embroidery

Reusing Spools

spool reuse.jpg

I posted a photo on Instagram of new-to-me Anchor embroidery floss that comes on spools like sewing thread.

I got a comment about single use plastic. It's true! Thank you to the person who commented. These are made to be tossed, more plastic in the world.

What I didn't say in the post was one of the reasons I'm excited is to reuse the spools after they are empty for other threads and things.

I don't do well with the flat cardboard cards, they tend to unravel for me unless I pack them tightly together in a box.

Here's what I'll use these empty spools for:

I like to blend colors for stitching, one or two strands of one color and one or two of another or one each of three colors.

In the past I've done done the combining a little at a time. With the spool I'll be able to do put together longer or multiple 18" lengths all wrapped onto the spool, more continuous stitching time.

I do the same type of combining with textures, matte and sparkly, matte and shiny, silk and matte. It gives such interesting quality of line.

Of course, I'm spinning my own threads to stitch with. I have a stash of bombyx silk and a [Jeri Brock spindle][1] that I'm working with.

Have you seen the difference between woolen and worsted spun wool in stitching?

I'll also use the spools to store rubber bands instead of letting them wander loose in my spinning and knitting tool bags.

I may not buy more of these embroidery spools, but I will reuse the ones I have when they are empty.

Clearly I have taken a swan dive into the world of stitching. I know I'm not the only one. [1]: https://jeribrockwoodworks.com

Embroidery with a Sore Shoulder

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I will be the first to admit that I don't take care of my body like a should. I haven't been stretching or doing yoga as regularly as I used to before and after spinning and knitting. The result is a sore shoulder and neck. I am now back to yoga and stretching, reading Carson Demers wonderful book Knitting Comfortably, and resting my shoulder.

Since I just can't just sit, I hunted for a fiber craft that uses different motions and muscles than spinning and knitting, and hit on embroidery. I used to stitch quite a bit and have all of the supplies (and then some).

I had several patterns and samplers on hand from Dropcloth (the patterns on the bottom, to the left and the one in progress) but felt the need to freshen my pattern stash. I bought three patterns from Cozy Blue (top right) and a nautical knitting themed kit from Hook, Line, and Tinker (top). I don't need any more patterns to stitch, but let me know if there is someone whose work you really like.

What are you spinning for the Tour de Fleece? My goal is four ounces of Homestead Hobbyist fiber to knit into socks for the Homestead HobbyIst Sock Along, a multi month spin and knit.