All I did yesterday was SPIN! I was so inspired by all of the spinners – old and new – at Saturday’s gathering that I couldn’t help myself. And I was so tired I didn’t want to have to think or use any brain power whatsoever. So I watched like 8 hours of Another World and spun up this GORGEOUS blue merino from Amy at Spunky Eclectic. It’s Moonflower – part of the almost solid series – but I think it should be called Forever in Blue Jeans.
I’m one of those people who drops trou the minute they walk in the door and leaves the clothes wherever they find the floor. So yesterday I was spinning in the bedroom and out of the corner of my eye I was constantly seeing my favorite pair of jeans (read the only pair that fits my fat ass these days) on the floor (pretty close to the closet door but more towards the middle of the walkway) and they looked JUST like the fiber I was spinning up.
This is my first attempt with merino and I have to say I’m really proud of how I’m doing. It’s a bit overspun in spots when I forget that I’ve got the drive band set on the lowest whorl and I’m treadling away like a madwoman, but for the most part it’s good. I’m going to finish up the little bit I have left of the first 4oz today and hopefully ply it all tonight. I think it’s a nice sportweight and I’m very tempted to make a pair of socks out of it. Depends on how much I get from the 4oz. I have another 4oz of this so if I get a lot I may make a shawl or something. We’ll see.
I promise a nice long post about Saturday but I’m really beat and need to process it all. When I talked to Shana and found out we had a place, I totally lost it. Tears and everything. I was just so relieved. Thank you again Shana and thank you Kim McNeal at the Parks Dept. Seriously rocking my world.
There’s still LOTS to do with Spin Out. The registry will close on Friday – but as of right now we’ve raised $13,467!!!! There are a few more prizes to announce and I can tell you right now that prizes will not be awarded until after July 4th. I’m sorry about the delay – but my family’s coming up to visit Friday thru Wednesday and I still haven’t received all of the prizes to put together gift packages. So I’m not going to kill myself about it all. I know you know that it will all get out and things will be GRAND! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Here’s something for some of you to think about: I’m coming to CHICAGO! Yarn crawl anyone? I’ll be there the third weekend in July – Fri-Mon and while some of my time will be spent with G, it’s a work thing for him so I’ll be on my own a lot too. Let’s plan something!! (ETA: Um, I meant the weekend of the 15th. I figured that’s the third weekend because the 1st is on a Saturday. So sorry!)
PS:
Is this you? Or someone you know?
I’ve had a request for information about the spindle you were using on Saturday, but I’m sorry, I forgot your name! Can you leave me a comment so I can get in touch with you? Thank you so much!
Your spinning looks so beautiful! Those are great colours.
I was so overwhelmed by learning to spin that I didn’t catch where she got her cute lil spindle. (I’m the one in the white shirt, I’m totally kicking myself lol). Hope she replies. 😀
Congratulations! Sounds like a great event. The donation is amazing. You should be so proud!
Beautiful colors!
Gorgeous spinning. I love that colorway and your merino looks great!
Your spinning is amazing, C. You have come so far. THAT’S IT – now I’m going to come far to you and make you teach me. I will learn at the feet of a master. 😉
SO glad the spinoff went well. While I slaved at work I thought about you guys! Glad you had fun!
I’m so happy that Saturday was a success for you! You should be really proud of what you did to pull this together, and the Heifer thing, too.
When I was at Estes there was someone there from Heifer. And we told her about you and what you were doing and that we had all made donations. And she kept saying, “bless your hearts” and it was very sweet.
have been following this fundraising and wanted to ask how you did it–mechanically, i meant. what were the nuts and bolts. i have a friend just in the process of being diagnosed with leukemia; i predict that he and his new bride will need help of every kind. can you tell me how to start? email me at wordgirrl at gmail dot com, when you have time? meanwhile, beautiful work (both your spinning and your heart). 🙂
Oh and I have a pig and a pin to send you from the Heifer booth that Carole commented on. You seriously did a fabu thing with the spinning and the fund raising and you deserve a nice break to do what you want for awhile. Next time will be even more wonderful!
Well, damn! I chatted with the lady and asked about the spindle and she told me and even showed me the tag still on another one just like it. Do I remember the info? Of course not.
Nice spinning! I have some small chunks of Spunky Eclectic – I really need to dig them out and get started with them.
ooo! I’m going to be in Chicago the weekend of the 21st too … are you going to be in the city or the ‘burbs?
Loopy Yarns (downtown) is most definately worth a visit, as is Arcadia (north side).
Thank you for organizing the Spin Out – I had a wonderful time. I’m still amazed by the nimble venue change.
I believe that’s amazing Jill Ann in the photo, self-taught spinner and dyer, spinning her beauteous hand-dyed silk on a Simple Market Farms spoked featherweight spindle.
I’ll be in Chicagoland and will have some free time July 21. I hesitate to mention this here, but I’ve never used STR and was pondering a visit to The Fold.
beautiful beautiful yarn – this all makes me want to learn to spin but I really feel like I need to be more consistent with my knitting before I start another “something”. It’s just amazing what you got started for Heifer and what the blog community did with it. You really need to be able to just sit back and go “ahhhhhh” and enjoy the “after”.
That blue merino is wonderful! You’re spinning has come sooooo far. I’m coveting blue now. And the first time I tried to spin merino I was seriously frustrated — the stuff was slick as shit and being pulled out of my hands. Needless to say my resulting efforts are laughable. So if this is your first shot at spinning merino I think you got it goin’ on girl!
Gorgeous blue jeans yarn!
And, “treadling away like a madwoman”. For some reason that just made me howl with laughter. I can see it!
You guys made it look so easy! That yarn you spun is so beautiful and, gasp, even in thickness I am totally in awe! I did have a lot of fun (and frustration and my lack of spinning ability) on Saturday, thank you so much for organising the whole thing 🙂
Tina
Wow! That is some beatuiful stuff you are spinning up! You’re going to have a hard time convincing me that you are a beginner. Seriously, it’s gorgeous! I’ve always told myself that I wasn’t going to get into spinning…but the more I see and hear you talk about it, the more I’m tempted!!
Your spinning is gorgeous. I thought of you all spinning together this weekend and wished I could have joined you. I hope to improve my spinning and nerves so that my hands don’t start sweating terribly and I can spin with others one day. I don’t know a way to write about our having the “dropping trou” thing in common without it sounding really weird and very wrong, but I feel the need to write something anyway. I guess that’s it.
Love that merino. Love it, love it, love it.
Incidentally, I thought you might like to know that today I cancelled my membership at my expensive yuppie health club and replaced it with a membership at the E. 54th Street Rec Center, in which I had never set foot until Saturday. Even when it’s not spinning-related, you have a way of making other people’s lives better. 🙂
I only know you through your blog, but I am SO PROUD OF YOU! Wow, the Spin-Out and the Heifer fund-raising are awesome! (Your spinning is nice, to ;-))
How about if you or a musical friend re-writes that old Coke song: I’d like to teach / the world to spin / in perfect harmony…
Yay, Cara!!
Beautiful spinning and wonderful Spin Out! Thanks for masterminding the whole thing. And you’re coming to Chicago! Like Ruth asked burbs or urbs? Let’s hang out!
Your spinning is so very pretty..kinda looks like the colors of the sky too! I found myself spinning alot yesterday too. Inspiration! Ya gotta love it.
If you’re coming to Chicago, I know I’ll be around. And if you’re into the whole spinning thing… well, the yarn stores in Chicago are okay (to be honest, I haven’t found one that I consider truly wonderful, but there are several that are entertaining), but the Fold out in Marengo is absolutely fabulous if you have time for a little road trip on Saturday.
are you sure you aren’t in my room?!
I remember that spindle! it was simple something farms or small something farms…or I dont know what Im talking about farms….:)
Fantastic work, Cara – you should be really proud of yourself. I was bummed that I wasn unable to make it to the new venue – it looks like everyone had a blast! I hope you can gather the strength to host another one some day 🙂
I’m sorry Ev and I had to leave when we did, the train had to keep on rolling, but I totally loved the Rec Center and meeting up with you all.
Really? An automated way to deal with random numbers of entries per person?? Do let me know.
Congrats on a successful event this weekend!
The Fold. The Fold. The Fold.
Who wouldn’t be up for a yarn crawl? Or a trip to the Fold?
Lots of friendly stitchers here in Chicago and we’d love to have you visit!
I got some merino from spunky eclectic, too, and i am so loving it! it feels like butter slipping through my fingers! i, too, am overspinning a bit because i can’t stop treadling like its a race or something! it is beautiful stuff! And dang, girl! you spin some nice stuff!
you rock girlfriend.
Your spinning looks grand.
Keep on goin’ !!!!!
Beautiful spinning!
I’m the one that had the arrow pointed over her head in your picture. The spindle comes from SimpleMarketFarms.com. It’s the featherweight spindle called the Briar Rose.
I had a wonderful time at the spinout, despite the weather. Thank you so much for organizing it.
I love your blue jeans yarn…the color is fabulous.
A million thanks Cara for giving birth to the idea of a Spin Out. Now I have another addiction..er,um, I mean craft to add to my collection. I had loads of fun being my usual chatty self with all those spinners.
And thanks for tracking down Jillan. I really appreciate it. If I would have just written down the information when she gave it to me, we wouldn’t have had to go through all this trouble.
Although I think that cute spindle may be worth it 🙂
news update: I didn’t win the wheel:( Oh well, at least I’ll have my Briar Rose to console me once it gets here. Yay!
The Spin Out sounds like it was a success. I can’t wait to read your post about it. I’m so glad you were able to find an indoor place for it. I’m so sad I missed it. Are you going to make it an annual event?? 🙂
Your spinning is beautiful. Blue jean socks to wear with your blue jeans…
WOW! That Heifer total is AMAZING!
Mmmmm….Merino. Gorgeous stuff. I have some raw Cormo from Maryland Sheep & Wool that I am trying to decide where to go with.
Luscious stuff, beautiful spun yarn – I’m really loving all those blues. And from one more spinner – thank you so much for organizing the event. It was a wonderful day.
Thanks so much for organizing a wonderful event. I had lots of fun spinning and meeting others. Usually, I only find spinners when I go to the fairs in Rhinebeck. This was much closer!
Hey, all — one of our customers told us about your blog and told us we ought to come see what you were doing! WOW!!! First, that *is* very nice spinning! and Dyeing! and….we are very pleased at your telling everyone about our Briar Rose. Just in case anyone wants to come over to the site, we’re at http://www.simplemarketfarms.com — and if you use a Sleeping Beauty, Briar Rose, or Rapunzel, please email us a picture of you and your spindles in action — we’d love to hear from you and see your work….and if you let us, we’d like to include your spinning story in our newsletters. — jeanne & paul