Two things I said I had no interest in...

Spinning and dyeing.

This weekend, I did both.  I dyed roving with KoolAid, spun it, and plied it.  I still can hardly believe it.  As lumpy and bumpy as that is, it's a vast improvement over my first attempt.

Let this be a lesson that podcasts can be dangerous.  I've been listening to the Knitmore Girls and Stitch It, both of which talk a bit about spinning.  (No, no, no!  Cannot spin! Time spent spinning is time spent not knitting.)  But in the end the pull was too powerful and I gave in.

This is Geraldine (after the Vicar of Dibley).  She's my new pal and just the right size for a small house. She was used, but had only had one bobbin of fiber spun on her.

But fear not, knitting has been happening too.  I'm almost done with my Eyelet cardigan.

It's a much darker purple than this picture shows. 

I was planning to participate in the Henry VIII KAL on Ravelry.  I have the yarn wound and everything, but I just can't seem to get going.  I think I may not be in big project mode at the moment.  I think I'll spend the fall clearing some WIPs and knitting some CookieA socks.  And spinning.  I'm hoping to take a class next month.  There's a local teacher who has a full class, but is considering adding a second class. 

We went to a Civil War reenactment yesterday.  It's the first time we've gone to one  They were reenacting the Battle of Corydon, the only Civil War battle in Indiana.

I thought the encampment was more interesting than the battle.

We're heading to a small fiber fest in Michigan next weekend.  (Activity two weekends in a row!)  Pictures next time!

Comments

[Rebekah]

Welcome to the dark side.

I love the Ashford Joy, I wanted one but then realized I'm just too tall for one, I ahd to hunch over to spin on it.

I still haven't given in to dyeing.

[miyamojo]

WOW! That's so cool that you dyed it, then spun it. That's why you never say 'never!'

At the last Highland Games, I was more interested in the spinning than the bagpipes! lol! I seriously hope I don't get sucked into spinning! :)

[Kathy]

I hope you enjoy your spinning and dyeing, I can honestly say I have not given either a thought but I will never say never. At the moment my mind is going a thousand miles with little actually getting done. Sorting what should go to the apartment and what goes into storage not as easy as I thought it would be. Oh Well.... Enjoy your newest and what fiber festival are you going to?

[Sigrun]

Me, too, always looked sideways at spinners, said to myself that I haven't time to finish my yarn and fabric stashes, never mind organizing the photo albums and learning how to keep the house and garden up--I don't need another hobby.......
Then I went to a fibre fest, watched the spinning, felt the lovely fleeces (or whatever the incredibly soft, downy stuff in the bags is called, and told myself "I could do that". We'll see....
All finished the garden?

[Lorraine]

Sonya- Another one succumbs to the lure of spinning. I'm doing my best to resist.

Fall is a great time, isn't it? So much happening!

[Carolyn]

I've thought about spinning. I've thought about dyeing but it would be just another way for me to spend more money. Perhaps next year.

[Carrie K]

Wow, Sonja, that looks fabulous! And you bought a wheel! I think you've joined the Dark Side.

I took a drop spindle class yesterday myself - I sucked at it but at least I'be got the concept but after all this time saying I don't want to learn to spin.....words! tasty!

I'm a total copycat apparently because I'm about to be a Henry VIII dropout too. It's too close to Christmas to do any big knitting for me and I'm just not feeling him...

Fun Civil war re-enactors! Hmmm. I wonder what it was about the encampment that intrigued you? What? What? ;)

[lea-ann]

LOL . . when you mentioned spinning, I didn't realize you were *that* serious. The new Lendrum is now sitting next to the loom, which is sitting next to the picture window and both of which are waiting for me to find "time" to play. . . now maybe we (Mary??) can get that First Friday spinning gig going. I think weaving will be on the 2nd Friday and of course, UFOs on the 3rd Friday. LOL . . . can't wait to see more of your handspun. And, what fiber festival will you be going to??

[chris]

Like you, I've always been content to just knit and leave the spinning to others. But now I'm nervous that I may have lulled myself into a false sense of security! :-) Sure sounds like you're enjoying yourself, though. Your eyelet cardi is so pretty... have fun at the fiber festival!!

[Brigitte]

Still haven't been bitten by the spinning bug. The Little Dudes, you know. And the littlest dude in particular... As for dyeing, well. We'll see.

I'm really, really pushing myself to finish up my WIP's as well. Otherwise - no Dale in January!

[Debby]

Staying away from spinning and dyeing for now. I *love* your wheel's name. It's perfect.

[lea-ann]

It was great seeing you and Mary spinning at the shop the other day. I have a nice picture with Day peering over your shoulders that I'm going to blog. . . how long do you think it'll be before another convert is won ;-) -- Lea-Ann

[Mia]

You have now crossed over the great divide. You will find yourself wanting other wheels and more fiber. But on the plus side, you can now spin your own yarns. Keep practicing and you will learnt to create the yarn you want. I look back on the first yarns I spun and what I am spinning now and am always amazed. Practice makes perfect.