Spinning Bliss

After some practice with cotton and re-spinning the camel I butchered at GGFI (it was my first attempt in long draw), I felt I was ready for the yak down. I had two 2 oz bags from Tactile -- one I got as a door prize at GGFI (thank you, Maia and Brooke!) and another I purchased at California Wool and Fiber Festival.

It was another humbling experience. But after fumbling with the whorl size and skipping the carding process, it started to go much better.

This is before fulling, in a somewhat poor light -- and here's the one after fulling in hot soapy water. Yes, the sun makes it look much happier as well.

It's so soft and downy I can't stop fondling it. I think this might be the softest yarn I've ever spun. Spinning from the clouds of down is also very different from spinning a commercial top. This may get me addicted.

The four day weekend has been very nice and relaxing -- tomorrow I'm going to go take my scarf to Llama Llama Knit. They are hosting a "Knitting for Others" event, and all knitted objects gathered from the knitters will be donated to Homeward Bound of Marin. Llama Llama will also give you 15% discount for the yarn for this project, and there are some raffle prizes for the participants too. The event ends on Dec. 19.

I love this scarf -- very light and soft, and love the color gradation. I hope it will keep the recipient warm. Used two balls of Gedifra, US 10 needles.

Despite the fact that our annoying neighbors have already put up the Christmas lights, I am still in denial that Christmas is just around the corner. I'm so not ready.

So Much Going On...

... and no time to write!

We were at the California Wool and Fiber Festival at Boonville. Two years in a row, but somehow it looked slower and quieter than the year before. I stopped by at the Tactile booth and bought another 2oz bag of naturally dyed yak down.

Yes, it's as soft as it looks! I was lucky enough to get my hands on my first bag of yak down at the GGFI Summer Intensive, as one of the door prize. Oh yeah. I was so happy when I won this. The colors are soft and warm hues of yellows, pinks, oranges... Maia and Brook have more, I'm sure, if you are interested.

Over the summer, I tried spinning cotton slivers on my wheel just so I'd be good enough to try this yak, but now I'm in love with cotton. Getting more dyed cotton was the reason for me to go to the wool festival this year, but of course I ended up with much more than that! This time I will try spinning a bit thicker.

Here's the photo from last year, in the apple building....

And here's this year's version.

My Japanese indigo plants didn't do so well this year -- just very thin and not very leafy. Won't be enough to dye a cotton ball! So I was hoping that they will at least bloom and produce seeds for the next year. I would dedicate a bigger lot with richer, well-cultivated soil...

Phew! Finally, some flowers! Hopefully they will seed.

Last Thursday afternoon, Charlie and I took the afternoon off from work and took Mitch to the members-only preview of the new California Academy of Sciences. It was so worth it, and more. We talked about (our wish of) doing this once a month. I'm sure Mitch was captured by their photographers and media several times during our visit -- what's better than a small kid looking up at a T-Rex!

I envy you, catfish!

Continuous Strand

I've been spinning for just two years. I was able to produce a continuous strand, pretty consistent one, in most kind of fibers I've tried -- admittedly they were limited to sheep's wool, and wool/silk blends. I liked what I spun. I thought I was doing OK. And that's after just learning the basics in less than an hour from Nancy, my spinning teacher.

Flax single (A sample I spun at GGFI Intensive Spinning Class

So, why take a class? After all it's just a hobby, and I'd never make a living doing this. Why pay money to take a class for something I was just enjoying. Why do I need to learn about the types of fibers and the spinning technique to go with them --woolen, semi-woolen, worsted -- and to learn the fact that I didn't know anything about this subject.

Silk - Wool blend single, wet-finished. Another sample I spun at Intensive.

Now I know I have much more to learn. And by learning, I'm not just producing better yarn, but I am more intentional, thoughtful, and clear-minded -- Judith MacKenzie McCuin said that using your hands -- that subtle pinching motion for spinning -- wakes up the part of the brains that never get to be used otherwise. Strangely, after the Intensive, my hands look different. I am seeing things differently. I feel different.

Judith is one of the most graceful, calm, charming and charismatic people I've ever known. There's a down-to-earth reality behind her grace, and spending a week in her class was the best thing I have done for myself in my recent memory.

One thing I realized (painfully) was what I was not good at all -- long-draw. I had never done it, but that was the only way I could spin the beautiful camel down. After seeing me ruin the camel, Judith hinted that I could practice using some carded cotton. So I practiced after I came home.

Cotton 2-ply, wet-finished and wound using Pat's nostepinne (thank you Pat -- I LOVE it)

Now I am crazy about long-draw. Just as Judith said, it's like watching the water flow. It's where I want to be. So you see, taking a long spinning class is similar to going on a meditation retreat. It's just that you'll have a lot more fiber sample to spin after you come home!

And here's my Delft Tiles Tee. I'm using hemp/wool blend, so I think it'll be too warm for a summer tee. I am planning to make it into a pull-over vest.

Should I go clean up in the house? Nah.

Eye Openers

The Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive is over. It was a week filled with lots of learning and new experiences. I was so glad that I went -- the words fail to describe how amazing the whole experience was. I took the spinning class given by Judith MacKenzie McCuin in the morning, and natural dye class given by Darlene Hayes. Both are widely known experts in the field, and I still pinch myself that I just spent full six days with them!

Before the intensive, I thought I was doing OK with spinning. Boy was I wrong. There were so many things I was doing wrong, and so many things I didn't know. So many things I didn't even consider trying.


We learned from the basic techniques to fancy yarn spinning, and fiber facts and history. We learned how to adjust spinning according to their knitting style.

We were surrounded by fibers -- all week long! Look how casually cashmere and silk are piled up.
Heavenly hemp.


Most any kind of fiber you can think of.

Right by the enchanting coast line.

With great fiber people and great food -- what could be better? (Oh, maybe a heated swimming pool)

This experience has reaffirmed me that I love spinning, and I have so much more to learn. Ever since I came home, I've been practicing long draw on my Traditional.

I am so tired I have to quit writing now -- and I am leaving to Japan on Wednesday (the thought of not being able to spin for a week is killing me). Will post more on Intensive when I return.

Brooke, Maia -- THANK YOU for the yak down! Mari, Pat, Karen, Cinda and Shelley -- thank you for your great company. Hope to see you again real soon!

Packing for Summer Intensive

The Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive starts tomorrow. I am procrastinating on packing this evening. Luckily I am about 30 minutes away from where the camp is held, so I am driving. I am used to traveling light, so now I am constantly reminding myself that it's OK to bring lots of extras and just leave them in the car. It'll be quite an experience to room with a bunch of strangers -- I haven't done that for the last twenty years.

I'm sure it'll be way too cold to swim in the ocean, but I may even bring my swimsuit. The thought of not being able to swim for a full week is making me sad. Well, just a tiny bit.

Not sure when I'd get such an opportunity the next. I will savor every minute of it!
Will post when I'm back from the Intensive.

Countdown

4 more days until my sabbatical.

11 more days until the Intensive.

Ahhh I should get busy!!

I finished my heartbeat sweater -- finally! This is the second try on the neck edging. It could have been a little wider edging, but I'm not going for the third try.

Just in time with the FO, Just One More Row's website has come back! I may order another pattern sometime soon.

Here's what was on my wheel just two days ago; Lisa Sousa's hand-dyed merino, "Bird of Paradise" colorway.

Huguette got this for me from Stitches West 2007.

Heard that space-dyed roving never looks the same when it's spun. It's true.

Looks even more different when it's plied.

I was contemplating on going to Lambtown this year again, but I've decided against it -- despite my heart's desire. I have enough fiber to last me for years, and with the Intensive and trip to Japan coming up, I have no money to spend on more fiber. Maybe Mitch and I will go to the beach, if it's warm...

Or I should paint the dining room. I've painted the guest room last weekend, and I should keep the brush going!

Action Packed

We had the whole July 4th week off from work. What a treat -- I managed to reserve a local camp site (Samuel P. Taylor State Park) for three nights, so even though it was a bit inconvenient for coinciding with Mitch's swim class (it was a must for this summer for the water safety!), we decided to go for it. We even "borrowed" a kid from Erin.

(Oh No What Were We Thinking!?)

Our site was among beautiful redwoods and right by the creek. We enjoyed evenings by the fire pit, roasting marshmallows. Falling asleep listening to the soothing sound of the creek was wonderful.

It was a bit on the chilly side -- although there was a great swimming hole, it was too cold to jump in. But we thoroughly enjoyed the clean, serene water.

Coho salmon and steelhead trout come up this creek in the winter time. I'd love to come back to watch.

Mitch and I went to the Fourth of July Parade at Downtown Novato on the 4th. Next day was the County Fair for two of us, where he met a Storm Trooper! I'm sure he was on his way to his break, but he was kind enough to stop for a Kodak moment. Thank you!

Oh yes, knitting. I've FINALLY finished the heartbeat sweater.

Heartbeat Sweater by Just One More Row, with hand-dyed silk noil also by Just One More Row. Used about 800 yds, US 6. I love blue, but now I'm not sure if I still do.

Before the neck treatment, the neck opening was way too large. So I decided to knit extra edging, putting in more decreases. And what do you know, the neck opening now is too small!

I think I'm going to unravel the neck for two ridges and see how it looks. But for this evening, I am on my wheel, spinning like a mad lady. Pictures next time.

Boy coming back to work has never been so difficult! I still have a guest room to put together, dining room to paint, and the supply to pack for the Summer Intensive! The list of the things to bring just arrived, and it looks like I am packing the whole camping gear and more.

Wanted

... More time. Plus money would be good.

I've been knitting just several rows a day, if I get to knit at all. I am dying to spin, but I haven't had a chance to sit in front of my wheel. House is a mess, and I have so much to do before I leave to the Summer Intensive. (Now I have two Summer Intensive buddies -- Shelley from Calgary and Mari from NY! Yeah!)

I am hoping to finish my Heartbeat next week while camping... but before that we have to make a run or two to get more camping gear. We now have a tent though. An 8-people tent for a family of three! Charlie went overboard, and he admits it :-)

The thing fills the entire backyard! Need more campers to stuff into the tent!

I am dragging my feet on making the airline reservations to go to Japan. The price is outrageous. I'm going to have to just do it -- it's not like waiting would make things better.

I couldn't go swimming this morning, and I don't think I can tomorrow either. I have been enjoying the morning swim so much, and I hope I can go back to the routine next week while Mitch takes a swimming lesson. Yes, we'll be "commuting" to the pool from the camp site!

Intensive Approaches

Early June, we chauffeured a couple of pre-schoolers to Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. We had never been there before -- we really don't get that south of Marin too often, although it's just 15 minutes away. I was excited for whole another reason -- this is probably 5 minutes from Point Bonita, where the Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive will be held in about five weeks!

A blogger in NYC, who knits professionally for Vogue Knitting, and works as a theatrical stage designer/builder, and I have been visiting each others' blogs, leaving comments for over a year. A couple month ago, I dreamt about visiting NY and thinking whether if I could get together with her, and I mentioned about the dream to her. She replied that she was going to come to SF in the summer and may be we could get together in reality. Then I found out that she was also attending the Intensive! I am now doubly excited -- it's great to have someone I know there, as I know I will have a hard time making a small talk with people I don't know. Needless to say, I am so thrilled about meeting her in person!

We have had a very busy two weeks, besides the school trip; Mitch has graduated from pre-school....

And the next day he turned five (coinciding with World Wide Knit in Public Day, and Harlot's Birthday)!

Now he's back to his old daycare for the summer, at Camp Erin. He is having a blast so far. I've gone swimming two mornings in a row, being reminded how much I love swimming. I plan to go swim as often as I can manage. We've made a plan for camping (we have NO camping gear!), and .... it will be a busy summer!

Soon...

I think about writing. Then I think how boring my posts would be. There definitely would be a grumble or two about my work. And little this-and-that about my KIPs or other fibering related things. More grumblings about my work.

In two weeks, the half of our current projects will be over. Then in about a month, the majority will be done. Then all I think about would be the six weeks of time off from work. The first week, I'll be off to the Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive! Every chance I get, I daydream about which wheel to take, and what projects to bring. My son making me laugh at home, and thinking about the Intensive and the rest of the summer are what get me through the tough, stressful days at work right now. And they seem never-ending.

Good thing Mitch isn't at all demanding about doing things and going places on weekends. We were so beat to do anything fun this weekend, but he was just as happy to tag along to our chores. Just a tiny bit of knitting accomplished this weekend on the Just One More Row pattern. I love this pattern -- it's very simple but it doesn't look easy.

Knitters Everywhere

So I made it to Stitches! The storm was approaching the Bay Area, and the weather radar Friday evening didn't look pretty. After that New Year's storm and power outage, the word "storm" gets me nervous every time. Decided to go early, early in the morning on Saturday to beat the rain clouds. Then by 8 am I was sitting at the lobby of Hyatt and knitting.

Left a voicemail on Erin's cell phone, but she didn't call back after an hour. An extended weekend away from kids, Liz and Erin are enjoying sleeping in, of course, probably high on the yarn fume. I called again at 9:00, waking the girls up.
"Come on up, we are in room 715." Okie dokie. After several knocks, the door doesn't open. The TV's on, but no one answer the door. I call on the cell phone.
"Let me in!"
"Oh, okay."
Still, no one comes out.
My cell phone rings, and it's Erin.
"Um. You are not at Hyatt, are you? We are at Hilton."
I laughed all the way to Hilton (just across the street), even harder when I found Liz in the lobby of Hilton in her robe, buying coffee! When you are among knitters, anything is possible, and everything is forgiven. Well, almost.

After admiring their yarn acquisitions and hearing hilarious stories at the Stitches Market, I headed out for some shopping. I had limited time on my hands -- I was still worried about getting stranded in the huge storm.

The first booth I stopped was Wild Fibers. Linda Cortright, the editor and publisher of the magazine, was smiling away at me! I wish photographing was allowed. I chatted with her on how much I love the magazine. Linda commented that she wished more knitters cared about where their fibers came from. I agree -- Being a spinner/knitter, I do wonder what kind of sheep, animals once wore the fibers. Who sheared it, and how it came to me. Linda is so fortunate that she gets to travel around the world to see all that. Don't you just wish? Purchased several back numbers that I don't own. The one I already have, with my favorite story about the traveling shearers from New Zealand, will go to Huguette, who didn't make it out to Stitches.



Right across the aisle, there's Carolina Homespun. I bought some Misty Alpaca cotton/silk blend yarn, 35% off! I think I know what I want to knit with this. Citrus Yoke Pullover from IK Winter issue.

I also got some merino spinning fibers -- $10 for 4 oz. What a steal! It's actually soft yellowish.

Some brown corriedale from Carin Egan.

After admiring Betsy's sweater at the lunch table, I visited Just One More Row's booth. Purchased a pattern and a huge hunk of silk noil.

I love the colors. I have not read through the pattern, but it looks like it's going to take some thinking and calculations. I think I like that over the "just follow it exactly as it's written" kind of patterns, but let's just hope that I am good enough to get through it.

The most expensive purchase was signing myself up on the Golden Gate Fiber Institute Summer Intensive. I'm already very excited.

I hurried home, and by the time I got to Oakland, it was pouring. But it wasn't as windy as they had been predicting-- in fact by the time I got home around 5pm, the rain was tapering off to just a shower. I could have stayed longer at Stitches! But then maybe it was for the better. My huge stash containers are all 120% full. It became awfully windy and rained hard late that night, so it was a calm before the storm.

Although it wasn't so good for my stash situations, it was a wonderful break for my mood -- it's so wonderful to be with friends and laugh away. I might just spend a few nights next year, just to get away and get more smile lines on my face!

Summer Camp Plans

It's been cold here. I saw some fascinating ice patterns on the windshield Monday morning. It was all over the window glass, and I almost hated for it to melt away. It was beautiful.

Back to spinning alpaca. Decided to make thin rolags using a knitting needle -- kind of making a cotton candy off the hand carder. The looser the roll is, the easier to draft.

It reminds me of the cat hairballs! Unfortunate association for the beautiful alpaca.

Lots of carding and picking the second cuts, so the spinning is slow going, but I'm enjoying it. I'm waiting for it to speak to me so I can decide what to knit with it...

I've been contemplating on attending the Summer Intensive at Golden Gate Fiber Institute. It's close, and it's this summer when I should be on sabbatical. I really wanted to attend SOAR in the fall but it's in Pennsylvania this year, and it really isn't very convenient.

I think this is the first such event for the Golden Gate Fiber Institute (which is a fairly new organization), so I don't know what this is going to be like -- how big will a class be? How many attendees? Would I be too much of a newbie for such events? And the biggest question is -- would I really enjoy it?

See, I know that the Designated Knitters and other friends of mine would laugh, but in fact I am an introvert, to the extreme. I am terrible at socializing and making a small talk. I'd hate to end up sitting all by myself.

So, I'm hoping that someone who's also considering would find me through a Google search or something, and contact me -- Anyone?

The teachers for the intensive are amazing. Sara Lamb, Judith Mackenzie McCuin, Nancy Bush, Darlene Hayes, etc -- the only thing that seemed a bit disappointing is the lodging. If I were to take a plunge and enroll in such a course, I'd love to stay at a nice, relaxing retreat-like setting, not at a YMCA camp with bunk beds!

But -- what a treat it would be!