Fiber Frolic

I am left to my own devices this week (he he he). Theoretically, I have 24 hours each day to play with fiber, collage sheets, findings, beads, buttons, doo dads. Well, there's the gym. And sleep. And eating. And I have to mow the lawn sometime when it's not raining or it hasn't just rained.

Anyway, here are some fun things I have been working on lately. I picked up a couple of ounces of TuckerWoods Farm roving from Mocha's Fiber Connection at the farmers market a couple of weeks ago. It is a llama, mohair, silk blend. It's wonderful to spin. The llama and mohair are long staples (length of fiber) and I can easily spin them very fine, almost as fine as thread. I have finished one bobbin and have started the second. I will then ply the yarn from the two bobbins (twisting them together the opposite way) to create a 2-ply yarn. This will make the final yarn a little thicker and it will balance it out so it doesn't twist up into your worst nightmare.

Roving from TuckerWoods Farm

One bobbin spun

I haven't decided if I will knit or weave with it. I have to see how many yards there are. You need many more yards to weave a scarf than to knit one. I'm thinking a knitted lacy scarf will be beautiful.

I also had some cashmere I picked up at the NYS Sheep and Wool Show in Rhinebeck last year. That show (insert moment of reflection here) is going to be another topic but I am already very excited about it. It is my Mothership.

Handspun cashmere

I've also begun my second set of September Lace towels. This weaving falls under Swedish weaving, patterns that originally came from Sweden and have their own set of threading and harness set up (more on that another day). I have listed two in my store on Etsy.

August Handwoven Kitchen Towel

September Lace In Blue and White Handwoven Towel

Ginger Fresh!

It's a new item in my Etsy shop!

Matt and I took a drive to some antique shops in Coventry yesterday. I was on my button quest. I found lots! Maybe 100 different buttons for about $9. Here are two sets on beautiful vintage cards:

Here are closeups of the cards.

Check out the little boy and his toy rabbit and the little girl and her dog. I love these!

And I bought this. I don't know if it's vintage. I doubt it and I don't care. I just think it's so appropriate that I have it:

It was cold yesterday. After we were done shopping we rented a couple of movies, Miracle at St. Anna and Seven Pounds. I cried at the end of Miracle and bawled my eyes out at Seven Pounds.