Why I love my wheel

These were spun on my Hitchhiker - 2.7oz of superwash for Jada's Baby Suprise Jacket.



I tried to spin it fine - in some places too fine. But it was only my 2nd roving on the Hitchhiker. I think it turned out great!





And I also plyed my first pencil roving spun on the Hitchhiker. Much less fine, but still - I love how it turned out. I'm just not sure what to make with it.



I love my spindles, but this is so much faster.



And portable - I took my HH to Charlotte Purls meetings twice so I could finish the superwash.



Here I am at the Purls meeting with my HH :)



Thanks Stacey for the snapshot of my portable spinning :)

I'm still working on my 8oz Roving on the Kiwi - pictures of that soon.....

Handspun

I'm slowly getting better, emphasis on the slowly. This isn't a craft for those who like instant gratification. I'm working on my patience.

Green Merino - I was aiming for a sport weight. I need to check the WPI, it looks to be more like DK to me.



And this is a mix of lots of different fiber samples I have - including a 1/4 silk hankie. Also a wool, angora silk blend - yummm. Not much fiber of any sample so I spun it thin, and then just did a simple 2-ply. I liked spinning silk :) And softness and feel of this hank is so different than the wool handspun, even the merino. It is soooooo soft and it feels very fine. Begs for lace IMHO.



I also bought some superwash wool on Ebay from Brown Sheep. It is very silky and soft, no grip to the yarn at all b/c it's superwash - duh - didn't expect that one but it makes sense. I'm still learning how to spin it because without the little grip on the yarn my small spindle keeps flying off into space. Maybe I'm spinning it too thin, but I'm just not a fan of thick yarn.

I'm now really wanting a wheel. Must resist.

On another note - this is my year for fearlessness remember!!

I've signed up for 1) the Year of Lace 2) Mystery Shawl and 3) Sock Knitting Pentathlon 2008 on Ravelry. Let's see how this goes - it may not be Fearless Knitting, but Foolish Hoping. Let's hope it doesn't turn into the latter! I've also joined Stash Burning on Ravelry - I've got to knit all above from the stash! Bust the stash in 2008 :)

Yarn by Janet

Thanks to another lesson by TurtleGirl76 and an FairieGirl at Charlotte Yarn - I'm spinning!!

It's the weight I want and a lot less bumpy. Let's hope I can keep it up.

And - I actually spun walking the kids to the bus. Spinning and Walking, now that's an improvement!

With the help of Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts and a book I have had a while but didn't understand "Spinning the Old Way" - it's starting to make sense and I actually figured out how to get the single off the spindle and ply it off my hand! I washed it in hot water and hung it to dry. It's to special to knit with yet, however. LOL.



This yarn was a bit bumpy - but hey it was my first plyed yarn!

This is my new one - I'm going to spin 50g of this lovely green merino and hope I have enough for a neck warmer or hat. Then mission accomplished for my next Seattle trip where hopefully - I will learn a bit more or get some *great* fiber. Last time I was there Marie had BISON fiber. Yum. And all the ladies will have went to the Medrona fiber festival. I'd love to buy some lovely fiber from one of them. That reminds me - I better put in some emails to see if someone can pick me up some!

Here's my latest "bus stop" yarn. Much more even!





This is one of the most destressing things I've ever done. Even more relaxing than knitting. Something about the gentle drafting motion and maybe the hypnotic (sp?) spinning of the spindle. You just breath slower and relax. Being a mom - I so need moments like these.

Off to spin some more before work!