Monday, June 18, 2007

Lessons Learned and, well, Indigo

I wonder if everyone uploads all of their pictures first and then sort of writes around them. That's what I do. I get so impatient waiting for them to load that if I get it out of the way first, I can just go on and on and on, the way I so love to do. Blah blah blah lalalala I can't hear you. . . I'm talking so much.

At any rate, I learned a bit about spinning and a bit more about me this weekend. I found out that silk top is a dream to spin. I found out that I sort of like watching the colors change as it runs through my hands and onto the bobbin, even though I don't really like things knitted from painted yarns. I discovered that with a little attention, I could spin fairly fine for me if -- and it's a fairly big if -- I was really patient and split the batt and predrafted it carefully.


But I also discovered that the hooks make lumps and the Traveller has sort of jerky uptake. Another discovery? I'm not very patient all the time. I'm especially not patient when I'm tired. Not with me, not with fiber, not with the kids. Unfortunately for the silk, that meant that I willy-nilly spun up the second bobbin and got ready to ply faster than was perhaps best. Instead of perfect yarn, with perfectly-plied twist, and matching singles, so the color changes matched up, I got "Party on a Bobbin."

The shiny? I like. The few places where the singles are the same size, instead of ranging wildly from wee-and-tight to big-and-loose? I pretty much like. The colors? I like, but more with less of the stripey. What I'm going to do with near-novelty silk (about 60-80 yards) I have no clue. Thing 1 has suggested a hat, but she doesn't actually wear them. She swears she would this one. Maybe.

On a happier note, I finally finished the indigo, which had been patiently waiting to be acidified. It soaked, it got washed, and now it's hanging outside. I prefer this view to laundry:


That pea green is a big favorite around here. I've got to figure out how to do that more often. The darker indigo is Japanese; the lighter the Guatemalan. Everything else is indigo over something.

And last night I also spun up either the madder or the fustic. I was trying for a lofty, not too warm yarn, with enough yardage that I could combine it for a wee sweater. I don't think I got there. Fluffy yes, but nothing to knit home about. Heee.

The green sweater has one sleeve all done except for the leaf trim. Just one more sleeve and a neck to go! And that would be, oh, March's sweater? Or is it April? I've so forgotten in the fun of walking around and wondering if I have enough yarn. I should probably call Michael's and see if they have one more ball of this dye lot. Ho hum. It's amazing to me that if I actually hold needles and yarn in my hands and sit for a few minutes, things get done. Another lesson to relearn apparently.

Thing 2 comes home tonight. I'm excited, and so are the younger kids. Thing 1 is reserving judgement, herself. Someday she's going to love her sister, I promise. The only trouble I anticipate is at bedtime. Although the baby's a bed hog, Thing 2's place is in jeopardy.

15 comments:

bfmomma said...

ugh.. stupid blogger ate my post. let me try to re=create (though I'm sure less eloquently...go with that!)

Love all the spinning/roving pics. I love the 2 ply--all of it! A hat WOULD be cute!

And hooray on the return of your Thing! My fave part of Girl Scout camp is getting C. back after almost a week. Even her sibs are happy to see her and listen to her--at least for awhile! :)

cpurl17 said...

Sleeping babies are so sweet.

Your spinning & the roving looks great!!

K let me borrow her Louet S10 but I can't get the swing of it + had no time

amy said...

lovely spinning. very cool blanket - what is that thing?

Katherine said...

Sweet babies! What a beautiful scene. And I hope Thing 2 had a great visit with the grandparents.

Your spinning looks beautiful! Those colors are fantastic (on the roving too). But how it all is all coming together!

God help me, you're making me want to spin.

amanda j said...

You are making me want to spin too, but I don't have time at the moment! Goodness you don't ever do things by halves do you?

Your kids are so gorgeous! Thanks for sharing them.

Tamami said...

What a great party that is (on the bobbin)! And how did you get that great green?
Thanks for visiting my blog.

String Bean said...

I'm the same way: post then write, or else I get carried away and forget what I was going to say.

I noticed that about the Traveller. It is a bit jerky. I think I actually prefer spindles over wheels now. Your yarn looks lovely. If no one else will wear it, I'd love a new hat... :D

Sleeping babes. Winken, Blinken... where's Nod?

meg said...

"Party on a Bobbin"- that's funny! It would be great to use as an accent piece on something else- maybe a yoke or panel- just a thought :)
Welcome back to Thing 2- hope she had a lovely time.

Kristine said...

I love your silk -- way to try something new. I am glad to see that you are continuing with your spinning. I can not bring myself to spin my fibers from the dye class. I am still in a state of admiration. Have you worked anymore on your drop spindle?

Jennus Interruptus said...

you, woman, are so productive it makes my head spin! your yarn is terrifyingly brilliantly dyed. can you tell i'm somewhat impressed? :) WOW!

Jennus Interruptus said...

er, i mean your fibre is terrifyingly brilliantly dyed! most of it isn't yarn yet, silly...

Laurel said...

Hey, Party On A Bobbin looks just like the expensive Koigu I just bought. :-)

I think you might be on to something here.

robin said...

That handspun looks great -I love the colors. I upload the pictures first, then write, too (when I do write - lately I have been a slacker.)

Rain said...

WHat about wrist warmers for thing 1? Would she wear those?

Hurrah for the sweater, I look forward to seeing it finished.

allisonmariecat said...

I love reading about your spinning and dyeing. Lots of gorgeous stuff there!