Fiber Busy-ness

I've been busy-I got a decent amount of spinning done for the Tour de Fleece on Ravelry.

Then I've been plugging along on weaving on my triangle loom. It's slow going, but looking pretty good. I also did a little backstrap weaving. I did up my own version of a loom, it may not have been exactly the right way, but I enjoyed giving it a try and made a cute little scarf. I'm going to be trying it again soon.

Spinning for the Tour de Fleece

I've been spinning almost every day for the TdF, but have fallen behind my set goals. I can live with that. I got tired of the plain colors I was spinning so I blended up a couple batts of Jacob wool, glitz and some random color. Then I had to take up the challenge that Dutch Hollow threw out there-- http://www.alpacabytes.com/2011/07/08/faf-how-to-thread-beads-to-spin-into-yarn/ I really enjoy spinning beads. Its my latest addiction. Yay!

My new 6 foot triangle loom.

Well, I did it! I made myself a 6 foot triangle loom. (That's it hanging there on my free standing warping board for my floor loom.) I bought some oak wood trim, a zillion little nails and a few screws and such, and thus began my adventure into woodworking. Now mind you, what I lacked in technological and carpentry skills, I made up for in perseverance. There was no cussing involved. I only had to recharge my Dremel twice to drill 405 little bitty holes-and I only hit my thumb with the hammer once while hammering 405 little bitty nails. Still no cussing-remarkable-hey? I'm not sure how well it will hold up-the wood did split slightly in some spots-there are a lot of nails really close together-even with the pre-drilled holes. I haven't sanded and stained it yet-I should have done that before I drilled-but I couldn't wait to get at it.

Now I'm not sure I have the correct amount of nails. I don't know if there should be an even or odd number per side. I posted the question on Ravelry with the Tri-loom weavers group. Hopefully someone there will have my answer for me.

Now I'm off to watch as many you-tube videos as I can to be sure I know how to weave on this puppy!

Off to a slow start

Didn't get at the spinning for the TdF right away. I helped my son with his move to a new apartment. I was feeling so relieved to have him move all his and his daughter's stuff out of here-but I really will miss them. They aren't too far away, though. I'm sure I'll see them often.

I got some spinning in later in the day and enjoyed rearranging my house back to the way it was.

Itchin' to start...

Can't hardly wait to start spinning for the Tour de Fleece that is being held on Ravelry. I joined 5 different groups.

Peleton-this is one of the main groups-kind of middle of the road.

Team Ashford-for anyone spinning on an Ashford wheel.

Team of Wonder-A group of alpaca fiber lovers and owners. I'll be spinning alpaca on my Ashford Traditional.

Team Frickin' Wicked-for people spinning on a Fricke wheel.

Team Jacob Junkies-A group of Jacob sheep lovers and owners-I'll be spinning Jacob fleece on my Fricke wheel.

I plan to set the wheels side by side to make it easy to reach my goal of spinning at least 15 minutes on each wheel for every day of the race. I hope to take and post pictures along the way. The best part of all this is that I've met and talked to lots of people from all over the world, and hope to make some new and like minded fiber friends.

The basket of white and beige is only a part of my alpaca stash, and the basket of green and brown is a small dent into my Jacob stash. I still have some carding to do.

Get ready.....get set........