have been taking pictures, so if I ever figure out how to post, perhaps I will.

As to the pjoning (shepherd's knitting, Bosnian crochet) I have purchased the actual tool. It works SOOOOO much better than a modern crochet hook! I want to teach this at Just For Fun, and we will have proper tools. (We will also  have a couple of modern hooks, so folks can experience the difference!) Amy, my new volunteer, has begun to experiment with making the tools. I think it is great that she is doing this on her own initiative, no urging on my part! I have hopes for a productive partnership, here!

vacillatiiions

 So, I ordered some romanov lamb locks, unwashed, mostly because, many moons ago, my first whole fleece was a freebie from a friend whose husband was a sheep researcher. They were developing a good meat/wool sheep for somewhere in South America, and he had some sheep at home he was working with. They had no thought of spinners, themselves, and my friend generally tossed the wool on the garden. When it was sheared, it went straight onto the barn floor, with all the straw and whatever. So I was able to get a fleece for the cost of hauling it away, and doing all the skirting and scouring, etc. She told me what breeds were in that particular cross, but the only one, after all these years that stuck in my head (probably because I had never heard of it) was romanov.

I got my locks, and my first thought was that either the shepherd had accidently mixed some skirtings into my shipment, or she didn't know how to skirt in the first place. Mmmmmmgrmmmmmmm. Anyway, I pulled out some and washed half---filthy, but it came out a nice gray, and smelling sweet/sheepy by the time I was finished. I then dyed it, for my partner in an exchange, While I had hot water, I threw in the rest to wash (It wasn't so filthy.) then moved right along and dyed it. 

This stuff was extremely kempy, if that is a word. While wet, the kemp stuck to my fingers as I was plucking out VM (vegetable matter.) I stopped, blotted it, and let it overnight. (I did notice that it wanted to clump, but blamed that on my not clearing all the vinegar. So sue me.I had rinsed...) 

Anyway, I was back at picking it the next day--last night-- and decided that it was about time to call it a day. There were sooo many second cuts, nepps around weed seed, straight up bits of VM, kemp, etc.  but I was determined to prepare this for my partner, because, though short stapled, it was gorgeously soft yarn. I wanted to send her a loaded distaff. Anyway, I wrapped up my un-picked wool, then gathered the little mound that was on my other leg (I was working on my lap) and idly rolled it into a ball. I didn't get up for a few moments, My attention suddenly shifted to that little ball of trash. It was almost felted, just that fast: no added moisture, no pH change, no needling, just a minute or so of rolling around on my thigh. WOW! I sent a message to my exchange partner letting her know that she wasn't getting that!

 In under five minutes, I had created a little flower, including pulling out almost all the kemp! Just For Fun  gets a felting project this May!