Mail Call Redux

I just love me a good mail day.  After several days with nuthin' but junk mail, I got me a good one!  I know I had an excellent mail call not too terribly long ago and I haven't exactly have nothing since.  But this was one of those really good days..

 

On the left is my new bobbin winder that Juno suggested,  the new Schacht ST Matchless wheel (more on her later - squee), bathing suit separates from Land's End and that bottom box is that gorgeous black corrie fleece that I shared with Marcia returning from a stay at Spinderellas for processing.  I have to admit, the last two boxes are still as you see them here, completely un-opened.  I'll get to them eventually.

Kat was the first to really play with the Schacht.  She had no issues treadling a DT wheel (namely the Lendrum Saxony which resided in her room until moving on to its new home) but had some difficultly keeping this ST going in the same direction.  She did insist on some YARN to play with so I fished the leader out and she treadled, keeping a good hold.  Maybe its time to teach her to spin.  I think the Lendrum upright might just be perfect for her.  Alex insisted on a turn too.  Gotta love those kids.

After they went to bed, I got my chance.  After futzing around with some romney roving to get the feeling of the wheel, I pulled out the Ashland Merino that I bought after seeing the glorious yarn that Marcia spun.

I just took about an arm length's bit of each color which amounted to about 75g, split it into 1/3's and then set about working on the first bobbin.  By the end of Lost last night (don't even get me started on the  show) I finished the first bobbin.

Yum!  Love the new wheel.  The accent of Black Walnut is just gorgeous.  She spun really well though I need to see what I can do about the "thump" that happens when the drive band knot hits the whorl/bobbin.  It was annoying, but not enough to stop spinning!

I'm just about done with the second of the Toe-Up Knee socks.  I have another row or two to do on the cuff and I can bind off.  Call it done today.  Better yet, I did both socks out of one skein of the Silkie.  Woot.  Though it does leave me with an entire second skein of the Rockin' Sock Club yarn.  Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.  I have a couple of contenders for next project and a daughter who keeps asking for a "shawl with pockets like I saw on your 'puter".  I'm translating that to a picture of a poncho with a pocket that she saw on someone's blog.  I found a pattern on the net and will look for some yarn tonight at MY and modify the pattern a smidge to include a pocket on the front.  This is the poncho the kid saw (I ran it past her this morning)..

Not sure when I'll post again, I have off tomorrow because the CEO simply announced that the office was closed.  I scheduled my PT for 9:30 and with the kids in school for the morning, I'll have time to do some errands, packing and then hit the road for MASS!  If you see the monkeys and me at Cummington, please say hi!  And it looks like we'll be staying for the Blegger after all!  Woot!  We'll head home after breakfast on Sunday and then hopefully spend the rest of the weekend at home.  The folks will be on the boat.  Anyone up for a little Memorial Day Spin-in on my patio? :)

Happy Memorial Day to those observing.  I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend!  To everyone else, I wish you too a great weekend.

Craft on.

Comments

[Carole]

I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the new wheel. Damn, now I really wish I was going to Cate's on Saturday.

[Sue]

Oooo! It came! Congratulations! And really lovely yarn. It looks like that icecream that has chocolate and strawberry and vanilla all in the same tub. Is that Neopolitan? Anyway, it looks great! Can't wait to see it plied up.

[Paige]

Yeah, the wheel's nice. the roving's nice, too. BUT LOST WAS THE BEST!!!

[Elsie]

Risa, sounds like you will be having a lovely Memorial Day. Happy spinning!

[Marcia Cooke]

So, open the damn box, already! I can't wait to see how that fiber turned out! Mine has to wait till I get to Utah next week...I'm picking it up. Congrats on the wheel (sounds like you're going to be needing all those wheels for the kids!) and I love the way your fiber is coming out. It DOES look like Neapolitan Ice Cream! Are we going to see photos of the bathing suits?

[--Deb]

You know, all these "new wheel" pictures are cruel . . . you know that, right??

Have fun this weekend!!

[chris]

Isn't that a great wheel? I love mine. I wish you many happy hours spinning more of that beautiful roving!

[Nessa Z.]

Congratulations! I know you'll love the Schact wheel - I've had mine since they came out in the mid-80's. Now about that knot in the drive band - take that knot out, lay the two ends side by side, get yourself some sewing thread and a sharp needle, and do a SEWN join. It doesn't need to be neat, just go through the plies with the thread and make it nice and tight, for about an inch, using lots of stitches, and wrapping in between. If you want to get fancy, trim some of the plies like you would when making a spliced spit join in yarn, to cut down the thickness. Works much better than a knot.

[Carol]

You didn't open the box right a way???? I admire your patience, or fortitude......I would have ripped into it like a kid at Christmas....

[Juno]

I missed this one....but I'm laughing. Like the bobbin winder?

I love mine - singles are so much simpler to ply one they've been wound off neatly. Took me a few snapped singles before I got the hang of the tension, but haven't broken one in months.