Spin, work, work, and more work

I am having trouble typing as the shift key on the left is kaput --- and it's the one I use 95% of the time. I hit the return key instead of 'shift' and it sends the blog off to be published; on other sites it closes up windows and leaves me frustrated. Only about $30 for a new keyboard; but I can't believe a drop of water caused me this grief, and I haven't given up on it's fixing itself.

I've begun to wash the three fleeces (shetland and ? mix) given to me; confronting a sheep's fleece is a brand new experience...wow! Lots of bits to toss in the compost, tips to flick or trim, and quite smelly, in a barn sort of way.

I can't tell what the best parts are so I am just saving any of the good looking wool; I've washed three handfuls and it cleans up nice, except for those tips.

This first picture is of the grayer wool:


and this is the white with the dirty tips; I don't have a comb or flicker so before I wash more I may trim the tips.

I'm thinking a boosting the temperature of the hot water heater, or getting a black garbage pail and using the sun. The latter appeals to me as I could do more leisurely washes -- and then if need be a final wash with hotter water-heater water. If these do wash up nicely I may look into a carder; I'm thinking of the Louet roving carder. though it seems some don't like it. I'm spoiled by the length of the roving and top I have purchased, with longer bits to spin. I imagine an experienced spinner doesn't need to stop in order to join a new piece of fiber--- my operation has to come to a halt while I arrange things and match ends and gather my wits.

I worked about three hours tonight in the shop and need to get up by five at least to get more work done; and even so I know I won't be able to finish. But I am just too old to do all-nighters anymore.

Romney Roving

This is the yarn I spun last night from the NZ Romney top I got from RH Lindsay's, still some overspun squiggles and some underspun fluffs--- but it went smoothly and I think I'm getting the tension better, at least I sense when it needs more pull or twist.

I'll try plying it tonight when I have spun the last bits.


It's tonight now, and the photo above shows the plied Romney. It still has uneven bits, and even one break, but I feel like I'm maybe a bit more able to pull this spinning thing off.
The last photo is a bobbin of the dyed colonial top I got with my spindle; still hoping it will be a hat someday. This was tonight's spinning after the plying; would love to do more but the eyes won't stay open.



Busy in the shop today; better busy than so quiet it gets boring!

Home again

We had a great time visiting T and M at their new home:

It stands where in the previous post's picture there is an empty lot; it's wonderfully comfortable and has a terrific pool; and loads of beautiful orchids. Retirement sure looks good!

Saw lots of wildlife: bald eagles, all types of herons, sand hill cranes, etc etc, alligators on the golf course, and this speedy gopher tortoise:

A few hours at the beach and I added to my fossilized shark tooth collection; or rather, if I ever get the others back I'll have 'more':


The last night we saw the Sarasota Reds play; the 'Mike and Mike' team played well; this is Mike DeJesus, the second baseman, who helped make the eighth inning a thriller; they won 4-3 with all of Sarasota's runs coming in that one inning; good fun.

Back to work today; retirement is much more fun!

Flying South

Tomorrow I wake up at as early an hour as I can manage to get to the airport and meet up with my sisters for a flight to Florida. I hate hate hate to fly, but I will. We are visiting my brother, the oldest of us all, who has built a new house. We will sit by the pool, eat, go to the beach, eat, maybe I'll work on a sock, we'll eat, visit the botanic gardens, and no doubt eat again. The photo is of the DB and SIL, and behind them in the picture is now a grand house.


I am only sorry I won't be able to spin, and don't anyone suggest the spindle, I haven't gotten past park and draft.

Today was one of those days at work that makes one question the whole fabric of one's being; it's good I'm getting away, if only for a long week-end.

Where this comes from...

This is my first blog post --- I hope it will not also be the last!

The 'Foothills' are nestled into the Berkshires, the large mountains in SW Massachusetts; large only to those of us who live here, I suppose. I am in NW Connecticut, where the foothills keep trying to fall away into the piedmont. I can see a mountain from my backyard -- therefore I claim to live in the foothills.





There is no 'Folly' in the backyard yet, although the idea of one being built there is strong. Perhaps it is my life that is the folly.

I run a picture framing business and gallery; I paint, hike, garden, knit and spin; I love road trips and reading; I'm thinking this blog will focus on spinning and knitting, but who knows.

This is my first homespun, spindle spun, thick and chunky--- oh, I guess that is called bulky.


When I spin some more of this dark blue Colonial roving and some raspberry colored I have, it shall become a hat. Maybe even with earflaps! The fiber was from annie may's ebay store;
I must learn how to do links.