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 . . .