Grayscale

Sunshine's yarn.  Six colors blended from one black and white spotted sheep. 

And yes, there's a blue ribbon tied to it.  Don't get excited.  I was the only entry in that class ;-).  I left the ribbon on there to prove I got it finished in time for the skein competition :-).  And also, because I did make the effort to prep and (try to) spin really good yarn, even going so far as trying to count treadles while drafting, and follow the requirements and guidelines on presentation, thereby learning even more, it was a win. 

Still...even with all the care and effort, it's the same marginal yarn I always spin.  It's thick and thin, three skeins ended up bulkier than they should even though I used the same spinning ruler/guide throughout and I then had to scramble and spin more to meet the two ounce minimum.  While I am a completely functional spinner, I'd like to be a good spinner.  Practice, practice, practice...

So, the moral of this story?  Soap box number two (the first one having been a bit vague - enter a spinning competition and even if you don't win a ribbon you've still won the much more important experience!).  I've lost track of how many times I've heard, "My yarn isn't good enough to make anything."  Sigh.  Git ta knittin' (or weaving, crocheting...)!

I can will nitpick anything I do or make To. Death.  And nothing I've made with my handspun has ever gotten even a hint of a second glance from me in disappointment.  Yarn I thought was too bulky and overspun made a great woven rug in front of our couch.  Yarn I spun too thick for a DK weight sweater made a great worsted weight vest.  Yarn too underspun and soft made perfect weft for the Punkin throw.  Did you notice any bad spots in the Marcel sweater?  Neither did I :-). 

Nothing "wrong" with your yarn will ever "show" once it stops being yarn and becomes a finished item.  I promise.  Use your handspun, even your very beginner "practice" yarn.  Need a super small project?  What about a mug rug?  Hats are fun and easy.  You can never have enough mittens.  Knitting will teach you about spinning. 

Soft and sweet.  This will knit up just fine :-).

Never stop learning (and practicing, asking questions, watching videos, reading books, taking workshops, entering competitions...