Studio Notes

My mother and I made an annual tradition of attending the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck.  We were both deeply bound together by the fiber arts.  She knitted joyful and complicated sweaters, and I spun, wove, and sometimes knitted simpler accessories.

In 2006 we enjoyed for one last time the creative riot of color and the easy interchange of ideas as we designed future projects inspired by a handful of beautifully dyed fleece. We basked in the autumn sunshine and tasted Artichokes French. 

She was knitting a siimple and classic sweater in deep blues, greens and purples in the last weeks of her life in April 2007. I have yet to finish it, but someday I will.

October 2007, I drove to Rhinebeck alone and wandered through the barns in a daze. It wasn’t the same. I bought a tapestry beater and some white warp. Where was the color?

This year, I was determined to reinvent the joyous experience. I reached out of my comfort zone a few weeks before the festival and started chatting with other knitters and spinners on Ravelry.  Shy me.  Can you believe it? I made plans to go to meetups and parties.

I’d like to thank every person who said hello or commented on my handknit socks. You brought color and warmth to my weekend. I’d especially like to thank the Holidome knitters and spinners who welcomed me to the tribe.

Next time, I’ll share some more of my colorful purchases. You’ve already seen my Lendrum wheel, Golding spindle, and some of the Romney sliver that I dyed.

As much as I loved yesterday’s green dye, I wasn’t going to be satisfied until I indulged myself in my favorite shades of turquoise.

Jacquard Acid Dyes in Turquoise and Violet on two-ply thick-and-thin bulky.

Yesterday, I had time for a quick dyeing session. The Aerie doesn’t have a dedicated dye kitchen, so I am limited to small-ish batches of acid dye on the stovetop. I use dedicated pans and utensils, of course.

Jacquard Acid dyes on Romney sliver

Isn’t that a sweet little drop spindle? It’s by Golding Fiber Tools.

At 1.9 ounces, it is a bit heavy for the fine yarn I am spinning, but the Romney is a very forgiving fiber.

For many years, this was my one and only spinning wheel, an Ashford Traditional. It’s been upgraded every way possible, with a double treadle, modern drive band, and of course the three-speed flyer. It was time for me to move on to something more portable, and I am now spinning on a Lendrum DT. I’m selling this wheel with the accessories shown for $300. And you get to visit my studio at the Aerie when you come to pick it up. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Since I am about to dive into the world of art yarn, I just wanted you to know that I can spin fairly typical yarn if I want to. Here are a few skeins that I spun this autumn.

The art yarn influence was already creeping in to the third skein.