A Wheel With a View
One of the things I like about my house is the little balcony off the master bedroom that overlooks our "backyard" -- I put backyard in quotes because the backyard includes our deck and a rectangle of green and a garage. While the view may not be completely awe inspiring, I do like the fact that it is high enough up that I can come home from work and still enjoy some of the late afternoon sunshine.
It becomes even better when it's warm enough (but not too warm) for me to take my wheel out with me. Combined with my iPod and a good audio book, it is a wonderful way to watch the day fade out. What's on my bobbins these days? I'm working on spinning up the 8 ounces of cochineal/madder dyed Corriedale that I got from Handspun by Stefania at MS&W. It's nice fiber, but I'm finding quite a bit of VM in it, as well as a lot of short, burr-like fibers that don't make for spinning results as smooth as I'd like them. Because of that, I've decided that I'm going to go for a three-ply yarn rather than a two ply, in hopes that that will even things out a little bit more and leave me with a relatively nice skein or two of yarn to plan a winter project with.
A lovely winter color, I think. There's enough subtle variagation to give the final yarn depth, but it shouldn't do the striping business that I manage to get from most of my hand-dyed fiber. I've finished the first bobbin and am about half-way through with the second. I'm hoping that I can finish the second and third bobbin up so that I can give my dad a little plying demonstration when we go to Ann Arbor for Father's Day this weekend.
I love spinning outside on my deck, too. The neighbors probably think I'm a weirdo, but oh well. After all, I've been taking yarn and knitted things outside and photographing them in the flowers for over a year now. Spinning it just another example of my wierdness!
I've been lurking on your site for a while now -- (love it!) and, well, I just took the plunge this weekend and got a wheel too. Like you, I've been spindling for a long time. I have a question for you: Do you have any tips on keeping the plying even? I'm toying with the idea of using two lazy kates ... one on each side so the tension is even. Any thoughts? Feel free to drop by and comment. :)
I love spinning on my deck! Such good fun!
That sound like a lovely way to spend some time. The color is very pretty, I can't wait to see what you make of it!
That sounds great. You're lucky you aren't here in Texas, though. You be putting that wheel in the fridge to spin!
Hmmm, I haven't tried spinning outside . . . there's so much dust and pollen and other stuff floating through the air, coating all the furniture, the table, the deck . . . I'm too afraid to take my pretty fiber out there. (Because it , first, might get dirty--heaven forbid! But also, second, might bring all that allergen-stuff back inside where it will live right next to my bed. Scary thought!) It sure sounds nice, though....
Looks like you got a nice bit of spinning done yesterday! I think it will be lovely once you three ply it. Can't wait to see the results!
Little did I know there was so much variation in quality of rovings. Since I am a new spinner I choose to use only the 'good' stuff as I've spend many a frustrating hour fighting with the the fiber with organic matter and nubs in it. I can make nubs just fine on my own...thank you very much! I love that color, are you thinking a sweater, mittens or hat?
A three ply makes a really wonderful knitting yarn.
That is beautiful, all of it. Spinning on the deck is not something I've tried....I imagine (especially this year) the bugs would eat me alive. Then again, it hasn't stopped raining for more than three minutes, so I'd never be able to get set up out there!
I haven't tried spinning outside yet, but I absolutely love to sit out on my front porch and knit. It can be so peaceful.
What a gorgeous color! And what a dream, to be spinning in the afternoon sun.