Thanksgiving Fiberfest 2005

Look what I can do!  I have spent the last four days learning how to spin using Hands On Spinning by Lee Raven, and  the Joy of Handspinning website.  In addition, I learned how to dye wool using Koolaid.  The two ply super chunky was colored with three packs of Berry Blue and one pack of Grape for each skein, using the microwave method.  The fingering weight (be generous with me, I'm new - much of it is fingering weight, except for the bits that aren't) was dyed on the stove top with three packs of Cherry, three packs of Berry Blue, and one pack of Grape.  I have already turned the bulky blue yarn into a hat for BLING.  The plum yarn will be fingerless gloves (typing toasties) for me.  From the very first skein I spun I knit a swatch bunny.  I got extra crafty today and made a nostpin from a chair leg I bought at Home Depot.  I wound the center-pull ball in the top picture using my lovely new nostpin.  I have spun and dyed and spun and dyed all weekend long.  I've been off work since Thursday and it feels like it's been two weeks.  Have you ever had that feeling like you were meant to do something?  I think I was meant to spin, I completely zone out and go to a happy place.  Linda K. was right, it is very calming and peaceful.  With all the spinning/dying/knitting going on, I am doubly glad we joined our local YMCA last week.  We got in one good work-out over the weekend, and I am scheduled to meet with a personal trainer Monday evening.  I should have a good and whimpery post for you on Tuesday.

Comments

[Karen]

Wow, those are some wonderful hanks (and ball) of yarn you spun! I can't believe they are among your first - I think you really do have a knack for this. The dying was great too, the colors are so pretty. Thanks for the link to the Swatch Bunny pattern. I had never seen it before, but it's so cute and will make a great little addition to tuck in with hand-knit baby gifts. Can't wait to try it.

[Elaine]

Thanks Karen! I love the bunny, it's a great way to make something out of a swatch. I like the way my center-pull ball turned out - I call it the Faberge Egg.

[Libby]

HOLY SMOKES WOMAN!! You have been one busy little bee this weekend!

[Elaine]

This was the best Thanksgiving of my life. There was no strife, no bickering, no pressure. BLING and I played for four days, each with our own obsession but sharing the same space. We had turkey and trailer-park potatoes, there was wine, there were ice cream bars. Dogs are good, friends are good, I am one lucky PPG.