Putting a Spin on the Weekend
Last week, unbeknownst to either of us, Carole and I were on the same wave length, at least in regards to spinning. Before the Snake River Festival I decided the only way to work through my burgeoning fiber stash was to actually spin every day. While I feel no guilt over this amassed fiber (yet), I do feel that something unused has little value. Fiber tucked away in the closet (for years on end) is not only "out of sight, out of mind"...it's a waste.
Everyday for over a week I've sat with Emmylou and we've filled bobbin after bobbin with fiber. Minutes at the wheel add up to miles of spun fiber. All the Indigo Moon, sadly the one and only roving I had of theirs, has been spun into singles, steamed, wound, and now ready to knit. The yarn should knit up beautifully and I'm just a bit (too) excited about the shawl potential.
In my fiber stash was a bright and colorful braid from PippiKneeSocks. It had been sitting for some time and I decided it was perfect spring spinning. The intent was to spin a prize for Claudia's MS Ride ...a nice fluffy 3 ply that would make a good winter hat.
While spinning, I learned from Amy about Pippi's need for assistance from our fiber community. How could I spin her fiber and not help her out? The 3 ply, which Pippi named Wildflower Mayhem, is still going to Claudia as a prize, but this bright 2-ply, called Her Name is Rio (another creative name by Pippi), will go to Amy for an auction (starting later this week). All proceeds will go to Pippi and her children, so watch Amy's blog.
You now have a chance to knit with handspun even if you don't want to, need to or like to spin. Amy will have other skeins (Susan also sent a lovely skein) and hand knit items for auction, too. Get out there...donate, bid, do what you can to help our fiber sisters. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
There has been much more spinning going on, which I'll share later AND, guess what, I'm not just spinning and cleaning...I'm knittin', too!
Wow! Gorgeous blue singles and beautiful skeins! Can't wait to see the shawl you knit up with it.
Posted by: Manise | May 28, 2008 at 04:36 AM
Your spinning looks great! I finished my two braids from Rhinebeck, my latest Spunky Eclectic fiber club stuff, and now I'm working on getting through that Indigo Moon orange yumminess. It feels goooooood to spin.
Posted by: Carole | May 28, 2008 at 05:04 AM
That blue is incredible - nice job Margene!
Posted by: Nora | May 28, 2008 at 05:23 AM
Geez, grrrl. Your handspun is absolutely beautiful. No wonder you're not getting as much knitting done. If you want to keep up with the knitting, too, we need to add two more hours to the day. The blue should make a gorgeous shawl and I love the other two skeins.
Posted by: CindyCindy | May 28, 2008 at 05:48 AM
Absolutely gorgeous. I love the colors you choose. Simply irrestible.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 28, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Where's the Chasing Rainbows skein?? That was my favorite.
Posted by: susan | May 28, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Gorgeous spinning - all of it! I just got back on my wheel last night after over a month away (to finish Lizard Ridge). It's so nice to be back.
Posted by: (formerly) no-blog-rachel | May 28, 2008 at 07:07 AM
Your yarns are beautiful! I've been spinning every day too, it makes all the difference :)
Posted by: Lauren | May 28, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Such gorgeous yarn you're making!!
Posted by: Chris | May 28, 2008 at 07:12 AM
I'm excited about the shawl potential for Indigo Moon too. Can't wait to see what you do with it. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Wool Winder | May 28, 2008 at 07:17 AM
You and Emmylou have been busy busy grrls! Love the donation skeins - they are beautiful!!
Posted by: Anne | May 28, 2008 at 07:43 AM
You are a much better Mom to Emmy-Lou than I ever was, and it shows! Gorgeous stuff.
Posted by: Marcia Cooke | May 28, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Such a beautiful blue colour, now I have to go over and donate to get in the running!
Posted by: Anne B. | May 28, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Your skeins are absoloutely gorgeous - what a great job you did! Especially the blue one!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | May 28, 2008 at 08:28 AM
That blue will make some beautiful lace!
Posted by: Margaret | May 28, 2008 at 09:01 AM
The colors on all of those are beautiful. How sweet of you to donate those 2 skeins to such good causes. Just wow.
Posted by: Hillary | May 28, 2008 at 09:02 AM
You did justice to the Indigo Moon, and the others, too. (My eye always sees blue first, what can I say.)
Posted by: Laurie | May 28, 2008 at 09:02 AM
The "Her Name is Rio" name and color combo cracked me up and made me flash back to the 80s! LOLOL Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Posted by: Lynda the Guppy | May 28, 2008 at 11:31 AM
"Fiber tucked away in the closet (for years on end) is not only "out of sight, out of mind"...it's a waste. "
well said my friend.
Posted by: marie in florida | May 28, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Look at all that gorgeous fiber! You're spinning is really amazing. I need to get of my butt, or maybe sit on my butt and do some serious spinning.
Posted by: Stephanie | May 28, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Gosh, that's just lovely stuff....
Posted by: --Deb | May 28, 2008 at 04:09 PM
You impress me! Do you have more than 24 hours in a day in Utah? :D
LOVE your yarn. All of it! Spinning is a talent I admire. From afar!
xoxo
Posted by: sandy | May 28, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Beautiful handspun! Your singles are so nicely spun :-)
Posted by: Kim | May 28, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Your spinning looks so fabulous. I am really hoping that my wheel and I reconnect soon.
Posted by: Teyani | May 28, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Gorgeous spinning Margene!
Posted by: Kelly | May 29, 2008 at 05:50 AM
You sure HAVE been busy! I hope you have selected a pattern for the beautiful blues-to-be-shawl... what fun to be able to start knitting lace from your own handspun.
Posted by: Birdsong | May 30, 2008 at 07:30 AM
Wait a minute. Slow down!!!! I have no idea how it happened (Oh, yes....my life has been like a rollercoaster) but I have three unread posts of yours in Bloglines!!! Sorry, Honey. Here I am! Here I am! Love the spinning. Love your line about unused fiber in the closet is a waste. So true.
Posted by: Norma | June 02, 2008 at 06:31 PM