The Feral Spindle

Too Long between spins?

2011-04-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

With knitting designs and painting at the front of the queue, the spinning has certainly slowed down. Since I can't keep away from the fibre club offerings, I've sneaked a spindle session in every once in a while. Here are some of my recent illicit spinnings:

Dark Matter Wool and Mohair Blend from SIOz

Dark Matter Handspun in 2ply -- worked out to about a heavy laceweight
with less gold and more of the green and blue end of the lot than fibre photo

The roany-rust 2 ply above is a sampling of a coloured Romney. It took me several goes before I was happy with this colour, which I became obsessed with. Not too orangy, not too brown, and not too red. It feels fabulous!

To spin or not to spin?

2010-12-20T03:50:00.000-08:00

V's "Bronze Goddess" handspun

Much as I love my drop spindles, I must admit, I haven't the time I'd like to use them. What a sad state of affairs this is.

My holiday season this year is being spent with a broken leg/ankle/foot so I have no excuses -- I've been working on knitting designs, and have left little room for anything else. Except, I am determined to enjoy spinning again.

The only problem? I some lovely handspun that I so want to knit -- a hank of V's handspun she's nicknamed Bronze Goddess. I dye the organic merino top last year. And now -- it is yarn and it's mine. Too much distraction.

So, I've found the oldest project clinging to a spindle and I'm determined to finish that this week. It's some polworth I dyed ages ago and have gently spun it every so often on one of my gemstone spindles. I'd spun and plied a bit of this yarn ages ago and have neglected to finish the lot of fibre in this colourway. Drat!

Back to the drop spindle.

More V's Handspun

2010-07-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist posting a picture of some of V's handspun -- she's advised she's got a new lot for me to photo -- the lot of organic merino in a custom colourway. The yarn above isn't spun from my colours, but it is rather fetching! One hank is a thinner laceweight than the other. Mmmmmmmmm. What to knit with it?

Here's the new lot of Semaphore superfine, low-micron merino top that is teasing me!

Back to the dyelots!

Handspun Beanie in Winter Blues

2010-06-16T02:00:00.001-07:00

Handspun Australian merino beanie (SIOz spindler's club)-- the singles were spun to around 19wpi, then worked as a 2ply to around 10wpi, with lots of twist. This beanie is very warm and very very soft. I do not want to take it off my head!

Way Over the Rainbow Ball of Handspun

2010-05-17T22:55:00.001-07:00

Ball of handspun (2ply, laceish weight) SIOz Way Over the Rainbow Organic Merino top. Finally, I get to knit with it!

Rainbow 2ply/laceweight

2010-04-28T16:18:00.001-07:00

from this organic merino top to...
Ta-Rah!

That's most of it. There' s one more hank that I only spun the purple and red/orange -- played around with getting a nice big chunk of purple to knit with.

On Mars -- that's where I've been

2010-03-19T21:23:00.000-07:00

No time to blog, as I've got a pile of knitting patterns and fibre to work on. The top is my Feb club fibre colour and it's so soft and squishy. One hank done and another to finish.

The second photo is a colour -- On Mars -- that's exactly what I was trying to paint, which is making me very happy. It's already gorn from the market and I really look forward to the results. It's almost a shame to spin it, as the giant ball of fibre was so nice to look at.

It's a deadline month, so I'm not playing online. Where's that jumper I'm knitting?

My Big Bang Theory 2 Swap Buddy IS AWESOME!

2010-02-11T22:15:00.001-08:00

Isn't this amazing? My buddy, Dasha from Prague, sent me so many goodies, it's just outrageous. She even sent a toy for my precious pup, Lyta -- a chew toy! Awww.

Don't you just love the Enchanted Bunny she made me? He has a CARROT OF POWER! Can't wait to try the German sock wool ball -- it's shades of PURPLE. See the groovy stitch markers? And the 3 types of Fair Trade coffee? MMMMMMMMMMM. She even included some very tasty gummies, which I adore. The european ones are heaps better than Aussie or Yank ones.

Fibre Club SIOz 2010

2010-01-25T16:27:00.000-08:00

Lyta wants to know - where is her Aussie Day lambchop?

The Grrrrl was full of beans this am -- carrying on, wanting pats. I'm with her all the time, so have no idea what has gotten into her!

I've debated with myself and others for several months on whether I would do a fiber club for my business. I know it's all the rage these days, but I wasn't sure it was the right thing for me to do. And was it true to what I care about and believe for my work? The idea of my spinning encroaching on my business....

Anyway, after much debate and thinking, I've come up with a club that I think will make my customers and me happy. I'm working on the final touches, and will post the details on my SIOz blog this week.

Alas, this week is a non-spinning week, as I'm under several deadlines and there's dyelots to go up as well. Yay!

bamboo spinning

2010-01-14T13:36:00.001-08:00

So soft, so easy to spin. What will I do with this yarn? I really love the way the purple blended with the black. The gold makes it look really cool, like it's antique.

Hmmmm. Must ponder on item to knit with it... Ieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I said I wouldn't but...

2010-01-05T16:12:00.000-08:00

I like to test the spindles that I make -- they require gentle fiddling for balance and a good feel. I promised myself I wouldn't play with this spindle too long, but it's now got some very fine Cormo, alpaca, silk carded fibre on it and damnit, it's just so nice to spin. A fine Cormo thread? What to do with it? Ieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Little lace spindle. (sigh) And no time to spin at present.

Personal Blog, star date 1234. A very rude gentleman stood in my market stall and told me that I didn't paint fibre. I'm not sure what he was aiming at, but he, being a man, decided that it couldn't be done. Am I getting sexist in my old age (?), but damn, the old feminist in me saw a BIG RED FLAG waving around. I couldn't wait for him to leave. And I wish I could have had a snappy retort, but it was the end of the long market day. I smiled and prayed he would go away.

I really can't remember a woman standing in my shop and telling me what I cannot do. To be fair, I'm sure it has happened, but I'm blanking at the moment. So apologies to all my male friends. Doofuses come in all shapes, sizes, and genders.

I'm sure it is quite unoriginal of me to ponder on the spinning mania that seems to be around of late. Are we all stuck at home, finding ways to amuse ourselves? Craving nostalgia? I remember a few years ago, someone asked me if I wanted to learn to spin -- this was someone I worked with -- and I immediately said no! I had a fear that a new fibre-related activity would get swallowed in my work. And become something I was responsible for on the duties list.

Still trying to sequester my spinning fun from my knitting and yarn work. The thought of spinning, my new hobby, getting absorbed into my business makes me rather sad.

So, why am I meeting new spinners lately?

Still spinning...

2009-12-21T13:39:00.000-08:00

In between design work, I've been playing with my drop spindle. Found a lone hank of Way Over the Rainbow that I didn't know existed. Joy of joys -- I am now wanting to make a larger project with the yarn I've already spun, so now, no excuses.

Ok, so what to knit with the WOtR yarn? I'm going to have to do some serious doodling to get that right. Hmmmmm.

Friend V has lost this hank:

The missing hank of green loveliness

V's fibre that became the green loveliness

I am hoping that by posting these photos, the yarn pixies who have stolen her hank will return it to the correct cupboard in her house. Good yarn karma... Don't fret V! If it doesn't turn up, I shall paint more for you. Now that I look at it again, it was a quite fetching batch...

Way Over the Rainbow Handspun

2009-12-11T19:59:00.001-08:00

Way Over the Rainbow Handpun

Tah-rah! Finally plied some of these singles I had on the spindles. Wound the singles onto bobbins to even out the twist and then plied them on a new wooden spindle I picked up at Finger Lakes Fiber Fest. I'm totally happy with it so far. I like my handspun tightly plied and thin, so this was a challenge. The red matched up nicely tone on tone, but the green went a little feral on me and had a mind of its own. I like the result. Looking forward to plying the rest of the lot.

Now, to decide on what to make with it!

Finally -- the spindle gets used

2009-12-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

Way Over the Rainbow Merino Spinning Fibre (carded)

From the Bendigo 2009 stash -- here's what I did with the 50gm of Australian wool fibre that was a showbag gift to my spinning customers at BSWS 2009.

I divided the fibre down the middle to spin a 2ply for a lace project. I wanted to spin to singles in the same manner to do a colour-segmented yarn. Used a very short draw and lots of twist.

Howlite Gemstone Spindle with laceweight single

I've had this on display at the Port Markets and have been getting lots of comments like, "wow, that yarn doesn't look like the fibre." Yup, the red is blending nicely with the blue to get a really nice dark burgundy and a lighter red (gold with red). The greens are dominated by the reds the way I've spun this section.

Next installment -- the first hank with detail on plying process.

Can it be?

2009-11-02T13:26:00.000-08:00

I've been so ontheroad and not on the spinning that I've neglected my online chatter. And of course, as you can guess, I've not had a moment to spin, except the times at shows when I've demo'd spindles. Alas, my new spindles sit idle while I dye, write, and get ready for the next festival.
All work and no spin is making Mel a cranky person. Seriously. It's getting downright ugly. Esp. as I've collected an enormous amount of fibre to ship back to Oz. *sigh*
Amongst the treasure, a pile of alpaca/silk from Lydia at Gurdy Run, a pile of wool from Kraemer mill in PA, as well as a special bag of wool from Roclans, the home of the fabulous Cormos and Ramboullets. Kate is a dedicated shepherd. I love her wool.
So someone out there -- pray to the woollie spirits I get some time to spin. Soon. Really.

Spammed!

2009-09-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I've gotten a spam block on my regular blog and have no way to update the stranded in oz blog at present. What a nuisance.

I'll be at the Knitter's Day Out near Harrisburg tonight and tomorrow -- then off to the VT Sheep and Wool Festival next weekend. A much needed break of a coupla weeks in between, before I head to Shenandoah!

The needles have been ordered, so if you are waiting for Kollage needles, they are on order and heading our way.

Thank you for your patience!

CU at the shows, Melissa

Yarn Vampire sighting reported!

2009-08-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

It is with both relief and disgust that I report a yarn vampire sighting. Yes, this morning, whilst shopping for beads at a local beadery, I was regaled with a yarn vampire story.

It warmed my heart to know that I am not the only victim of yarn vampiredom. On the other hand, the person telling the story was clearly as revolted as I at the occurrence.

Here's the latest in yv-dom:

Said friend, at a recent show, had the following encounter -- yes, a person, examining her yarn, said, "I will dissect (I believe that was the word) this yarn and copy it and sell mine like this when I get home." Or something like that.

Colleague reports being aghast, as well as nauseated, by the crassness of the comments and the sheer nerve of it all.

Me? I hoped, upon hearing the tale, that I hadn't cackled too loudly or too unsympathetically. After my knowing chuckle, I replied, yeah, I have a term for those people: Yarn Vampires. You can read my own encounters in an older blog entry if you like.

I likened the Y V's comments to going into a paint supply shop, buying tubes of paint and brushes, going home, painting a canvas, then wondering why their canvas doesn't resemble the other painters' they know. Ok, not the best analogy, but you get the drift.

I know I must have said, "if all we do is open up a jar of dye, dump it, and add yarn," then yes, anyone, including a monkey, can do it.

I don't think that is why my friend or I are successful at what we do.

Our customers see beautiful wool -- that's what they want. It isn't important to them how we do it, or for what reasons. If it meets their expectations and helps them make lovely things to wear and look at, then that's job done for me.

Listen up:

If you are a hand-dyer and you want to change what you are dyeing, or don't sell as much as yarn as you'd like, don't blame other hand-dyers or yarn businesses. Please.

I could tell every single person who asks what dye I use or what yarn I dye, but that isn't going to help either. If you have such little faith in your own skill or product, go do something else. Or go get the knowledge you need to improve. Maybe you are using a dye because that's what your first instructor used. Are they really YOUR colours that speak to you and what you want to sell? Maybe you need to change your dye method? The yarn you use?

Why are you dyeing yarn? Why do you want to sell yarn? Why should anyone buy your yarn? Maybe you are selling to the wrong customers?

Have you, Ms. Yarn Vampire, asked yourself any of those questions BEFORE you go for the obvious, most disastrous way out, which is to try to copy someone else's work? I should feel pity for you, but I'm sorry, I'm still working on disgust.

In the meantime, stay away from Stranded In Oz. I'll be packing my stake for the next show. And I know what you look like.

spindle neglect

2009-08-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

My poor spindle

Yes, the lovely little gemmie with which I've been spinning some Way Over the Rainbow coloured aussie wool top still lays idle while I work on designs. It's just too sad for words, but can't be helped I'm afraid.The only time I've had for spinning in August was while I was selling at the Sock Summit. I figured, well, I'm standing here selling top and yarn, I might as well show 'em what I got.

The nice part? Sold OUT of the organic merino top and yes, I wished I'd packed more of that and less of the regular. The regular is lovely, but the 19.5 micron wool just can't be topped -- har har har.I'm on my way soon to play at Beth's (my sister's) house, where her new lots of custom carded top await my inspection *laugh*. There's so much of it, I may just use the bales as a bed. It's all destined for the wools shows we're doing this autumn.

What I'm really looking forward to? My RUBY SLIPPERS top from Kate at Roclans. It's been stored at Beth's since April and I WANT IT! I need this wool. Really. And yes, it looks as it sounds, complete with red fiery angelina blended into Kate's amazing wool. Wheeeeeeeeeeee!Back to the design files.

Spin something nice. M

Wow -- how kewl

2009-08-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Whilst the Sock Summit was clearly dominated by the knitters, the spinners certainly came to hang out. And man, did I have a ringside seat. 2 doors down from me? Carolina Fibers. Oh yes, Morgaine and company were demonstrating their wheels and tempting me every moment with their ample display of lovely drop spindles. OMG.
Then, in front of me to the left? The Fold, from Illinois. The proprietor came by, had a chat, touched some SIOz yarn and fibre -- and no, she did not leave empty-handed! Once you've had Australian 19 micron merino, you never go back baby.

Every spinning vendor I met was ACE! Did I mention Crown Mountain Farms over towards the right? They're lovely people tooooooo!

Around the corner, more spinner supply companies and NO! I didn't get a chance to peruse it all. Maddeningly close and no time to play.

Can't complain as I was busy and enjoying my customers. Sold fibre and spindles to new spinners. Can't wait to see what they make!

And no, I never NOT miss my hubby, pooch, and my ace friends in Adelaide, but the change of scene does me good. As the dust settles, I promise to post some updated pictures for spinners.

m

What? It's late July already?

2009-07-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

Fibre dyed -- not spun by me. :-(

It's destined to points northeast. Such torture when I want to spin and have little time to do so, but V. has tucked into the great top stockpile of 2009 and promises pictures.

Fibre Dyeing

2009-07-02T00:12:00.000-07:00

The seemingly endless runs of fibre dyeing have begun in earnest. I am getting mesmerised by colour at the moment. Drying time is a joke as it continues to bucket here in Adelaide, but I allowed for feral weather and have plenty ready to go.

Yesterday, I mixed up a batch that can only be described as stealing the feathers from a mallard duck. Poor naked mallard! I'm sorry, but I had to borrow your plumage. It's for a good cause. This lot is an organic wool/Soysilk blend. It's "drying" at the moment. Yes, I type this with trepidation.

Had a lovely conversation today at the market with a woman who wants to take up spindling! She was put off by a visit to a guild a while back, as they are mostly wheel spinners. Not to worry -- sent her to another place in Adelaide for all things spinning and am looking forward to catching up with her again.

Back to the dyelots. m

bye bye beloved

2009-06-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

*laugh* Right -- I really am a soft touch. One of the fab Ravelry Aussies came by the Port to have a look at my spindles. I was showing her some of the ones I've made, trying to find one she found comfy to spin and she fell in like with one of my faves I've been spinning some of my organic hand-painted top on. Well, it seemed like it would go to a happy place, so it went home with her. Now I miss it, but I know it will get used and loved by someone who loves to spin, so I'm happy too. Now I had best get on my bike and make some more. I didn't photograph that one, but it was a lighter weight spindle with a notch and hook for versatility. And it was colour-coordinated with the top I was spinning -- a light citrine. What a pleasure it is to spin too.

Mel, looking for her spindle pliers...

sort of spinningness

2009-06-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

While my spindle remains idle, the dyeing of all things fibre-related continues. It's sometimes torture to be painting wool and not being able to use it -- but the satisfaction I get from other happy spinners makes it so worthwhile. I love seeing the yarn that's a result.

When the sun decides to shine, I will photo some of the sliver on the drying line.

I plied it I did

2009-06-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

Yep -- plied the McLaren Vale-dyed Bennett and Gregor sliver -- must take photos.

Ok, so friend V says it's too neppy and she doesn't enjoy spinning this wool. Fie! I love it and don't care about nepps. It's designer yarn! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Back to work and stopping fondling my new mini-hanks of handspun.

finally -- my spindle

2009-05-20T23:25:00.000-07:00

Finally got in 5 minutes to spin something. With deadlines upon me and not enough time to scratch, I just needed a bit of spindle time -- go for the blood pressure! Still spinning my coloured sheepwool dyed in purples and greens. It'll be a 2ply for some lace project of some kind.

After many months, I finally started knitting the yarn V spun from some sliver I dyed last year - pictured below. I need to hide it so I can get work done. *sigh*

Roman Tile Australian Wool Sliver

The Good, the Bad, and, yes, the Ugly

2009-05-08T03:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, today has been a head-scratcher. After a week of being on the receiving end of unprofessional behaviour problems, all I wanted to do was hide in my workshop.

The Good: I finally had a chance to talk to someone in the yarn industry who was: a) happy to listen and b) actually wanted to offer some solutions to a business problem. I could have reached through the phone and kissed this person. Good karma call.

The Bad: What had been just a minor annoyance has now become a headache.

Here's the deal -- there's a big difference between professional dyers practice their art and, what seems to be, on the other hand, a proliferation of people who think they can dye yarn, sell it, and make a fortune. Good luck to them. The market will sort this out. Karma baby.

It's just that, well, we're not all the same. And buyer beware.

I get people at my market stall who say they have had a bad experience with hand-dyed fibre and don't want to pay for another. It's downright depressing. All I can say is, well, yes, I totally understand. Buyer beware. Some of us have done their hard yards, invested a lot of time and money to get their product into a professional standard, and it's hard sometimes when the competition doesn't do the same.

If you like to hand-dye and are happy with your results -- fantastic! If you think it's just a matter of cooking a pot on the stove and bunging your fibre in -- well fine. Buyer beware.

I now understand the looks of dismay on the faces of some of Australia's best hand-dyers as they toured around one of the main festivals last year. All our new faces and fibres caused consternation. One fibre vendor -- I consider her to be one of our best --was aghast that I often rehank my yarns -- it's an aesthetic thing for me really -- and said -- oh! you rewind!

I assured her that if I had her volume, there's no way those puppies would get rewound -- we both had a good laugh. And I still buy her yarn -- because it is wonderful and a great product.

I totally believe there is room in this country for all of us dedicated fibre artists to have a go. But some of my "colleagues" believe that denigrating another dyer's product, or trying to rip off their style and designs is the way to corner the market. That really sucks. By the way, when I do shows overseas, the other vendors are fantastic, supportive, and form a mutual appreciation society. I don't get that vibe in Australia. Why is that?

My friend Suzette (talented jewelery artist) and I call the baddies -- Market Vampires. They go around to the markets, find stuff they like, then go home, copy it, then turn up at your market with a stall.

Guess what? There are Yarn Vampires these days. Here are some ways to avoid being a Yarn Vampire:

1) don't ask the artist what dyes they use -- why? Go out and buy some dye, find a type you like, and mix your own. It's worth the time and effort. Otherwise, you're a Yarn Vampire.

Yes, some of us are happy to tell you. Others aren't. If the only key to my art was the brand of dye I used, well, I wouldn't be any good then would I?

2) don't ask the artist how they dye their yarn -- why? Because many have spent a lot of time and money learning and practicing their art. Wanna cut corners? Get something for nothing? Then, you're a Yarn Vampire.

3) don't ask the artist if they can teach you to dye yarn -- why? Because many hand-dyers have developed their own methods of dyeing. This is proprietary knowledge, and for many, their livelihood. Most will be happy to tell you because the basics are out there, in books, online. So go do your homework and stop cutting corners. If the only key to what I did was putting dye on yarn, I wouldn't be doing my work would I?

Try this instead: ask -- "do you teach workshops?" If the answer is yes, the artist will most likely have a schedule and location of their next workshop. And they'll thank you for asking.

But please don't ask -- can I come over to your workshop and you teach me what you do? Yes, this happens to me often. One person even told me she was starting a yarn dyeing business, so would I be happy to teach her?

And just in case you think this is a hand-dyer problem, rest assured, my other artist friends who sell their work get the same questions.

OK -- ask yourself -- do you go into a fine restaurant and into the kitchen and say to the head chef -- "yeah, I cook too."

We all have our own reasons for owning a fibre arts business. I started mine by accident. I was selling my recycled artwear and designs and customers kept asking me where I got my fibres. I said, "I dye bits and pieces for myself." I was dyeing yarn and threads because I couldn't readily find what I wanted to work with.

I went home sad that day and told my husband, they don't want the garments as much as the yarn. He said, don't be stupid, sell the damned yarn. So there you have it.

The Ugly: One YV, who inspected my work at my stall, stood in front of me and said, "I can do that for next year." But what's the point? What possible reason would someone think that is ever ok?

Well good on ya sister -- see you at the shows this year. Just stay away from my stall. You're a Yarn Vampire. And I've got a stake with your name on it.

Spun

2009-05-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

My friend V advises she's been spinning some CSW I dyed in Sherwood Forest (yeah, it looks like it sounds) and I can't wait to see it.

Been spinning on my lighter gemstone spindles and really enjoying them. They take much more abuse than my Schacht spindle (broke the hook twice) -- I think the top of that one is too tall and just says, split me off please. I like the way it spins, but it's too expensive for me to abuse. I like to throw my spindle in my spinning bag.

jasperstone spindle by SIOz

This puppy may not look like much, but it's just the right weight and spins nicely for me. I'm happy with my hooks -- they suit the way I spin -- and they're easy to cart around.

spindles

2009-04-27T19:31:00.001-07:00

What to do -- some whorls I'm playing with for spindles. Each one is unique, even when I get multiples, as they are machined individually and are made from natural stone, so they have individual quirks to 'em. I really like the yellow one and am fussing over it's best use. I've put them on wood for the photo, but they're not built yet. Hmmm. No time to spin with them tho.

Observations of a fibre dyer painter person

2009-04-20T02:15:00.000-07:00

I was trying to explain to someone the other day what I did for a living and they just didn't understand. "So you own a wool shop," they said. No, I design and make yarns and fibres for people to use in their own creations. And I design and make my own pieces to sell and wear. The second part makes sense to them -- "Oh, you make clothes."

Well, yes and no. I realised that the hat(s) on my head kept switching. I could almost see it over their heads like a cartoon bubble.

But even then, my response was, "well, sort of." When I responded that I make artpieces, sometimes vests, sometimes bags, sometimes just objects out of recycled fibres , they said, "why would anyone want to do that?" Well, actually, lots of people do it. And when my grandmother's mother did it, it wasn't called recycling.

Clearly, this person needed to back away from my place at the Port Markets, right? No sale there.

It was a long Sunday after V left (that's Vellan, spinner, smartypants, gamester, and all around ace company person).

All this querying got me thinking. I don't see myself as a yarn peddler. After all, there are a lot of places to get knitting and spinning stuff around. I guess I think of what I do as trying to get people to see their own knitting, spinning, crocheting, etc... in new ways. I'm also aware that I'm more used to seeing hand-dyed yarns than most of the knitters I meet here in Port Adelaide. One woman told me she was shocked by all the colour from my stall the first time she visited. I'm used to it.

I guess that's why most yarn shops, with the exception of a rare few, just don't do it for me.

Quote from Sunday -- woman looks at a hank of hand-painted, pure Aussie 5ply, 100gms and sees the price. She looks at her husband and says, with disdain, "$22 for a ball of wool!" When I advise that it is hand-painted wool grown on a farm in Victoria and spun specially in small lots, she says, "ridiculous," throws the hank down, and huffs off. This happened twice on the same day -- 2 diff market visitors of course. The first version -- they weren't so huffy.

Clearly, she wanted that wool, or she wouldn't have been so angry. I guess my years in the psychoanalysis reading study group at UMC pays off every now and then. Or perhaps, given the endless discussion of the Crisis, it seems disgusting to ask someone to pay that much for 100gms of knitting wool.

The flip side of this is the fab woman who came by with her first half of her new scarf -- knitted in Little John, some lovely Aussie 8ply pure wool -- def not superwash -- and she'd run out of the first hank already. Whooosh -- out goes another hank. I am grateful she brought her knitting by to show me, as her scarf looks gorgeous -- the orange pleasantly zigs and zags up the scarf in a sea of blues and greens. She advised she was going to make it for one of her children, but she's changed her mind. It's def. hers. Too right! OK, do -- does anyone need an expensive scarf? I dunno. I know she's enjoying watching the colours change as she knits happily along. And she will remember that happiness when she wears it. Can't buy that at David Jones.

Showing me that scarf made me so jealous -- I now want one too. Oh wait? I can paint more! I actually sometimes forget that. And there is definitely a disconnect between when I paint something and when I see the yarn knitted by someone besides me. I forget I've painted it and think, gee, that's nice! DOH!

Two years ago, at the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show, I walked into the exhibit area where the knitting entries are -- and there I was, staring at a shawl on the wall. "Huh, that looks familiar." I stood there for a few minutes, seriously, until it dawned on me that it was my Versailles Shawl design from Yarn Mag. I had the strangest feeling. It meant a lot to me that someone would knit that design and enter their shawl into the contest that year. So thanks to the knitter near Melbourne who did that.

I have to remember the good stuff on days when the negative goes over the top. Yeah, sometimes I just want to say, "right, so you like wearing cheap acrylic then do you?" But I don't. Some days I think -- it's be easier to buy a traditional shop and sell yarn -- but that isn't what I do. That would mean no time to do what it is I actually do.

m, still SIOz -- tired, having just finished a very large lot of banana palm silk painting

All knitting and no spin make M a dull girl

2009-04-16T15:55:00.000-07:00

Where is the time going? I have just finished an enormous project for the US, so this week has been a post-partum kind of week. I miss the piece already. Bye bye for now.

The fibre sits here -- unspun again. I bagged the icky mill endy bits of the soy top I dyed last week and it is ready to go. Only I'm not.

Here's a photo of my girlygirl, the love of my life, enjoying the remnants of nacho nite. You can see she is an enthusiastic eater.

Soy. Painted, not Spun

2009-04-09T00:58:00.000-07:00

Hand-Painted Soysilk in V's colours

drying, not prepped for sale yet

I'll blame V for this colourway -- we were a-talkin' about her Urban Decay Cowl and I said I would like to paint something of that flavour -- chatted a bit about acceptable and unacceptable combos. This is my take on it. The darker charcoal is a blue black.

It's positively evil.

In a good way.

my spindle and me

2009-04-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

Managed to sneak in a few minutes of spindling yesterday at the Port Markets. It's deadline season, so my woolly pile is just sitting there. V. sad. Using one of these gemstone spindles (above). The picture isn't fab --- I worked a shorter hook on this spindle and really like its speed. On the spindle -- McLaren Vale CSW (South Aussie of course). It is going to be a 2ply for a shawl. I hope.

Really want to spin this hand-painted CSW (merino x) -- Wanting to see how the new deep blue blends.

2009-03-22T17:36:00.001-07:00

I've added V's photo (see March 5 entry) of her latest spinning from some roving I did a few weeks ago. It's the most beautfiul yarn. And she's thinking of knitting it with some BLACK wool. Oooooooh! Can't wait to see.

I've been spinning the sari silk in with some funky Nepalese wool and it's coming out really well. Must go find camera. I get this fibre blend already spun and dye it, but I'm spinning it thinner (I just love thin yarns) and it's coming up nicely!

Comical Carder

2009-03-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, so V and I decided it would be fun to rent a drum carder to make batts from the enormous pile of alpaca fibre someone gave her partner, Lenny.

Well, it got waaaaaaaaay outta hand. I mean, once I got started I just couldn't stop. She happily sat there spinning her gorgeous EGMTK bamboo/wool while I made an extraordinary mess on her patio. Poor Lenny, his tidy nature didn't enjoy the spectacle.

Batts of:

1) alpaca, black coloured sheep wool, and finn from Susie Horne; some just alpaca/black wool

2) bamboo, nepalese doggie's brekkie wool (I had dyed blues/greens) with some organic merino I had dyed in a celery/citrine

3) organic merino and soy; organic merino and bamboo

Poor V -- I started her on soaking the dirty-ish white alpaca while I batted the brown and black. Ummm, it's kind of a poopy icky business. V just isn't into cleaning dirty fleeces.

I took home a bag to wash this week. Perhaps when she has gotten over the first session, she will find it in her heart to invite me back.

Our first batt looked decidedly feral, but after that, I started to experiment with the infernal machine and got a better result. The proof will be in the spinning. One should not blame one's tools, but damn, that carder is a beast! Not easy on the elbows!

Back to work - M, still SIOz with her feral spindle

For V

2009-03-05T02:10:00.001-08:00

The Yarn V spun from the roving pictured below

Below, the superwash/nylon blend roving I painted for Vellan --

Hmmm. The photo on my screen makes the colours look lighter than they are. Rats. Anyway, the superwash/nylon roving is from my sister's business, BitsyKnits -- check out her gorgeous stuff on etsy and her blog -- bitsyknits.blogspot -- you know the drill! Sorry B! I know this bit was for me, but I couldn't help it -- V was having a shiteful week and I thought she'd like this. I promise, I've been hording the spinning fibre you dyed!

Monkey wearing Monkeys

2009-02-23T17:34:00.001-08:00

Monkey Partner Richard in Monkey Jungle Hat

Worked in Vellan's Yarn w/a big knotty stitch for texture and i-cord cast off edge

Close-Up Shot of Texture

All the work was done by Vellan, not me, to make this hat look good. I'm using every last skerrick of yarn -- the last of the ball will go onto a pair of hand cosies

Vellan's Handspun!

2009-02-16T15:33:00.001-08:00

Vellan's handspun -- before I left for the USA trip, I loaded her up with some crazy hand-painted sliver. This one is from the Bendigo Readyspin I dyed in Monkeys in the Jungle.

From THIS :

I love the monkey brown and the greeny goodness. Doesn't V spin like a genius?

Vellan's THICKIE handspun -- she insisted on me having this giant pile of white handspun. She should have known it wasn't safe around me, so it is now hand-painted in Luxor. PURDY!

I'm doing it, I swear

2009-02-10T19:54:00.000-08:00

In between writing and sketching for latest design deadlines, I've sneaked in some spindling -- and I'm spinning the spinning fibre shown in the Jan posting (McLaren Vale colourway). The photo just doesn't do this fibre justice and I promise to photograph the threadinprogress. It's olive, diff. purples, and deep foresty greens. It will require a new design. *sigh*

In the meantime -- check out the funky buttons that are too nice to not live with handspun. They're made by a local artist from Australian wood. LOVE THEM.

Spinning Resolution

2009-01-01T14:43:00.000-08:00

Must make time for spinning. All knitting and no spinning makes Melissa a dull girl.

Poor Neglected Hobby

2008-12-11T15:22:00.000-08:00

That's right, except for some clandestine plying on my drop spindle, I've done nothing to further my spinning hobby pursuit. *sigh* Work has intruded on my playing with fuzz.

I did manage a quick trip to the local guild to see what was happening, but besides that, nada. Will have to go on the new year's resolutions list.

I have this to spin:

Or this, some South Australian merino/corriedale cross carded sliver 8-):

And the fibre keeps coming!

2008-11-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

Angel -- The cutest Angora bunny in the world!

Check out Aboundingful Farm -- Ellen Hanson Anderson - Shepherdess and Spinner, and breeder of the most beautiful Angora Rabbits you've ever seen! My sister, Beth, bought Angel from Ellen. And yes, since the photo was taken, Angel has had a haircut! Ellen breeds Icelandic and Jacob sheep and keeps angora goats too. Her kid mohair is spinning heaven.

Look out for Nancy and Lili Weik's Overlook Manor Farm -- home of fabulous Cormo and Border Leicesters. And they breed gorgeous guard dogs too! And you know I'm loving that.

Both of these farms are happy to email you with information on which fibres are in stock. Look for them at the fibre festivals too. Be sure to tell 'em Melissa from SIOz says hello.

Fiber Links

2008-11-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

Ok -- I've confirmed the first 2 links for some unbelieveably wonderful fiber-sellers in the US.

Roclans -- Kate grows the most unreal Ramboullets you'll ever see! And her fiber is worth emailing and ordering. She dyes the fleeces then has them processed for spinners -- the result is the softest, most wonderful spinning fibre you'll ever feel. Well, I'm biased, as in addition to having great fiber, Kate is an ACE person and so is her husband, who runs the farm and keeps her Rambos in good shape. Email her and ask her what colours and types of fibers she has in stock. It's worth the extra effort.

Flying Fibers: Jeri stocks rare UK sheepwools. I've stashed a variety to take back home with me. I'm particularly taken with her Manx batts. They're so kewl. Jeri is a talented fibre artist -- and I now am the proud owner of one of her wild hats -- PURPLE of course! I love it so much that I'm sad it is summer in Oz and can't wear it for a while. Buggah!

I'm sorting through what I've hoarded and will post more links as I get to them.

The woolpile

2008-11-06T10:24:00.000-08:00

There are several bags of fibre here -- all waiting to be worked with... and I'm under deadline, so no fibre fun for me til the work is finished. It's terrible torture.

Awaiting details from several wool producers for weblinks, so please stay tuned for those!

M, in Easton, MD

Miscellaneous Yankland Madness

2008-10-13T11:14:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd post some fun photos from my outting with some like-minded dyer fanatics. Some old wine jugs with the lovely distilled brews -- goldenrod, grape, black walnut, and other fantastic dyes.

Then, a shot of cedar, which, um, kinda overboiled on the la stove. Smelled nice tho'.

We had so much fun getting filthy all day -- lots of pots on various burners and even a live flame camp stove ring (that was fun to light) WATCH OUT FOR YOUR EYEBROWS!

Managed to make a nice mess with some Starbucks espresso grounds. Not for the tidy types -- we didn't have a fine strainer so the fibre was nice and gritty. Didn't mind it myself, as the yarn was nice to smell if you are coffee addict like me.

Lots of discussion of the benefits and limitations of natural dyeing. Some seemed to argue that it wasn't a commercial venture -- consistency of colour/product, etc... I would argue, well, you don't get much colourfastness with most commercially-produced clothing, so why should it matter with hand-dyes.

While I'm a commercial hand-dyer who uses synthetic dyes -- my customers expect a colourfast, lightfast product, I think there is room for natural dyeing on a larger scale. I mean, why can't the yarn fade and colour change over time? I'm getting older, changing colour, etc... a natural process.... *laugh* So why not the things I make with my hands? I'd be interested in your comments regarding.

On a completely different note, here are some of my non-fibre-related items from my travels:

Run to: www.target.com and check out the Nick and Nora pajamas. Don't miss the curious kitten jimjams. I've stocked up people! This is the USA target, not the Aussie one. Alas, I don't think the Aussie one is stocking winter jammies at the moment. I love all of them and yes, have purchase a matching set, including the slippers.

What to do? Do I splurge and get the sock monkeys as well????? OMG.

I'm homesick for Australian food and my bestest girl, Lyta, the love of my life.

melissa, in Yankland

Back from NJ and PA

2008-10-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

I first have to add the following photos: Vellan has spun some sliver from BWM that I left with her before I headed overseas. I want to grab that yarn through cyberspace!
Eh Voila!

It's so beautiful!!!! Now I'm dying to see what she does with the hand-painted Sherwood Forest I did with some of Wendy Dennis' top! WOWEEEE.

This was an experiment to see if I could dye a floral -- there are photos of this hand-paint, undyed, in a previous blog entry. Her spinning is amazing.

Speaking of amazing spinning -- I've spent the last 2 weekends in the company of the North Country Spinners, NJ -- an fab group of spinners, weavers, and knitters. Survived a very sleepless, but enjoyable retreat, then followed that up with a workshop the following Friday -- topic? Freeforming and the roll/bullion stitch. Of course, I couldn't help but insist that they purchase Prudence Mapstone's Bullions and Beyond -- a must if you want some inspiration on freeform crochet. Most, however, hadn't looked at the book. No worries, as it wasn't required, but I expected 10-12 people would be interested. Imagine my surprise when 30+ showed up, with hooks poised. It was a bit like herding cats, but we had a lot of fun negotiating the hook gymnastics as a group. Some very groovy patches started already!

So it's back to Maryland to prepare for the next SIOz outting!
Catching you later, m

Yankland

2008-09-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

What a time to be in Yankland. Typical -- the sky is falling and I'm here for a spell. Nevermind. As soon as I am able, I will try to upload a photo of my prized USA purchase -- a pair of Converse One Star gymshoes -- in pink, with skulls, hearts, flowers, and all things girlie on 'em. I bloody love them. Truely.

Funny: one of the cable film channels has been showing Australian films all month. HA! At least that's one channel worth watching, at least for now. Family has 700+ channels on the digital tv and still... NOTHING WORTH WATCHING when SciFi isn't showing a new programme. FIE.

Spinning: sneaked my very pointy drop spindle on the plane -- whorl packed separately from the shaft (shaft has a notch, not a hook) and spun happily on the plane (aisle seat) for a while. The flight attendant was quite intrigued. Or maybe just polite!

Still, not a wasted flight. :-)

Hand-Painted Sliver

2008-08-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

A new batch this week:

I admit it -- I really hate to part with the reds with green. I've been painting garden colours this week and this once just had to be painted. The top photos -- colours not as accurate as the reds/green floral. Both lots are hand-painted Bennett and Gregor Sliver. Real South Aussie Wool.

coloured snakes? wool scrolls?

2008-08-21T23:51:00.000-07:00

Painting sliver -- again. The scrolls are my favourites -- some coloured sheep wool from Wendy Dennis.

Ok -- nice wool to spin. Check. Time to spin? *sigh* Never mind. It's nice to look at. I'm especially STOKED about the outrageous scarlet red and the sapphire blue that blended with it. (at right in photo) The sliver at the left may be 2 different yarns. The purples and blues go. But the bloodread and paler mauvey colours seem to belong somewhere else. 2 different dye patterns were used for the respective lots. Both colourways are spring florals. And it was 5 degrees last night.

When coiled, the sliver at the left resembles a fairy's dragon dropping.

Hand-Painted Sliver

2008-08-07T00:04:00.000-07:00

A coupla miles of sliver I painted this week:

Wild colours, some monkey in the jungle (?) and 3 blues and a purple featuring a new sapphire blue I've been mixing. Ooooh purdy.

Handspun Heaven

2008-08-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy! Vellan swapped yarn with me and I ended up the BIG WINNER! I mean, it hardly seems fair to trade commercial yarn for handspun, but I wasn't going to argue. The purple, teal, light blue hs is merino/soy. *sigh. I just want to look at it.

Look!!!

PURPLE and PINKS for socks? Scarf? sumfin really narce! oooooooooooooh.

The purple, pink, peach, blue is from Ewe Give Me the Knits optim/bamboo. Kaviare and Vellan call it Minced Unicorn yarn. *sniffle* I don't know about that, but I WANT IT and now, ahahahahaha it is mine. MINE I TELL YOU! And the natural corriedale and sumfin is so sorft and gorgeous. *sigh*

SURVIVOR... of Sheep and Wool Show

2008-07-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I've made it back, mostly in one piece, from the Sheep and Wool Show. And... I managed to get away for about 1/2 an hr to stock up on some hobby items: top for my sister from the BunnyPeople, sliver from Wendy Dennis, a bit of top from Lara Downs, and some naturally dyed top from a lovely person who does all natural dyeing. *sigh*

I will post piccies when I am awake again.

I didn't get to spend much time with my ptog buds, which bummed me out, but I was in work mode, not fun mode!

In defense of energised singles

2008-07-03T22:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, I can see I will have to agree to disagree -- my singles sock isn't pilling. That's because I OVERTWISTED the hell out of that yarn and knit it from the drop spindle while it was freeeesh. They are SPROINGY, stretchy happiness and require no stinking nylon or anything of that nature. The only bits that are a bit fuzzy are the nibs that I spun in cuz I suck at spinning. Seriously.

I know this violates some strange sacred rule of spinners everywhere, but it's my damned yarn and I like it this way. I do know how to ply, but that isn't what I was after. So There.

m

Nepalese yarn

2008-06-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

How do I love thee? Parting is such sweet sorrow. [insert incorrectly quoted phrase from English Lit class] Why didn't I paint more of you, dear skein? Why am I under deadline and not painting you right now? Why am I talking to yarn?
Not good. Noooooooot good at all.

Oooooh Trippy

2008-06-16T03:55:00.000-07:00

Spindle photos snarfled from Vellan's flickr:

Rick has outdone himself this week! Aren't they kewl maaaaaaan. Excellent PHOTOS V.

Lyta, and... Squirrelly

2008-06-10T01:52:00.001-07:00

Whilst the weekend was spent at market --- and many a person milling around Port Adelaide during the holiday, I managed to sneak in a spinning moment here and there -- as I played with my Chuppah Whorl Spindles to demonstrate. Such a teaser, though, as the needles demanded immediate attention.

*schniffle* not enough time to play. This could turn me into a walking, talking (babbling?) Stephen King character. All knit and no play makes Mel a dull girl. WAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Pictured above is my babygirlLyta. She is caressing her beloved Squirrelly, who, as you can see, is laid out in the disemboweling position. And yes, Lyta likes to completely mess up the hall runner. It's stuffed now. But do I care? Mais non, as who can resist that face? Those cute little eyebrows? Cheeky monkey. Squirrelly is now a lot skinnier than in the photo, but no less loved. And both squeekers are missing, much to my husband's delight. Notice the holding position? This is how she holds her Dentastix snacks too.

*sigh*

general feralness

2008-06-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

Feeling extremely feral under deadline -- no time for spinning sucks. And I'm still having trouble dealing with my colour analysis from the surve (see right). I mean, saddlebag brown? I love browns, but I think of myself as a PURPLE kinda woman. *sigh*

Sneaking in some spinning time this am at the guild... m

2008-05-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

That's right - my husband always knew this!

2008-05-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some groovin' photos Dot took of the Monkey Sock Swap 4 pack I sent -- The socks were knitted in Opal Mosaic purple. The yarns were: Jojoland, Knittery Slim Sock, and Lace Wings. I included a monkey (who looks jetlagged!), some jungle (w/monkey) stickers, a banana bunch fridge magnet, The Mingus Sock Pattern, some funky monkey material for Dot to use for patchwork -- she's a quilting fiend, and a bracelet that has a banana and a monkey on it.

I contemplated the contents of the pack and concluded that, after all, knitters probably prefer getting YARN (nice yarn) over any other items, so I went heavy on the sock yarn. I don't think DOT minded!

I really wanna do a monkey swap down under, but don't know who would be game... Any takers?

They call 'em drop spindles for a reason

2008-05-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

Well, if ever there were a reason why I shouldn't practice on my gemstone spindle it is this: I have had the dropsies all week! Good thing my new clay spindles are bouncy. Dropped mine all over the place this week and no damage, except to my pride.

Can't wait to finish work this week and play with wool.

Chuppah Whorl Spindles

2008-05-16T23:56:00.000-07:00

They're HERE! Rick, the polyclay artist from Selonj, designed these whorls with me for Stranded In Oz. My husband named them. A Port Adelaide joint venture!

blushing

2008-05-15T02:16:00.001-07:00

V gave me the gorgeous Mauch Chunky yarn she spun!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's too lovely to knit with. Seriously. *sigh. I will just pet it a while.

Feeling less guilty

2008-05-12T01:51:00.000-07:00

Feeling much less guilty since sending off my monkey sock swap 4 package to my Canadian monkey buddy, dotty. What a relief. I think they look extra kewl.

Back to work --- and still no time for spinning. Bugggahhhhh.

Still stranded in oz...

2008-05-11T03:31:00.000-07:00

At left is Vellan's gorgeous handspun made from the experimental order of Mauch Chunky ROVING!!!! It's so gorgeous. I LURV it.

*sigh* Eggplant. Kiwi.... Juju Fruit surprise. It was a funky, weird multicoloured puff thrown into the box. How kewl is this?

MUST HAVE MORE MAUCH CHUNKY!!!

Mauch Chunky ROVING

2008-05-01T17:38:00.000-07:00

Mauch (pronounced munk) CHUNKY ROVING HERE!!! 20 different colours to spin and NO TIME. There's a funky special colour: grey, eggplant, and light green. Sounds crap, looks so freakin' kewl.

MUST WORK.

coffee near tragedy

2008-04-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

That's right -- husband spilled on very first handspun/handknit project last night. Not sure any long-lasting damage done, but he was not happy last night. I growled. If only I could spin today...
M

No idle spindle

2008-04-21T02:33:00.000-07:00

What a relief -- and it's all the alpaca breeder's fault. There it was, alpaca roving, ready to spin. And yes, I just so happened to have my very basic stone spindle I made with a dowel and an aventurine. I was supposed to be knitting, but no, I was at my new stall at the Port Adelaide Market and wheeeeeeeeeee, it just couldn't stay in its bag. And damned fine roving it is.

So I feel better having spun something this weekend. Alas, it was but a tease, as I am back at work knitting something, but for that brief, pleasant hour on Sunday, I was happy spinning yarn. And yes, it is very feral yarn indeed. :-)

The Idle Spindle

2008-04-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

While I'm working, I can see my box of spinning stuff -- no action with that for 2 weeks. It's a bummer. My reward for meeting deadlines this week is spinning on the weekend. Now to keep that promise.

monkey buddy howdy

2008-03-29T03:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Monkey Buds: here's to hoping for a great swap. I've got yarn, pattern and needles ready to go! And thank you to my secret buddy for emailing me -- nice to meet you!

Mel

Preying Manitis?

2008-03-22T01:52:00.000-07:00

Digression from knitting! The photo at the banner on this blog was taken out front of my house. I actually TRIPPED over the poor thing and got bitten for my error. I have never seen one even close to where I live!

My spindles lay idle whilst I work, which is making me sad! Spinning reserved for this Monday, my official day off.

Happy spinning and knitting!

Monkey Sock Swap 4 Questionairre

2008-03-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

Monkey Sock Swap Questionnaire

The Measurements

Shoe size: 7 US

Foot length in inches: 9.5

Circumference: 7

Yarn Preferences

What are your favorite colors? Purples, Greens (avocadoish), and Ocean Blues

What color clashes with your wardrobe? Yellow

Do you prefer solids or variegated yarns? Variegateds

What are your favorite brand sock yarns? Cherry Tree Hill, Interlacements, & Hill Country

Is there a new sock yarn you really would like to try? Anything from my faves

Cookie A. Patterns

List the patterns you do not have but would like to receive: Gothic Spire or Flicker. Apologies to sock buddy -- I just got a gift of a coupla patterns, one of which was the one I originally put here yesterday!

Allergies

Do you have any allergies that your pal needs to know about? (animals, fiber, sensitivity to smoke etc.) No.

Will you knitting be exposed to animals? Yes, a dog.

Will you knitting be exposed to cigarette smoke? NO!

Shipping

What country do you live in? Australia

Are you willing to ship outside your country? Yes.

Swapping Blog

2008-03-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my swapping blog and things spindly! Stay tuned for adventures in very feral handspinning and knitting that results.

The Feral Spindle

Too Long between spins?

To spin or not to spin?

More V's Handspun

Handspun Beanie in Winter Blues

Way Over the Rainbow Ball of Handspun

Rainbow 2ply/laceweight

On Mars -- that's where I've been

My Big Bang Theory 2 Swap Buddy IS AWESOME!

Fibre Club SIOz 2010

bamboo spinning

I said I wouldn't but...

Still spinning...

Way Over the Rainbow Handspun

Finally -- the spindle gets used

Can it be?

Spammed!

Yarn Vampire sighting reported!

spindle neglect

Wow -- how kewl

What? It's late July already?

Fibre Dyeing

bye bye beloved

sort of spinningness

I plied it I did

finally -- my spindle

The Good, the Bad, and, yes, the Ugly

Spun

spindles

Observations of a fibre dyer painter person

All knitting and no spin make M a dull girl

Soy. Painted, not Spun

my spindle and me

Comical Carder

For V

Monkey wearing Monkeys

Vellan's Handspun!

I'm doing it, I swear

Spinning Resolution

Poor Neglected Hobby

And the fibre keeps coming!

Fiber Links

The woolpile

Miscellaneous Yankland Madness

Back from NJ and PA

Yankland

Hand-Painted Sliver

coloured snakes? wool scrolls?

Hand-Painted Sliver

Handspun Heaven

SURVIVOR... of Sheep and Wool Show

In defense of energised singles

Nepalese yarn

Oooooh Trippy

Lyta, and... Squirrelly

general feralness

They call 'em drop spindles for a reason

Chuppah Whorl Spindles

*blushing*

Feeling less guilty

Mauch Chunky ROVING

coffee near tragedy

No idle spindle

The Idle Spindle

monkey buddy howdy

Preying Manitis?

Monkey Sock Swap 4 Questionairre

Swapping Blog

blushing