Even More Spinning
Many of you have asked how the dogs are doing - how everyone is getting along. Honestly, really and truly, it could not be better. Max is the best dog we've ever had. He is sweet, obedient, joyful, funny, and perfect. Moxie has taken to him much as we have and, as you can see in this picture…all is well. Moxie seems to enjoy the company and there has been no territorial behavior or growling. We are a happy family of four.
Max follows me around the house, but when I sit (to knit or spin) he curls up near by in a tightly little ball. Moxie follows along soon after and it's nice to have the company.
There must be something about spring/early summer that brings out the spinning bug. The virus spreads quickly and everywhere you look new skeins of handspun are popping up. I've enjoyed spinning more than ever because the process has finally sunk in. I feel like a real spinner.
The bombyx silk/wool blend from Chasing Rainbows was a little intimidating. But, when I saw Cheryl's very nicely spun silk singles I asked her advice on the best way to spin and finish. With her helpful suggestions I was able to do an adequate job. The wool content (50/50) made spinning a little easier than pure silk because wasn't as slippery. To finish the yarn it was soaked and the kinky nature of the singles melted away to produce a smooth, shiny, and beautiful yarn. The color is appropriately named Shellbox and this is another exciting potential shawl. Susan thought the yarn was very good, so I'm feeling quite proud of my ever growing skill. The spinning groove has proved a fun place to be. As with knitting, when a complicated project is finished, it's nice to have something simple and easy in contrast.
Amy's Party Dresses, the Spunky Club offering from December, was the perfect contrast and compliment to the silk. The roving is painted in three distinct eye-popping colors; pinky red, chartreuse green and aqua blue. Separately they are bright and bold...together they create the best party, a joyful, exciting, merry group. Each color will be spun onto a bobbin and then plied together into a springy, sproingy, happy dance, sock yarn. Maybe this will bring back the Sock Mojo!
And, for Kim...Friday Flowers! Happy Friday!!
Awww, Max is a cutie.
(I think I once dated a guy, in the 70's, who had a mustache like that!) <--Just kidding, but couldn't resist.
Posted by: Dave Daniels | May 30, 2008 at 04:18 AM
Congrats on your new pup and glad Moxie's nose wasn't put out of joint by his adoption into the family.
Great job on those singles! Of course you are a real spinner silly!
Enjoy your weekend.
Posted by: Manise | May 30, 2008 at 04:42 AM
Your singles are fantastic! I'm so glad that Max and Moxie are making fast friends.
Posted by: Carole | May 30, 2008 at 04:47 AM
Shellbox is STUNNING. You make a strong argument for singles, as does Cheryl.
Posted by: Laurie | May 30, 2008 at 04:52 AM
They are so cute! I'm glad to hear that everyone's happy with your newbie - he looks like a sweetie!
Posted by: Jenn | May 30, 2008 at 05:24 AM
Ha! What Dave said, Margene, you are married to a guy with a moustache like Moxie's. WHAT! It's a Joke! Heh.
I love that yarn you made. Keep it up, I need the inspriation.
Posted by: Teresa C | May 30, 2008 at 05:25 AM
You definitely are a REAL spinner. The skeins you had the other night looked fantastic.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | May 30, 2008 at 06:06 AM
Were you a pretend spinner before? I have always thought your spinning was exceptional. You were a beginner, now you have past intermediate and are doing beautiful work. Pat yourself on the back. Of course, I can't because my right shoulder is bad, but I can sure pat yours! Have a fab weekend grrrl!
Posted by: CindyCindy | May 30, 2008 at 06:14 AM
Friday Flower - bah. Mine were all destroyed in the hail yesterday. ;(
Posted by: susan | May 30, 2008 at 06:31 AM
Those two dogs are such a delight! I love your handspun. You really do have mad spinning skills. :-)
Posted by: Opal | May 30, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Well... I mean... if SUSAN thought it was okay, it MUST be. I thought you were doing a pretty damn fine job with Emmylou myself. :)
Posted by: Anne | May 30, 2008 at 06:46 AM
That yarn looks great! That should be a pretty fun Spunky Club yarn too.
Posted by: Lauren | May 30, 2008 at 06:59 AM
The Shellbox is amazing! Wow...
Dogs just get it, not like cats or people who have to check each other out and hiss about for weeks or months before they settle in! Good job Max and Moxie; have a biscuit!
Posted by: deb | May 30, 2008 at 07:12 AM
I'm so impressed! You have perfected the art of spinning singles. Love the photo of the orange poppy.
Posted by: Wool Winder | May 30, 2008 at 07:25 AM
What a beautiful yarn you spun! And, it garnered the Susan Seal of Approval... you must be glowing with pride:) Finishing can make such a huge difference in how the yarn looks; well worth learning more about. I love the poppy photo, and it coordinates well with Party Dresses. Happy spinning!!
Posted by: Birdsong | May 30, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Wow, those singles are gorgeous! What beautiful colors! Well spun, too.
Posted by: Cheryl | May 30, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Chasing Rainbows makes me happy. And so does that flower photo! Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Theresa | May 30, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Your singles are gorgeous!
Posted by: Hillary | May 30, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Well, now I KNOW I was right in forcing you to adopt EmmyLou! Can't wait to see some of this in the flesh (or fiber).
Posted by: Marcia Cooke | May 30, 2008 at 07:58 AM
That silk/wool is absolutely, incredibly gorgeous! Those are just my favorite sorts of colors, and so subtle and lustrous. And beautifully spun, seemingly, says the non-spinner!
Max and Moxie look like they belong together. So glad you're a new blended family!
Posted by: Cathy-Cate | May 30, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Cute pups. My dogs are still growling at our new puppy after a couple of weeks. I love the party dresses colors, all your yarn and fiber looks great.
Posted by: paula | May 30, 2008 at 08:31 AM
There's something so comforting about pets that follow you around and stay close. When they aren't tripping you, that is... I love those wool/silk singles - GORGEOUS!
Heh, this is what's going through my head now: "For every season, spin, spin, spin..."
Posted by: Chris | May 30, 2008 at 08:31 AM
I've got the spring spinning bug, too! I've been spinning so much my legs hurt. Well, I think that's probably also a factor of my lack of conditioning but we won't discuss that.
Anyway, come over to my Ravelry and see the new yarns. I'm absolutely in love with the Oatmeal BFL. Sopranospinner.
My Party Dress is marinating since I can't decide how I want to spin it. I think I will do navajo plied stripes, though. But I'm also thinking about plying it with something else so we'll see when I get to it. Which won't be this weekend, craziness!
Posted by: Wendy | May 30, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Chasing Rainbows is GORGEOUS!! (wonder why I'd say that...not MY colors or anything?)
The boys are soooo cute.
(((hugs)))
Posted by: Knitnana | May 30, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Oh, Max is adorable! I managed to miss your announcement that he'd joined the family. Congratulations!
Posted by: Chris | May 30, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Max and Moxie look wonderful together. I bet Moxie is happy to have a friend. :D You know, "Wasn't me mom! It was Max!"
Beautiful flower - my favorite color! I love my California poppies for the burst of orange in my garden.
Posted by: Stacey (just Stacey) | May 30, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Oh, the silk/wool singles are beautiful! I've been trying to nudge hubby into spinning more. He enjoys it so much.
Max and Moxie are both darlings! I wish Isis would be as sweet, but being a cat, and a Tortie at that, she wants attention on her terms. Ah well.
Posted by: Tygher Knits | May 30, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Your Chasing Rainbows spinning is fabulous! Nancy F. does a great job with her dyeing, doesn't she.
Max and Moxie are adorable!
Posted by: Teyani | May 30, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Your pups are so cute! Look at those eyelashes(???)!
Posted by: elizabeth | May 30, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Oh they are so precious! I had one of these dogs growing up and I still miss her everyday. Such sweeties and full of loud barks!
Posted by: Rebecca | May 30, 2008 at 11:12 AM
We too have fallen under the spell of two Schnauzers. Ours are adopted littermates - male and female - who are called Weiner and Schnitzel. Just can't have one!
Sandy in NJ
Posted by: Sandy H. | May 30, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Love the puppy pic and am SO glad to hear they're happy together, that's great!!
Posted by: MX | May 30, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Gorgeous spinning! Chasing Rainbows does such a great job dyeing, and you did it justice - Bravo!
Posted by: Julia | May 30, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Sure you're a happy family of four. No one has to share a bathroom. *L*
I'm so glad that the boys are getting along well. The spinning is wonderful. Well done, you!
Posted by: Cookie | May 30, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Aww, CUTE doggie picture!
Posted by: --Deb | May 30, 2008 at 03:46 PM
You make me want to get a friend for my little Pasiley. They are so cute! Love the yarn also.
Posted by: Jewel | May 30, 2008 at 03:50 PM
The Shellbox yarn is beautiful! I normally consider myself a "cat person" being owned by three felines, but the faces like Max & Moxie's could almost make me reconsider.
Posted by: Plain Jane | May 30, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Margene...your singles are perfect!! I am going to have Cheryl show me her tricks this weekend :-)
Max and Moxie look so happy in that picture. How wonderful for Max that he found his way to you and your family!
Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!
Posted by: Kim | May 30, 2008 at 08:05 PM
I'm a spinning novice, but I think your silk singles look wonderful.
Posted by: Angie | May 30, 2008 at 08:52 PM
I'm glad that things are working out with Max. And that singles! Swoon!
Posted by: jackie | May 31, 2008 at 05:32 AM
Glad to hear that everyone is getting along.
Love the spinning. With this one, you soaked the singles and the previous one you steamed them. Is it the fiber type that determines the setting method?
I've never just used my spun singles but I have a bobbin of merino tencel singles that have been sitting for a while. Is it a trial and error thing to know how much twist to put in them?
Posted by: Lisa | May 31, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Gorgeous handspun! You're such an inspiration. I had a dog named Max when I was a kid - he was the best dog. Must be the name :) Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Stephanie | May 31, 2008 at 09:55 AM
What a cute picture of your two furry loves!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 31, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Max and Moxie are just ADOREABLE!!!
I'm quite impressed with the spinning. Just wanting to get myself back into knitting regularly.
Posted by: Rachel H | May 31, 2008 at 10:38 PM
You really lucked out with that pup. What a cute pair. Was he already named Max, or was that just a lucky coincidence?
Posted by: Alarming Female | June 01, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I had to giggle, my godson always complains that his parents gave him a dog name. Guess what his name is?
The doggies are so freaking cute!
Posted by: sil | June 01, 2008 at 08:28 PM
I love watching all the spinning everywhere.
Posted by: Sarah | June 02, 2008 at 12:20 AM
That is some seriously fabulous yarn.
I'm glad the boys are getting along. Congrats on the new baby!
Posted by: Heather Joins The Round | June 02, 2008 at 08:40 AM
The dogs and spinning are splendid as always... and then you had to vaporize any flower picture I have or could ever take with your one spectacular poppy.
(Breathe, Lucia. It's not a contest. Be the poppy. Ahhhh, that's better.)
Posted by: Lucia | June 02, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I'm glad they are both getting along. They are so cute together. Your spinning looks gorgeous!
Posted by: Kelly | June 02, 2008 at 05:06 PM