Introducing Spindy -

Hello - My name is Spindy - I am a Top Whorl Emily Spindle, with my whorl constructed out of Satinwood over Rose She-oak with an Ash Shaft. I consider myself to be somewhat of an adventurer, enjoying spin time where ever my mistress' travels take me. I enjoy a diet rich in fiber, but I'm not sure of my favorite. It seems that I mostly seem to be dressed in wool, but the occasional exotic fiber occasionally tickles my fancy. My favorite color?? Oh deary - well just about anything suits me. Those fashionable rainbow dyed rovings are always fun to wear, but then again, sometimes I'm just in the mood for something a little more neutral.
Come with me now, and join me in my travels through Fiberland and beyond...

Inspiration through Color

Inspiration comes in many forms, from many places, and has infinite ways of expression. But something that I have found, is that inspiration often comes when it is peaceful and quiet (at least for me). Ideas seem to flow more freely when one is in a state of relaxation and in harmony with the Universe. It is with this Spirit that I am changing how I approach my fiber work and art. I seek to find deeper enjoyment in my creations.

Color has always played an important role in how we feel. There are numerous scientific studies on how color affects our moods and outlook on life... Have you ever noticed that the colors in nature seldom invoke feelings of hostility or aggression? Instead, they seem to inspire a sense of wonder, awe and peace - at least for me. The things we Love - our favorite color, food, place, person, or thing - also invoke feelings of joy and inner peace. They naturally brighten our mood and our day.

Considering these thoughts, I seek to find a new "Happy Place" through the use of color - Colors inspired by the things I Love... I look forward to sharing the results as I experiment with the use of color.

In this light, the format of the blog will be more consistent. Each month I will present a different source of color inspiration and the fiber to honor and compliment it. Enjoy!

Universe out of control?

The last several months it seems like many people are experiencing an increase in health issues, heartache, and just plain difficulties in general. The past few weeks seem to have especially accelerated the problems people are facing. Is it the release of the Holiday pressures? Or is the Universe telling us to SLOW DOWN?

We are having our share of the unfortunate wealth here at Warm Threads. After all of us being sick with the Flu/Cold/Pneumonia since Thanksgiving, we are now faced with the sudden and unbearable news that my 4 year old son needs heart surgery for a congenital heart defect. We obviously are devastated at the news, but at the same time know it is a good thing we found the problem early. Is this a blessing? or a curse? It depends which side of the coin you look at...

All fingers point to the undeniable fact that this MUST BE DONE no matter how upset we are about it. It will be far worse for my son if it is not attended to - with the most likely and almost guaranteed outcome being an early death. I would rather face the more optimistic statistics of the surgery - both for myself and my son. He has the opportunity to lead a normal and healthy life by enduring the pain of surgery - which I think is a worthwhile trade....

So what does this all mean? What is the Universe trying to tell us?
Perhaps we all need to slow down... Perhaps we need to pay more attention to our homes and families... Maybe we need to begin listening to our hearts again, rather than following the blind and sometimes greedy preachings of our minds... Let's leave the Rat Race to the rats... Is it possible that the Universe is trying to force us into the recognition that we need to tend to ourselves - and our Environment?...

More Circular Needles

I finally found my FAVORITE Circular Knitting Needles! The COLONIAL ROSEWOOD Circular Needles! Yes, they are pricey - very pricey - but are absolutely FABULOUS! The points are sharp, the join is smooth, the cables are soft (but not sticky), and DO NOT COIL! These are fantastic!

Here are some pictures:

The Colonial Rosewood in size US6 and the Colonial Bamboo in size US11



Points of the Colonial Needles







Join on the Colonial Needles







Holz and Stein Needles - Points
Rosewood Size US5 and Ebony Size US3





Holz and Stein - Join







Pony Pearl Circs (Orange)/Balene II (White), both size US11 - Points








Pony Pearls and Balene IIs - Join








See how Straight the Colonials are? They are the ones with the black cable.







The Clover Bamboo needles are okay, but I find the tip to be somewhat blunt. If you are working with lace yarn, you will go crazy with them (unless you sharpen them). The join on the Clovers is very similar to the Pony Pearl and Balene IIs, as is the cable.

I went to the LYS and looked at some Addi's too. I have decided that it looks like most of the Circs are now being made with a similar, if not the same join as pictured above, and the cables are all that stiff fishing line type material.

So - I have decided that my Favorite Circs are the Colonial Rosewoods, with the Colonial Bamboo following. I love everything about these needles - the tips, join, and high quality wood/bamboo used to make them - but I especially love the cable! The only downside is the price, but you get what you pay for!

My next choice is Holz and Stein. I like the woods, the tip and the join, but am not entirely thrilled with the cable. The price isn't too horribly bad.

Next I would choose between Addi Natura and Clover Bamboo. The stiff cables still drive me crazy. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I still like the Clover Bamboo, even though they are blunt with a stiff cable - there's just something about them. Maybe its the price.

I sort of liked the Tips on the Balene II, but not the cable. The plastic material isn't bad either, but I prefer wood or bamboo.

And last but not least are the Pony Pearls. I thought the tip was a little blunt, but manageble with the right yarns. Again its the plastic thing with me, its just not my all time favorite.

Oh Wait! - Lets not forget about the Denise Interchangable Needles. These are nice for travelling or quick projects - I like the tips and the soft cable, but the join drives me insane. I am constantly hanging up on the little finger cut outs at the join. I have been told to turn the needles slightly, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. The cable is soft and nice, but somewhat sticky. I have to push my yarn along to get it to go around. I find the needle length to be a little shorter than what I can comfortably work with too. What is nice about this set is the convenience. It is really nice to have the different size needles with varying lengths of cable, all packaged in a nice case that you can take just about anywhere.

Favorite Circular Needle?

I am on the hunt for the perfect circular needle. One with a nice point, cable which does not coil, and a joint which doesn't snag my yarn. I posted the question about What's the perfect circ? to one of the Yahoo groups and here are the choices of those that responded.

Addi Turbos – 6 votes
Addi Naturas – 3 votes
Holz & Stein – 2 votes
Aero metals – 1 vote
Clover – 1 vote
Pony Pearls -1 vote
Crystal Palace Bamboo – 1 vote
Nylon “Taffy” Needles – no longer being manufactured – 1 vote

So it appears the clear winner is Addi. - at least so far....

I am now trying out several of these needles. I just got back from the LYS and Boy-o-Boy did I get a deal! They had some Holz and Stein needles left (these are no longer being imported) so I bought what they had. 7 circs, all 40" long (which is fine since I really like the magic loop method) in different sizes ranging from US1-13. A few Rosewoods, and a few Ebonys. How much did I pay? Here's the best part of all - Only $10 each! Boy was I smiling on my way home! :)

So I of course had to try them out right away - and they sure are nice. Very nice point, great join, cable is a little stiff like most, but managable after softening in some hot water.

I have a set of Pony Pearls and Balene IIs waiting for me to try out too. They are waiting patiently in my knitting bag until I find just the right project. What I really should do is knit a swatch out of the same yarn on all of them, so that I am comparing apples to apples. Anyway, I'll post about those as soon as I try them.

Also, Colonial Needle has just introduced some new Rosewood and Bamboo circular needles which I am anxious to try out. They are premium needles at a premium price, so I am hopeful that I will get what I pay for.

Addi Naturas will be my next purchase...

In the mean time - I would love to hear your Circular Needle Reviews. Please post and share your experiences!