Sunday, December 12, 2010

loose ends and slow going

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The cold weather has warmed up just enough to keep the snow away, so rain fills the sky and puddles. It is a perfect day for finishing up, tying up loose ends.

The photo above shows 2 Russian Style Support Spindles, full of Ashland Bay Merino/Tussah Silk blend. The spinning was finished a week ago, leaving the plying for a rainy day.

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The singles were held together and wrapped around a teabox to ply from. Plying on a Russian Support spindle is "slow going" for me, but it is enjoyable. I'm not going slowly- going slowly would imply that I'm taking my time and being careful, which I am not. Slow going is defined as "the rate of speed when one is making slow progress"..which I am.

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When I need a break from plying, I switch to knitting...I'm working the second sock from a Zauberball....and the knitting is "slow going" on these size ones...so I have inches to go before I sleep.

15 comments:

Valerie said...

Yum! such pretty yarns!

However I do think that our current blizzard is coming your way...so there may be plenty of plying time until the shoveling starts.

I've never plied with a spindle....just put the spindles in a shoebox kate and head for the wheel. Lazy me!

Hah! my verification word is haleexua perhaps a new way to spell hallelujah!

Jennifer said...

Lovely yarn!

I will admit--I tend to avoid plying like the plague. I am soooo slow on spindles. But Sofia likes to ply, thank goodness! :)

Manise said...

I guess the term Slow Yarn would apply here. ;-) Love the singles and plying progress. Kudos to you spinning on a support spindle. Something I need to learn some day. Pretty socks.

thecrazysheeplady said...

Beautiful spinning. As always.

Sharon said...

So much of my life seems to be 'slow going' right now! Lovely photos and lovely spinning, you are an inspiration!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Love the colors of these yarns. It seems everything is slow going in this weather. Brrrrrr. We had our first snow accumulation yesterday. The winds have arrived to remind us it is truly winter.

Mette said...

Your spinning and knitting look so lovely on the Christmas cloth.

Cathy said...

It's been years since I last spindle plied - like Valerie, I go to the wheel. Maybe I need to take time and spindle ply.

"inches to go before I sleep" - do I ever hear you on that. If I knit more tightly I could use 2s or even 3s but noooo. Hint: knitting toddler socks totally ruins you for size 13 socks (my dad). I think he's getting a scarf instead.

cindy said...

I just love the pic of your spinning on the Russsian Spindle. I bought a new one and have played with it. I have created singles but it is not as easy as regular spindel spinning. Any advice?

cyndy said...

Hi Cindy!

Russian Support spindles are perfect for short stapled soft fibers like angora, or cashmere...and for those I use a regular draft method....for longer staples, like mohair or merino silk blends...I spin from the fold.

These spindles allow you to attenuate the fibers in a fashion that encourages you to spin a very fine yarn with amazing integrity (which just happens to be perfect for lace knitting !)

Try keeping the point of twist way out in front of the draft...at least an inch or more. If you have ever done any Great Wheel spinning, it is similar to that. I worked at my "flick" -practicing without any fiber from time to time...and have changed my style since I first started last Feb. I think these spindles take some time to feel comfortable with, but I do love them.

elizabeth said...

Groan! Inches to go before I sleep! That's so true, and feels about like the progress I've been making on my projects lately!

Gingerbreadshouse7 said...

I think your doing a wonderful job, and it looks good.Ginny

~ Phyllis ~ said...

Hi Cyndy. Your spindle spinning looks pretty good to me. Love the color of the sock yarn.

Jody said...

That's what I do too...work on spinning and then knitting, spinning and knitting!!
Luv that Zauberball and yes it does look lovely on your tablecloth.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Cindy :-)

Teri said...

Beautiful yarns! I have three of those spindles but have yet to do anything with them. Then again, I really need to spin a bit more on the great wheel. It's a recent purchase and I do love using it. Just haven't made time to do any spinning lately.

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