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July's post is decidedly short and sweet. Have been busier than a beaver, travelling more than usual, and unfortunately have no time this month for my typical spidery tappings. Thanks much for your understanding.
Spinning Spider Jenny, the blog, is soon to turn 2 years old. That means it's time for a contest! An easy contest, but you have to follow the simple rules in order to qualify for a prize. What prize? Well, it depends. It depends if you are a spinner, a knitter, a dyer or practice none of these fibery disciplines (I know I have several wonderful readers who fall into the latter category). Here's what I'm looking for: Tell me/us your best or most useful spinning OR knitting OR dyeing tip OR...the most useful piece of advice of any sort (can be humorous or serious...you-name-it) that you've ever received during this lifetime.
The rules: 1) One comment per person, please; 2) Identify yourself in some way...in other words, if your name is John, then you need to be John-who-loves-cabbage, or some such foolishness. That way, I'll be able to announce the winner as John and there won't be a billion Johns thinking they've won; 3) You must comment by a tip or advice, as explained in the bold letters. Just saying "Hi" won't get you diddly-squat; 4) Let me know in the comment whether you'd want a spinning or a knitting or a dyeing or a non-fiber-related prize if you win.
Oh, about that prize. Depending on who wins, a little, but nice, prize will be sent that will surely please. Commenters, you have 'til 11:00 pm EST of Monday, August 25th, 2008 to get your comment in. I'll put all names in a hat and pick a winner. Good luck! And thank you, treasured readers, for making this blog possible. A blog writer, I suppose, doesn't have to have an audience, but it sure is sweet when she does...and doubly sweet when they're as nice as YOU!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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Oy, hard to imagine how to contribute a useful spinning tip on a blog that's so full of amazing spinning wisdom, but here goes.
I'm a beginner, so probably more experienced spinners either already do these things or have good reasons not to, but in case it helps other newbies, here are two things I'm proud of myself for recently thinking of:
1. To check WPI, instead of wrapping the end of a skein around the ruler or WPI tool, slide the ruler/tool under a big chunk of the loose hank after it's done drying/finishing. Push away the extra strands until you have only one layer of yarn filling the 1- or 2-inch section of the ruler/tool (not too loose, not too tight, of course). This way you get a measure that really averages the whole skein, instead of just one end (which, if you're like me, is significantly thinner or thicker than the rest).
2. I hate having leftover singles on one bobbin, but I'm too much of a newbie to reliably get similar yardage even starting from the same amount of fiber. So, when one bobbin runs out, I wind the remaining yarn from the other bobbin around a nostepinne without breaking the strand that's still connected to the wheel. I end up with a center-pull ball, with the strand coming from the center the one that's still connected to the wheel. I take the loose end from the outside and spit-splice it (or just twist it together with) the loose end coming from the wheel. Let the ball rest pretty loosely the palm of one hand, and guide the twist with the other. Works great, and not one inch of wasted single!
--Kate-who-stared-at-the-spinning-spider-while-waiting-for-the-Harlot-because-she-really-wanted-to-spin-but-was-scared-but-now-she -actually-spins-herself! (if I were so lucky as to get a prize, I would totally want a spinning-related prize)
I'm a spinner, knitter, and dyer, as it happens. My tip applies best to knitting, though I'm sure it translates to the others:
When you're so frustrated you have the urge to just pull out your needles and frog the whole thing, or to take scissors to your knitting project so it can never torment you again, it's time to put down the project and go do something else for a while.
I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself for not having a good piece of advice, but I actually do. It's something I do because I don't own any skeining device (a swift or a niddy noddy or something.) If your computer chair is the kind of chair with arm rests that are T shaped (not attached to the back of the chair), then you can use the bars of the armrests as a niddy-noddy and make a decently sized skein.
I think I actually like this better than I would like using a niddy noddy, because I have carpal tunnel and I imagine holding on to the middle of the niddy noddy would be tiring.
I'm a spinner and a knitter. (And my name isn't really braeden, it's Ken Klaus.)
Mine is in verse form:
Take aspirin to prevent a heart attack,
You can't go wrong when dressed in tailored black.
A little salt makes sugar much more sweet,
Don't ever change your money in the street.
Check the fibre content before buying,
If he grabs his phone, you know he's lying.
A thorough shave will help you face the day,
These things are almost always pay-to-play.
Use yogurt if you can't get buttermilk,
Buy the good cotton, not the cut-rate silk.
You get paid more for working through the night,
To protect from radiation, paint the windows white.
If you're being bullied, learn aikido,
Most men look pretty hideous in Speedos.
Surgical spirit is excellent for blisters,
In country towns, just say that she's your sister.
Hostas are predated on by snails,
Arguing with bouncers always fails.
A necktie, misapplied, can make a noose,
Long shirts in summer may suggest abuse.
The Zero Bar can mix a mean martini,
Stop agonising, buy the damn bikini.
Request the kosher, not the halal meal,
Tomatoes, blanched, are easier to peel.
When you can afford it, buy good bedding,
Don't prattle on about your bloody wedding.
Gloves do not keep hands as warm as mittens,
Be gentle when you handle little kittens.
Avert your eyes if you would see the stars,
All babies will sleep soundly in a car.
Don't skimp on sunscreen when you go out boating,
Those flyers lie. No one can stop you voting.
(And I would love a spinning prize, if I win.)
- Fernmonkey
Such profound thoughts... it will be tough to measure up to the prior advisors!
My advice to any newish spinner/knitter is to try something that stretches your skills. Take your time. Read the directions multiple times. Find someone who's done it before as a mentor if you can. But keep stretching. If all you've ever done is a garter stitch scarf, learn to purl. If you've only spun wool, try cotton or silk. If you've never tried Magic loop technique or Estonian lace or stranded colorwork or whatever ... get out there and try it.
Use the best materials you can afford... using cheap materials will only frustrate you. Using beautiful things will inspire you.
Ask for help if you need it, but not right away. Allow yourself the learning that comes with struggle.
I've been knitting for 40 years, after one 10-minute lesson from my grandmother. There have been lots of "mistakes" along the way, but they all built my skills and (more importantly) my confidence.
I love both knitting and spinning, so if I should win, let my "prize" be a "sur-prize" (ok, "surprise...it was just a better play on words the other way!)
Angie from String and a Prayer
My best pieces of advice are always 'Trust your instincts' and 'Try to turn a negative into a positive'.
I must say, I really like the advice given so far. I've already made a mental note of several things to try.
Oops, forgot to say - I knit spin and dye so a prize realted to any of these (or anything else you think I'd like) would be wonderful.
I learned this in birthing class but think it applies to all situations in life, really.
Keep breathing. Don't clench.
Every time you feel you're clenching any part o your body unclench it and if you're holding your breath start breathing again.
It worked well during labour (2:20, there will not be a third hospital birth unless they admit me before the first contraction). When your oldest child has just dropped that bag of flour in your freshly cleaned kitchen. At the dentist when he tells you to "open wiiiiiide".
I'm nicolefromgermany and I'd love the spinning prize ;-)
Congratulations on your anniversary!
My tip? Work with what you love, whenever possible. Whether it's fiber that you're spinning, or yarn that you're knitting, try to choose colors and fibers that you love the feel of, the look of. Life is too short to spend with fiber that you don't want to FONDLE.
(Oh, and Kate's tip about using an entire skein for measuring WPI? Brilliant.)
Ha! I love the poetic verse o' advice above!
The most useful advice I ever got is:
1) *I'm with Deb on this one* Make sure the material you are using is worth your time. Now, some folks love their Red Heart acrylic, and that is great, but for me, life is too short to hear yarn squeak!
When I first started spinning a few years ago, a college friend gave me some raw Shetland, Navajo-Churro-cross, and CVM fleeces from his flock in San Diego. I got 3 boys walking into my apartment bearing boxes and bags of sheepy goodness. I took them to be processed, and came home with three bags full (ha!) of pin-drafted roving. Which...was not fun to spin. It was decent practice, but nothing I would use for next-to-skin wear these days. Give me my BFL and Tencel and cashmere and silk any day! :)
2) Try the Addi Turbos..they'll change your life.
3) Follow directions. People often think that knitting projects here and there are really difficult... if the directions are written well, they don't have to be difficult at all!
4) Practice makes perfect. I carried this one over from being a musician - if you do something enough, eventually it becomes not only easy, but you can impress people with it!
PS, I'm Mel from Ravelry (in Seattle), and I love fiber and/or yarn ;)
Congratulations on your 2 year Blogiversary.
My hint is for new spinners. When I was frustrated learning to spin, my friend and spinning advisor told me that spinning is just a matter of "time in the chair". There is just no substitute for practice.
The most useful bit of advice I've ever received was from my mother when she said "Buy Good Bras!" Your clothes can be second hand if money is tight, but don't skimp on the support garments.
wow. So many good tips already. I think the best tip I've gotten from an experience knitter was this:
Learn how to read your knitting. By doing so, you will be able to see where you made a mistake a lot faster, and also that will help you when you are ready on costumizing your knitted garment to suit you.
As you can tell, a knitting related prize would be wonderful.
Okay, the best thing I have is this:
If you're tense, drop your shoulders and hold that fiber supply like it's a baby bird. That way there's no mass of matted fiber you're trying to spin up.
Oh, and I dye, spin and knit - so, I'm easy! (Just don't tell my husband!)
Learn as much as you can about spinning from others... you will learn things that you would never discover on your own.
Spin daily. You will learn things that others could never teach you.
I am always game for fiber. :-)
Happy Blogiversary! and many more....
Happy-versary! I have learned much from your blog. Thanks so much for sharing, esp. about hand carding. I took your advice to heart when I was trying to figure out how to make mine work.
My advice: Go with the flow. And what other people think is usually none of my business.
I like things of spinning goodness.
Becky "Iron Needles" from Colorado.
Use what you create or give it to someone who will. It's just not fulfilling its purpose if you leave it in a drawer or closet. It might last a lot longer but it will never bring you the kind of happiness that using something you've made from scratch does. Besides, when it's worn out you can make another even better.
Happy Blogiversary! I'm a confirmed "multicraftual" so any gift from you, dear Jenny, would be a treasure indeed. Here's to many more years of your interesting and informative blog posts.
Hugs,
Louisa aka damselfly
I actually think it was you -- or perhaps Margene -- who gave me excellent advice as a beginning spinner, and that was to resist the temptation to spin less-than-great fiber. When I was starting out (well....i'm still an absolute beginner, so this still applies), I thought myself unworthy of spinning the really spectactular fiber that I purchased or received as gifts, but both you and Margene pooh-poohed that notion. "You should spin something that inspires you." Great advice.
The best piece of non-spinning advice I've ever gotten? I would say there were two things that have stuck with me through the years: One is to never, ever presume what another person is thinking. As much as you may think you know about another person's intent, motivation, or what they think, you can't possibly ever get inside of someone else's head.
The next good piece of advice: if it works for you, do it that way. If people give you advice or lecture you, don't get annoyed or angry: take away that which is helpful to you and leave the rest behind. Life is too short to spend being pissed off and frustrated.
on that happy note, i bid you a wonderful day. much love to you,and congrats on your almost blogiversary! I can't believe it's already been two years. wow.
Congratulations on your blogiversary! I have enjoyed reading it and learned so much. I have advice about advice. Listen (and maybe ask) to be sure that someone is seeking your counsel before offering words of wisdom.
If I win, I'd be thrilled with a spinning prize. You can write that I am Sarah of the Skanky Knitters.
Some of the best advice I learned from Pop:
You can have it all, just not at the same time.
Cars, men, and houses are the source of most of life's problems.
Do the right thing.
Say 'please' and 'thank you', even if you don't mean it.
Be courteous, kind, pleasant, and gracious at the dinner table. Dinner is not the time to bring up icky or uncomfortable conversation topics.
Always thank the person who put dinner on the table, even if it's take-out. They didn't have to do it for you.
Don't dominate the conversation. Ever.
Learn to find pleasure yourself; don't expect or depend on someone else to give it to you.
And knitting/spinning advice?
If you let the cat sit on your lap while you're spinning, don't startle her or she'll run away with your fiber stuck to her tail and leave the yarn end to run onto the bobbin.
Some cats prefer to chew on yarn and break it into little bits, rather than play with it. Keep this in mind if you're knitting at someone else's house and their cat discovers your knitting bag on the floor.
I'm a spinner and knitter, and would thoroughly enjoy a spinning treat! Or dyeing...never tried natural dyeing before!
Erika from Michigan
Happy Blogiversary!
My advice is
If you read a blog and you like it - be sure to leave a comment to encourage more postings if the blogger permits comments
Don't kill the baby bird (anyone that takes a spinning class with Jenny knows this one)
Always listen to your parents (pending they are not criminals or abusive)
Go to the ends of the earth with and for your good friends
Cherish your husband
Make every day count
Speak up for yourself when necessary
What a great way to get good advice - I have to remember to come back to this after the deadline to read all the comments that shall follow mine.
If I shall win I too would like the "Sur-prize" You know me well enough :)
Love,
E - LFG - LlamaFarmGirl :)
Happy 2 years! I've enjoyed reading your blog entries and look forward to more.
My advice:
Knitting: Do a gauge swatch, but realize it's an estimate. Once you're working on your full size project do a sanity check a few inches in. If it's not quite right, adjust needle size and don't rip, but start over. Compare old to new. Only rip out the 'bad' one when you get the right one working.
Spinning:
1) Go slowly when you ply; you'll get a much better result. Go up a whorl/pulley size to assist in this. Once you get a feel for it, you can speed up (a little)
2) Join a fiber of the month club. You'll get a pretty package of some fiber every month and you can just spin it without anything in mind. It's very freeing.
Thanks for having the contest! I'm going to have to check back and read through all the advice. :)
-Nancy the Persistent Knitter, who would prefer a spinning prize
Happy Blogiversary!
My advice is to make sure your chair is truly comfortable for spinning. It will help keep you relaxed, and spinning is just plain easier when you relax.
Yes, I've figured this out the hard way. I have all sorts of lovely fiber at home and tons of ideas for projects but just haven't been spinning as much as I want to. I finally figured out it was the chair that was bothering me - too tall, restricting circulation in the backs of my legs.
I'd prefer a spinning prize :)
I'm CatKity on Ravelry.
Happy blogiversary!
My best pieces of advice:
- You know your body better than any pattern does. Following instructions is okay, but having something that fits right is better. Do whatcha gotta do to get the latter!
- It is JUST knitting/spinning/crocheting. If it doesn't work out, no one will lock you away or die. Don't take it so seriously!
- Ditto above for every job except One - and none of us have that one.
- Life is too short to be unhappy. If the pattern/job/person makes you miserable, move on.
[i second the comments about buying good bras and avoiding bad yarn. really, in the end, if you are going to bother to buy anything, buy good...]
i spin and knit and am JackieChris on Ravelry.
This is a piece of advice I use everyday--there are no stupid questions.
The best piece of advice I was given when learning to spin: You don't have to hold on for dear life; let it go.
I knit, spin and dye. I'm marlowec on ravelry.
happy blogiversary! thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge and expertise with us.
i'll share a piece of advice from my parents, which comes in the form of a story:
my parents were attending a wedding. at the reception, couples who had been married for a long time were being acknowledged. since my parents have been married for over 40 years, they were asked if they had any words of wisdom for the new couple. my mom suggested using these words often: "you're probably right." my dad, when asked for his thoughts, responded, "she's probably right".
yes, my dad also taught me that a sense of humor can get you through almost anything.
terri, whose adviser thinks that she's writing a paper, not reading fiber-related blogs
p.s. i'm a spinner and knitter, and would love a spinning gift, if i'm so lucky as to win
Hi! It's Kayla, Elodie's mom (I guess that's a great way to describe me).
I have two peices of advice, one life-related and one spinning-related.
On Life (delivered from my gramma): Always try things yourself first. If you always ask for help without trying, you'll only accomplish two things. One, you'll look lazy. Two, you'll never know if you were capable all along.
On Spinning (read it on a blog): Spinning is not something you have to learn. It's something you have to adapt to your abilities. Just because you see one person spinning their spindle with their fingers doesn't mean that you spinning your spindle on your leg is wrong. It's just been adapted differently.
*if* I win, I'd love a spinning-related prize.
Dear Jenny, thank you for those two years of wonderful posts! I really enjoy reading your blog and am looking forward to learning more from you.
Great idea for your contest - many advices given here are excellent! Here are mine:
- When knitting with dark yarn, put a white towel on your lap; it will make it much easier on your eyes.
- If you wear an apron when spinning, you'll avoid ending up covered in fluff (or you'll at least minimize the fluffiness); that way, you can spin anytime - even if it's only for a few minutes while you're dressed in nice clothes and about to go out - without worrying about having fuzzy white fibres stuck to your black pants.
The best part about this last tip? By using it, I am giving a new life to a beautiful apron that has been lovingly hand-embroidered a long time ago by my grandmother (who also used to spin, dye, knit, weave, sew, and so on!), and that makes me really happy!
If I ever was to win, I'd be honoured to receive a spinning-related little something from you.
Josiane
kimianak on Ravelry
Jenny
Congrats on the anniversary.....
Best spinning advice - good light contrasting background
also I heard this at the Spinning Loft hold on to the fiber with as much tension as you want in your life. I can't give credit to the originator because I don't remember who it is....
I am afraid practicing that is a little harder.
Jofran who has known you 30 years!!!
Hi Jenny,
Happy anniversary & happy traveling & happy book & happy life!
To anyone who knits, wants to knit, is afraid to knit, at any level of knitting: READ ELIZABETH ZIMMERMANN!
No matter your level, you will learn something and be entertained as well.
If my name is picked, please surprise me.
Love, Leslie
My elementary art teacher once said with art, any mistake can be "covered up" and made into something beautiful. I think this is true of all art forms. When you make a mistake in knitting, think about how you can utilize that mistake in your design...
Great blog and lots of useful advice!! Happy anniversary.
Congratulations on your blogaversary.
Let's see...I think the best advice I ever got was how to shake hands properly. As a woman, a solid handshake makes you stand out an get noticed. Silly, I know, but it seems to have served me well in life.
Should I maybe, possibly win, I would love something spinerly.
~Marnie in Portland
All those people on the internet who take joy in making other people unhappy, who dole out tactless, unconstructive criticism, who try to instigate arguments and flame wars, who insult you because of who you love or what you look like, or what god(s) you do or don't worship? You don't have to talk to them. You don't have to stew over the poopy-heads. All you have to do is click the little button in the corner of your browser, and voila, they're gone!
And if it's a blog or podcast or something that's steaming you up, all you have to do is unsubscribe, and it's as if the offending material *doesn't even exist*.
(The same is true, by the way, for projects that are making you very unhappy. While followthrough can be a good thing, there is no obligation to finish a project that is making you miserable.)
If I am lucky enough to win, I'd love a spinning prize. :-)
Wow, if it's your second blogiversary, it's been one year since I un-covered the fabulous fiber community on the web--how time flies! Thanks for all the great information and stories. Now, what advice can I add to all these wonderful entries...
I received some of the best advice ever from my radiology doc when I was diagnosed with cancer in 2003. He said, "I don't like to discuss survival percentages and so on, because the most important thing is your attitude. You must believe that you are going to get well." So that's what I did and it worked out. This is key for any endeavor in life. A positive attitude is of inestimable value.
I spin and knit, so a present in either category would be lovely, if I should get so lucky. Thanks for another year of blog fun-- Gretcheng-who-knits-loose-but-not-so-fast
Happy Blogiversary!
It's Kenyetta from Ravelry, and I am a soon to be spinner-just got my drop spindle- and a knitter.
My favorite is Don't sweat the small stuff. My daughter is a fairly new knitter, she gets so frustrated by little things like an extra stitch. Stuff that can work themselves out. Or frog and start over!
Happy Blogiversary!! congrats)
The best advice I've been given about spinning and given to a friend is...
centerpull balls are awesome for plying, no waste.
Practice... gently... breathe, the wheel is not tug-of-war, it's relaxing.
and for knitting, be fearless! ripping out is fun)
knitspaz
Happy Blogiversary!
I'm a knitter (new) and my tip is to learn to read your knitting. It makes it much easier to figure out where you are, where you need to go, and what the ^*&# you did for the last bazillion rows!
JackieCastsOn on Ravelry!
Happy Blogiversary Jenny!
What I've learned. Just because two fleeces are from the same breed of sheep does not mean they will have similar characteristics. There are huge variations in some breeds such as Shetland. Even within the same fleece there are variations. Sample, test and most of all enjoy.
Starting with a raw fleece is a lot different than just grabbing some generic Merino roving off the shelf . You are the one in control and not at the mercy of all that have handled the fleece before you.
Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
Enjoy fiber for what it is. Don't try and make it into something it is not meant to be.
Wow 2 years is amazing - I am so glad I found your blog a few months ago!
My most recent lesson/tip was how to dye a self striping sock yarn:
Wind yarn around 2 chairs placed 40 feet apart and tie off at 4 equal places.
Dye each section of dry yarn carefully in a hot dye bath (to avoid the dye bleeding), steam and rinse and there you have a self striping yarn! (seems to give 2-3 rows of each colour).
Thanks for all the lessons and tips you have (unknowingly) passed on to me, I really appreciate the inspiration and help your blog gives me.
Rebecca
I forgot to add that I'd like a spinning prize if I were lucky enough to win (and as I am in Australia I'd be happy to pay the postage).
Rebecca
Here's a tip for knitting with DP's. If the first stitch on the next needle is to be knit, insert the right needle from UNDER the previous needle. If the first stitch on the next needle is to be purl, insert the right needle from above the previous needle. This gives the shortest yarn path from the previous needle, and completely does away with ladders. No need to tug and tug on that first stitch.
I'm Barbara-Kay, known as meezermeowmy on Ravelry and my blog.
Happy blogiversary! And thank you so much for this contest - I love reading all the advice!
My advice comes from my parents, who are no longer with us.
From my mother: "You'll never be too poor for good toilet paper. Your rear end deserves it!"
From my father, who had the chance to work with Fred Haise, astronaut on Apollo 13, who gave my father this advice who then passed it on to me: "Never panic too early."
I have been wanting to learn to spin for some time now, so perhaps a spinning prize will push me in the right direction if I am lucky enough to win! I can be found as vivienfrance on Ravelry.
Ok I an Bean-who-had-4-kids-in-3-years. I know its long but that is the best way to know me. I am a newer knitter(jan '08) and want to learn spinning(just bought a wheel at a yard-sale). my tip would be on how to show others how to identify knit vs. purl stiches. Purl stiches are bumpy, think pearls-string of ocean pearls.Bumpy in front purl (for stockinete) and knit when the bumps are on back. Well thats it. Not to much help for the more advanced knitter but to me this was the best thing I ever learned.
I am Aunt Kathy aka Gimpykatk (I am sure no one else will come by with that nickname, lol)
I am a knitter... not yet brave enough to attempt spinning or dyeing. One day maybe but not now.
Ok my best advice... DON'T EAT YELLOW SNOW, hahahahahaha
Ok really... Even if a pattern looks too complicated and hard... take it one step, one row at a time, it probably isn't as hard as you are thinking. Never give up.
I am off to link your contest on my blog as well.
Happy Blogaversary. My first time visiting here but I'll be back.
Congrats on hitting 2 years! :)
My tips...
1) Mini M&Ms bottles are fab for hand caking/skeining.
2) Hand skein whenever you are stressed, it really is relaxing!
3) To prevent that hole on short row heels, wrap the first stitch on either side of the instep on the final row of the short row heel.
I'm not a spinner yet, just a knitter & crocheter! I'm also H3Dakota on Ravelry. ;)
Happy Blogiversary & thank you for 2 years of wonderful advice. I've learned so much from you about spinning. Here's hoping you have plenty more blogging years.
My tip is something a spinning & knitting online friend once told me: If you can't see the mistake while you're riding by on a fast horse, it can't be that bad. You're usually your own worst critic, so chances are the little errors we all make will never be noticed by anyone else. And if they do notice, chances are they're standing too close. :)
Phyll in Central Florida who's looking forward to the book!
Thanks for writing this blog. I've been enjoying it immensely. Here's to two good years past and many more to come.
The best advice I've ever read, heard, or seen came from the Sweet Potato Queen (Author of many very good books). "Be Particular." This is good advice in any and all circumstances, be it yarn, men, fibers, or bras.
The best dyeing tip I've got is one learned by producing the largest knot of yarn in the history of the world. If you dye your yarn while it is still in a skein (or ball) make sure all the knots keeping it secure are really well tied before it goes into the washing machine. Really well tied, because you will not believe how big a knot 1000 yards of yarn that got free in spin cycle makes.
I prefer dying or spinning prizes, but anything would be great.
Elise aka Keryl Raist, lover of all things fiber and Harry Potter.
Congrats on the Blogiversary! My piece of advice is this: There are NO knitting or spinning police who burst in to arrest you if you cover up an error, or knit two together if you have too many stitches, or make 1 if you don't have enough. Only you will notice the discrepancies. Don't stress about the small stuff.
Liz-from-Colorado-who-knits-and-spindle-spins.
Happy Blogiversary! I hear it's pretty rainy up the Vermont way these days, hope you're staying dry :) Gosh, as far as advice, I'm not very good at following it myself, but I'd have to say it would be never let an opportunity to tell the people close to you what they mean to you without doing it!
Um..hi. Happy Blogiversary. I'm so shameful. I raed your blog practically religiously but I don't comment until you make a contest.
Anyway, I'm Emilie-who-also-goes-by-Arianne-;). That's pretty unique!
I'm not an expert on most things. I think the two most useful tips I've had from knitting are 1) to knit in the cast-on ends as you do the first row (don't remember who told me that...it was in a blog) and 2) How to do a long-tail provisional cast-on. It saved me time since I can't crochet terribly well. I learned it from Wendy Bernard's blog.
For spinning I think the best tip I ever got was how to Andean ply...that's my best and favourite way to ply. My best dye tip was at what time to harvest bracken for natural dyeing. *It's when the spores on the bottom of the leaves go brown...)
I'm a spinner, knitter, and dyer...I think that I'd be most interested in a spinning prize because I just got a new wheel...but a dying prize is very tempting too!
Happy Blogiversary again. I hope you're well.
(P.S.- Since I didn't do so at the time, I'll comment now that I think you looked awesome in your dead-spidery-bride outfit a while back.)
Happy 2nd birthday (does this make it the terrific twos?)
The best advice came from my Grandmother: "Life is both too short and too long." For instance: Too short to spend it being afraid, scrubbing floors, or putting off choices. Too long to spend it in a relationship/clothes/job whatever causes you pain.
It's a simple sentence which applies to so many choices.
Aaah man! Aunt Kathy took my advice. (Don't eat yellow snow.) I think we could be friends:-)
Hhhmmmm let me think. I'll come back later.
Happy Blog Anniversary! I was really happy to find your blog a bit over a year ago, when I first started spinning. You even answered some questions of mine. Thank you for that!
The best advice I've received as a new spinner was, to practice regularly. Which I did, even when my muscles first in the shoulders where screaming, and later in my legs, after I switched to my first wheel. You don't get better just looking at your wheel, so I practiced every day, until I could spin some yarn, which was usable.
I'd be delirious about a spinning prize, if I should be the lucky one.
I'm Monika with "k", and I have a blog. ;o)
The best bit of advice I ever received was from my mother-in-law, very early in my relationship with her son. We (he and I) were having a...discussion...and she was amusedly observing us. During a lull in the...discussion...she said, "You should never ask a question to which you can accept only one answer."
Those words have stood me in excellent stead in the ensuing years. No matter the circumstance---fiber related, religious, philosophical, professional, even cuddling in bed---I have been the better for it every time I've remembered it. Well, honestly...remembered and applied it!
Thanks, Evelyn---I'll always remember you.
Spinning prizes are always lovely.
I think the one thing that I have learned over the years, and it seems that with every new undertaking I have to remind myself is:
Don't take anyone's word for anything. The world is full of people who like to impart wisdom. And a lot of it, unfortunately is wrong.
Things like:
* You have to hold the fiber in your non-dominant hand and your dominant hand is the orifice hand (or the spindle spinning hand).
* Low whorl spindles are for thick yarns because they are heavy and slow.
* Singles will always bias when knit because they are always energized.
These and many more things that are said everyday by "experienced" spinners and knitters are wrong.
So, to sum up:
Don't believe everything you hear.
If I win, I'd like a spinning prize.
My name is Marcy, but I go by woollyprimate on Ravelry.
Everyone deserves a smile, because there's bit of good in everyone. Some of the best advice is that which we are privileged to read here on your blog. Thank you so much for that and happy blogiversary! Wishing you another happy year.
The best advice I ever got was in two pieces: 1. always have a project, and 2. the most important decision you'll ever make is who to marry. I blogged about it in May, on our wedding anniversary when the house project my husband and I were working on was going swimmingly, because of the absence of our two lovely and energetic children. I added a third piece of advice: 3. If you must buy a fixer-upper house, do it before you have children.
Oh, and if I win, I want a spinning prize. Thank you. :-)
Mine is spinning advice:
use carding oil. I use Alden Amos' recipe, but there are lots of good ones out there. If you've done a good job washing the fleece, it needs a bit of carding/spinning oil to process easily and without breakage. If you hate carding, carding oil may change your mind.
Happy blogiversary! If you pick me, I would like a spinning prize.
my advice is dyeing advice im tori who likes sleeping when i do my hand dyed yarns i lay them on the saran wrap on the table and i use the foam paintbrushes from michael so i can paint my yarn exactly where i want to. its is alot more accurate than the pour method and i make sure i have complete color saturation. i would like a knitting prize if i win
My advice is to do what you enjoy without regard for usefulness or practicality of the finished product.
I finally realized that I'm process-oriented, not product-oriented. I'm a male knitter who lives in the desert and never wears anything other than short-sleeved shirts. What do I knit? Hats, socks, scarves, sweaters, shrugs, shawls, blankets... In short, I knit whatever I want to knit, with whatever yarn I want to knit it with. I know I'll be able to find a good home for it.
well, great advice all. A couple of thoughts to offer...
1. Use lifelines in knitting - saves lifetimes of frustration and somehow makes me feel much more confident when working on a large complex project
2.Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes...Art is knowing which ones to keep.
Leanne on Hood Canal - who spins, dyes and knits.
Great tips from everyone! I have two:
1) I keep a few of the small binder clamps at hand when spinning. They're very helpful when the phone rings to clamp your yarn so it doesn't untwist. One of my wheels has nothing to wrap the yarn around to hold it so the binder clamps are great!
2) A fun way to dye - a) soak your yarn in white vinegar, b) squeeze excess out, c) dyes are placed in salt shakers - sprinkle dyes of whatever colors on the yarn, d) wrap and steam to set color.
I'm RobinsNest and, if I win, I would love a spinning surprise!
Well, my favorite spinning tip is from YOU! I always tell new/frustrated spinners "don't kill the baby bird" - and of course, I always attribute it to you, dear JennySpider.
A tip I discovered on my own? I think the best one would be - Make sure you have a "long-enough" leader when spindling... this will prevent "spin-back" and give the twist somewhere to go as you're drafting. A "too-short" leader will choke the twist and since it has nowhere to go, it stops your spindle and sends it spinning in the opposite direction.
Kisses from DebbieB on Ravelry! Prize? Spin me, baby! :-)
Janice from KnitFlix here. One of my favorite useful knitting tips is to knit stranded knitted objects--especially small objects like hats, socks, mittens, etc.--inside out. The floats will be slightly longer and won't be abnormally short when the float goes across the transition from one DPN or circular needle to another.
Let's see--what would I prefer? A difficult choice! A spinning prize would be wonderful as long as it doesn't have alpaca, mohair, or angora. Or a dyeing prize would be nice (same fiber content restrictions).
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us and congratulations on your 2 year anniversary!
The most useful advice I've been given is probably an obvious one to most people, but I still had to make the mistake myself: alcohol and knitting do not mix well.
I would be interested in either a knitting or a spinning prize (I'm just learning to spin).
Hmm ... use quality materials that you love. This applies to knitting and spinning (and probably to dying too, but I've only just dabbled with that!).
Two knitting tips:
(1) when doing a rib pattern and changing colour, do the new colour in stockinette stitch - go to the rib pattern on the second row (or round). If you merely continue in rib with the new colour you will get odd purl bumps in the old colour. Insertint the new colour using stockinette stitch makes for a nice 'bright line' of new colour.
(2) As my mother used to say, "Don't get intimidated by knitting - there are only 2 stitches knit and purl - that's it. All that fancy stuff is just the way you combine the two stitches."
DREA FROM NY
O.K. I got it.
If you like to eat Chili Cheese fries only do it when you are traveling otherwise you get a big behind;-)
Hiya Miz Spider & Friends,
My advice for life:
*People are going to judge you. Live your life anyway.
*Do what you love.
*Develop your sense of intuition and trust it. This works in art and in life.
And for fiber:
*Get involved with your local fiber arts community. These arts were once taught to us as children by our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, neighbors: people who had been practicing for a lifetime. We need the experience of others to encourage, teach, and inspire us.
Thanks!
Rowan in the Moonlight, who likes dyestuffs, in Washington state.
The reason a child learns so quickly ad so well is because they aren't afraid to try something new and then to try again and again. Just like learning to walk, learning to read and learning times tables. They put us to shame. So just dig in and do it like a child, with gusto and fun. The more you do so, the quicker you learn and the more fun you have doing so. Kids aren't afraid to make mistakes so why should I be. Look at all the fun they have. I want fun like that. Patti who never wants to grow up
Advice? I can't believe I've had a whole month to think up some good advice and I still have none! Ok, of course, the obvious advice is not to cut your finger in room full of vampires, but other than that I can't think of anything new. 73 comments were ahead of me and browsing through them, they all gave good advice. The ones that stand out are that there are no knitting or spinning police so as long what you produce makes you happy than it is good and to knit or spin with the nicest stuff you can because it is so worth it to really enjoy every fibery moment of your life. Oh, and also, sometimes your mother is going to be right so it is probably a good idea to listen to her.
Happy blogiversary from someone who would love a spinning sur-prize if she were to win.
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