Taking a Left Turn

Just when you think life is going to settle down and there arises the specter of boring sameness, a new thing comes along to pique your interest and get you sidetracked from what you normally do. I fought it for years, determined I wouldn't give in to it, steadfastly turned my back and mind away from any thought of undertaking yet another hobby. Then my sister took me to visit the Eugene Textile Center (http://www.eugenetextilecenter.com/) and all my resolve dissolved. There was a type of spindle for sale I've been sort of (well a lot) interested in for a long time and I ended up buying it, along with enough combed top to get started with spinning. I had already made a spindle out of some weird round plastic thingy--no clue what it was in its former life--and it worked pretty darned well, but I expected better of the one I bought: a supported spindle that sits in its own brass bushing in a wooden holder. It didn't live up to expectations, so the shop was kind enough to take it back, and in lieu of a refund, I had the shop send me more combed top. The next time I visited my sis, we again went to the shop (I really need to stop doing this)and I ended up buying an Ashford standard wheel along with lots more top. You see how this gets out of control? That was in March and I've been working away on learning to use the wheel (I do wish it was as easy as using the drop spindle) and using up lots of cheap top and batts. You see, I also found there is a shop on Gresham, OR that sells end-of-run top and batts for a very reasonable price and I go there and load up on all kinds of practice fiber, including even some bamboo and mohair. The only thing I can't do right now is blend fibers and colors because my carding combs (dog combs in reality) are packed away deep in storage. But I have begun dying some of the white top with Kool Aid, super easy and fast, and the results can be anything from wonderful to gag-me-with-a-spoon. It's a learning curve. So, expect to see a lot about spinning here in the blog as well as knitting: no I haven't lost my love of knitting, still think it is a most wonderful craft and pity anybody who doesn't also think so-- :) -- but I have found as much passion for spinning as for knitting. I suppose it is the whole fiber experience thing going on.

I sincerely hope that this doesn't end up with me pasturing sheep in my son's backyard!