Spin Therapy

I'm taking a break from washing fiber this week and doing a little spinning.

This was created from all the bits I saved from cleaning the carder.

No plan- no stress.

Loving the fluffy messiness of this.

I'm trying to relax and not try too hard.

Sort of meditating I guess.

From Sheep to Whatever

From the sheep to the whatever.

Actually, from bags of dirty fiber to yarn.

After picking through it and removing as much of the vegetable matter as possible it went into 

mesh laundry bags.

Then out to the kitchen.

Into hot soapy water to soak.

Some were very dirty and required repeated soaking while some only needed a couple of soaks. I was careful not to change the temperature of the water throughout the process.

I used shampoo for the first few and then switched to Dawn.

It is easier to rinse the fiber washed in shampoo. The dawn seems to need more rinsing and I ended up felting a bag of alpaca fiber trying to rinse out all the soap. Into the trash it went. Less soap from now on.

 I used a few drops of lavender oil in the final rinse.

This Chesterfield wool was washed a few days ago. I had it drying on the sweater drying rack, on the deck and the wind blew it everywhere. My driveway looked like a sheep exploded.

These net laundry baskets hung on the railing work well.

The fiber stays put and drys well in the sun and wind.

Some mohair.

Some alpaca.

Some Chesterfield.

Washing small batches at a time.

The process is time consuming and I haven't put a dent in the bags of dirty fiber.

Learning as I go.

Karen

Fiber Clouds

Spin Therapy

Turning 

this...

into this.

Spinning yarn is my way of meditating.

This is my quiet little corner where I can just breathe and zone out from reality.

It might sound crazy, but it works for me.

Just Breathe

Endless Mountain Fiber Fest 2016

On my way up to Maine last month, I made a quick stop at the "Endless Mountain Fiber Fest".

I was greeted at the very first barn by this cute guy.

There were so many talented, creative women there, showing off their wares.

So much fiber!

Loved all the sweet critters.

Picked up a few supplies, but most of all gathered some much needed inspiration.

Karen

Crocheted Vessel

Autumn always sparks my desire to grab a hook and some of my hand spun wool and do something creative.

This was crocheted in a simple spiral pattern.

No counting stitches, just doing.

Enjoying the idea that I spin my own yarn.

Created my own beads by stitching some fabric scraps around some small wooden spools.

Vessel was made by doing a single crochet over hemp cord.

Karen

Catching Up

It's hard not to be in a funk at this time of year.

We rarely see the sun, and the snow, ice and freezing temps are getting old.

This was the snow storm we had on Saturday.

I have a feeling these geese wish they had gone south.

This morning it was -15 degrees when I woke up and this is what the sky looked like.

So cold it was difficult to breathe, but the colors in the sky were amazing.

This little guy flew smack into the glass door today and was knocked senseless for an hour or so.

I scooped him up and put him on a warm towel and he eventually flew off.

I've been practicing my spinning lately.

This little corner is where you'll find me most days.

Been crocheting when I'm not spinning.

 Taught a friend how to make felt beads.

 This afternoon the dye pot was on the stove.

Testing out some new fleece and dye colors.

 I knew this vintage drying rack would come in handy one day.

Took a break from fiber on Saturday to spend some time with my Valentine.

 And last but not least, I finished reading "Adventures in Yarn Farming".

A must read if you love fiber.

I hope you've been keeping busy and beating the depression that winter seems to bring.

See you soon.

Karen