In the Mood to Spin

     I finished several projects over the last few weeks ... three shawls, socks, bootikins. Now, I seem to be in the mood to spin for a while. I somehow -- don't know how -- found myself on Etsy last week, buying some more fiber. 

     The BFL on my Kromski. Spinning up very quickly, but since I only bought six ounces, I might try to use it as a single.

The Falkland/bamboo/Angelina, in a lovely batt. Holds together quite nicely, and this shade of red is my favorite (more red, less pink, in real life). Both purchased from SpinFusion on Etsy.










     As you can see, there really isn't enough of either roving to do a project by itself, unless it's really small. But I find that the process of spinning yarn is often what I'm after -- sitting at the wheel or spindle for a while, watching the pile of roving dwindle, having a nice sense of accomplishment when it's done.

    Question for all my fellow spinners: What is your favorite fiber or blend? What fibers have you spun before? I have spun the following: Corriedale, Merino, bamboo, silk, alpaca, camel, yak, bunny, qiviut, BFL, Shetland, Swalesdale (very hairy!), Jacob (very nice), English Herdwick, Welsh, Polworth, Ramboullet, and Lincolnsomething, a crossbreed of some sort. My favorite is Merino-Bombyx silk. Absolutely fabulous! I like alpaca, but I prefer the way Wonder Why Gal has it processed, because it doesn't float around and get in my eyes. I have 4 oz of baby camel that I don't enjoy too much, I can't seem to get a smooth yarn out of it and I hate slubby yarn.

     A good way to experience many different fibers is to purchase sample packs -- I've done that twice, once with wools, and once with exotics. It really gave me a good idea of what's out there. Oh, and 51 days to MD Sheep and Wool!  SWOON!

     This is the shawl that is featured at the top of my blog. I honestly don't remember when I started it; maybe late summer 2009. It is my first attempt at lace, and I did not do a good job. I kept winding up with one too many stitches, always in the exact same spot, or I would drop them. It looks okay, but nowhere near as good as the one in the book! I had a terrible time following the pattern. I will try something easier, next time. Perhaps a little cowl. The yarn is fabulous (It's called "Whisper" and it's laceweight).




     And as I blogged this past Monday, Edgar Allen Poe cat seems to be okay -- it looks like it was a severe infection, and not bone cancer. Now, he's very playful and -- well, irritating, wanting a lot of attention and petting. He gallops around the house in the early morning, meowing at who knows what. Whoever started that rumor about cats being graceful? Mine sound like bowling balls coming down the stairs.

     If fog really does creep in on little cat feet, then the cat must have tin cans tied to its feet.

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

"Fog" by Carl Sandburg