Recently in spinning Category

Long time since I was last here, and lots has happened. Instead of giving you boring details, I figured I would make this a list of sorts of why Oregon is great! And, some pics for visual entertainment. Ready? I know you are.

My list is focused on Made in Oregon, and how cool it is that so many things are here or started here. Remember DC is still home base where my fam and friends live, but it's not Oregon or Portland.

Made in Oregon
1. Woolee Winder
2. Blue Moon Fiber Arts
3. Woodland Woolworks
4. Duncan Fiber Enterprises (no site, maker of fiber prep supplies)
5. The Bag Lady
6. Shibui Yarns
7. Not one but two! fiber festivals: Black Sheep Gathering and Oregon Flock and Fiber, not to mention all of the smaller festivals and get togethers

And I'm sure there's more but my brain is fried this evening. Before I go, this weekend I had a delightful time going to my first Black Sheep Gathering (BSG) in Eugene. I think Gathering is the most appropriate description for this event. People come from all over, and while it may not attract the thousands like MDSW, it has character, a real sense of community and the best fleece sale ever!

I won't bore you with my purchases, but let's just say, my craft room can easily crank out sweaters for the next 5 years! Oh, and I met Judith MacKenzie McCuin! She signed her latest book for me. Super, duper nice lady. The whole place was full of legends, and tons of sharing of all sorts. Plus I met a two new friends! They are both as equally crazy about fiber as I am. Scary.

Now for the fun part, pictures! These are all from BSG, and full set on flickr.

Now that I'm living on the West coast I can explore all of the great fiber festivals out here. I've always wanted to check out Black Sheep Gathering and the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival, but with MDSW in my backyard I couldn't justify traveling across the country and buying more fiber!

This year is different. I can't make it to MDSW and not sure about Rhinebeck, so heading to Black Sheep (BSG) is a must! I registered for classes, which is a first for me, and I got in! I'm taking a dyeing class with Nancy Finn and a class named "Spinning Exotics". Between those two classes I should be all set to dye up my exotic fibers stash, and spin into lovely yarns.

I feel so fortunate to have these events in my backyard, and to have the opportunity to discover new vendors, fibers, and other fiber enthusiasts. And speaking of other fiber nuts, last week I actually hung out with fellow knitters at the weekly knit night. I asked around to see if anyone was going to BSG, and a few looked at me cross-eyed as if they've never heard of it! I was in shock, how could you not go to to your local fiber event and buy yarn! Crazy, just crazy. I'm not sure what this says about Portland fiber freaks, or for that matter what it says about east coast fiber freaks. You be the judge.

I thought that would get your attention. Yes, I have about 8 ounces of black and read Romney roving, and it's free for postage to the first person that leaves a comment. Note, this stuff is a little rough so I would use it for felting or something else. Use your judgement.

Resurrection
It's been soooo long since I've knitted that my projects are truly upset with me. I picked up my lace shawl project after not touching it for 3 months, and I've forgotten everything about it! Which row am I on? What's the pattern say? Etc. Aaarrgghhh...

Spinning
Ok, so I have NOT 9lbs of processed alpaca fiber BUT over 11 lbs. The exact mixture is 57% alpaca, 13% silk, 30% merino! Yummmyyy! This is from my fleece buy back in May, from a gorgeous kid alpaca with wonderful grey fleece. His name is Belvedere and he lives at Ameripaca in Galesville, MD.

You're probably wondering what the hell I will do with all of this! And could I possibly need all of it? Well, I don't know and HELL yeah. I'm thinking a sweater or very luxurious afghan, or both. Not sure. If you have any ideas just drop me a comment.

Now back to our regular scheduled program...work.

My beautiful angora/merino/silk roving is done! It's about 4.8 ounces but I have no idea how many yards...I can't find my wpi tool. This roving was prepared for me by Ohio Valley Natural Fibers. Very nice people.

So here's the skein:

And a close up:

I still have 2lbs of alpaca fleece to be processed but I'd like to try out a new vendor. If you guys know of someone, small business preferred, send on the info.

Thanks!

He's not hopping just yet...see before seaming and felting:

Tomorrow you'll see him all done.

Spinning
Remember last Fall, when I bought that gorgeous cashmere angora fiber? Well, here it is processed and mixed with merino and silk. I'm spinning it up now and will be done soon. Projects? Hhmmm I'm thinking something lacey.

On my last portion for Dolman and it's KILLING me. I said to myself "start an easy project" especially after that loooooonnnggg stole you knitted for your mother. And so I did and now I'm bored to death. I must finish this sweater so I can start some other lively projects.

In the meantime, to entertain you and me! Here's some pics, first it's my new Schacht spinning wheel...gorgeous, eh?

Two weekends ago I had the great pleasure of working at an alpaca farm near my house. The place is called Ameripaca and they raise and sell alpacas. Their farm has over 300 alpacas from Suris to Huacayas. Lovely creatures! Anyways, I helped out one of the vet techs weighing and feeding the little crias (newborns). I also got a chance to meet some of the younger males (they all have separate eating areas).

Belvedere is one of the young males waiting to be weened from his mother, and this Spring he was sheared for the very first time since his birth! He has a luscious grey fleece with the very tips dipped in a rich brown (see below). Anyways I met him after he was sheared and thanked him for his lovely fleece which I now need to have cleaned and prepped for spinning.

2lbs of Belvedere's fleece

Since this is a desirable color the price was more than average but that's ok! I just love the combo of grey and brown and can't wait to spin it up. For those of you seeking an alpaca fleece source I would recommend contacting your local alpaca breeder...they're always looking for people to buy their fleece.

Wondering what means? It means "Adorn Me" in Spanish, and it's the name of my new jewelry business...well hobby. And no, I haven't stopped knitting or spinning. Actually making jewelry came first and then I started knitting. In the future I'd like to do more blending of both hobbies...embellish felted purses with beads, string beads from handspun yarn and so on.

Spinning
It looks like the KHers have picked up the drop spindle bug...soon girls you'll be researching a wheel. Did anybody pick up some of that yummy angora/wool/silk roving from Wild Meadows Angora? Personally I can't keep my hands off it BUT I can not spin it until I'm done with my merino/silk roving which I've started integrating mohair locks. Right now it's more of an experiment than anything else.

Knitting
I'm half way done with Rowan's Monette scarf knit in Kidsilk Haze, which is a dream to knit with. I'm not sure what I'll knit next. I guess I should be doing a summery item but right now I'm not that inspired. Any ideas for fun summer projects?

Yesterday I had my handspinning class at Springwater Fiber Workshop. The instructor was absolutely wonderful! Patient, really knowledgeable, kind and thorough. I loved it. Here's a pic of my first set of things:

The purple and brown yummy yarn is from Three Waters Farm fiber. I love it!

NYC Haul

The shopping spree began the Friday after Thanksgiving. My DH was kind enough to drop me off on the west side while he met up with his friend for a ride.

Fikret Fabrics - they had Alexander Henry fabrics at 20% off. I picked
up 9 yards in three different patterns. Their prices were quite low.

Beads World - quite organized and great selection of basics. They had
an awesome selection of base metal chain and other findings. I
wouldn't bother buying beads here. I picked up some chain and silver
findings.

Daytona Braids & Trimming
251 West 39th Street
(212) 354-1713

awesome place! walls covered with buttons, ribbons, trimmings you name it. I got embroidered ribbon, rat tail and fabric covered buttons.

Bruce Frank Beads - another favorite. Worth the hike up to upper west side. This place is in a swank area with some pricey offerings. However, their selection was quite impressive. This guy collects vintage beads along with venetian glass beads. I got both and some semiprecious stones. Best of all he is open late 7 days a week.

Tender Buttons
143 62nd St. (Upper East Side)
near Lexington Ave.
212-758-7004

OH MY GOD!!! You must go there! This place is wonderfully clean and organized and filled with boxes of new and vintage buttons. Unbelieveable. Bring your lunch money because you're going to need it. They had all kinds of stuff! I got old shoe buttons, tiny mother of pearl buttons, vintage Italian and Czech buttons, US nickel buttons, and more. I love this place.

Habu Textiles - quite an interesting set up. These people cater mostly to designers but are kinds enough to offer their products to regular ol' knitters. You can buy Japanese made yarns by the ounce. I picked up lace weight alpaca and a mohair/silk blend. Yummy stuff.

Kate's Paperie - I forgot how much I love this place but it's hard to enjoy it on a Saturday night with other shopping vultures. Pick up their collage bag paper sampler for $20. A great deal for a variety of their papers.

Pippin - Fabulous indeed! I spent at least an hour at this shop on Saturday. I was quite restrained and came out with a few things. I picked up an amber spider brooch, mother of pearl pin and some moonglow earrings. The last two items were $5 each! The place is awesome. I think last weekend was their first day open and their stock was running low but have no fear they're bringing more out. Most of their stock is still stored away. Another cool thing is they will be selling jewelry components that couldn't be salvaged as full necklaces, bracelets and such. Oh and as well as vintage buttons. I can't wait!