November Goals: Evaluation Time

Since I set goals over at CrankyPants for November, that makes the first post of December an easy one.  I said I would weave two things, finish and mail a baby blanket, finish the garter center of the Bridgewater I have been knitting, crochet a doll, sew an animal backpack, make a decision about making Christmas gifts.  I did it all, although the mailing of the baby blanket was not until December 1.  Let's see how I do with December, eh?

 

Swap it Up

So, along with my return to blogging, I ventured into the world of swapping.  I stress about swaps, so I only plan to do a little, but if I could afford it and if they were all as great as this latest, I would swap all the time.  I played it safe with a swap over on Ravelry in Team Crankypants hosted by Cookie.  She did a great job organizing the swap.  She kept it simple, made the rules straightforward, and set a short, but reasonable timetable from sign up to mailing.  I loved the whole experience, had fun putting together a parcel for my partner, (forgot to take a picture) and love everything I received from my partner. 

 

TDF2012: All Over But the Plying

So, I did not know that I was going to disappear from blogs for the duration of the Tour de Fleece, but I did. It is good that the Tour is a July event, because it is a good way to keep up with something during a time of year when I would otherwise sit on the couch staring blankly at the television. Sure, I'm still sitting on the couch and the teevee is still on all the time, but I just keep spinning, and eventually, I have new yarn. Eventually is a key word here, because I am a slow spinner. It does not seem that way to me while I am spinning, but it is true. I followed the spinning schedule for the Tour, and I did not make it through the twelve ounces I planned to turn into yarn, but I did enjoy myself. I even got the drop spindle out for a bit so I could get a Tour de Niece picture. Yep, my auntliness increased again on Friday the Thirteenth (Madeline Belle, 7lbs, 15 ozs; 20").

Spinning also helped me cope with some unpleasantness and difficulties. It can be very therapeutic and calming, giving me a place to focus attention and settle into a soothing rhythm. Team CrankyPants helped, too, as did all of the beautiful photos of other spinners' work.

With all of the hours and hours I spent at the wheel, I hoped to have a finished yarn, but I was still about three-quarters of an ounce short of finishing the singles. I did make my way through that after the end of the Tour, and now I just need to ply.  

Tour Training

Well, if by training you mean, looked at fiber, then I have been training. Since spinning is not a requirement for Team CrankyPants, I am pretty sure this really does count. Actually, I have been doing some things to get ready. I sewed an apron to wear while I spin. This should help to keep any loose fibers off my pants, plus if I am spinning dark-colored fibers, they will be easier to see against the white apron. I should sew a darker apron for when I spin light-colored fibers. It should go faster now that I have already sewn one. However, I do not have plans in the immediate future to spin anything white, so maybe the darker apron will wait. 

The other day I took advantage of the heat to dye some silk caps. My nephew helped me, and that made the process even more fun. I have not decided whether I will spin the caps or just knit straight from them. I think they would make great mitts or a nice cowl.

I think I am getting close to having a plan for what I will spin during the tour. I have the pile of mystery fluff that I carded ready to go, and I have my box of Royal BFL/silk Cupcakes. I have plenty of fiber to choose from, but figure getting through all of that will be enough of a challenge for me. That has not stopped me from thinking about other possibilities, just in case. Mostly, though, that is just a distraction and a fantasy that I will have so much time to just spin, and no other drama or trouble will keep me from it. I can dream, right?