Tonight I made my first mawata-or silk hankie-from silk worm cocoons. I’ve been wanting to try making mawatas myself, because I love spinning silk hankies, but was a little squeamish about handling a dead silk worm. I decided to try it and  ordered my cocoons from Fiber on a Whim and followed the directions from Wormspit.com.   While preparing for mawata making, I found myself walking into Tractor Supply for the first time to buy Orvus paste, which is in the equine section of the store.  So, basically, I found myself buying 7lbs of horse shampoo.  It’ll last me a lifetime.  So, tonight, I decided to arm myself with my cocoons, washing soda, and horse shampoo.  I followed the directions on wormspit.com-1 gallon of water, 1/4 cup of Orvus paste, 1/4 cup washing soda, let it simmer for 30 minutes-and waited for the cocoons to soften.  The cocoons are coated with a hard shell which the horse shampoo breaks down, so that’s the purpose of the Orvus paste.  Anyways, it was finally time to take out the cocoons, which means taking out the dead bugs to0, and stretching the silk on a canvass stretcher.  I’m a wuss when it comes to hot water, so when I put my fingers into the simmering pot, it took me a couple minutes to be able to touch one of the cocoons.  Once I got one that was ok to handle, I opened up one end and let myself refuse to touch the bug as much as possible.  It came out ok and I let it plop in the water.  Then came time to stretch it on the canvass.  This is harder than I thought.  Cocoons can be tough in one spot because that’s where the last of the silk has been spun (wormspit told me this ) so it was really hard to stretch.  I screwed up the first one and had to pitch it.  Then I tried the second one.  No luck again.  Still didn’t touch the bug.  Third one, much better this time.  I finally got one to stretch on the canvass, but there was a large pocket of silk in the middle.  I kept at it and finally I got over the bug phobia and decided to remove the thing from the cocoon and plop it in the water.  Making mawatas is a little sloppy, but a lot of fun.  I finally got done, took it off the frame and now it is drying.  I have to say my mawata making experience was very interesting and lots of fun.  Don’t worry, I have 40 more cocoons to make into mawatas.

This is my next knitting project: 

LOVE THEM!

Hey everyone!

I have excited news in the world of Misfit Yarns and Crafts.  I will soon be on ArtFire!  I just set up my account and will be listing items very soon.  My ArtFire url is http://misfityarns.artfire.com  Come check it out!

On Nov. 1 from 5p-9p, I will be at Attic on Adams in Toledo, OH for Artisan Sunday selling my handspun yarns and knitted items.  For those folks in Toledo, the Attic on Adams is located above Manos Restaurant.   So, because I will be selling my items there, my Etsy, SilkFair, and ArtFire shops will be closed on that day.  Check out my table and other great local artists!

Autumn Leaves:

Pumpkin Pie:

I have to say that I have rediscovered the spindle lately.  It’s portable, cheap and spins great yarn.  That’s why I’m excited for the book Respect the Spindle to come out.  I can’t wait to have a book devoted to spindle spinning and learning new techniques on my spindles.  I bought a Russian spindle and have yet to learn how to use it.  I still love my spinning wheels, but I think that this book will help me love the spindle even more.

Follow me on Twitter!

Check out my 2 new yarns!

Marlene Dietrich is another installment in my  inspiring women yarn series:

And Grapevine is a green and purple wool yarn:

http://www.misfityarns.com

to help out the Northwest Ohio AIDS Walk!  My shop will be donating ALL proceeds to the AIDS Walk this entire month, and is this month going FAST!  Don’t miss your chance to get great knitted items and handspun yarn and shop for a great cause!  Just visit http://www.misfityarns.com and shop away!

Don’t forget, I’m donating ALL proceeds sold this month to the Northwest Ohio AIDS Walk! Come shop for a great cause! I have knitted items, handspun and hand dyed yarn. Come check it out!

http://www.misfityarns.com

Hi there,

This month, Misfit Yarns and Crafts will be donating all proceeds sold this month to the Northwest Ohio AIDS Walk! So please visit www.misfityarns.com and shop your heart out for a great cause! Get great yarn and great hand knitted items!

Misfit Yarns and Crafts is now on Twitter! Follow me at http://www.twitter.com/misfityarns