Still Spinning

After I let the fibers settle for a few days I took it off the back of my chair (because I don't have a Knitty Knoddy yet):

And for anyone wondering what a Knitty Knoddy is:  (images taken from Google images)

I was so excited to start knitting I decided not to wash it because then I would have to wait for it to dry!

I just did a straight knit stitch because, again, I was excited to see how it was going to turn out.

I love how some parts of the yarn is skinnier than other parts, it gives it a very handmade look.  But after knitting a few rows I think I've decided to take it apart and knit on larger needles.  I used size 10 US but I think I want to go up to 14 US.  And since I've seen what it is going to look like I may wash it and then knit/purl this time.

Learning and practicing, learning and practicing, that's what art is all about and I love it!

Whimsical Painting

Last year I painted two chairs for a silent auction that was held at Warwick Memorial United Methodist church.

This year I will be painting a little child's hutch (the same style) for this year's silent auction. 

After I took this photo (and took all the hinges off) I base coated it.  The silent auction isn't until  December so stay tuned for photo updates!

Shearing and spinning

In 2009 while at the Kutztown Folk Festival in PA I watched lady shear her beautiful angora rabbit.  I was fascinated to say the least!  Her booth was dedicated to all things fiber.  At that time I knew how to knit but was not interested in spinning my own yarn.

Can't you almost feel how soft he is!

 

Look how fluffy her angora rabbit is!

A lot of children that were watching were scared that she was hurting the rabbit. She explained that in no way was she hurting the animal and as a matter-of-fact he loved getting sheared because it was so hot outside that it was like taking off his winter coat. 

 

He was so still you would have thought he was dead!

 

 I realize as I post this that it may look kind of scary if you didn't know

she was just SHEARING her rabbit.



As some of you know I try to go to Lancaster, PA once a year because I am fascinated with the Amish lifestyle.  (I also write an Amish blog called My Fascination with The Amish Culture). I plan my trip around two Amish auctions (called mud sales) AND The Kutztown Folk Festival. 

 

This year when I attended The Kutztown Festival I looked for the "angora rabbit lady" because just recently I've become interested in spinning and I knew she would have wool, angora and alpaca fiber for me to buy and start practicing.  She wasn't in her usual location and it had been four years so I wasn't sure she was even going to be there.  I noticed a vendor selling wool so I went over to her tent.  To make a long story short it was the same women!  I was thrilled!  They were super nice and I got a quick lesson in spinning.  I bought lots of fiber and went back to my hotel happy as a lark.

 

This book came highly recommended by another fiber artist and this is what I spun last night:

 

 

And this was taken outside today for natural lighting so you can see

how rich these colors are:

 

 

Now I need to let the fibers rest before I take it off the spindle

and start again, I can't wait!