24 June 2011

Spinning: my precious

I admit, the title is influenced by my recent bout with Lord of the Rings.
Without Disc 1 of the extended version of Two Towers I wouldn't have made the progress I did on my Topsy Curvy top. I might get it done in time for the "tropical" weather we are supposed to get after the weekend ;-)

So, what is precious?

First - the arrival of Joy!

Spinning wheels

Joy has joined Emma and together we share spinning adventures.
Emma is currently holding an undyed single out of fluffy merino for a dye experiment. To make it more fun I'm going to n-ply the yarn - another first for me.

And I have found a wonderful pattern I'm going to try out:
Pretty Twisted

It's a wonderful pattern to showcase subtle changes in sockyarn and those special buttons many of us have sitting around. Why not make an armband out of it? I'm planning on making several different ones!

Joy is holding a thin single out of Shetland top. It's the thinnest I have spun until now and the difference between a bobbin-led (Emma) and Scotch-tension wheel (Joy) is amazing. There is no pull! Something to get used to!

And yes, that's my view of our living room when I sit down and spin. Our dining table is right next to me, with my coffee mug in reach. Hey, has anyone ever seen a spinning-inspired mug? If you have - holler!!!

What do you do while you spin or knit?
I love to listen to music when I spin. I find myself listening to either folk or progressive-symphonic rock. Nice rhythms to treadle to, upbeat and enticing.

Audiobooks and movies are for knitting. Yes, I do take some easy knitting into the cinema with me, why? As long as I don't have to count or follow a more complicated pattern it's fine. No lace or cables in the dark, thankyouverymuch :-)

Audiobooks are great for sit down and consult pattern type of knitting.
If anyone has suggestions - I like (epic) fantasy, some mystery and also novels. Young Adult is fine, thrillers are not really my kind of genre. I would love some more female main character and more crafting in my novels, please!

Another precious is this batt I carded. It's two batts, to be precise. And they are fluffy and delicious!

Luxury

Alpaca, several sorts of silk, cormo, merino, Firestar, Angelina...and this one is ALL MINE!

If I would card one for sale it would be rather pricey due to the fibres included...but maybe I can make mini-batts....

I have lots more of the alpaca, plus some grey Gotland - possibly enough for a bolero or cropped top! With the batt spun in as an eye-catcher...My new banner is a close-up of the batt. I could cuddle it all the time - if I wouldn't get fibres into my mouth constantly ;-)

I leave you with a picture of something that could possibly go BUMP at night ;-)

Bump

No comments: