Wow -- how kewl

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?

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

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

*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

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

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.

m

finally -- my spindle

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