Last week I didn’t spin much, but when I did I was using some of the beautiful handpainted rovings I have in my fiber stash, and basically, well, ruining it. NO MORE. So after a couple of emails with Cassie, I ordered a bunch of practice fiber: 1/2 lb. of Romney, 1/2 lb. of Corriedale, 1/2 lb. of Coopworth (from Halcyon) and 1 lb. of Blue Faced Leicester from WEBS.
Yesterday I spun up almost the entire 1/2 lb. of Coopworth – that’s what’s in the picture above. I had a really good time. I’ve narrowed down my problems to drafting and treadling. 😉 No really – the drafting was really hard on some of the handpainted stuff I was spinning but I realize now it’s because I wasn’t PREdrafting enough. I was ripping it apart into smaller strips but I wasn’t pulling it apart at all to get it less compacted. Today I’m going to try some of the BFL I bought from Lisa Souza – I figure after all that white yesterday I’m allowed a little bit of a treat today. And it’s green – which isn’t my favorite color these days so I’m not TOO concerned if I screw it all up. The treadling problem? Well, I’ve slowed that down considerably and I think that’s helped a lot. Thanks to Ann, I also found a sort of close by guild. And someone to give me lessons! I think I’m going to have one next week.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the spinning – in a kind of zen way – and I’m working my way up to a nice long post about it. Not yet though.
My anxiety’s been kicking my ass a little bit too – I think it’s kind of a there was so much going on the last two months of the year and then the birthday and new years and now there isn’t so much to think about so why not go back to the bad place and make yourself crazy kind of thing. You know? I’m working on it though. I do have a big project to get out by the 20th, but I can’t do it all day long or I really WILL go crazy. I’m trying to work on it in the mornings (hence later blogging) because if I leave it to the afternoon I inevitably fall asleep. (It’s a lot of reading work.) So I set a goal for the morning, and then go back to it in the afternoon and if I fall asleep, well, that’s okay because I’ve already hit the goal in the morning. How smart am I?
There’s been jaywalker progress over the weekend, but honestly, I’m afraid to show you a picture. After Friday’s update, I think like THIRTY NEW PEOPLE signed up for the KAL! How insane is that? Kathy and I had a little bit of a it’s your fault, no it’s your fault kind of thing going on – she blames me, I blame her, but really , it can’t be MY fault. I mean, SHE wrote the superfantastic pattern sweeping blogland. I told her – if it wasn’t such a great pattern I wouldn’t be knitting it over and over and over again and neither would anyone else. Right? So it’s her fault. 😉
you go girl! My neck has been sore so I didn’t spun much this weekend.
How are you feeling about the lendrum so far? I hate using the orfice hook lol, I found out its called that cause do you know you can buy FANCY orfice hooks?? OMG!!
the spinning looks fantastic! keep up the great work~
You’re right, don’t show the jaywalker picture, because I’m one picture away from caving in and joining, too. 🙂 The yarn is wound up and ready to go, I’m just trying to wait until I finish some other projects.
Yup, that`s right, you have to treadle S-L-O-W-L-Y. Give your hands a chance to get faster at their end. Did you practice treadling for a while without yarn? See how slow you can go without reversing.
The yarn on the bobbin is looking good though! Remember to save it so you can look back in three months time and see how much better you`ve got.
Knitting and spinning makes for a lovely weekend. I’m impressed at how much you spun up. I’ll bet you could make a hat with it.
Hey! Spinning pictures! You made yarn, you should be proud. Isn’t it great – like meditating, for me, anyway. And the Jaywalker thing? Totally your fault, dude. And I love ya for it.
A friend of mine shared this advice, which he got from Dr. Joyce Brothers (nearly your neighbor — she lives in Ft. Lee):
If you have a lot of excitement going on, like a trip or a birthday, schedule something you know will be fun for a week or two afterwards. That way, you’ll have something to look forward to and will (hopefully) avoid the big let-down.
If you start to feel anxious, I’d suggest knitting and/or spinning a bit more. 🙂
It’s both your faults. Her for writing a great pattern and you for offering such great prizes! 🙂
I’ll do my update now, because otherwise I’ll forget!! Mostly done with the first Black Purl Chaotic Jaywalker and am starting the second tonight – both will be active until they’re the same length and then I’ll switch back and forth until I run out of yarn. Visual update here.
Cara, I have two things to say.
1. It’s your fault. Evidence – before KAL, there were like 7 pairs in the gallery, and now… let’s not even talk about it. I have a major update to do today/tomorrow.
2. I light up with every new pair started, every new pair completed, every new pair submitted to the gallery… so I’m happy to take the blame even though… not my fault 🙂 🙂 :).
Well girls, make that thirty-one because I just started a pair of Jaywalkers! I’ll email you and post a picture later today or tomorrow!
How awesome for you to be spinning Cara! You’d be a walking tornado of anxiety if you didn’t do so much knitting and spinning. You’ve got the JW pattern memorized… can’t you just flip the switch and turn your brain off for a while and let it cool down? 🙂
Your spinning is looking great, and yes, I agree, you can’t underestimate the importance of pre-drafting. Especially when you’re learning.
Lovelier and lovlier! Get your hands on a copy of “Amos Aldens Big Book of Handspinning” Great referance. written in a fun readable way. I love mine!
I’d love to join if you can stand one more! I’m working on my first pair right now, and have at least two more planned. I’ve also started a CountYourSocks thing, not really a KAL – but check it out if you’d like! Us sock knitters need to stick together!!
I’d say it’s a combo – she created the pattern and you made it come alive 😉 you’ve both just created a monster of a good sock. your spinning looks great! i know you’ll get the hang of it soon enough.
I think maybe, just maybe, you and Grumperina should share the “blame.” Although is blame really appropriate? Maybe you should be sharing pats on the back. Great pattern + great PR = Fabulously Popular Socks.
I thought I joincd a couple of weeks ago, but wasn’t in any updates so I’m definitely joining today!
It’s a wonderful pattern, (thanks Grumperina) and my first knitalong (thanks Cara).
Will it make you feel better if I tell you I started my first pair last night but don’t need to be included in updates? Just a little better?
…practice, practice, practice! ;o)
I’m with Julie – I’m knitting the Jaywalkers but don’t need to be involved in the knitalong…I end up being a bad knitalong member whenever I do that.
Cara: Have you seen Knitterguy’s tips on pre-drafting? He spins incredibly even, lace-weight wool, silk, etc. and he has a very methodical pre-drafting routine that counts for much of his success. See here: http://knitterguy.typepad.com/my_weblog/2005/11/how_i_spin_fine.html
There is also part 2 and 3 that are a MUST READ. Good luck, kid!
Nope, totally your fault. If you hadn’t knit up her pattern in superfantastic yarn and shown us the possiblities of it we wouldn’t be swooning. I skipped right by it when it was first up, but after seeing yours, well, I bought some yarn for mine… which of course I haven’t started yet. Someday soon though!
I loved the pattern before the KAL but didn’t think I could do it but you made it sound so “doable” and it IS!!! My friend who didn’t think she wanted to make them cast on for a pair this weekend. SHe is already ahead of me. They are addictive that is for sure.
I don’t know ONE thing about spinning but it looks like you are really coming along and nicely too judging by the comments from others that are obviously spinners! You truly “ROCK” Cara!
I resisted Jaywalker for long enough. After three starts I am about halfway done with a leg in Party Time Apple Butter yarn, and trying to imagine how my STR would look. Can I join, can I join?
Ooops, blog address in first post is wrong
Cara,
I have never noticed your photo cards on this site. They are fabulous! I hope you can go to La Quinta in the new future.
I want to go back already. One night was just a teaser.
What state do you live in?
I joined the KAL long ago, and I finally have something to show for it. I had to rip out the entire foot of sock #1 (find out why in my post from Saturday), but I’m almost done with the toe for the second time. And I promise to cast on for #2 immediately!
Cara, I also look at spinning in the “zen light”. I don’t have a wheel yet, but using my friend Loren’s, even for such a short period of time, transported me to another, totally relaxed universe 🙂
Jaywalkers, I did not sign up for the KAL, but I am knitting along 🙂 I went out and got me some Inox dpns (couldnt find two appropriate sized circs in any of the LYSs) and cast on again with Sockotta, and although I think my rib looks a little loose for my taste, I’m loving the pattern (I’m about 12 repeats in) And fwiw, I think both you and Kathy are equally responsible 😉
I read your blog each day (love it!) and finally “delurking”! I too am a new spinner and recently took lessons. As someone mentioned, treadling slowly was key for me; in fact, my teacher had me treadle without fiber until it became second nature! Also, I joined a guild on LI and what a wonderful sharing group; hope that works out for you! Your yarn looks yummy and thanks for sharing so much of yourself with us.
Ooooooooooooh, you got a Lendrum. I’m totally out of the loop and I come back to see spinning pictures, yahoooooo!
Predrafting helps me. Also realising that treadling faster is not going to help me or the result.
I second Margene’s hat suggestion. I am a full supporter of the “knit what you spin” philosophy, even if what you spin doesn’t look like you expected it to look. It’s ALL good 🙂
Hey Cara, I’m a lurker who is blogless but I am starting some Jaywalkers so I’d like to join the KAL. Thanks for hosting, I was pretty intimidated by the pattern but all the pattern notes and comments have made it seem more managable.