Drum Carding

Today I carded a bunch of BFL roving that I dyed about 3 years ago.  I bought the roving online, it came, it was beautiful, but very thin.  So, when I dyed it, there was a felting issue.  It was challenging to draft.  I put it away.  I really liked how the dyeing came out, but it would just not spin unless I really worked at it.

Fast forward to today.  I found the bag with the roving in my stash, and decided to try carding it on my Patrick Green drum carder (c. 1987).  I have only had to replace the band once in all those years, by the way.

You can see how thin the roving is.  But how great the color and quality of the BFL is.  So, on I went.  I did four batches. Look how nice the blue turned out.

Here is the reddish one.

There were four colorways.  The dye work was good, but the rovings were just so thin, they felted a bit to the point where they would not draft.  I am very optimistic that the batts I carded will be great to spin. 

Old Town in Seeley Stables

The Fiber Arts Guild was in Seeley Stables again last week.  I cleverly positioned myself in front of a horse cut-out instead of the sign.

I got all set up to spin, and was working away at some Homestead Farms gray roving that I overdyed, when I heard a noise that sounded like my wheel needed oil.  Creak, creak.  So I stopped, oiled it, and tried again.  Still the noise.  I stopped again and looked at the wheel closely.  Where was it rubbing?  Then I heard the noise again, except that I was not using the wheel.  Well, it was people walking on the wooden floor at the stables.  It almost fooled me again later on.

Failure to Post Photos of New Dress Addressed

Well, those photos my spouse took of me in my new historic attire did not turn out too well.  First, it was a rainy day in San Diego on that third Saturday of January.  So we were relocated into Seeley Stable, a restored historic building containing carriages and equestrian-related equipment.  And rather dark inside.  In fact, very dark inside but with a large, open barn door.  So a whole lot of photographs came out way too dark or way too fuzzy (a little fuzzy is OK but not blurry).

The second issue was unanticipated.  The spot where I chose to sit and spin, unfortunately, was right in front of a sign that said "At Home in the Stable".  The juxtaposition was most unfortunate.  I guess I could edit the sign out of the photos if I had Photoshop or a similar program.  But the sign is right there, in all the photos.  Right behind me.

So, today being the third Saturday, we are off to Old Town again, with a hope for better results.  Stay tuned. In the meantime, here is a photo of spinning wheels on display at La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, which we visited in late January.

 

New Historic Attire is Coming

SDFA has made a new dress for 2012.  At the end of 2011, I was wearing my working dress in Old Town.

I have a wonderful new "in town" dress for 2012 that I look forward to wearing this month.  We had a great 2011 and I look forward to many days spinning and sharing with visitors in 2012.

Happy New Year

SDFA has been very busy the past week or so celebrating the holidays by going on lots of hikes.  We in San Diego were very fortunate that our weather has been fantastic for the past couple of weeks.  Today it was in the mid-70s here, great for a bike ride.  This year seemed odd with two New Year's Days.  Today was the Rose Parade, and the Rose Bowl.  But yesterday was January 1.  I guess some things are beyond explanation.

I only dyed once during the holiday break.  Five ounces of naturally gray Jacob roving from Homestead Farm.  The roving is so lively and springy, it has been a pleasure to dye.  I dyed it in the enamel roaster, with blue, purple, and rose.  I was afraid it would all blend into purple but it did not.

It is darker than the photo, but the natural gray color stayed through the dye process.  I can't wait to spin this roving!

I have also been spinning llama roving.  I have one ounce of white two ply done.  I was practicing really fast long draw on the Elizabeth.  That wheel likes to go fast and the llama fiber, from Specialty Yarn and Llamas in Wynola, is well prepared so it is easy to spin quickly.  I have some other one ounce samples of llama that I look forward to spinning soon.

Tahkli Spindle Cup

My friend's father, Jack, made me a beautiful cup to use when I spin on the tahkli.

It's made out of olive wood.  Clever how he made it tall and narrow so that the spindle would be better supported.  I asked him to leave the bottom a little rough so the tip of the spindle could grab it.  He made the smaller bowl holding the cotton sliver, also.  Thanks, Jack!

I finished spinning singles from the gory looking red fiber I dyed a couple of weeks ago (see previous blog below).  This was spun on a Kromski Mazurka while in Old Town.  I will ply it over Christmas.

I am making some mittens for my husband out of Targhee top from Mountain Colors.  This is yarn I made a while ago.  It has been waiting for the perfect project.

I've got the thumb in now, and am finishing up the top.  I decided to add the thumb and then have him try them on for the length.  I might be able to finish one tonight and get the second cast on.

Old Town San Diego Holiday Event

This weekend Old Town San Diego is hosting a holiday event that included the Fiber Arts Guild.  Our group participated by spinning, weaving, and knitting in the plaza.  The weather was warmer than expected, with only light wind.  Perfect for the Old Town Santa Pub Crawl.

There might not have been 100 participants, but it was close.  There were Santas, Mrs. Santas, elves, and reindeer.  By the time Santa's Little Helpers reached the Fiber Arts Guild activity area, they were in a holiday mood.

You can see in the picture that members of the Guild were happy to add some Old Town flavor to the holiday event.  I have been busy knitting like crazy, trying to get some holiday projects done.  And then the new Sock Club project arrived in the mail yesterday.  I am completely derailed now.  The yarn is so charming and the projects are perfect.  I know, I'll just wind the skein into a ball.  I won't cast on......I won't........