For some odd reason, I haven’t been spinning for the last few months. But today, after going to see Nemo on Ice with Little Man, he requested that we make a robot costume. Random? Yeah. Apparently his dress-up box is not complete without a robot costume. Who knew? He drew a picture of what the robot should look like, and insisted that we make it out of fabric, as opposed to paper. Even Little Man understands that fabric will wear better. So, one old pillow case with head and arm holes, some fabric scraps and some fusible interfacing later, the robot costume was complete (including my colander as a hat - his idea). Then, he insisted that we make a ghost costume. This was easier: old sheet + strategic holes = happy boy. Then we made brownies (No-Pudge which are surprisingly tasty) and he suggested that we smash some almonds and sprinkle them on top. I have no illusion that this was purely cooking creativity on his part. He just really loves this gadget and begs to chop something every time we cook. After the mid-afternoon brownie attack, I figured we should eat something healthy for dinner, so I set off to make baked sweet potato fries and turkey burgers. It’s a tricky way to get a vegetable into a 4-year-old. In fact, I’m thinking about cutting parsnips and broccoli and squash into french fry shapes. Though I shouldn’t complain because he tried edamame last night and liked it!
Anywho … while I was busy cooking, Little Man went over to Cheryl’s spinning wheel and started treadling. He does this with some regularity, but the drive band has been too loose to get the flyer going, and he gets upset about this. Apparently tonight was the night that a loose drive band was no longer acceptable to the wee one. He insisted that I fix it. I’m not kidding. He kept saying:
“Mom. You need to fix this. I want to make yarn. If you don’t fix this, I can’t make yarn.”
Who can argue with logic like that? So I fixed it. And we played with the wheel, and then the yarn winder, and then the lazy kate, and then the other wheel (because he wanted to see the brown alpaca fiber (not kidding!)), and then … before we knew it, the living room looked like this:
Which is good, because Kellee proposed the most incredible trade — her beautiful Traveler + stool in exchange for my sweaty labor expertise in home renovations. I’m not sure about the expertise bit, but thanks to Ms. 1890, I can scrape and spackle ceilings like a pro. I guess she needs some ceilings done. So we have a deal, and I couldn’t be happier.
This means that Cheryl’s Traveler is going to the next victim home and Julia’s Joy is going to the next victim home. With departures pending, Little Man’s spurt of creativity was perfectly timed, because I have several full bobbins of practice singles hanging around. So I spent the evening plying, and it was good.
Not so balanced 2 ply, before its bath
My first attempt at Navajo Plying, thanks to this video, also crazy unbalanced and pre-bath
After bathing and hanging that yarn, I started throwing lustful glances at Rabbitch’s Visions of Revenge. Perhaps I’ll just pre-draft a little of it.
It’s good to be back at the wheel.
Motivation comes from the most unexpected places. Thanks, Little Man.
*extra points if you know where the title comes from*
