Golightly Spins – Page 2 – Beverly Army Williams

Ever the Joiner

Happy Socktober! My goals:

1. Finish Jaywalker #2 (for real).

2. Knit Neal’s Christmas ’05 socks.

I recognize that this may be asking a lot of myself since I’m also working to finish Clapotis before October 21st, but in the spirit of fun, I’ll make a good attempt at it.

I’ve also joined the Twisted Knitters. I picked up the Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook last week and have been learning all about energized singles. Last Tuesday I had the second and final of my spindling classes at the library, so I feel pretty well equipped to take on this project. My goal: Dye, spin, and knit yarn into a pair of socks for me.

What are you other Twisted Knitters making?

A Little Experience Makes a Whorl of Difference

I just got back from a FREE hand spinning class at the local library in my old hometown (home of the only one-sided Main Street in the U.S.). The spinning class I took about a year ago at Village Wools started with hand spinning before moving on to wheels. I spent the winter saving and longing for a wheel of my own, and I’ve been enjoying the company of Miss Zinna Paddle Put Lendrum since March. I never felt that I got the hang of hand spinning, though, so I was excited to have another shot at it, especially since I’d have the company of my pals Sara and Cae.

By George, I think I got it.

We used top whorl spindles made from cds, and my homework for the week is to spin two ounces of fiber so that next week I can learn how to ply.

Now I’m dreaming of owning a fine, fine spindle. Maybe that will be a Rhinebeck purchase.

Le Tour de Fleece–Yellow Jersey for Moi

I did it. I spun enough sockweight yarn for a pair of socks. I want to spin a little extra to be sure that my 6 ozs. won’t leave me short (although I’ve been assured that 8 oz. is enough for knee-hi socks). And I’ll need to ply this yarn o’ mine.

I was away for most of the Tour, unable to spin. More than anything, the Tour has been a great way for me to get Zinnia out of her bag and spinning. Thanks, Katherine, for organizing this–it’s really helped me to feel more confident as a spinner.

On a totally different note, I’m watching Something’s Gotta Give on tv. I wanted to see it lo those many years ago in the theater, but it was sold out the night I went. Diane Keaton’s character just had a mad crying jag, which got me to thinking about how awful such jags are. Then I thought about the (luckily) few times I’ve had them: when a good friend of mine died in a motorcycle crash and when my ex asked me for a divorce. Not bad for a girl in her thirties. There have been other things to make me sad, but those have been the only two to produce full out wailing in me. And both jags happened in my same Peekskill, NY, apartment. I sometimes think that places have a spiritual energy, take up our energy as we live there. My NM apartment, for example, has an energy of creation and healing to me. And the house I’m learning to consider mine has a rock-like stability to me. What energy does your home have?

While in Taos, in between doting on Tiwa and dancing with handsome men in hats (oh, yeah, and some writing) I visited La Lana Wool. I purchased two skeins of their handspun, plant dyed "forever random" blend. Wanna see?

These lovelies came with some tempting free "one skein" patterns. The yarn is outside my usual price range, so it’s nice to have some good patterns to show off my splurge.

Catching Up

So much to show, so much to tell. Taos was wonderful, especially because my girlie Liz adopted an adorable mutt, Tiwa, from the Taos Pueblo. I’m sure she’ll have the whole story and pictures up before long, so I’ll let you read about them from her. Trust me, though, Tiwa is possibly the most amazing little pup, and she got lots of love at the conference. She’s hit the lottery going to live with such a loving family, too!

I workshopped a story that I first drafted about two years ago, and I think I’m almost done with it. I plan to give it one more draft, then send it out into the world of seldom-read lit mags. Believe me, I’ll keep you posted if there is ever good news on the writing front.

I got back on the wheel pretty quickly after my return home. Tour de Fleece, after all, is almost at a close. I, as noted on the Tour blog, am among those who decided to change strategy. After much input from spinners wiser than I am, I ordered some new roving for my sock yarn challenge. I’ve got almost an entire bobbin filled, but I spin on a Lendrum, so that’s not saying much! I do have a question, though. I’ve got 8 oz. of roving, all of which I intend to spin. So, I’ll also need to ply that, too, right? So I’ll have the "length" of 4 oz. of roving, all together, right? Does that make any sense whatsoever?

Ok. Now for some pictures.

My KSKS kit from Scout! She included a fabu fair isle pattern from Blue Moon, her own beautiful handpainted yarn, lovely stitch markers, an extra skein of sock yarn in a beautiful burgundy, pretty incense and lots of tasty goodies. I had a great visit with her, T., the Super kids, and Mr. Gus, the baby dog. I’ll confess. It was hard to leave them all behind in NM! Either they’ve got to move back east (ha!) or I may need to go back there. By the way, did you notice how Scout chose a fabric that matches my blog?

There were packages waiting for me when I got home, too.

The gorgeous July Project Spectrum color from Mama-E.

And.

This lovely box of goodies from my One Skein Secret Pal. She spun the yarn herself, and it is SO pretty! Thank you!

Not a Broken Collarbone, But a Setback

I leave for the Taos Summer Writers’ Conference tomorrow, sans wheel, so no spinning until July 18th. Then, the pressure will be on! I will be bringing my first pair of Summer of Socks socks, which are also part of the Cascade Sock KAL. And I also have some crochet to do for KSKS and the One Skein Secret Pal exchange. Now if I could just finish the story I want to workshop!

I was up past midnight sewing, but pictures will have to wait…I made myself a little needle case (still expermenting with the interior…what would you like best in your ideal travel/needle case?), a few headbands, and another little something.

I’ll do my best to post from Taos. Hey, if Kirsten can post from Sweden, I surely can from New Mexico!

Can’t wait to answer the big NM question: Red or green? Green, please!!

Pile Up in Valkenburg and Happy Birthday, USA

The narrow twisting roads of Valkenburg have caused many a spinner to tumble, and yesterday’s results in the Tour de Fleece were little different. In stage two of my challenge, I lifted Zinnia from her case, adjusted her, tested her out. I began to spin (um, yes. Zinnia and my first spinning together). The romney. Which may or may not work out well for socks. The living room lights are pathetic, and after a good start, I lost the yarn. I could not find it. In the style of Italian soccer players, I flung myself on my bed, dramatic in my setback. I decided to wait until better conditions (light) prevailed.

Today I sewed. A little present for Scout. Shhh…don’t tell her! I’ll give it to her when I see her at the end of my New Mexico trip. I’m going to start gathering projects for my 11 days away. But first, a little more sewing. I think I want to make myself a little project bag to go.

I hope you all have a festive Fourth of July. We’re keeping things quiet here as Neal’s got a nasty cold. But I’ll look forward to setting off some fireworks another night.

Category: Golightly Spins