Thursday, February 16, 2012

On to brighter subjects

Thanks to those who commented on yesterday's post about Inky (Kaleidoscope Holly Orchid). She's 11 years old, not ancient for a Shetland, but she wears her years hard. She was thin when she arrived 3 1/2 years ago, and I haven't been able to improve her condition no matter what I tried. She has the knobby, swollen joints of arthritis, which may well be her neck problem. When it is time, I will not shear her; I won't leave her cold at the end and couldn't bear to shear her lifeless body. She has given me four healthy, beautiful lambs and jet black fleece; there is nothing more to ask of her. She will ever dwell in my heart, my photo files, and in Sara's wonderful "cartoon" of Boulderneigh.

So. Brighter subjects. How about these?
Those are the students' spindles from my Textiles class. The class is going great; the last three Wednesdays the kids have been enthusiastically spinning singles (first white, then yesterday using dyed wool). I have some cute photos of the kids using their spindles, but am reluctant to put photos of other people's children on the internet without permission.

Since class yesterday I've been spinning more of the dyed wool on each child's spindle so there will be enough for plying a barberpole yarn. When the spinning is done, I'll wind each spindle's singles into a centerpull ball so the kids can start plying next Wednesday (I have a feeling I might be finishing that up for them after class as well). That leaves two weeks; I'd originally thought we would card-weave (with their homespun) during one and finger-knit (with commercial yarn) during the other, but if necessary, we'll use both classes to finish weaving. The rectangles they end up with will make dandy hot pads/trivets, and I think they will be thrilled with the work of their hands. I know I am so far!

That's it for today from . . .

9 comments:

Tombstone Livestock said...

Michelle ... I am seriously impress, I took a spinning class 2 weeks ago, figure I got sheep might figure out what to do with the wool .... well there were only 3 of us in the class, one gal's spinning looked like what you have on your spindles, I had nothing but problems keeping the spindle going, soon as I would get it going it would wobble and then spin counter clockwise on me. I did better on the wheel. Hope your students keep it up. You might as the parents if you don't show anyone's face if they are ok with posting.

Susan said...

I've got an oldster, too. It's a constant worry. It should be a comfort to you that her "sunset years" were in your good care. I am so impressed with your spinning class - I see some real talent there!

Michelle said...

Tombstone, all my photos show faces. :-/ Did your spinning teacher not start you with the "park and draft" method? None of my students are beyond that yet, and that's FINE. Then you don't have to fight the spindle's action, because you focus only on that, then ONLY on drafting and letting the twist move up the fiber.

Thanks, Susan. I know all of us with animals have, are, or will face this....

thecrazysheeplady said...

Your class is awesome!

Leigh said...

Wow, your student spindles have some pretty professional looking yarns on them!

Sharon said...

What a fantastic experience for these kids, but you seriously need more time with them.

Christine said...

Wow, they are doing great. And this reminds me I really need to get my spindle out and practice so I don't look like a fool when reenacting season begins.

C-ingspots said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Inky. Bless her heart...there's just something special about senior animals. Your sunset pics are beautiful! We have beautiful sunsets too, but the powerlines flaw their beauty.

Unknown said...

I might be able to edit one of the pictures I found on my camera so that faces don't show of the kids spinning...
Sorry to hear about Inky, I've been reading your posts about her and it makes me sad but you are right to look forward to heaven where there will be no pain or death.