Zen + DIY
May 19, 2007
Last night, I dragged Danielle to NH with me to meet a wheel, get a spinning lesson, and play. Terry brought two wheels for me (Cheryl’s Ashford Traveller and Julia’s Ashford Joy), and since Danielle won’t get her loaner wheel for a little while, I decided to share. Upon arrival, Cheryl & Terry got to work setting up the wheels, pulling out practice fiber, and guiding us through those awkward first moments. Cheryl sat with me, drafted while I treadled, treadled while I drafted, and reoriented me when I made spirally telephone cord. Apparently I’m a little high strung [who knew? read: deep sarcasm], so I was treadling too fast.
I got to watch a bunch of very experienced women spin, knit and chat, but I was completely awed at the little tiny charka that someone brought along. I’ve never seen one in use before, and it was very interesting.
After playing at the wheel for 2 hours last night, I burned through 2 ounces of beautiful Ward Brook Farm roving that Cheryl shared with me, and after another 1/2 hour today, I burned through nearly an ounce of Ward Brook Farm roving that I bought last year.
See … my first handspun yarn! At the very right edge of the bobbin you can see the beautiful red+purple that Cheryl brought for me, and the forest+pink+maroon is my roving that I spun this morning.
At this point, I wonder how long it’ll take to work through my miniature fiber stash.
Long before I knew the wheel was coming to my house, I planned to use some vacation time this week, so I’ll be home home home for the next 10 days with a new toy toy toy. Hip hip hooray!
I got a little light reading for the vacation. We LOVE the library at ChezMafia.
Because I love the cover afghan of Cables Untangled, choices for my SockPal, to pick a swatch for The Walker Treasury Project, and to help me with the finishing details on the Baby Dale (a lofty goal).
Other plans for vacation:
1) finish the grape arbor/pergola before Little Man’s birthday party on the 27th.
2) spin every day (i.e. zen it up)
3) work on the Dale
4) photograph the stash for Ravelry
5) work on the downstairs bathroom before visitors arrive and need to use it (eek!) — finish painting walls; paint ceiling; paint beadboard; disconnect the toilet, remove remnants of old flooring & replace wax ring; sand & paint floor (a stop-gap measure).
6) post an update to the upstairs bathroom saga (since I’ve heard from more than a couple people that they’re anxiously awaiting the end of that story — who knew?)
7) post the “dick swinging at the plumbing supply house” story.
Entry Filed under: Knitting, Little Man, Ms. 1890, Peeps, Spinning, Uncategorized. .
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1.
Beth S. | May 19, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Oh HOORAY!!!
Look how well you’re spinning already! It took me a lot longer to spin so nicely. You should be very proud! 
2.
Cheryl | May 19, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Beth is right, look at that single! No coils at all! Wow, you’re taking to this so fast.
Good choice of books, those should be able to guide you through any snags that you hit.
3.
Lucy | May 19, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Your first handspun looks fantastic!! You’ll be plying soon!
4.
pamela wynne | May 19, 2007 at 5:51 pm
The yarn is gorgeous! But I’m distracted by the phrase “dick swinging at the plumbing supply house.” WHA… ???
5.
Kathy | May 19, 2007 at 6:08 pm
How fun! What amazing first yarn.
6.
Teresa C | May 19, 2007 at 6:26 pm
WOW! So much improvement since last night. Now the trick is to make those coils on purpose for a really funky novelty yarn (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5839804). Bet it is harder than you think! Keep in touch.
7.
Teresa C | May 19, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Ooooh. This one is even better: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5541271.
8.
Ashley | May 19, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Yay yarn! And ew, dicks.
9.
Rhonda the Stitchingnut | May 19, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Oh what fun! Some day you’ll be teaching me to spin. Love your “to-do” list … such a variety. I’ve been waiting for your plumbing story also.
I wish I had another week vacation. Boohoo … but I also want to take every Friday off End of June thru August. Besides the 2 days after July 4th. I’ll still have one week after that so I might take it in there somewhere. Oh how I need more days at home to relax while I knit … forget the cleaning, huh?
BTW, I got my comment link back. Thanks for telling me. I answered your question on the test post I just did. Will have more to say tomorrow. Well just a little, LOL. Happy spinning!
10.
Mel | May 20, 2007 at 12:15 am
Isn’t Cheryl the greatest? Of course, we’re practically neighbors and I still never see her except far from home.
I need to sit down and do a bit of spinning myself. Have not been diligent in that realm for a while and need to practice, practice, practice (and reduce accumulated stash).
11.
KnittingPainterWoman | May 20, 2007 at 2:35 am
Congratulations. I didn’t realize this was the Sheep & Wool Fest weekend. DD has other pursuits in NH and is still managing to stay on her yarn diet… I’ve linked to you because reading your recent entries lifted my mood better than doubling up on anti-depressants. Thank you!
12.
The Purloined Letter | May 20, 2007 at 7:29 am
The yarn is beautiful! What lovely colors!
13.
PumpkinMama | May 20, 2007 at 7:56 am
Hooray for another spinner!
14.
PiGrrrl | May 20, 2007 at 10:19 am
That looks great! And to think that only last weekend you were being coy about wanting to spin. He he. Have a great vacation.
15.
Sparkles | May 20, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Wow, amazing job on your first yarn! (well, in my opinion even NOT your first attempt!)
I *might* be buying a wheel this week myself. I found one at an antique store for only $195…I have to bring my friend who is a spinner with me to take a peek and let me know if it is complete (it certainly looked that way to me)
I can only hope I have your talent…
16.
nina beana | May 20, 2007 at 9:04 pm
CAN I BE NUMBER EIGHT ON YOUR LIST???? hello! the whole week off? hello? nina beana needs some c. time. hello! can we play? can we play on tues and thurs for a morning time while joey is napping? can you come to gray’s party on saturday (you have to, i changed it for you- ok, guilt trip, i know! but we want you there!!!!) anyway, i’m obviously smoking crack right now so maybe we’ll talk tomorrow?
17.
nina beana | May 20, 2007 at 9:04 pm
oh, and ps
i heart your stinkin’ yarnie things.
18.
Haddy | May 21, 2007 at 10:09 am
Wow! Nice job spinning. Wow!
Not sure I wanna hear the story attached to #7….
19.
Danielle | May 21, 2007 at 10:48 am
Damn you and your vacation time. I have not touched the wheel since Friday night, as I left home at 8:30 on Saturday morning and got home at 10:00 last night…
20.
Destruction Junction &laq&hellip | May 24, 2007 at 11:15 pm
[...] week. This week of vacation. Of lists and goals and priorities. Yeah, [...]