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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The Wheels Are Turning

My friend Susan (who gave me the awesome studio bench/table) starts every bike ride by stepping on her elevated left bike pedal and as the bike takes off, swings into the seat. I have tried to do this - it's quite a cool looking trick - but "natural athlete" has never followed my name. I've got to do it now though because I'm going to need every trick in the book to catch up with the Tour de Fleece.



There was some actual spinning today. In the new studio. And I didn't crumble into a pile of dust as I feared I might.

My TDF challenge is to spin 1 1/2 pounds of the long waiting Punkin fleece. Technically 1 1/2 pounds worsted weight yarn. However, at this point I'm just happy to actually be spinning anything (because there have been a couple days that I wasn't sure we hadn't built the new studio for naught) and I've decided this one is going to be just between me and Punkin.



Rather than be all technical and measured, I'm going to just relax and spin my comfort yarn - more of a heavy worsted weight with some thick and thin spots for interest - and enjoy hanging out with Punkin again for a little while. This is the last of his wool and I know he'd much rather I had some fun with it. Not that spinning accurately isn't fun, but you know what I mean.



I was playing around with taking some motion blurred pictures. It's probably just me, but this last picture makes me nervous - like it's full of tension or conflict - I guess the fast moving bobbin vs. the stationary maiden.

Is it just me?

11 comments:

Lady Katherine said...

I been back spinning lately! Is your wheel an Elizabeth wheel by Ashford? I have spun for years, but my tension is so off! Spinning is so relaxing. I do love Jacob sheep! I bought six Gulf Coast registered sheep, their wool is close to Merino. I visited a farm in Louisiana, years back and fell in love with these sheep. At the time I did not know he had the best bloodline. Now I have sheep of his line, I was so excited when I saw the papers! We use to raise sheep for the girls to show and me to spin. But Oxford is not the best spinning wool or felting! I had 50 of them or so.

Dana and Daisy said...

It takes true talent to spin yarn and take photos at the same time!

I hope a day of spinning has lifted your spirits!

thecrazysheeplady said...

That is actually my Jensen Production wheel. I have an Ashford Traditional wheel that I like too. It was nice to get a wheel out today.

:-)

Michelle said...

No, it's not just you; that last photo is jittery. I've never tried the TDF; too many other commitments. More power to ya!

Laney said...

I didn't see any tension, but now that you mention it, I'm a nervous wreck just by looking at it! ;-)

flowerweaver said...

Good to see you're back in the new light filled studio! It looks so nice inside. Have a wonderful day with Punkin!

DayPhoto said...

That was very interesting for me. I have never seen spinning although I have heard lots and lots about it and even know (my name and sight, no less) a couple of weavers.

I am glad you were able to spin.

Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed the visit.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.worpress.com

Anonymous said...

I am amazed at how light the yarn is; I thought Punkin was, well, pumpkin coloured, and here you have a creamy yarn on you wheel.

I love, Love, watching the blogs during the Tour de Fleece. I have been holding out on spinning since I have just a couple of other things to do with my time. I suspect it is just a matter of time before I succumb. If I really didn't want to spin, I wouldn't search out the blogs!
Thanks, for the pictures.

Leah

Patchworkfibers said...

Okay, I'm weird. The picture is relaxing to me :-). I love the motion in the picture and the thought of Punkin's last fleece becoming a comfort yarn for you.

Beekeeper Barbara said...

I'm spinning on a Louet wheel which I just love. I like to know how to spin 'properly' but I also enjoy the relaxing time just spinning that comfort yarn too.

WildBlack said...

Very cool snaps! Your life style is much more meaningful I think that mine, being so busy and running around, without any time for the loved ones!(no enough time to love them more n more!)
The feel of spinning a yarn is there in your snaps!
Happy yarning!! ;) You have spirits! keep it up, you crazy lady!