This weekend we dog sitted my inlaws dog and just stayed home. Honestly, I wish more weekends we as relaxing and lazy as this one was. I was up early & out to meet my friend Cheryl for breakfast at Eggs N Things in Ventura. Boy, green chili, sour cream, cheese & bacon omelet rocked my world. Though we technically did a whole lot of “nothing”  I did manage to be crafty & productive in other areas.

I spun, and spun lots (well at least for me).

This was really only my first try at spindling by myself.  I was quite proud of the result so far. I actually filled up a good portion of the spindle before the husband sat down, watched me for a second & said “Do you know that you are spinning that counter clockwise?” O_O Huh, guess I didn’t, guess i couldn’t figure out which way a clock actually ticks. So yeah. I guess I’m going to have to spin another but load (a technical term for sure) of singles counter clockwise in order to get some yarn. How funny.   Anyway, don’t focus on the “wise” it was spun on but look how even. I’m quite happy honestly.

More singles out of my romni

You know what else I found out by perusing the ravelry spindlers forum?  That empty toilet paper rolls are great as cheapo bobbins. Also? And I’m sure they all know this, but it was a moment of rare brilliance for me. The toilette paper roll fits perfectly on my ball winder. Which means I can turn this into this.

All wound up

Please ignore this yarn. It was from class & is quite thick thin but unintentional.

First skien. Not bad if I do say so myself

So I did use the first lumpy yarn to ply with some later singles just to try plying. I think I need to find a better way to control my bobbins, which means the Mr is off to construct me a cheapo lazy kate (is that the right term?). All in all it went well. after I plied I skeined it on my swift (as I don’t have a knitty noddy) and then washed & dried it. Boy did this fluff up more than I thought it would! I’m really quite pleased with the result. It’s not soft like merino, but probably feels equivalent to Felted Tweed. So not bad. Estimated about 63yds.

So for Christmas I have asked the Mr for a spinning wheel. Now I just have to do some research to find out which one I would want to bring home I’m quite excited about this. Also? I wish I had taken a picture of the Mr & me both spinning on the couch last night, it’s so nice to be able to talk to someone & compare notes. He’s amazingly good for having less practice than me & though he was feeling a bit down on it last week (he was all “what would you knit out of it?” “It’s so lumpy “) I had to remind him that he’s not a knitter so why worry about what it’s going to be? I had to tell him to think of it like he did with his raku.

Me: “Did you ever think of what people would use your bowls & pots for when making raku?”
Mr: “No”
Me: “You did it because it made you happy & you enjoyed creating it right?”
Mr:”Yes”
Me:”So think of this as the same thing. You don’t knit, so don’t worry about what it’s going to “be”, just focus on enjoying yourself and making what YOU want to make”

after that a light bulb went off & he seemed much more happy. Also I sent him a link to the handspun group on flick to show him how different every skein could be and that it was a GOOD thing. Now I think he understands. Also? He’s thinking about joining ravelry. How awesome would that be?

 Also, if you have any suggestions on wheels I should be looking at (I’m looking for a modern wheel, not a saxony) I would LOVE your comments & feedback
Thanks!