more spinning excitement

Another work day was squandered researching spinning. In the morning, some time was spent emailing Cate, who graciously offered fantastic spinning advice and support. Then, I found out that there was a Weavers and Spinners Society of Austin meeting tonight at 7:00 and a store with very yummy fiber less than an hour away.

When I got home from work, I spent some time with my spindle and we weren't getting along very well. This struggle put me in a mildly annoyed/bad mood and it didn't make me want to go meet a new group of spinners very much and I considered staying home. But then I remembered Cassie asking how many people knew other spinners. I don't know any spinners and don't have any knitting friends, but the only reason I don't know people is because I don't go meet them. I know when and where they meet, I just haven't gone. So I decided to change that habit tonight and my spindle and I went to on an outing to meet other people.

The women there were very nice. I came home with this:

 

and these:

   

How cool is that? I'm not sure if I'm more surprised that I plied yarn or that I got a dozen eggs (wonderful eggs at that) out of the deal.

One of the women raises lamas and another sheep (that's where mohair comes from right? she had onion died mohair) and there were two Lendrum spinning wheels and two women combing wool and 5 of us struggling with spindles. I had a very nice time and learned Andean plying. And more important than plying, I learned that  this isn't ready for spinning as is, it needs to be separated into several smaller sections and drafted some prior to spinning. That's a very good thing to know! I was happier after learning that and I didn't threaten my spindle nearly as much the rest of the evening.

I'm not sure how much I'll learn tomorrow at my spinning lesson, but I'm looking forward to talking to someone else about spinning. There will also be spinning wheels present and I'm sure she has some fiber to sell and hopefully a niddy noddy.

On Saturday, I'll probably make a trip for some gorgeous spiral died roving. Merino isn't hard to spin, is it??

Comments

[Cassie]

I swear, it isn't any kind of dark side or anyone's downfall that gives me a thrill - its the unabashed excitement and happiness I hear from someone when they finally get the hang of spinning.

Way to go - it sounds like you're really moving right along. The plied yarn looks great!

[Kandy]

"They" say merino is supposed to be hard, because of its short staple. Don't listen. If you like it, spin it. Your yarn looks soooo much better than my first attempts. I didn't know you had to separate the fibers to draft easier either. I also thought you had to cut the fibers from the roving so you could spin a small amount (gasp!). Your yarn looks great!