Treats with No Tricks
Happy Halloween!!!
Do you like my new bumper sticker? May you have a spooky, fun and treatful day!
Here are the fiber treats from Rhinebeck:
It was much easier to get to Grafton Fiber to pick up a batt than I thought it might be. Everyone was lined up at The Fold for STR, which made it fairly easy to get around the Grafton booth. I picked up a batt for Susan (she'd asked for an autumn colorway but I went with 'Fire!', which is my name for it). I also bought myself a batt in one of the strangest color combos I've seen. It has a bit of black, fuchsia, deeper shades of pink and a bit of a golden straw color. It should be interesting to spin and play with the colors.
This ball is Corriedale/silk from Stephania dyed with logwood and cochineal. Right after I bought the Golding I started to spin this luscious fiber and found that spinning with silk is different than anything I'd spun before. There is so much to learn about spindle spinning and wheel spinning (which I find to be two different animals-just sayin'). but it's enjoyable to learn more and more. The Golding spindle (Celtic Ring-2 3/4") spins on and on and I'm enjoying it's beauty.
Indigo Moon Farm had so many beautiful colors, but this one really spoke to me. It's two shades of turquoise with a pale purple line down one side. It will be interesting to watch it spin into yarn. The content is 50% alpaca/30% merino/20% silk. It is so incredibly soft.
Barnswallow Farms batts are soft and rich in color. This is Copper Rose and the content is LincolnX. It was so, so lovely and I just had to have three batts. This is another fiber I hope to be worthy enough (with much more practice) to spin (someday) on my newly acquired wheel.
This Fantom Farm Romney roving had so much depth in its unique color combination that I just had to buy it. It will be interesting to watch as I spin and ply, which I hope to do well enough to keep the colors separate or at least not blend them too much. The goal was to buy a variety of fiber content and colorways so that I could learn the characteristics of each type and fibure out the best way to spin it. This likely means a lot of learning by trial and error is in my future.
Jager Farms Icelandic lace weight singles drew my attention with its lively color. It was the only yarn that enticed me to break the 'no yarn' pledge. The lovley color, called 'Snapdragons', should make a warm and beautiful shawl. I also bought Blogless Val the same yarn in 'Apple Tree's. (Karen also got a gift of some beautiful roving.)
My last stop was Spinners Hill, where a large bag (over 1 lb) of a deep red, (with bits of black) fiber called out to me. It was so bulky (but very light) that Norma consented to send it to me (and it arrived yesterday). The goal of buying a variety of fiber was met and I was able to carry most of my purchases (and the wheel) home. Every time I sit to spin with any of this exquisite fiber I will think of my two days of fiber fun and frenzy at Rhinebeck.
I have the same Golding. Love it! You got some beautiful fiber there.
Posted by: jessie | October 31, 2006 at 03:57 AM
yummy! beautiful colours!
Posted by: Kelly | October 31, 2006 at 04:06 AM
Very smart idea. I love the idea of learning how different wools and different blends to different things in the hands. Most of what I buy these days has some silk in it. I love the way it takes color, the texture, the sheen. It makes shorter fibers easier to spin, since it is a longer fiber that captures the shorter ones with it. Forgive yourself the learning curve and know that you will progress very very rapidly, since you have good hands.
Posted by: Laurie | October 31, 2006 at 04:07 AM
You made wonderful choices. I really love that Fantom Farm romney. I don't even remember seeing that booth.
Posted by: Carole | October 31, 2006 at 04:34 AM
Fiber is a gift that just keeps on giving, huh? Think how many hours you have ahead.
Posted by: Judy | October 31, 2006 at 04:52 AM
Great stuff! May it bring you many hours of spinning joy.
Posted by: Kathy | October 31, 2006 at 04:56 AM
Wow! That is some haul. Will I start doing the same? ;)
Your tip about letting too much grist into my yarn seems to have helped. Or at least it helps some of the time, I'm still getting the hang of how much fiber to have in my hand, how much to pre-draw(?) it, and how much to draw when I am actually spinning. Now, THIS keeps me in the moment!
Posted by: Teresa C | October 31, 2006 at 05:01 AM
Looks like you got the good stuff. Next year, a fleece!
Posted by: Beth | October 31, 2006 at 05:06 AM
greeeeeeeeeat scores!!!
Posted by: pippi | October 31, 2006 at 05:27 AM
What a great haul Margene! You picked out some really lovely fibers and the Golding is beautiful! They do seem to spin forever don't they?
Posted by: Kelly | October 31, 2006 at 05:46 AM
OMG, I feel faint. That Indigo Moon batt is particularly beautiful...
Posted by: Kim | October 31, 2006 at 05:54 AM
Beautiful stuff, Margene. Can't wait 'til you fire up that new spinning wheel?
Posted by: Vicki | October 31, 2006 at 06:14 AM
Margene you have a wonderful selection of fibers! And the colors...well they're making me drool :o)
Posted by: amanda | October 31, 2006 at 06:23 AM
What a fantastic selection of fibers in gorgeous colors. I love the idea of trying all kinds of fibers.
Posted by: hillary | October 31, 2006 at 06:38 AM
That Celtic Ring is gorgeous (and so is your fiber haul)! :)
Posted by: Stitch-n-Snitch | October 31, 2006 at 06:49 AM
Hee Hee, that bumpersticker looks familiar!
Lovely drool worthy fiber, Margene!!
Posted by: Leah | October 31, 2006 at 07:04 AM
Great fiber haul. (I've already mentioned that I love the spindle seeing as how I have the same one:) The bumper sticker is great; I really like that.
Posted by: Alison | October 31, 2006 at 07:10 AM
What beautiful fibers. You have a lot to keep you busy and with your talents, I know you will master each one and come out with some beautiful results!
Posted by: Lisa | October 31, 2006 at 07:11 AM
What lovely fiber!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 31, 2006 at 07:18 AM
I'll have to go look...I think I also have that Golding spindle. I'm insanely jealous of all you guys who actually found Grafton Fibers..but obviously they weren't the only good ones I missed, and I've been going to this thing for five years! Warning on the Barnswallow batts....spin them first. Mine all felted in storage and are unspinable!
Posted by: Marcia | October 31, 2006 at 07:20 AM
Seeing all of that fiber makes me want to dye roving. Not spin it though!
Posted by: scout | October 31, 2006 at 07:34 AM
You chose some of the prettiest colorways I have seen yet. I love the Fantasy Farm Romney and I am so not usually a pink person! Marylynn's Indigo roving is always yummy! You are going to have so much fun with all that wonderful fiber!
Posted by: Kim | October 31, 2006 at 07:37 AM
I look forward to seeing all that fiber transformed into beautiful yarn (and subsequently, beautiful garments).
You made wonderful choices!
Posted by: regina | October 31, 2006 at 07:40 AM
WOW! - I love the colours and will watch with interest as they become spun up and then knit up! What fun ahead of you, Margene!
Posted by: peg | October 31, 2006 at 08:13 AM
It's kind of funny but frenzy highlighted itself when I read your post. It truly was a frenzy!!
Posted by: Kathleen | October 31, 2006 at 08:18 AM
I love the bumper sticker. Concerning the fiber, I can only say: ya done good. I can't wait to watch it become yarn over the coming months, and to read all the yarns you will spin around it.
Posted by: Lucia | October 31, 2006 at 08:30 AM
Oh my, such gorgeous fibers! *drool*
Indeed wheel and spindle spinning are a bit different, but I found once I had one down it was easier to pick up the other... Best of luck!
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool | October 31, 2006 at 08:42 AM
Oh, that's an awesome bumper sticker! Have a great Halloween!
Posted by: Susan | October 31, 2006 at 08:50 AM
I really like your bumper sticker. I like your fiber even more. I have yet to learn to spin but I think I am going to have to. I especially like the red! Can't wait to see how it all turns out.
Posted by: jan | October 31, 2006 at 08:56 AM
lovely fiber! can't wait to see what it spins out to be. love the bumper sticker - i want to be a witch!
Posted by: debbie | October 31, 2006 at 09:13 AM
What beautiful fiber and spindle! I'm so jealous.
Posted by: Lauren | October 31, 2006 at 09:30 AM
Wow Margene, It's a shame we didn't meet in person, because I swear we shopped at many of the same vendors. Don't you just love the Barneswallow Batts? I really wish I would've saved the one I worked on til now, when I'm more confident spinning. I'm keeping her contact information, so hopefully I can buy more.
Necia
Posted by: Necia | October 31, 2006 at 09:58 AM
OMG, look at all that yummy fiber!
Posted by: Nonnahs | October 31, 2006 at 10:11 AM
WHEW! Talk about fabulous fiber overload! I feel like I've just been to Las Vegas for the first time! hehe Your Golding spindle is so beautiful! How heavy is it?
Posted by: Laura | October 31, 2006 at 10:19 AM
Great bumper sticker - but, it would make an even better tattoo!
I'll look forward to seeing all that fiber turn into yarn.........
Posted by: christine | October 31, 2006 at 10:42 AM
Beautiful stuff, Margene!
Posted by: Jenny | October 31, 2006 at 11:18 AM
*Drool* They're all so beautful! I thinbk I'll need to buy a Golding at Maryland....
Posted by: Julia | October 31, 2006 at 12:17 PM
Excellent acquisitions Margene! I have the same Golding spindle too. Must remember where I packed that one. All this spindling and I'm inspired to pull them out.
Posted by: Risa | October 31, 2006 at 12:49 PM
Wow! They're all beautiful. I ended up going to Spunky Eclectic and dropping a bunch o'money after seeing some of her wool on your site. If I pre draft, I can spin with my wheel.
Posted by: Stacey | October 31, 2006 at 12:58 PM
Wonderful choices :o) I think I might have purchased the same romney roving - pinks and greens, right?
Posted by: JessaLu | October 31, 2006 at 02:53 PM
You came home with some really beautiful new fibers! I am sure you will enjoy every minute of spinning them.
Posted by: Karen | October 31, 2006 at 04:02 PM
Beautiful colors, can;t wait to see what you spin! Happy Halloween! Love the bumper sticker lol
Posted by: Carol | October 31, 2006 at 04:32 PM
You had a really good time ! Beautiful fibre which will give you months of pleasure,and happy memories. What a fab winter of spinning lies ahead.
Posted by: Emma. | October 31, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Very NICE loot!!!!
Posted by: sheepshepherdess | October 31, 2006 at 06:04 PM
Beautiful stuff! Can't wait to see it spun.
Posted by: Cheryl | October 31, 2006 at 06:35 PM
Such beautiful "future" yarn :)
Posted by: Debi | October 31, 2006 at 07:01 PM
Great assortment of rovings! I bought the same Spinner's Hill roving in deep reds and black- that will go on the back burner until my spinning improves a bit on the wheel. A nice lady lent me her Ashford Joy to try out for 2 weeks and the lovely Mamacate is lending me her brand new spalted birch spindle from Rhinebeck. I'm having a ball!
Posted by: Manise | October 31, 2006 at 07:31 PM
oohh, I want me one of those bumper stickers. It's perfect!
Your grafton fiber batts are phenomenol - also that red at the end of your post is just begging to be spun. I wouldn't be able to keep my fingers off of it.
Posted by: Teyani | October 31, 2006 at 07:37 PM
ahhh!! Great loot!
Posted by: Amanda Cathleen | October 31, 2006 at 08:21 PM
Talk about harvest season! You managed to find a lot of great fiber to squirrel away to get you through the winter... now, that Golding spindle, though, really has me envious.
Posted by: Birdsong | October 31, 2006 at 08:35 PM