Spinning Past and Present and Future
December 31, 2007
Deb wanted to see a Spinning Year in Review and since she got a new wheel for Christmas, I can see why. Enjoy your new baby, Deb. It's bound to bring you hours, and years, of enjoyment.
The first of 2007 was much more conducive to spinning progress than the last. It may be I ran out of steam, but more likely, the knits just took over and Emmylou has been neglected because of that. It's so hard to find time to do all the things one likes when one has multiple interests...something or other always gets a short shrift. My fiber stash is overwhelmingly large and something must be done...something like SPINNING. So, I declare January NaSpiMoMo. To join you just need to spin more (easy peasy), and take Carole's fabulous button if you have a blog. Plus, there is a Ravelry Group. (Ravelry makes KALs/CALs/SALs so easy!) You set your goal and spin.
Most of the yarn spun in 2007 was from the Spunky Club and you can see the glorious results in my Spunky Flickr Album. It was fairly easy to keep up with the monthly fiber and, even knit something from it, until July when sweater mania hit Zeneedleland.
The very favorite of all my handspun hand knits is Susan's Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl. The yarn was my first single and the project was easy and enjoyable. This was the May selection, Nightshade, and Amy, as usual, did a magical job with color. This shawl is so easy to throw on with anything and I wear it often.
There are several skeins, spun early in the year and still hanging out, that I'd love to knit. Maybe 2008 will be the year.
This is a skein of the most beautiful fiber. It's one of the first I bought from Anne's Wooly Wonka. It's 60% gray alpaca 20% gray angora, 18% purple/blue dyed silk 2% angelina and I ended up with 600+ yards. It's so yummy...why does it sit?
I'm rather fond of this beautifully dyed "Giverny" also from Anne's shop, as it was a gift from Birdsong. There is enough for a small shawl and maybe I should just make another Forest Canopy. I'd love to be wearing this now, instead of just petting it.
The next yarn just might be the last I spun, with any success, and I do remember how excited I was about it. This is Celebration, the July offering from Amy's Spunky Club, which I plied in chained singles. It's about a worsted weight and should make a great hat. It's one I pet often as I did such a good job of spinning and finishing it.
Let's hope NaSpiMoMo will bring the return of the spinning mojo! It maybe a great colorway will help, too. Amy's December offering is called Party Dresses, 80s Party Dresses!!
When I opened the package I laughed out loud. The colors are so happy, so vibrant and a perfect way to brighten dreary winter day. Think I might just dive right in...
(Turns out I had bronchitis, but with modern meds I'm feeling much better. The Near Year should start out "in the pink". )
Happy New Year!
Posted by: elizabeth | December 31, 2007 at 09:51 AM
And, a Happy, Healthy, and Safe New Year to you!
Posted by: CindyCindy | December 31, 2007 at 10:52 AM
You spun lots and lots more than I did!
Posted by: claudia | December 31, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Ruth | December 31, 2007 at 01:06 PM
Happy New Year. I am off to get that button.
Posted by: Judy | December 31, 2007 at 01:26 PM
I may do this NaBloSpiMo or whatever it is called. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Laurie | December 31, 2007 at 02:10 PM
Happy New Year. I set my goal for the NaSpiMoMo... I see you on Ravelry - where I've been spending too much time.
Posted by: Madame Purl | December 31, 2007 at 03:40 PM
Hey, maybe we're on the same page. My New Year's "cast-on" will actually be a mindful journey in spinning. I will buy a pair of hand cards (I'm not so interested in washing wool, but I'd love to spin from fresh rolags), and I plan to spin for a sweater (from prepped roving, though). OK, so I'm also casting on a stole, I think. But whatever, the main thing for 2008 will be spinning. I love the skeins you've pictured.
Posted by: Katherine | December 31, 2007 at 04:22 PM
Happy New Year and NaSpiMoMo, Margene!
Posted by: Sarah | December 31, 2007 at 05:20 PM
A Very Happy Healthy New Year to you and Smith!
Posted by: Rachel | December 31, 2007 at 05:56 PM
glad that you are beginning to feel better now :-)
Beautiful year in review of spinning comin' from your place.
Joyous New Year to you.
Posted by: Teyani | December 31, 2007 at 06:22 PM
Happy New Year! Hope it's one filled with lots of spinning and knitting!
Posted by: Margaret | December 31, 2007 at 06:59 PM
that giverny is gorgeous. sadly, we didn't visit this time when I was in france...next time. knit it quick!
Posted by: Kathleen | December 31, 2007 at 07:52 PM
I too am going to concentrate a bit more on spinning in the New Year. It's going to be part of my crafting/personal goals next year.
Posted by: Jennifer | December 31, 2007 at 08:25 PM
Feel better! And your spinning looks just great. Of course. And hey--I finished the socks I knitted out of Celebration today. Woohoo!
Posted by: --Deb | December 31, 2007 at 08:38 PM
What a wonderful idea NaSpiMoMo is! Happy New Year, Margene!
Posted by: Opal | December 31, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Happy New Year! I'm totally in for this.
Posted by: Jenny | January 01, 2008 at 10:22 AM
What a nice walk down Spinning Memory Lane! I am excited to see how far you progressed in just one year, but totally understand how sweater mania got you drawn away... I looked at my list of 2007 FOs and realized that, just as I had suspected, spinning had drawn me away from knitting, though I am ever glad for the richness it has added to my fibery life. Wishing you a fibery, spinning New Year!
Posted by: Birdsong | January 01, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Thanks for the group, I really needed the extra shove to get me spinning again!
Spent a couple of hours with my spindle and some baby camel fibre, wonderful!
Posted by: Ali | January 01, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Great review. Now if we get you spinning a sweaters worth, you'll be all good the next time sweater fever hits :)
Posted by: Amy Boogie | January 02, 2008 at 02:51 PM
I've already begun my spinning! What a joyful thing it is to do. :)
Take care and I hope you're feeling better by now! XOXOX
Posted by: Laura | January 02, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Happy New Year!
All the spinning is so lovely. I love the new Spunky Club color.
Posted by: Tonia | January 02, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Margene, Your spinning is blowing me away! It is so inspirational. It wouldn't have occurred to me to spin a single for a shawl, mostly because I'd be afraid that I put too much twist in it. Yours is incredible. Any tips?
xox, J
Posted by: Julia | January 03, 2008 at 11:54 AM