the obsession continues
ever since the spinout this weekend, the thought of fibers and spindles (and maybe wheels) have been floating through my head. with all the new fiber I was gifted, I decided to quickly finish spinning the merino I was working on so I can try out some of my new goodies. it's hard to tell, but there's really some improvement in the second skein compared with my first time around. I'm probably partially lying to myself, but whatever! I'm happy with my little baby skeins (I probably have a total of 50 yards). I still don't know what I'll do with this yarn, steph suggested a crazy scarf with all of our handspun...so I better get spinning.
this green silk/merino jumped out of my little fiber stashette last night. it begs to be spun! this blend is so soft and it's beautifully carded and dyed by marie (I can't wait till she starts selling her fibers!). pre-drafting has become more intuitive and I think my spinning is even better (if I say so myself). for some reason it's so much easier to keep everything somewhat even and thin (marie told me it's the silk that makes it think, I think it's my spinning powers...you decide). I have no idea why I'm obsessed with spinning thin, maybe that's how you're allowed into the spinning club. damnit, I want in!
before you think I totally gave up on my knitting, I did start a little something that I hope I get to finished this weekend.
anna has mentioned the healing powers of lace before, and I have to agree. I started the diamond fanstasy shawl because I needed something to sink into, something that would keep my mind busy. it seems to be working. I just pick it up whenever I feel like and work on a row or two. unfortunately the knitting gods have punished me for not sharing and threw in some silly mistake a few rows back. it'll be easy to tink back, but umm it's on time out till then. stupid knitting gods.
Comments
I see the spinning bug has gotten you good!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 29, 2006 02:42 PM
you're spinning is looking good! you're a natural.
ah the diamond fantasy shawl. definitely on my list of to-dos!
Posted by: gleek | June 29, 2006 02:54 PM
Your spinning is looking great! You must have been a spinner in another life. And the shawl looks great.
Posted by: Stephanie | June 29, 2006 03:08 PM
The shawl is GORGEOUS! I love love love the colors.
Posted by: Paloma | June 29, 2006 03:12 PM
It was great meeting you at the Spin Out. What yarn are you using for the shawl? I love it!
Posted by: Shana | June 29, 2006 03:22 PM
The spinning looks great! Much better than mine looks!
The shawl is gorgeous!
Posted by: Gracie | June 29, 2006 03:27 PM
Your spinning looks great! Maybe if I had started with such pretty fiber, I'd still be spinning, too.
Posted by: Casey | June 29, 2006 04:14 PM
these colors are stunning!
Posted by: Jessica | June 29, 2006 04:32 PM
Your two baby skeins look great! Don't you just want to sit and pet them?
Posted by: amanda | June 29, 2006 04:54 PM
DFS is one of my all time faves and yours is looking great!
And with the spinning - well - I feel that my work is done.
Posted by: Cara | June 29, 2006 04:56 PM
umh..I'm just gonna gloss over the spinning because I don't even want to think about it, but, your shawl looks lovely!
Posted by: Steph | June 29, 2006 04:58 PM
ooh, nice spinning! and the colours are fantastic.
lace is great when your mind needs a timeout; belive me, i know. hope things go your way soon.
Posted by: kris | June 29, 2006 05:10 PM
Awesome DFS! Love the colours and the texture/feel of it. It looks "crisp". I want to do another one in silk blend, instead of the alpaca. Boo tiful... and awesome spinnings.
Posted by: Liz | June 29, 2006 06:05 PM
Yummmy yaaaarn. The pink stuff reminds me of cotton candy. Watch, you'll be blocking your DFS before I block mine!
Posted by: Angela | June 29, 2006 06:52 PM
Your spinning looks fabulous! And the same thing happened to me and my Diamond Fantasy. I started it about a year ago and got about a 1/3 of the way through before I noticed a mistake a few rows back. She's been sitting in my big box of knitting stuff ever since. You might have inspired me to haul her out and give her another go...
Posted by: Sue M | June 29, 2006 07:27 PM
The spinning bug seems to be getting everyone these days- how will I ever resist? I love the yarn you spun, and I'm so tempted to try it myself, but I shudder to think at the loss of precious knitting time it could cause!
Posted by: Amy | June 29, 2006 07:57 PM
What a gorgeous shawl! Love the colors as well as the colors of the new green yarn you are spinning.
Posted by: diana | June 29, 2006 08:54 PM
that handspun looks gorgeous... now if i could only get mine to be as even as yours! that shawl is coming along beautifully as well... i'm jealous :)
Posted by: rosalynn | June 29, 2006 09:28 PM
Your DFS looks so pretty in that variegated yarn. I will wait patiently for its unveiling.
Posted by: erin | June 29, 2006 11:56 PM
i like the looks of that shawl. i'm having serious lace issues myself lately. sometimes, you just need a break.
Posted by: carrie m | June 30, 2006 01:39 AM
At risk of getting it wrong and pissing you off a bit, the skein on the right looks better - it has less overspin in it. But that's just my opinion, and I'm still learning to make something that doesn't look like a big pile of overspin knots... ;) Thank goodness roving is cheap as chips over here. All your spinning looks gorgeous tho, regardless of how you see your technique :)
Posted by: Bryony | June 30, 2006 01:41 AM
The shawl's looking great, I can just see those colours on you. And well done with your spinning, it looks very impressive, you're a natural!
PS: I saw your pics on the Crochet Me blog, it looked like a fun event, I'm so envious!! ;)
xx
Posted by: Annarella | June 30, 2006 05:55 AM
Pretty shawl, AMAZING yarn choice.
This scarf sounds like it'll be a fun group project.
Posted by: colleen | June 30, 2006 06:55 AM
Your spinning is looking so nice!
As for spinning thin.... There IS some challenge in spinning a really good, multi-ply laceweight so I think people who are drawn by a challenge get all kinds of obsessed with it.
Also, the silk DOES help when you're spinning thin, because it's so strong you can spin with a bit more confidence, which only improves your skills.
If I had my way? Everyone who was learning to spin would learn to spin with silk roving. It is relatively cheap, it drafts like butter, and you get that thrill of "OMG I'm spinning silk!"
It looks great.
Posted by: Marianne | June 30, 2006 08:55 AM
I can't believe you're spinning so thin already, I'm soo jealous! The color looks beautiful, and the shawl looks so pretty too. You've been busy!
Posted by: aquaknits | June 30, 2006 09:49 AM
Oh my, that teal yarn is an unreal color! It's going to be so beautiful spun up.
Posted by: Sarah | June 30, 2006 03:17 PM
oh! the spinning and lace both look gorgeous!
can't wait to see what you do with your handspun :D I'm still just piling mine up for ogling :P
Posted by: Stephanie | June 30, 2006 04:26 PM
Wow, that looks gorgeous - I love the colour. Is spinning easy to get into? I'd really like to try it but I wouldn't know where to begin... Nice work ;) x
Posted by: SmurfPop | June 30, 2006 06:12 PM
that shawl is gorgeous.
the spinning looks really great too. i'd love to spin, but am avoiding trying it because the last thing i need is another expensive hobby!
Posted by: melissa | July 1, 2006 08:31 AM
Your shawl is stunning!! And I love the color on those mini skeins. Or skanks, as I like to call them. :)
Posted by: Chris | July 1, 2006 03:44 PM
Great colors. I am in the market for a spindle. What kind is yours, and where did you get it???
Posted by: Jean Maher | July 1, 2006 09:54 PM
The colours of your shawl are just fantastic. It looks almost edible!
Posted by: Noo | July 4, 2006 05:25 AM
Oh thank god I'm not the only person who's become totally obsessed with spinning after the spin out. I want in the spinning club too!!!!!
I have no idea what to do with my itty bitty spinning bits so if you come up with anything, hook a sista up.
Posted by: Chante | July 6, 2006 09:43 PM
oh that is one hot shawl! you are inspiring me!
Posted by: aja | July 8, 2006 12:25 PM
I have just started a lace project too and it's true how lace can be so soothing. It has happily occupied my mind and I sure needed it with all this heat in Paris. That shawl is lovely!
Posted by: Aimee | July 16, 2006 07:38 PM