From a pill-popper

It seems like a looong time since my last post; pain does that to a person. I did a number on my back Tuesday, but thankfully my vet has reminded me that there is better living through modern pharmacology and I am again able to manage most things – except put on my own socks. :-/

Ten years ago I injured my back; since then I've tried to be more conscious of what I do and more careful in how I do it. Tuesday I was doing something totally innnocuous when it 'went,' but Rick reminded me that earlier that day, against his counsel, I had lifted a heavy can of feed that came with our new chicks into the trunk of my car....

Anyway, life goes on. September lambs, anyone?

If it were up to these two, I'd have 'em! Since this blog is G-rated, I am not sharing the graphic photo I took of their recent activities. Let's just say Bart's not acting like a wether. I must admit to being tempted to put Marta and Blake together for a one-night stand. It's so hard to see everyone's lamb photos and not have any!

Speaking of wethers, it looks like Cadbury will not become one in the foreseeable future. I am waiting for a deposit from someone who wants him for a fine-fleeced flock sire; he'll be happy to have more ladies than he's gotten here.

My textiles students were quick studies yesterday. All of them were spinning by the end of class, albeit some of them were spinning rope. But that's okay! I realized last year that their weavings go much faster with fat yarn! Here is a photo of the roving I dyed before class:

Grape and Cherry Kool-Aid

Here is what we dyed during class:

Lemonade and something blue...

After class while grocery shopping I picked up a bunch more 'dye' for 10¢ a packet. And after that?

Time to card up another batt!

That's it for now from . . .

Class prep

Who knew it would be so much fun?

Since last Wednesday's class, I've flick-carded and Kool-Aid-dyed two three-ounce batches of donated Romney locks I had previously washed. I've assembled eleven spindles, tested them, and got leaders started on all of them (plus a couple extras), figuring out while I did so that I have a strong preference for bottom whorls and why.

All that fiber play gave me the itch to start my own spinning project, so I chose a four-ounce braid of super-fine Merino I got as a prize in a contest. The colors remind me of violets IRL. I just may have to take my miniSpinner in my carry-on bag so I can keep spinning in Texas!

That's it for today from . . .

A good day to dye

Yesterday's Textiles class went great. Everything was "Show and Do," and the kids seemed fascinated with it all - stinky, greasy, raw wool from three different - and progressively softer - breeds; washing wool; clean wool; dyeing wool (roving); flick-carding clean locks. I actually ran out of time, so could only demonstrate hand cards and show them my drum carder while they took turns flicking, but I'd rather run out of time than have bored kids. I took my camera but only had time and thought to snap one picture while they were adding Kool-Aid to the crockpot (that's half the kids in the class).

Here's the resulting dye job:

The kids are really excited about using the brightly colored roving. I told them I'd have them spin a single of white and a single of dyed so they'd have a "barberpole" yarn when plied, and they loved that idea. I'll have to dye a couple more batches (in different colors) to have an ample supply for everyone, and still need to assemble and test spindles, so there's another busy week ahead.

At least we have sunshine (temporarily) and flowers. :-) I always forget about my little patch of snowdrops; I'm sure they were blooming when I tortured you with the photo of blooming sarcacocca. Oh well, this way I can prolong the torture!

P.S. I've turned off word verification for now after a reader told me Blogger was being difficult. Hopefully that helps.

That's it for today from . . .

Ready or not, sink or swim spin!

Today was the first day of our homeschooling co-op's winter term. In a co-op, the parents are responsible for teaching all the classes. Among the classes I have taught so far are a high school cooking class, several high school figure drawing classes (I will be teaching another one next term by request), a class on horses, two "living history" classes, and a couple others as well. Teaching a fiber class of some sort has been rattling around in my brain for awhile now, and I finally decided to take the plunge this term. I've titled it "Textiles 101," and the 6th graders are my guinea pigs students.

Today I introduced our topic and gave a brief history of textiles, from the first mention of human coverings in Genesis through the Industrial Revolution to today. The next seven weeks will be spent learning "post-apocalyptic skills" (ha!) - scouring, dyeing, carding, spinning and plying wool, then card-weaving and finger-knitting with both their homespun and commercial yarn. I am crossing my fingers and toes that I can keep the kids busy and engaged. Some already know how to knit; one hyperactive boy is surprisingly enthused; several of the girls were grossed out when they learned about lanolin, of all things! (How will they react to raw wool?!?)

I think I have everything I need. Among my tools and stash I have a crockpot, electric teapot, Kool-Aid in various colors, hand-cards, a dog flicker brush, a drum carder, and white long-wool roving. My farrier's wife donated some skirted white fleece from her flock; my friends Duane and Jeannie at Santiam Shetlands donated some roving, commercial yarn, and all the prepped materials for spindles; and a local art gallery and frame shop donated mattboard with which to make card-looms. I have two adult helpers, one of whom spins and knits. I'll let you know how it goes!

That's it for now from . . .

Remember my product spinning?

It has been perfectly re-purposed! I searched for an appropriate pattern for its weight (14-16 WPI), texture (not next-to-skin soft; mohair halo) and amount of yardage (255 yards) - and found this. Then I checked my bookmarked Kool-Aid dye charts, pulled out a packet of Berry Blue and Changin' Cherry, and produced this:I was going for even dye coverage, but even with the unintended variegation it should look lovely in that pattern. Forget socks for now; I'm dreaming of Shetland seashells! Wheee!

That's it for now from . . .