Fiber Fest

Fiber fest was a real blast for me. It was good to connect with

old and new friends. It was a fiber extraveganza. people all
over trying to get there latest fiber.

We had an awsome time dodging the weather and the cold. We
were able to see all kinds of sheep breeds at the different
fiber events this fall. The picture is just one of the many
stunning animals. It was a fiber addicts nightmare.

I had a lot of fun buying some samples of sheep breed fleeces
to go with my fiber study. I found a beautiful Finn fleece that
was almost as white as snow. I coulnd't leave without it. can't
wait to spin that up lace wgt. I also bought a cross breed of a
corriedale/cotswald lamb first shearing, a nice creamy white.
It has a beautiful luster and staple lenght. The fiber choices
were "shear" maddness.


We had a great time at our fall guild retreat(GVHG) It is always
good to spend more time with friends. Its all about the fiber and spinning. I received a gift of fiber from a friend a blend of mohair/wenselydale a nice oatmeal
color. Of course already sun up. A little over 300 yds. I haven't decided its use yet.

Abby

This is the Abby cat. Abby has the usual

control of the house. I am not fond of cats but

this one has wormed her way in.. We can't live

without her.. Life truely does revolve around

the cat. Her favorite thing to do is sleep and

eat........

Spinning Project Continues

The wheel has been smoking to complete this project. So

I thought I was finished. I have completed approx. 700 yrds.

of this charcoal lustrous fleece. I wound up needing to order

another lb. It came out so nice with a long draw method.

With a 2 ply finish. It has been a lot of fun to work with. I can't wait to get the rest. To complete my goal and make a

hand spun sweater. I have been searching for a pattern.

I have a few on the interview list: E.Zimmerman, Rowan,

Noro, And a pattern from Interweave Knits Christmas Issue. I have been narrowing my choices to a select few...I

Have been toying with over dying the fleece with black

cherry kool-aid. I still can't get over the wonderful gray.

So dying my not happen.......

Well I have been Knee deep in fiber. I have made
a commitment to finish this fiber by the middle of August. It has been a pleasure to process and spin. The fiber is a Corriedale/Cotswold cross
breed with a beautiful charcoal silvery sheen.
I washed it in unicorn fiber scour and spun the excess water out with a salad spinner, it dried very fast. The first amount was drum carded on
friends carder. The rest is being hand carded. It
has a wonderful long draw with spinning. I am searching for a pattern to Knit a sweater for
myself. Looking at E.Zimmerman, tomten jacket
sweater with a hood. I saw it on line that a raveler had done. I also am looking at a pattern from Rowan with cables and a mock turtle neck. I think I have seven skeins done and more to go, 2.5 lbs of lustrous fiber in all.

Our newest Family member

What can I say the picture says it all.......

It really works. The great wheel has been

teaching me many things especially patience and

long draw. Moving the wheel with one hand and

drafting with the other at the same time. "look no feet" Although you do get to walk. Its other name is the walking wheel. That still doesn't make long draw any easier. This wheel needs a lot of love,

attention, oil, and a lot of practice.....

Spinning

I recently this last year learned to spin wool into yarn. I originally learned on a drop spindle that was fun. I did that

for approximately six or seven months, then I was able

to get my first spinning wheel. It was a lot of fun shopping

for one.We went as far as East Berlin Penns. to try out wheels. We checked out several places. The last stop was the

spinning guild musical wheels. That's were I found the one...

It was love at first site..... I felt like I found a lost friend.

I have learned so much about spinning with this little friend

of mine. We took a class from Celia Quinn. We have traveled

to Penns. for vac. Been to our first Finger Lakes Fiber Fest.

Done some spinning demos at a local alpaca farm. I think

my friend likes alpaca better than wool...... We are spinning our first sweater wool a charcoal gray from a local shepherdess.

Family

Family has been a great influence on my life. My parents have always encouraged us to

do best and be happy with what we do. They always instilled in us to do our best so we

wouldn't have to do it again although we did learn from trail and error. My parents were

so excited when Patti and I got married. I don't think they thought I was ever going to...

They have been my(our) greatest supporters, encourager's, and devoted to see us survive

as a married couple. My family always as far back as I remember if we needed something

we found a way to make it. Making things seem to be the nature of the beast years ago.

I think the depression that happened years ago taught people to make do..... That talent has

filtered down to my life as well. I learned at an early age to create things when my siblings and I

played as children. We made towns and roads in the big sand pile behind the house.

We got plenty home made gifts throughout the years from Dad's wood making days to Mom's

sweater, sock, and afghan days. My brothers, sister and I still enjoy the warm socks

an afghans that Mom makes. I learned to knit from my Grandmother and crochet from Mom.

I found out that my Grandfather taught my mother to knit socks and mittens amongst all the

farm duties that my Grandfather did. He also Invented tools and took care of many cows.

I still remember the barn and the cow skulls hanging in the barn. I guess those were the

days....

When Patti and I were dating we stopped at this park along the Susquehanna River. It has been a tradition to have our picture taken every so often this is our latest photo. We have a lot of fun sharing and remembering our dating. Dreaming about our future.Patti and I also over the last nine years traveled this route between NY. and Penns. to visit family. Some my favorite times were getting to know Patti's parents and visiting all the historical places around Patti's home town. I especially enjoyed the Penns. Dutch food. Patti's parents loved to get me lost in all those back winding roads. When I started to get the feel of things her parents would change the route. Patti's Dad especially loved to get me lost. I knew this because her Dad would get this sheepish grin, I think he loved going on wild goose chases. I also found out that Patti loves to do the same thing to me,especially through the mountain roads that wind around the edge with high steep drop offs. Needless to say I turned whites a sheep, she laughed.......