I’ve been spinning this gorgeous fiber for a few days now, and I finally decided that it’s the colors of a peach. Or else a very old bit of exquisite Chinese embroidery. Whichever, it’s dyed Baby Camel/Tussah Silk from Spirit Trail Fiberworks. I have eight ounces, and I think I’ve used about two and a half to almost fill this bobbin. That means I have something close to a gazillion yards so far, and a bazillion or two left to go. I’m going to stop and ply it when I have about two gazillion, which will be enough for a rectangular shawl, don’t you think?
At first I was spinning a perfectly even and very fine yarn (don’t ask me the wpi), but after just a bit, and a little test-plying, I decided to let there be some long-ish slubs. I like it better now, slightly uneven but still generally uniform. I can do this on Mister Reeves, see. It’s a walk in the park for this wheel.
This afternoon’s spinning was accompanied by the audio of Philip Pullman’s Golden Compass. This is a wonderful book to spin to! I’ve read all three of the His Dark Materials books, but it’s been a few years. I have 10 hours and 40 minutes of enchanted spinning (and driving) to look forward to!
You’d think that I haven’t been knitting much, considering, well, the lack of knitting content in this space lately. I have been knitting a bit, but I’m working on a couple of projects that I’m “not at liberty” to discuss. I’m also still getting over the aches and pains of what I’m calling my “Lost May,” and it’s been uncomfortable to knit for more than a few minutes at a time. That horror seems to be over, and I’m picking up the needles more often without wincing. One thing I learned last month: when I feel really really sick, I am. The doctor will confirm it, so there’s no use pretending it’s not happening. Enough said.
Some of my six readers (about the same number as Clara!) might have noticed a “new” post from me on Google Reader or Bloglines earlier today. Well, that was my very first post from 2005! I was trying to remember when I started blogging, and after I figured that out I thought I’d add a label, now that Blogger has that nifty feature. Next thing I knew, Rho had left a lovely comment! Oh well, enjoy!
What a beautiful afternoon it turned out to be — just right for spinning by the window, running a few errands, and listening to a great book. I hope your Wednesday has been just as nice as mine!
Not Plain Jane 
Whenever I think of peaches, I think of this poem.I love His Dark Materials! I’m trying to decide whether I’ll work my way through the Harry Potters or His Dark Materials on my upcoming drive…
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LOL — well it doesn’t matter when you made that post originally – I still say we need to get together for a good laugh or two! It has been too long anyway 😉 I have put Dark Materials on my list of things to read. Spirit Trail roving is turning into some very neat yarn –
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Oh, your yarn is just beautiful – the color is so delicate. And I love the His Dark Materials series, too. Thank goodness for Audible.
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Sigh. That is the prettiest yarn. I know you’re drifting away into summer with those colors. Good luck on your secret projects.
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My daughter introduced me to his booka a couple of years ago, they are wonderful. That roving is beautiful, it will make a fantastic shawl, are you going to 2 ply it or chain ply it to keep the colours seperated?
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So pretty! I don’t know if I would have ever grabbed that colorway, but I love watching what it’s turning into. You’re not going to entice me away from the bruise pallette, are you?
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I love the math–bazillions are such a handy unit! Now, can you explain to me why a whole bag is a whole lot of yarn, but never quite enough for the project I want to knit out of it?
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Beautiful summer colors for the yarn! This morning, I was rooting around my stash for whatever my next project will be and I realized that I’ll be wanting to work in some lighter colors on these warm, sunny days. So, colors you’re spinning have been on my mind.
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Your yarn is beautiful. To me it looks like very old Chinese embroidery. I thought I saw two posts from you on Bloglines, but I had to go and they were gone when I came back. Ah, more books to put on my list.
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Wow, that yarn is gorgeous! I have so far resisted both spinning and sock knitting. Because we all know sock knitting is just the gatewau drug to spinning. And from there I’d be lost.
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HDM IS amazing! Thank you for introducing me to the series all those years ago.Have you seen Philip Pullman’s website? That’s how I found out about the illustrations that were missing from the first American versions.Tell me what you think about The Amber Spyglass in particular. I’ve gotten quite involved in analyzing it, as you well know 🙂
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You know what? I didn’t even know you were really sick in May, but I’m glad you’re better. As for the mysterious knitting projects, I’m curious! I love to think about you spinning and spinning, sister Jane.
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Sweet Jane,The month of May brought many good things & some health challenges too – hope you are getting better w/ each passing minute.”Yea, me too” to the lack of much knitting. It’s missing in my current life moments & I feel the loss of it.Mucho XOXO to you & A.
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Jane, thanks for turning me onto Google Reader. I’ve started using it and I really like it — much more so than Bloglines. And now I’ve got a Google homepage and have been adding widgets to it. I’m Google-addicted!
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