Finally some finished yarn!

I finally was able to sit down and ply the polwarth with the Jamaica merino/mohair blend.  I just love how this yarn feels.  And although it doesn't look like much when seen in the skein, it knits up beautifully!  I am thrilled with how this turned out, and can't wait to begin knitting.  There just simply aren't enough hours in the day.  Here is the yarn -

Polwarth Progress report

I finally filled two bobbins with the heavenly Polwarth top that I started spinning a few weeks ago.  It is now ready to be plied with the Jamaica blend also previously mentioned.  I estimate that I will end up with a hefty pound of yarn when all is finished.  I can't wait till this yarn is finished!  I am simply aching to knit something with it.    I'll post again when it is done and I have photos.

PS) I haven't forgotten about the Ladybug review, I just haven't had much time to actually sit down and thoughtfully type it out.  I'll get to it as soon as I can.

Spinning Class

I am pleased to say there are 4 new spinners in Utah.  My class with the Community Ed Department went smoothly and without a hitch.  Everyone was enthusiastic and took quite nicely to using their drop spindles.  I was a little worried that we had allocated too much time for the class, but it turned out to be exactly right.  We finished the class with 15 minutes to spare.  Unfortunately (in their excitement I presume) they departed before I could do a final demonstration on the wheel.  Ah, but they will have opportunity in the up coming weeks as I am planning several spin/knit meetings very soon.  What fun - I am always thrilled to see my students successfully spin their first yarn. I look forward to seeing how they progress.

Got Bees?

It has been a VERY busy month!  Not so much in my spinning life, but life in general.  We have once again put our home up for sale.  This means cleaning, de-cluttering, cleaning some more, and then leaving the house whenever someone wants to snoop take a look at it.  It does tend to make life a little more hectic than usual.

In all the chaos, I thought it wise to cancel the honeybees I had on order (placed in December).  It really didn't make sense to acquire bees when I knew the possibility of moving was in our not-so-distant future.  We were sad, but accepted the reality of our circumstances.

We did decide though that we would take a field trip to at least see other people getting their bees.  Wow - what a sight!  Hundreds of thousands of bees, all packaged in neat wooden containers with screened sides. At least 4-6 pallets stacked full of bee boxes.  Escaped bees confused and aimlessly buzzing around, people coming and going, some with pick-up trucks for larger orders, most simply putting the bees in the trunk of their cars, but all of them with a nervous smile plastered on their face.  If only I would have remembered my camera!

We enjoyed meeting beekeepers and connecting with the local beekeeping clubs, seeing the bees, and wishing we would have kept our order in place.  Then the strangest thing happened...  In speaking with the organizer of the entire sales event, knowing that all the bee packages were spoken for, we were offered a package of bees!  In my weakness, I eagerly accepted the treasure box presented to me.  We rushed to the car with the same nervous smile as everyone else, put the buzzing bounty in the trunk and headed home.  About half way home I really began questioning my sanity, but kept going until we stopped in our garage.  We opened the trunk and gazed in amazement.  Now What??? 

Read about my beekeeping adventures on my other blog - Bees in my Bonnet

April - Fiber and a New Spinning Wheel

I'm not sure if the xmas holidays are more insane, or if April festivities are worse.  April brings the birthdays of both my children (6 days apart) as well as Easter and the changing of the season (oh, and let's not forget Tax day).  I am always SO GLAD when everything is over with and life can resume with some sense of normalcy. I do have a brief reprieve until the next wave of Easter comes through.

This month I have managed to spin another 8 or so ounces of the Jamaica blend!  Two full bobbins are now patiently waiting for me to spin something to ply it with.  And finally today I had enough time to pull some scrumptious Australian Polwarth top (in a lovely shade of chocolatey brown) out of the depths of the craft room closet and sit down at my newest spinning wheel  to try it out.  Oh drool.  This stuff is LOVELY! And so is the wheel.

This new wheel - it might possibly be my new favorite.  It is the Schacht Ladybug.  What a cute little thing, but ever so industrious.  I am quite pleasantly surprised with this wheel, and will be happy to post more about it in the next few days.  But first I need SLEEP.