First Skein Cuffs

By Marnie MacLean http://marniemaclean.com

Roving from Spunky Eclectic http://www.spunkyhats.com/accyarn.htm

It is rare that a novice spinner is also a prolific spinner. While we're learning the ropes (har!) spinning our singles and playing with plying, we end up with little skeins of mismatched, thick and thin balls of progressively better yarn. I suspect that a good number of us neophytes are spinning because we already love knitting or crocheting and we want to make our own yarn for such purposes. Cuffs are a perfect choice. If you happen to have a kitchen or postal scale that can give you weight in grams, it'll make your life much easier, but don't despair if you don't, we have ways of dealing with people like you.

Supplies :

About 15 grams of hand spun 2 ply yarn in approximately a worsted weight, or whatever you've got.

Size US #8 needles or size to suit your handmade yarn.

Tapestry needle

Gauge :

About 6st per inch in 2x2 ribbing or whatever looks good in your yarn

If you have a scale:

Separate yarn into two equal sized balls.

CO 37 stitches from one ball

OR multiply your gauge per inch times the your wrist circumference. Round up to the closest multiple of 4+1

Row 1: *p2, k2* repeat to last stitch, p1

All subsequent rows, maintain stitch pattern.

Work for 3.5" or until have nearly exhausted your supply of yarn

BO

Repeat with second ball of yarn.

If you don't have a scale :

Make sure your ball of yarn is a center pull.

CO 37

OR multiply your gauge per inch times the your wrist circumference. Round up to the closest multiple of 4+1

Do the same from the other end of the ball.

You have now cast on for both cuffs at once. You will work both cuffs at the same time. Remember to work one cuff from one end of the ball and the other from the other end of the ball. If you don't switch the yarn, you'll have one giant cuff instead of two smaller ones.

Row 1: *p2, k2* repeat to last stitch, p1

Repeat with second cuff

All subsequent rows, maintain stitch pattern.

Work for 3.5" or until have nearly exhausted your supply of yarn

BO

Finishing (both versions)

Seam up the side of the cuffs using mattress stitch.

Weave in ends

Enjoy!