Last weekend was the first weekend in months where I didn’t have either A) leftover work from the work week or B) a big event planned. I would go mad if more of my weekends were that unscheduled, but as a once-in-a-while thing, I have to say, it was pretty great.
I ended up doing SO MUCH FIBER STUFF just with things I had on hand, you would not believe it. In fact, I will have to split it up into several posts just to cover it all.
To me, the most remarkable thing that happened this weekend was that I unearthed my drop spindle and spun. Spinned? Span? Did spinning.
It surprised me because I had long ago decided that spinning just didn’t interest me. For about three months I was diligent about spending 15-30 minutes a day working with the drop spindle. I won’t say I got good at it, but I achieved a certain base level of competency at the task. And then I just… didn’t feel like it anymore.
I have no idea what possessed me to start up again, almost a year after I abandoned the pastime. I was sitting on the couch watching something on TV that wasn’t gripping me. And suddenly I thought, “I should dig out that drop spindle and do some spinning.” And I did, and it was pretty fun.
To start, I finished plying up the stuff I had been halfway through plying when I boxed everything up last summer.
This was a bunch of mixed fibers from a spinning workshop on silk, various permutations of wool and different kinds of silk. It’s such a hodgepodge of different fiber blends, I’m honestly surprised it turned out as relatively even as it did. Parts of it look remarkably yarn-like.
Not sure what I’ll do with 20 yards (17 grams) of finished yarn, but there you have it.
Art yarn! Here’s a link to ravelry patterns that use 10 to 20 yards. I bet you already looked!
Shoot. That link translated poorly. There are some cute pine trees on corks; in white they’d be snowy pines.
Funny, I was just thinking about your spinning the other day. I was going to poke you about it, but got distracted and forgot.
You can always use your yarn for a decorative band on a hat. Either a colorwork pattern or just a simple stripe. Then it’s an ‘accent’ being ‘showcased’ – very good for the morale.
Auntiemichal, too funny! I hadn’t thought of that – thanks! I am surprised how many projects there are. (And I fixed the link in your comment.)
And Gayle, thanks! That’s a pretty good idea!
Spin, spun, span. No?
Nice fibery goodness! And that link is nicely addictive as well. Perfect for odds and ends of yarn skeins, I think.
And wait, you poured gasoline on your shoes? It’s that cold/dark in the PNW that you’re resorting to self immolation? I implore you, please don’t. Summer will come. I promise.
Terrible, right? I’ve been pumping my own gas for about 25 years and never had a problem. The lesson I learned is, always put the hose in the car BEFORE pushing the button to make the gas go. That way if there’s a problem with the nozzle, at least it’s pouring gas into your car, and not all over your legs!