Spinning in Cowgirl Boots – Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle

Want to kick back and listen to me muddle and fuddle up another classic tale? Good. Because I have another Spinning In Cowgirl Boots for ya.

Spin To Win

So the other day I grabbed my spinning wheel, and some fiber, and drove over to my favorite locally owned coffee shop. Its called Quacks 43rd Street Bakery. I live in city that thinks it worth time and effort to maintain a never-ending public campaign to Keep Austin Weird. For the record, at Quacks they have no trouble keeping it weird.

These are the two colorways, both merino wool, that I have been spinning.

Quacks is halfway across town for me and I probably drive past 18 Starbucks to get there. But its worth it. They have a nice outdoor area where I can sit and spin (without being assaulted by air conditioning!) and they have the best chia I’ve ever tasted.

Spinning In Cowgirl Boots – The Wild Swans

Its a drag when you and all your brothers get turned into birds and your little sister has to save you with magical clothing.

Its an even bigger drag if you are the little sister.

Spinning in Cowgirl Boots – Homespuns and the American Revolution

The Struggle for Freedom Meant You Took to Your Spinning Wheel

Happy Birthday America. The freedoms enjoyed in this, my home country, were hard won as all freedom is. Today we hear cries of how freedom is under attack. Guess what?  It always was and it always will be. The people who enjoy freedom must never forget that.

Sunday Stitch – How to Chain Ply Yarn

Today I’m chain plying some of my handspun yarn. If all you have done so far is the traditional plying from two or more bobbins then you will love this. With chain ply, you can to turn a spun single, from just one bobbin, into a three ply yarn.

I’m Coming Out From Under A Cloud

It’s been a tough two weeks for me as you may have been able to tell from the rambling and chaotic direction of my recent posts. If that didn’t tip you off, the lack of any progress whatsoever on my projects probably did! But I’m back on track and I have the pictures to prove it.

Taking Some Twist Out of The Noro (and other yarns!)

Love Noro. In my not-so-humble opinion, no one does color like Noro. Of all the yarns they make, Taiyo is my favorite in Colorway No 1.

Its nice right? Right. But its twisty. As you stitch with it it doubles back on itself and that can be a pain. If you’ve worked with Noro you’ve encountered this. All their singles are overspun. A more generous soul would call them energized singles. I’m not that generous and I want it to stop twisting. So I take the time to “finish” my Noro yarn with steam.

Spinning in Cowgirl Boots – A History of Red Dye

I’ll never be a dyer of fiber or yarn. I leave that to others. I have a mommy that dyes fiber with stuff she finds in her backyard and a close friend that dyes yarn with commercial acid  based formulas. Mostly I just play assistant and/or appreciative audience. Mostly I just say things like “Ooo! That’s pretty.”

Confessions of a Simple (Minded) Spinner

Its my first day of summer and I have a plan. The plan is to sit in a nice shady spot with my wheel and finish up the polwarth handspinning project.

Her plan is to interfere with my plan. Of course.

Sunday Stitch – How to Make and Use a Beaded Wrist Distaff

What’s a Distaff? Its a highly sophisticated precision instrument toy for handspinners. And it usually does not look like this.