Monday, March 31, 2008

Glad I bought it when I did...

How quickly things change, is all I can say. I'm glad I bought the Woolee Winder when I did, while I still had some cash on hand.

Why the lack of cash on hand now?

Today I was informed that I have been laid off from my job, for at least two weeks, but probably a lot longer than that. I think they said two weeks to soften the blow.

Last year at this time, I took a leave of absence due to my mother's illness, and thinking back, if it hadn't been for that illness, I probably would have been laid off then, too. Spring and early summer are slow times at our place. The main difference between last year and this year, is that last year I decided when I would go back. This year, the decision is not mine to make.

Being a part-timer, I can't collect unemployment. I'm trying not to be anxious, but economically these are pretty tough times for everyone. I can't help being nervous about it. However...

I am trying to remind myself that all this time on my hands could be very good for my little yarn business. I now have time to build even more of an inventory for NH Sheep & Wool. It is my second year vending there. I hope I'll do better than I did last year, but I'm not counting on it. I will be in the Kimball dairy barn again, which is one of the LAST vendor buildings folks get to on the fairgrounds. Usually they are shopped out by then. I know when I used to attend as a consumer, I didn't even know there WAS stuff in that barn. Oh, well, we shall see what we shall see. And if it doesn't pan out, I have a cunning plan...to do the RI festival next year instead. Again, we shall see what we shall see.

I did a bit of spinning today, and am grateful for how calm it makes me, to just feel the wool in my hands and watch it wind on to the bobbin. What will the yarn want to be? It is a pretty blue-gray shade. I only have 8 ounces. Time will tell.

Debussy on the stereo. I had forgotten how much I like his orchestral works. They set a nice mood. It has been well over 20 years since I last paid much attention to them. Too darn long! Perhaps I will bring my bassoon out of retirement and give it a few honks again...

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Daniel's Scarf

This is not an easy thing to photograph. Drat me and my fondness for heathery yarns.

Every inch of this yarn was spindle spun and spindle plied. About 8 ounces worth. I think I had maybe 10 to 15 feet of this yarn left when the scarf was finished. The pattern is, once again, a seaman's scarf variant of the Persephone scarf originally designed by smarieknits. I just love the cables in this pattern.
I think it was August or September when I began spindling. It was how I kept myself busy in the waiting area while my mother was doing her cardiac rehab. This was three days a week, and we would be there, usually, close to an hour and a half. I met some nice people while I was waiting, and enjoyed talking with them, yet never allowed my hands to be idle. At first, the spindle drew a lot of comments and questions, and then people got used to it, and enjoyed watching me as much as I enjoyed the spinning.

The finished skein sat in the stash mellowing for a bit, and I forgot about it for awhile, until my friend Daniel and I started talking more and getting to know each other better. I knew his birthday was coming up in March, and I knew I wanted to make him something...knitted...blue...but which blue? Which yarn?

And then I remembered.

He wears a lot of blue. His eyes are blue. I wasn't sure I would have enough yarn. I bought more roving in the same colorway, just in case, and thought MAYBE I would just make it...

Luckily, Daniel is not a terribly tall person. I had enough yarn. He loves the scarf. Pay no attention to the glare from my flash. And happy belated birthday, Daniel. Better late than never.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Interesting Quiz Results

Numerologically speaking, I work out to be a "Chariot" -- number 7. But with the Piscean thread to consider, it appears I have distinct "Hermit" tendencies. Why am I not surprised?


which major arcana of the thoth tarot deck are you? short, with pictures and detailed results




HERMIT"the meditator, philosopher, sage, wise man"You can not and will not compromise your values and have a desire to complete past things before begining the new (you value completion, perfection, and introspection highly). You are a natural way-shower, sage, and seeker. You have an appreciation of the body and the wisdom of the earth and its natural process. You have a deep love for beauty, harmony, and order.
Take this quiz!





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Monday, March 10, 2008

Black Magic Woman

This was another part of my birthday present. I bought some "Black Magic Woman" batts from Enchanted Knoll Farm. You saw the singles in progress in my last entry. This stuff is kind of like a good book you can't put down, in that you just can't stop spinning it! I started on Saturday and worked my way through one 4-ounce package. There were two batts in the package, and since one was a tad larger than the other, I still have some singles left on one bobbin.

The skein above weighs 3-3/4 ounces and contains 240 yards. I still need to wash it and set the twist, but even without that finishing touch, I am pleased with how the yarn came out. I might...just...need...more...

...yes. Even though I still have no idea what this yarn wants to be...

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Happy Birthday to Me

I finally did it. I caved in and bought a Woolee Winder for my Schacht. It arrived today, a late birthday present. (The Big Day was February 23rd, and I am now 46, in case you were wondering.)

The gorgeous fiber I am spinning with it is called Black Magic Woman, and it is a scrumptious blend of very soft wool, fine shreds or sari silk, and a bit of angelina for sparkle. It spins like an absolute dream. If you like it, visit Enchanted Knoll Farm and see what other goodies are available. Every time I go there to look, my "buy it now" finger trembles like Dr. Strangelove's arm, and is just as difficult to control.

I do not know what this stuff will want to be yet, but I have a whole eight ounces to spin before I have to a) decide, or b) let it mellow in the handspun stash until I wake up dreaming of...a stole? A scarf? A shawl? Need to buy more before it's all gone?

The possibilities are endless, of course.

I had started this on one of my Golding spindles, then decided spindling exerted too much pull on the yarn. I was breaking the yarn and dropping the spindle too much. So, I decided to put it aside and wait for the Woolee winder to arrive.

It was worth the wait. I love the way the singles are turning out. Josette's beautiful batts were perfect for the...er..."maiden voyage."