Starting a New Blog

Find me and other BFFs from Best Friend Fibers at http://bffibers.blogspot.com/

Where Have I Been?

Hi there,

It's me. Yes, I'm still here. I just haven't been posting to this blog. What have I been doing instead? Well! I'm glad you asked, 'cause I've been busy.

First there was all the extra inventory that needed to be dyed or spun for upcoming events: the Tomato Festival is next Saturday. We're doing a pop-up at New River Fiber Company the following weekend. And Wilderness Trail Festival the beginning of September. Lots of venues lots of yarns needing to be dyed and spun... and I wish I had time to find the batteries for the camera take some more pictures and get them uploaded so you can see all the new stuff!

Then, last weekend I was demonstrating spinning and carding at an 18th century encampment. So there was also much sewing of things to wear that would be period appropriate. Do you know none of my 18th century costumes still fit.... something to do with making them when I was still a teenager and having learned to cook and bake really yummy fattening foods since then. Oh well. Good thing I can still sew. Now, I also wish I had a photo of that to put in here -- but do you know? I forgot my camera. Still, I know at least 3 people took video of me spinning, and more than a dozen asked if they could take pictures ... maybe I'll run across a photo of myself somewhere online someday.

And then (I said I've been busy) we've been working on the website. It's not done yet. But I'm pleased to announce that Best Friend Fibers is officially online at bestfriendfibers.com. So exciting!

Later this month I will be looking into getting myself cloned so that the housework doesn't get as neglected as this blog.

Indian Corn Yarn

When creating yarn I play. I start with something that has fun
colour combinations, like these kernels of Wade's Giant Indian Corn.
[Seeds from Baker Creek, my plants got gnawed down by squirrels
though so I'll have no ears this year.]

Lined up 4 oz of the fluff in the steaming pan to look like corn on the cob.
Applying the dyes from the top, there will be areas, on the bottom, that
only get enough dye penetration to turn pastel or may even remain white.

Hand application of various dye batches mixed up from Greener Shades Dyes.
proportionally it looks like I could have used more of the yellow, but ...enh.

Wet wool hanging on the back porch to dry, as the fiber dries the colours will lighten a little
but once I could see how they played against the white
I was finding the colours very bright. and it occurred to me that maybe
that second bump (hanging in the background) dyed in
muted purpley, bluey, greeny, greys might make a good ply for it.

Separated into slivers, dry and ready for spinning.
I am loving the colours more now. Look how they play!

I decided to spin it up a little heavier than my usual weight for the first single.

And then, spin the second single for plying in really thin, cobweb lace weight.

Plying the two together should create a slightly bumpy "Thread plied" looking yarn.

Like this! Yes! That's how it looked in my head!

The play of the bright colours, softened by the grey tones,
but still with a lot of movement and colours playing off each other.

Just like an ear of Indian Corn, but yarn!

A Natural Combination: Greens and Purples

"Blue Coco Bean" Pole Beans

Comfrey

Sage and Lavender

Sage

Pole Bean Blossoms -- and Polwarth fluff in "Grapes of Wrath" coloured fleece.

It's a really close match!

Crown Vetch, Lady Bells, and spinning up the Polwarth   

Spun singles on the bobbin... to be chain plied later

Inspiration From Flowers

Foxgloves, Roses, and Daffodils inspired colours for yummy lace weight yarns in silk and wool blend.

Green

Rose In Bloom

Red rose twining over the mailbox.

Wild rose over the back fence.

Sweet smelling roses to scent the June air,

This might be Apothecary Rose, I don't have a label on it.

Tropical Sunrise Rose at sunset.

White rose like a puffy white cloud.