Spinning... the Next Generation

I took my youngest with me to the fiber show, and the one thing she really wanted was her own drop spindle. She's really getting the hang of park and draft, and since that photo was taken, she's finished all her "sample" fluff, plied the singles and dyed the yarn. It's dry, just waiting to be rolled up and knit. We're going to use my biggest needles and make a headband, I think. Can't wait. Her older sister also wanted to learn, so I cleared off my old spindle, found some of the roving I brought home from The Mannings, and started to teach her. She loves it, too. Sigh. The order from Paradise Fibers arrived the other day and is split between the three of us. I got superwash... I can't wait to spin for socks!

Fall = Socks

Fall. Autumn. I love it. I love the cool, crisp mornings. I love my morning run where I can see my breath and am not bogged down by humidity. I love how it warms up during the day, but then cools down again at night, allowing for sleeping snuggled under covers. Fall is candy corn season. The kids go back to school. So many things to love about Fall.

Most of all, though, I love pulling out my knits. Socks. Hand-knit socks. Who knew they'd be so wonderful. (turns out, a whole lot of people!)

I'm never going to knit socks, I'd thought to myself, seeing my mom knit with those tiny needles. That's just crazy. Then I saw the Double Heelix socks and I knew I was sunk. I learned to knit socks. My third pair ever was the magical Double Heelix socks. I love them. I am hooked. I now have enough socks that I didn't wear a single pair of "regular" socks all season last year. (ok...except for the socks that I wear to the gym)

What do you love best about Fall?

Shetland yarn

The yarn spun from the lovely Shetland fluff I got at Rhinebeck last year from Bittersweet Ridge is all spun and plied, the twist is set, and it's all ready for me to choose a pattern. The yarn isn't as soft as some, so I'm thinking a shawl that won't be worn against the skin, but will be just the extra bit of warmth I might need in the office this winter.

Since the wheel spinning class at The Mannings, and discovering that the drafting skills the amazing teacher helped us learn transfer to my drop spindle, I can't get enough of spinning. (seriously. the man. is. amazing!)  On to the yummy Alpaca that I got at the Endless Mountain Fiber Fest.

Woof

I took my youngest up to the Endless Mountain Fiber Fest on Sunday. We wanted to see the Sheepdogs in action. We got there just in time to see one go through his paces and herd the sheep through fences and into a small corral. Very cool.

We then walked around the vendor area. There weren't a lot of vendors compared to other shows I've been to recently (Maryland Sheep and Wool, Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR...) but the items offered for sale were quality and my girl and I found just what we'd been looking for... She found a drop spindle kit so she can learn to spin and I found a little bit of Alpaca to try. Worth the trip.

Spinning fool

Ever since I lucked into a wheel spinning class at The Mannings a few weeks ago, I have not been able to stop spinning. Even though I'm still saving for a wheel, the skills they taught have transferred very nicely to the drop spindle. Nearly done with the lovely 8oz of Shetland I got at Rhinebeck last fall - just in time for this year!