Twitter 
Just a quickie post to announce that the spider, or at least her blog, is turning one year old this month...blogiversary is August 25th to be exact. To celebrate, I'm holding a contest. All you have to do is comment on this post. Only one comment per person please. The winner, if he/she IS a spinner, will receive about 3 or so oz of my personally solar dyed, naturally dyed, Tussah silk for your spinning pleasure. If you are not a spinner, and I know some of my faithful readers are not, I'll pick something special for you. You have until midnight of August 23rd to get your comments in. I'd love it if some of you would ask spinning/knitting/dyeing questions for future blog fodder. I'd love it if you tell us about yourself. I'd love ANY comment you'd care to make...nice ones, of course! Once everyone's comments are in, I'll make a slip with your name on it, put it in a hat and let Alexander, youngest of the spider, pick out the winner. It's that simple. Thank you to ALL who have been readers of my blog over this past year and I welcome ALL you newcomers to the blog.
Look for one of my famously LONG posts next week sometime.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
99 comments:
I have no specific questions to ask. However I have to say, thank you for your detailed and specific tutorials on so many of the things I am completely clueless about. Your blog is SO very helpful! Happy Blogiversary!
Happy Blogiversary! I'd love to know more about spinning silk for the beginner. I've been spinning since November of last year, and have spun wool/silk blends, but not yet ventured into 100% silk. I've purchased some beautiful dyed silk and would love to know more about spinning it - I'm afraid to ruin it!
Delurking to hopefully win some of your fibre! I'm a relatively new spinner, and so far I've been working on getting a really nice and consistent 2-ply fingering weight yarn, as well as a sturdy worsted singles. I've learned quite a bit from your site over the last few months.
I was particularly interested when I learned you used to spin at Black Creek Pioneer Village! I'm from Toronto and I have been there a few times. I blog at http://www.click-clack.net/
The fiber and projects that have won me the most blue ribbons have been ones I've spun of/with collie fur from my own collie that I prepared myself. What are the most unusual ones you have spun that have made you proud in some way?
Happy Blogversary!
Happy blogiversary!
Here's a question; what method other than spinning from the fold is good for silk? I've spun it, and it comes out okay, but spinning from the fold never works very well for me and I'm still trying to figure out a good alternative for a good even single.
Oooh, happy blog day to you!
My question would be able manage those broken singles when you are plying, especially when working a navajo ply. I always end up making a bigger mess or losing all the twist in the ends and having all these ugly little singles hanging off my plied yarn. It's probably just lack of coordination, but there you have it. :)
Happy Bloggy-versary!
I don't have any questions just yet either - I don't spin well or often enough to know what I'm doing yet, but I have you bookmarked so I can search your blog for answers to my questions!
PS - Hey Alexander, pick me! ;-)
Happy Anniversary! I don't have a question but I do want to thank you again for demonstrating your center pull ball plying technique. It has been a great tool for me.
Happy blogiversary! I've enjoyed your posts immensely, and have found much in them that is helpful in my own spinning-study. (Finally got a chance to try spinning from the fold, and it's so amazing!)
The only question I have at the moment is: how do you (or how would you suggest) join singles to the in-progress plying on the wheel already? I hate knots in yarn, particularly handspun, and the methods I've been using are a bit fumbly...
I'll say a 'me too' to marnie's post -- whenever I navajo ply I get breaks in my singles or I over-ply or under-ply severely (to the point where the yarn is either hard or super-soft and falling apart).
Here's an original question: Do you measure your twist angle, and is there some ratio to the angle of the single versus the plied yarn?
I love reading your technical articles, because I'm a 'seat of the pants' spinner. I just "do it until I like it", which works, but it's interesting to understand why it works, and to be able to consciously and intentionally change what I'm doing.
Happy Blogiversary! I am so glad I found your blog. I've been spinning for about 3 years now and it's the most satisfying I have ever done!
I've been asked to teach beginning spinning at my LYS this Fall, and your blog will be a great reference for me.
Thank you!
Happy one year! I hope that you keep it up!
Happy anniversary! The 25th is a great day, too--that's the anniversary of the day I brought Chappy home, six years ago. So, I'm more than happy to help you celebrate!
Happy Blog-birthday Spider!
And a question for you: how do you spin differently, if you are spinning for weaving vs. spinning for knitting? I've been wondering about that for a while now, but haven't looked into it. I'd love to know!
Thanks! - Amelia.
Happy blogiversary! I'm glad you're here.
I'm happy for you and your blogiversary, but also for me because I enjoy your blog so much! My question comes from a habit I have of liking whatever I just finished spinning the best: what is your favorite handspun yarn, and why?
My aunt gave me a bag of her beloved dog's hair the other day and asked me to spin it and knit it into a hat for my cousin. Any sugestions?
Oooh, me, me, me! I'm greedy (well, it is something about myself!)
But seriously, I wish you and your appreciative audience many happy returns of the day. I've been spinning for a few years now and self-taught only goes so far. I enjoy working from the fleece and really feeling the yarn as something from my own hands (and the sheep's back!) But I do need to work up the courage to knit more with my results.
You've been kind enough to answer several of my questions already, so I won't add to the list. Thanks for being here!
Hey Spider - I'm one of the people you met at the Brooklyn Yarn Harlot event - we bonded over our common suffering from migraines. I'm learning to spin Russian lace yarn tomorrow from Galina Khmeleva at Beth's shop. This is my first spinning class EVER. What do you recommend I do to keep practicing spinning after this class - spindle or wheel? which kind? what weight? etc?
Hey Jenny, I got nuthin'
Great questions though. I'm waiting to hear your answers to them.
Happy, Happy!
I've enjoyed reading your 'blog and wish you many more fruitful writing years.
I'll ask a question - let's pretend you are making a 4-ply sock yarn. If the grist of the singles is the same, do you think a cabled yarn would wear better than a regular-plied yarn?
Delurking to wish you a very Happy Blogiversary!
I new to solar dyeing and your blog has been an excellent resource. Thank you!
Happy Blogiversary!
I've just found my way here today, and this seems to be a blog filled with a wealth of information and interesting stuff. :D I'll have to go poke through the archives now and catch up on what I've been missing. :D
Happy Blogiversary!
I love to spin silk, and have heard two theories about getting the most shine - either very low twist or very high twist. I seem to have better luck with high twist (so far anyway) but what do you think?
I hang around spinners hoping some of the goodness rubs off and sometimes it does. I tried solar dyeing this year (basic method - jam jar in the greenhouse) and I would never have thought about that for myself.
Happy Blogiversary! I've been a knitter for 3 1/2 years and an occasional spinner for 2 but I'd first tried to learn to knit 17 years ago before it was "cool". Unfortunately no on in my family knits and there weren't any classes in the deep south. My question is more of a topic request. I'd love to see a post about spinning for socks, what fibers are best? How best to get that really springy quality to your yarn? etc.
Happy blogiversary, Spider!
I'm a new spinner and your blog has been absolutely invaluable to me as I try to figure it out.
Questions? I throw my hat in with the Navajo Plying--what AM I doing wrong here camp. Any words of wisdom you have to share would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Jenny! I'm so glad you're here in Blogland. I've learned so much about spinning from you already and look to another year of informative posts! Happy Blogiversary!!
Happy, Happy Blogiversary! Hip, Hip, Hurray!
To be honest, I have no solid questions, yet! I do have things about my spinning that bug me..plying, getting consistancy, etc. And my head is swimming with the info you are passing on. Awesome!
Techiques and pics and technical type stuff and more techniques.
Rock on Jenny! And wishing you many more, with loads of Thanks for your help. Best to all the Spiders!
Happy Blogiversary Jenny.
I'm so glad I found your blog. I'm a new spinner (2 years) and have mostly been spinning BFL and Merino with no problems. However I bought some beautiful Kid Mohair and I just can't seem to get it. The staple length is between 3" and 4" but when I get going it either ends up really thick or just pulls apart. What an I doing wrong? ( I have a single treadle folding Lendrum, can't remember how I had it set as it's been a couple of months since I gave up!)
Thanks
Congratulations on your blogiversary!
Drea Here
Joyseuse Blogiversaire ma chere! Ton blog est un service tres gentile et formidable!
Thanks ever so much for your fab site - it's such an amazing resource and not just for spinning - it's a lovely kitcheny-gardeny compendium of facts, musings and old fashioned charm!
You have helped this beginner spinner tremendously!
OK - Scotch Tension or Double Drive - a short discourse on which tension for what and why?
Lurve,
DK from NJ!
Happy Blogiversary! I enjoy your writing and your blog has become the first place I look for answers to my spinning questions. :)
Happy Blogiversary! I took your plying class at NH S&W this year, and I've used your site as a reference ever since. Thanks for all your knowledge, in person and in blog! You are so inspirational to all of us! I don't have any specific questions, but I know whatever you talk about will help me become a better spinner. Congratulations, again!
happy blogiversary!
thanks for all the spinning guidance!
Congrats for the 1st blogiversary. I enjoy your blog and recommend it to many.
Thanks for all your wonderful tips and info over the last year. I really enjoy reading. :-)Hannah
Happy Blogiversary Jenny! I've read your blog since you started last August and enjoyed every entry. Thank you for all the great information.
Thanks for all the wonderful info on your blog. I've been knitting for almost 40 years and spinning for over 10 and I still pick up new ideas & techniques from reading your blog. Happy almost blogiversary.
Happy anniversary! Your blog is always so informative and gives great inspiration. I'm curious about dyeing silk. It seems so fragile (meaning prone to getting fuzzy or looking like something the cat coughed up) so solar dyeing would probably be a great way to dye it without ending up with fur balls. But do you have other tips for natural dyeing or acid dyeing silk that helps get good results? Thanks!
Happy blogiversary!
I'm not a spinner, so I'm not sure I could come up with a useful question, but I do enjoy learning about it here.
Delurking to wish you a happy first anniversary! I got here via Marnie's great blog and have been a regular reader for months. I especially appreciated your "over the fold" tutorials! I've been spinning (self-taught) for about a year and a half on an antique wheel. I mostly spin 2 ply worsted weight yarns with a long draw but I want to branch out into lace-weight and other fibers (especially the 2 lbs of alpaca and the 4 oz of bamboo I have begging me to spin them). I'm having trouble with slippage and tension due to the nature of my wheel, any advice? Wow, was that too specific?-Laura in Delaware
Congratulations on a great year! :-) And thank you for all the wonderful spinning tips you've shared with us. I learn something new every time I stop by!
Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for being such a wellspring of fabulous information :)
Another de-lurker saying congratulations on your blogiversary! :) I learn a lot reading your posts, although I have to confess that a lot of the information still goes over my head. I know I can come back and read it again when I'm ready, though.
Happy Blogiversary! I don't have any questions either but did want to thank you for the all helpful/tutorial posts over the past year. I have found them to be very helpful.
Dawn
You've certainly crammed a lot of info into only one year of blogging! Happy Blogiversary, Spider-Jenny!! I've been spinning for over 30 years but you have clarified so much that I just took for granted or just plain didn't think about. Your posts are worth more than a year's subscription to Spin-Off. Thanks and keep it up!
Happy Blogiversary, Jenny!
Thank you for your generosity in sharing all of your wisdom and expertise with us. I always learn something new from your wonderful and informative posts. It's especially useful for people who are fairly new to spinning, like me.
I was particularly fascinated to see the differences between the same fiber spun from the fold vs. from the end. Are there ways to predict what the colors might do? I'm sure sampling would be a good way, but sometimes there are one-of-a-kind dyed fibers, so there's not a whole lot to sample with...
Thanks,
terri
Happy blogiversary! Thanks for being out there and sharing so generously! As I was getting into spinning, I've really learnt a lot by reading your blog in the past year. I have yet so much to learn that I can't think of a specific question. Well, I think I'll second Loribird's question about joining, that would be useful to know more about that. Thanks again for everything, and I'm looking forward to what's coming next!
Happy blogiversary! I only recently discovered your blog. I be new spinner started learning this year on my wheel, self-taught. My question involves alpaca fiber which a spin since my boss has alpaca but only two natural dark colors available in roving the her husband sells.
I would like to know if you ever hand carded their fleece and if their is in specific way to card their fleece?
And, I would like to second Julie's question on spinning for sock yarn?
I'd be delighted to get my hands on some of your lovely, spinnable fiber.
I enjoy your very informative posts. Please keep them up.
happy blogiversary...i am a relative newcomer to your blog.
i see you spin on a schacht. do you have other wheels, as well, and do you spindle spin?
2 people want me to teach them to spin, and i was thinking of trying on inexpensive cd spindles.
what do you think?
i need motivation to spin more frequently. any suggestions?
Happy Blogiversary! And wish you many more.
Questions? Yes, but they are hard to put into words, so I will sit back and absorb, absorb and ask later.
BTW, a comment on the Bling post: Yes, I am old enough to spot the two pea coat buttons! I am also old enought to have had a fit when my mother would not let me have one. (not for "girls") And I can remember buttons from my father's WWII uniform in the button box. heehee
Happy Blogversary!
Thanks so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us.
Coming to your site makes me so homesick for Vermont
Jenny
Happy Anniversary -
How about how to set the twist on novelty fibers like soy silk, bamboo, etc...
Tommy is a stitch - he wants to learn to knit.
Happy blogiversary! I'm a new spinner, started May 2007. I love it. My big problem is still Navajo plying. This seems to me a job for three hands, not two. I never have a hand to smooth the twisted yarn, because I'm fighting with the yarn etc. I'm glad I found your blog with all it's information! Thank you!
Happy blogiversary!
I learned to spin a little over two months ago (my wheel was a bday gift) and since then I think have done about as much spinning blog surfing as actual spinning. I love all the pictures you post in your how-to's because I really am a visual learner and I can't seem to grasp some concepts based off just a description. Your blog has been a resource for me -- thank you! :)
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. I have been a spinner for about a year and a half. Although I don't have a lot of time to practice, reading your blog gives me great ideas for the times I can sit down and spend some time at my wheel. I hope to take one of your classes someday (I live in Western Massachusetts).
happy blogiversary!
thank you for all your shared wisdom. i dont live near any seasoned spinners. :-)
Happy Bloggy Birthday! Thank you for sharing with us. I have so much to learn.
I have learned so much about spinning through the pages of your blog. The fact that sometimes I don't have a clue what the technical stuff means tells me how much I have to learn in this craft. You often refer to a specific draw technique. A post demonstrating and explaining the three most commonly used techniques would be wonderful.
Happy Bloggiversary.
I'm a relatively new spinner and have enjoyed reading your posts and learning from them. I don't have any specific questions right now, but I have learned so much from your blog. Keep it up!
Hi Jenny! Happy Blogiversary! I love your blog and I'm addicted to linking to it! I love to try out the things you write about about and you have already given us so much to learn and practice. I can't think of any particular questions although I have a few friends who would like to learn to spin so maybe ideas on helping really new spinners get started? Can't wait to see what the next year brings! Congrats again! Love, Tamara
Well, I've been reading your blog for awhile now, but I've never left a comment. Happy Blogiversary!
Holy shit ... 64 comments and counting!!
Well, Jenny, here I am commenting also!
I like all the other questions asked in the first 25 comments which is how many there were when I printed out this blog on Friday!
Especially Debbie B. about spinning 100% silk, Nancy about your most unusual yarn, and Amelia about spinning for knitting vs. other end products.
I wonder if you will write some blog posts on 1) how to rinse and how much to rinse after mordanting and 2) what are your recommended and favorite spinning, knitting, and dyeing books?
Leslie
Happy Blogiversary!
I love reading your tutorials and such!
Happy blogiversary
Your blog is a wonderful spinning resource. I've been learning to spin by reading books and blogs and your blog is the best. Thank you for your tutorials and all the spinning information you share. I learn something every time I visit.
Let me add myself to the list of people who have (1) only recently started spinning (couple of months in my case), (2) only recently discovered your blog, and (3) come to rely on you as the first place to look for answers!
I've been crocheting for about 35 years, knitting for around 10, weaving for 5 or so, and as I said, just started spinning.
Here's my question: Is there an easy way to get the dreaded top to attach itself to the leader? I've been mostly spinning with rolags, which I like because they're so airy, but I just bought some wool top, and also some bamboo and some soy, and I had to throw my hands up in frustration and walk away from the wheel because I could NOT get any of them to stay attached. So frustrating.
Happy Blogiversary!
I met you at Rhinebeck last year when we were waiting to be seated at the restaurant. I still yet need to dip my hands into spinning, but I am fascinated by all the things you talked about. I know I will heavily rely on your blog once I cross the border :)
Happy Blogiversary! Has it only been a year? Great stuff in your blog--I like the personal stories. When you solar dye, do you have to worry about animals (ie, squirrels, cats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, etc) getting into the structures you set up?
Amy
Happy Blogiversary! Spinning sounds like it would be a relaxing hobby (once I got the hang of it), but I hardly have enough time to knit as it is!
I know one entry per person ... but I've got another question: I'd like to spin for socks. I want to start with a 3-ply. Do I ply 3 singles together at once, or do I 2-ply first and ply it in the other direction with the third single??? Please help me soon, I'm already on my second single. THANKS!
Happy blogiversary, and thanks for all the great info.
Hi I am a spinner and would like to be entered into your contest!
SEVENTY FOUR COMMENTS???? ONE YEAR ALREADY???? JENNY!! That is so great and I'm sitting here smiling ear to ear! Where did the time go girlfriend? Happy HAPPY ONE year blogiversary! Wish I could send you a BIG cake with a Beautiful spinning wheel on top and instead of yarn it could have a big gold #1 on it!
Have fun with the contest! xoxo
so!
a dye question.
solar mordanting with ruhbarb leaves?
do I need the leaves in with the fiber or can I just use the water/bath that I solarized the leaves in, and is there a math formula? like, lbs of leaves % of water to # of ozs of fiber?
jenna
PS check out new web page(type in new page in the html)
Hi Spider Jenny!
I have a question that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere and haven't been able to find the answer to. Being a well seasoned dyer, I thought you might know the answer to this question. I bought some hand dyed superwash merino from a wool fair vendor. It's dyed in sort of a spotty way, so there are undyed sections in the top. The fiber drafts beautifully, except when I get to spots that are dyed with black. When I hit these spots, I really feel like I'm fighting with the fiber to draft out. Other colors draft fine, but the fiber really flows best in the undyed sections. It almost feels like the black section felted a little bit and when I draft I sometimes hear little crackling noises like the fiber is breaking. Is this stickiness just a property of the black dye or do you think the dyer I bought this from didn't wash or set the fiber correctly? And if this is superwash merino, it couldn't have felted, right? Is there something in the black dye that could weaken the fiber and cause breaking? Is it possible that felting could depend on the dye you use?
It's all very mysterious to me ... hope you can help!
I've only been spinning for about a year and I've learned so much from your tutorials. I'm hoping for another great year of famously long posts and tutorials. Happy Blogiversary!
Cheers!
Congratulations! I love your blog. Well-written, great tutorials. I have two questions. First, spinning silk. How much twist does it REALLY need? Other special considerations?
Two, very greasy fleece. I have some that has more thatn lanolin in it. Near the sheared end, it is waxy. And I haven't been able to boil it out, with tons of Whisk or get it out in the washing machinne on superhot. I finally resorted to cutting it out. Big waste there and not exactly quick!:)
Thank you for this year, it has been lovely. Kate
Your blog is incredibly informative.
Happy Blogiversary! I hope we all can look forward to another year of delightful (and very informative) spinning posts! Cheers to you!
Happy Blogiversary! Can't believe it has been nearly a year. I'm lunching so I'll keep this brief. This will be your 80 comment if you don't count the duplicate!
I'm wondering if you put this "Only one comment per person please." in on my account - remember Spincerely's contest where you could enter as many posts as you wanted? I do!
No questions but great weather for Solar dyeing!
Love,
E
Congratuations on the 1 year anniversay of your blog. I so enjoy the content and the great detail with which you describe what you do. I have learned a lot from your posting and hope that you continue to have many more bountiful and fulfilling years of blogging.
Happy First Blogiversary, Jenny. May you have many more!
happy blogiversary :-)
now my question, I got here from google looking for inf on the hookie stick, someone mentioned elsewhere. I would like to get into this since it seems to be an easy way of teaching to spin by hand without a wheel or other bigger investments,
mail at: sockret.agent At googlemail.com
thanks, will look around the blog some more now, nana from Germany
Hello, I was wondering how many spinning wheels you have. You may have mentioned it previously, but I'm new to your blog and I'm trying to convince someone that my 4 wheels isn't excessive!
I never comment...but thanks for teaching me so much about spinning!
I'm a faithful reader, former Detroit-er, and spinner too. I love all the technical spinning info.
I have been a spindler since February. I treasure all of the information on your blog since I found it several months ago....the spinning, the dyeing, especially. I am fascinated by natural dyeing, so am always game for more info on that. Also struggling with consistent spinning....is this something that comes with time, or are there some tricks to minimize the "thick and thin" that I tend to get?
Happy Anniversary! I am so glad that you started blogging. Thank you for such an interesting and informative site. I am new to spinning and appreciate your spinning advice and "articles" on techniques. By the way, I also live in Vermont and it's a lot of fun to read the blog of a fellow Vermonter!
Joanne
Very Happy Anniversary to you and your blog!!
I found your blog from a posting on She-Knits. Definitely interested in learning how to spin in the not too distant future.
Lisa
(lemur)
Happy Anniversary! And happy us that you started to post. I've learned so much from reading your thoughtful and informative essays on spinning.
I wish you and yours happy too :-)
Happy blogiversary! It's been wonderful to read you throughout the year.
Late to the party, as usual...(I've been on a bit of a blog break thanks to childless status this summer plus massive work commitments). Thank you so much for your wonderful spinning posts--I've learned a lot from you in the short time that I've been reading you. I'm one of those people who fell in love with spindles right away, and though a wheel was a natural move for me, I always have a spindle in my purse. It freaks out the general public something fierce. Which is fun. ;-)
Ooo, a contest! How fun! I'd love to have more experience with silk, but either way...Happy Anniversary!
Hi -- I'm a lurker, knitter and spinner who found you via one of the Spinning lists. Thanks for your informative and entertaining posts and pix!
Heh Jenny,
'twas wonderful to see you at NH Sheep & Wool again, and to drop in on your blog now and again.
We've gotta get together sometime. As you know, natural dyes are my passion and I've been enjoying my pots immensely. Found a dreamy nearly white, with barely tan Jacob's fleect that spins like a dream.
Whadda ya think about spinning buttery fleeces in the grease? Had to do it at the Spin a Fine Thread competitions at Sheep Focus and Royal Winter Fair.
Happy anniversary!
Ooooh, pick me! Pick me! I could use a picker-upper. It's Fiberfest weekend--I bought my very first spindle exactly one year ago (and now I make and sell spindles!)- and I'm forced to attend our son's wedding instead. How rude and unfair they chose Fiberfest weekend to marry...blah. At least she's a sweetheart, even if she doesn't spin...yet.
:-)
Thanks for all your wonderful fiber posts! We are lucky to have your expertise in the blogosphere!
Post a Comment