Spinning is the process of drawing out and imparting twist to the wool fibers to create yarn. The wheel is driven by a foot pedal (called a treadle) and the wheel turns the flyer assembly via a drive band. The orifice of the flyer is where twist enters the wool fibers and the flyer holds a bobbin, where the newly spun yarn is collected (wound on).
We have snow.
Now, this isn’t entirely unusual (it IS January), but I’m having a hard time mustering any excitement about it.
So I’m trying to concentrate on indoor pursuits!
Especially those that serve to promote toastiness.
For example,
Cobblestone, beginning to look like it might be a sweater!
It’s really hard to take good true-to-life colors in photos of really dark colored objects, and that’s about all I could manage for now. But I have started one of the sleeves as well-
You’ll have to trust me when I tell you that the charcoal-y grey blend of Chone and Spike is much more appealing in person.
And I’ve been spending a little quality time with Hank, my Pirtle wheel, spinning nice soft cushy singles-
Aren’t they fun? No idea what they want to be yet.
But I’m ok with that.
(see last post ) 🙂
First, the sheeps helped me close out the old year, by recycling the christmas tree
They like evergreens, and it makes their breath all fresh and piney 🙂
Then in order to get the new year off on the right foot, I brought out the other herd, my spinning wheels, for a cleaning and oiling.
Don’t they look swell, all shined up and ready for 2012’s challenges?
I also dug out the partial distaff that I got with Sophie (on the right), and found a branch out in the yard that might serve as the basket-type part on top. I’m going to work on drafting from the distaff and see if I can get the hang of it.
And lastly, I got a start on my next sweater project- the Chone/Spike Cobblestone
Still have 3 or 4 more skeins to go for this one, so I’ll be working at it from both ends for a bit-
Goal completion date: end of Feb.
It was quite a week-
Measuring and mixing.
Beating and blending.
Scraping and rolling.
Baking, cooling, frosting.
Packing and Shipping.
But I made it. All 13 batches of it.
Then I sent it off to friends and family. (ok, not ALL of it. I kept a little for local munching)
And I’m afraid I didn’t take any pictures of the process. I was just glad to get it all done in time.
Of course, I made sure to take wool breaks to ensure I retained my sanity in the midst of all this cookie craziness.
Exhibit A- Oscar Socks
I started these socks months ago, when the recipients feet were only as long as the white part! Yeeks!
Exhibit B- Custom Photo Glove/Mitts
These are a not-so-secret Christmas present for The Man. Still need thumbs and index fingers (with openings for finger tips), but I’m getting close!
And the spinning-
Mioget Shetland with blonde mohair and gold tussah silk, Border Leicester, and some CVM/Suffolk cross.
Yum. High fiber goodies. Healthiest things I made all week!
Now perhaps I can just relax and enjoy the holidays 🙂