Dear Jan,
I’m starting to think this spinning thing is not a fad. In fact, based on my ability to focus on it, I’d say gainful employment is a fad, but spinning is a trend, no a movement - heck, maybe a new paradigm! Give me a mug so I can print a spinning slogan on it, this initiative is here to stay.
I give you evidence - 738 yards of something between a light fingering weight and a fingering weight worsted spun. This is the first yarn I’ve spun that is beckoning, no, shouting, at me to knit it up. I see a scarfy shawl, something to get this color up around my neck.
I still have some work to do on getting my singles even and my plying twist consistent.
The fiber is a Lorna’s Laces hand-dyed top in the colorway Beverly (209). The colors varied tremendously in their draftability - that periwinkle was downright sticky.
The camera loved this stuff.
.
.
.
Almost as much as I love beans. (hah - you didn’t see that coming, did you? I couldn’t resist sharing this cheerful blend of beans with you - oh, they were tasty)
.
.
The beans are definitely a trend, too.
More spinning! Powered by beans!
Love,
Ellen
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Of course, handspun does make lovely birthday gifts. Just sayin’!!!
That is absolutely stunning. I would buy that…in a heartbeat…even if overpriced. And in theory I’ve just started a yarn diet. I don’t know if I would be able to go cold sheep if you were to open an Etsy shop with your handspun.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
And I’d eat the beans…but I don’t want them for my birthday. (I don’t think they’d mail well in their post-dried state.)
June 15th, 2010 at 5:27 am
Lovely lovely yarn, congratulations! Which wheel are you using? I forgot.
Hmmm, I may have to stop visiting here; you’re making me itch to spin. But it’s summer… I really can’t afford to take the time for spinning with a farm to run! LOL
I think you’ll be safe with spinning as long as you don’t get sheep….
One or two Angora rabbits, now.. they’re not too bad to manage.
June 15th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Do I dare ask…. how exactly is the spinning powered by the beans????
June 15th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Oh, that is a lovely colorway….would definitely be good against the face!
(and the beans are interesting, too)
(((hugs)))
June 15th, 2010 at 11:54 am
There’s nothing in the world like the best handspun just waiting to be knitted–except for finishing the knitting and knowing it is as Wow! as you knew it was going to be. Have fun!
June 15th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Bean-powered spinning is where it’s at!
I was once asked to knit a sample for someone using their own thick/thin handspun and it struck fear in my heart that handspun could never be consistent. Yours looks absolutely perfect so I know there’s hope. Sadly, until I learn to live without sleep I doubt I have a future in spinning. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. Then again… I’m willing to bet if I started dabbling I wouldn’t be able to stop.
June 15th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
I love it! You will have a beautiful shawl when you’re done. (And I sympathize about the yarn that declares it must be knit /now/…there is no denying.)
Here’s to bean-powered spinning! Maybe bean-powered is the new solar?
June 16th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
The Bean Spinner’s Rhyme
Beans, beans, the magical fruit,
The more you eat, the more you toot.
The more you toot, the better you pedal,
So lift your leg and start to treadle.
~Anonymous (heh, heh, heh)
June 16th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Ok, I’m trying really hard here not to imagine all the ways one could power a spinning wheel with the eating of beans.
Separately, though, they’re absolutely lovely. That yarn is gorgeous — I can see why you’re ready to knit it up Right. Now. I can’t wait to see what it becomes!