Rose Spindle with Handspun Wool Yarn

originally uploaded by confections.

As promised, here is some of the first yarn that I handspun on my new Rose spindle. It is a French-Russian hybrid supported spindle that was made by Lisa Chan of Gripping Yarns. The fiber is carded wool sliver that I hand-dyed with Kool-Aid.

Below are my kick spindle and Spindolyn, each sporting yarn that I handspun in July for the Tour de Fleece.

Spinning at Starbucks for the Tour de Fleece

Spinning at Starbucks for the Tour de Fleece, originally uploaded by confections.

As part of my participation in the 2010 Tour de Fleece (contemporaneous with the Tour de France), I have been spinning every day, and most days in public at one of my local cafes. On Monday I visited a local Starbucks and took my kick spindle with me. On the spindle: hand-dyed merino wool singles....

Spindle with Handspun Merino

Spindle with Handspun Merino, originally uploaded by confections.

Continuing my saga of spinning with new fiberarts tools, here is my latest handspun merino yarn which I created with my new kick spindle from Etsy.

It's a small skein--the singles yarn is shown here, but I did ply it back on itself. My supply of this yummy color of merino roving was very limited, but I have located more of it online. It is the softest baby blue.

This kick spindle is handy to have in the car along with a basket of roving. In the event of a spinning emergency, you will always be prepared. The meditative quality of handspinning and its benefits are great antidotes to the complications of modern 21st century life.

If you haven't already tried it, for a minimal investment you can join the happy ranks of spinners.

New Mother Marion Kick Spindle "Little Meggie"

 

 

 

 

Here is my first yarn spun on my new Mother Marion Kick Spindle "Little Meggie" made by Jan at Heavenly Handspinning on Etsy.com. I haven't plied it yet, but I had to photograph it on the spindle because it looked so yummy. It is made from continuous fabric strips that I bought at JoAnn's last summer and is a cousin to my Ragamuffin skeins on Etsy. Just had to share!

Green Tiger Press Vintage Ephemera Now Available

 

A few vintage Green Tiger Press postcards are available in my Etsy shop as of today. More of the above images will be coming during the week. Please drop by and check out the art yarns and needlefelted items as well.

On Friday, I got a new spinning tool from a fellow Etsy seller whose shop is called Heavenly Handspinning. It's the Mother Marion Kick Spindle, and I have a partially done skein of yarn on it right now. I'll post photos later on after the sun rises! It's a beautiful, functional spinning device, which would be great for kids and beginners who want to spin heavier yarns. It's also great for old hands like me who love to collect and use all kinds of spinning tools. If you want to get a glimpse of it, please see this listing in her Etsy shop.

Have a lovely Saturday doing what you love to do!