Storage of Finished Yarn

Just a little demo of what I do with my finished Yarn.
My drawers are full and I don't knit or weave to keep up with my spinning.  As we all know a weaver can weave in one hour what it takes all day for the spinner to accomplish.
So I took the spare warping board and hung it in my office.  If you look closely you will see that I have little sacks of lilac hanging there also to keep the critters away.

Vaya Con Dios, Rich

What's Going on the Wheel - Spinning

My wife came up with this cleaver idea that we should both spin and knit the same shawl pattern.  Sorta of a study group, but without the study.  My wife can knit me into a corner, and then some.  I on the other hand...can spin pretty neatly (we'll leave it like that).  So, she will assist me in the knitting, and I will assist her in the spinning, although she could handle that on here own.
We both got our fiber from Susie.  She's the local trainer, trader, and everything spun.

My fiber is a blend of;
30% Merino
22% Camel
16% Yak
4% Buffalo
28% Silk

Hopefully the photo will do the color some justice, I couldn't even describe the color if asked, other than brown with a greenish tint, and that sounds just plain ugly.  So in-vision something beautiful, with the photo in mind, and we'll all be good.

I will be pulling out the "Big Gun"---Matchless Wheel for this spinning project.  Although this will contain my spinning at home, it will be a more consistent spin...because I won't be talking to people at demos, or the Thursday night spin group, all my focus will be on the task at hand.  This weekend, my wife will help me decide the weight of yarn and ply, and then the both of us will spin our samples.

Vaya Con Dios, Rich

Hunting and Gathering - "How we Shop"

Anybody that knows me will tell you that I'm not extremely health conscience, and  I eat because I like food!  Over the past 6+ weeks I have been doing numerous chores around the house one of them being shopping and cooking every night.  Yesterday when I went to the grocery

store I forgot my list, and low and behold it occurred to me that there are only two things to buy--
Meat (hunting)
Produce (gathering).
OK...maybe there are more items we need, I love Chips, ice cream, bagels, but when I look at how the stores are even laid out, Meat is on one end of the store and Produce is on the other end, with a careful trail leading through the Valley of Death, namely supplemental food, seasonings, and junk...full isles of just soft drinks...
I will be re-doing my shopping list template (Yes I have a shopping list template) to highlight Meat and Produce.  The ancillary items such as milk, butter, cottage cheese, and specific recipe items will only be noted as needed, I could also break this down into a food list and a "whatever" list.  This should help in setting a balanced diet that is both budget and health wise.

Vaya Con Dios, Rich

The "White Album" - Spinning

I finished the white yarn yesterday for all of those who are following this project.  These are some pictures of it drying.  I have to be honest and say, this is not my best work.  The consistency of the twist, along with the singles is somewhat disappointing.  Even though it is not full dry, I did expect to see some blossoming this morning.

Later this afternoon and tomorrow I will count length, wraps, and label.  I will be sure that the labeling indicates that ply one is 50/50, and that ply two is 75/25.
Dependent on it's "halo" I may use it solely for knitting.
I believe if I would have followed the post earlier today I would have have been much happier with this product.

Vaya Con Dios, Rich

Spinning Swatches (sample)

Let's all admit it...we don't do it, or at least I don't...(DO WHAT!) a spinning sample.
Considering the years I have spun, I should know better, but nooooooo I find a fiber in my stash, sorta think about what it's going to be used for (sorta) and away I go.  I never plan twist or WPI until after I've started, I let the fiber dictate to me what it's going to be....well buster, there's a new spinner in town, and things are going to change.

From now on....

1. Decide up front usage of yarn
2. Know what WPI and action I want
3. Spin a sample single
4. Ply a sample final (saving a single to use for later comparison)
5. Finish the final yarn (saving a sample to use for later comparison)

This won't be easy, I'll call my sponsor for support, and spin on a day to day basis.

Vaya Con Dios, Rich

It's Plying Time Again - Spinning

In earlier posts I have talked about this project.  This is my "White Album",  I have one bobbin of a BFL/Silk blend (50/50) and another of Angora/Merino blend (75/25).

These are the mistakes I made;
I did not spin AND ply a full sample prior to beginning (this will be a full other post).
I did not compare the thickness of the single on the bobbin...YES, that is really stupid.

The top bobbin is the BFL/Silk.  I spun more of this because I have more than the Angora, and the remaining singles can be put into the fiber bag and be saved as an example for it's next project.
All of my thickness checks were done up-stream of the orifice (not at the bobbin).  As a result I noticed (just now) that the BFL/Silk blossomed on the bobbin where as the Angora did not.  I may be making to much of a big deal of this, but I consider myself a little better spinner than to miss this detail.

How  I PLY!---When I first started spinning, I always checked my twist up-stream of the orifice, this is bad.  As a result, all of my finished yarn was under-spun resulting in a technically unstable material, not suitable for long time wear.  Currently I check at the bobbin, look for a little over twist, and apply that to the singles in my fingers.  I also like to get as far back from the orifice as possible to even the twist as it  approaches the orifice.  I consider the yarn well plied if after taking it off the Niddy Noddy it rotates one full turn hanging from my hand (unfinished).

I'll keep you updated on the final product and share some close-ups.

Vaya Con Dios

Agility Class with Wine

Today is my first Agility Instruction Class.  I will be teaching.
The format will be an inexpensive private instruction for the handler that is just starting out, this may include dogs that have not completed any obedience work (in some ways this may be beneficial).  This is only a 6 week format with classes twice a week.
This Agility Class will cover all the basics of maneuvering your dog through the jumps and put you in a position to join a more advanced class later that someone else may teach.

Wine or beer will be served at all classes.  The wine and beer is for the handler, not the dog.  Only positive reinforcement will be used, this class is designed for the human/dog team to have fun in learning the basics of handling that is required on an Agility course.
I hope to see you all there!
Vaya Con Dios, Rich

My Arsenal !--Spinning

We all know that I Spin and I thought it would be a good time to share my Arsenal and defend my reasons for this obsession--
These are the first three wheels that I came across when I entered the studio.
The Ashford Kiwi http://www.ashford.co.nz/newsite/spinning-wheels.html on the far left (next to Silver Whippet) was my first wheel.  It is currently fitted with the Jumbo Bobbin and Flyer.  I use it primarily for Plying.  A lot of people refer to this wheel as a "Student Wheel".  This is the subject of another post, but this wheel  should not be considered a toy.
The Schacht Matchless http://www.schachtspindle.com/ is in the center.  My wheel was manufactured in 1995 and is my favorite machine, operates like a workhorse.  I always run it in double drive.  The wheel is heavy and acts more like a flywheel than a drive wheel for the flyer.  Since I bought it second hand it came to me as a single treadle, over the years I have come to prefer single treadles since I sit a little off angle to the draw, and get as much distance between my draft and the orifice.  And speaking of orifice, the only negative on this machine is that it has the smallest orifice opening of all my wheels.  I have upgraded the tension rod to the newest available and will make additional modifications as they are made available by Schacht.
The Ashford Joy on the the far right.  I bought this machine strictly for travel and demos.  It folds up (quickly), and is small and lightweight.  I will agree with some people that it may be considered too small. Like my instructor once told me, if she could have only one wheel it would be a "Matchless".
I also have a Great Wheel that is in running order, and an Indian book charka.  both of which operate fine, but are more conversation starters than production machines.

 In addition to the wheels, I'll always carry a few spindles.  These are used when I'm finishing up a skein and may need to pick up a few yards, along with demonstration purposes.  I'll carry a bottom and a top whorl spindle just to assist in explanation to people the difference in spinning equipment within different geo-cultures, and the CD spindle so the novice can have a Whorl of it too.

Vaya Con Dios, Rich

What will happen if you watch it?

http://america.aljazeera.com/
Now that should be enough to arouse !
I heard today on NPR that they (aljazeera) are not expecting to profit from this adventure...That's scary. What other reason to invest millions of dollars other than to profit (financially).
I stay away from Hot Buttons and Political Topics because I think we all get a little tired of them.
BUT...I could ramble on about this for hours, and on both sides. Ten years ago the term "America Aljazeera" would be considered an oxymoron, but today there seems to be just enough tolerance to let them in the living room. But then where will they go.

Where did I run today today ?

Yes I run.  This graph is from today's run in Arroyo Verde Canyon. These trails are used by the Ventura Cross Country team. You can see on the graph my pace along with the elevation gain and loss. They (of course) align. Elevation gain...I run slower. Down hill or flat...I run faster.
BUT now how did I get this information? We all know and at times are afraid to admit it, but we have tracking software in our pockets (running shorts). So hats off to the nerds! down with conspiracy theory.  Let's take advantage of of those little cigarette size boxes (what's a cigarette?).  

Where Were You ?

While running today I thought about some critical times/people in our history.  Not meaning to age you...but...and if you don't know these, UG.
Where were you-
And who were you kissing when the first Man landed on the Moon?
When Buddy Holly's plane crashed?
During the seven day war?
When JFK was shot?
During the Chicago Republican Convention that included the "Chicago Seven"?
and for bonus points identify---Angela Davis and Jerry Reuben
Where were you-
During the Bay of Pigs?
When the American Embassy in Vietnam was evacuated?
When the 911 attack occurred on America?
When Oklahoma was bombed by an American?
When Anwar Sadat was assassinated?
And Who or What---- 
Noriega ?
Ho Chi Min Trail ?
Sally Ride ?
Jim Henson ?
And last but not least.....
Who was the first female singer for Jefferson Airplane (before Grace)?

Vaya Con Dios----Rich

To Re-Purpose

One of the newer words in the environmental protection campaign is "re-purpose".  The meaning is obvious and the phrasing correct..."to take what has been, and make it something else" sw.  As a viable future employee at some lucky company I am seeking to "re-purpose" numerous skills into a package that is good for the employer/employee.
But what should I add to the tool box (if anything)?  I know what I can and can't do, but should I add something I can't do?  i.e. learn some more difficult programs to engineer with, or learn a second language?
Today I will be stepping out a little into territories that will fill my tool box with more than is in it now.  And even if those tools are never used, the process will keep my mind sharp and prepared for the future!