I have been spinning since 1970 - made myself a drop spindle with a curtain holder with washer in it for weight, and wool quilt batting. Soon added a cast iron floor flange (that sucker spun forever😄).
Then I moved on to a romney fleece from a farmer son San Juan Island. I finally got a Norwegian spinning wheel in 1975. Right now my favorite tools are a 100 year old Turkish spindle and a set if Orenberg spindles. I recently knit a sweater from spindle spun wool, and am now spinning yak/silk roving with the Orenberg spindles. Probect for that as yet unknown…another Sarah
What a marvelous material and tool and making legacy Sarah. I so love how one things lead to another and our practices evolve. Also, how the pull of the simplest tools is so very strong. Those Orenberg spindles are amazing. Thanks for letting me think about them.
In the polls it would be lovely to have more than one choice. In the first question I clicked wool/protein but I also love cellulose and natural dyes and words and your question hints that, maybe, more than one answer is allowed. Sadly, the settings (I'm assuming) are only allowing one answer and not allowing any last minute change of heart either. I think that may be why the first questions have the most answers - at least in questions 1 and 2.
I noticed this in your poll about your summer project as well. I clicked the first item with the intent of giving more than one answer but then couldn't change my mind once I realised only one answer was possible.
You are so right. More choices in the polls would be super nice, and I wish they were designed so that would be possible. It makes it hard to design the questions as I can feel myself wanting to click them all too. It might be why I actually made three polls, but then each one had so many possibilities…. I should have let you know at the beginning to avoid causing this feeling. Will definitely try to remember next time. Thanks!
Oh, those delicious meringue locks! Just made me forget why I'd opened my laptop in the first place. Well, the rest can wait while I get lost in a Tuesday Gusset world. .... The poll is fun, but I also wanted to chose more than one, like maybe all of them? Air/water/earth/fire evoked my love affair with clay, which still calls to me from time to time. So many earthly delights!
Clay! Yes— I really wanted to do a clay category all by itself. But then I thought about music (air?) and got all tangled up in the myriad possibilities. So hard to have to choose. But also —so fun to see the responses roll in. Thanks for voting anyway. And thanks also for the thought of those locks as meringue because that is EXACTLY what they look like.
Teehee! I do love the stealth poll questions and an always tickled when I see that a few people choose them. So freeing sometimes, not being part of the majority, eh?
Yeah, I need to add pigment/ink/paint/dye + air/water/earth/fire + when thinking about making + things built with words to my poll selections. :-) Otherwise, I think that while we artists might be working with different materials and/or ideas, there's always a through-line. Some intrinsic thing that connects everything together. Do you think so? And no, I don't think everything has to have a purpose. I've been asked here and there about various makings, "yes, but what are you going to do with it?" Sometimes my answer is nothing. Sometimes it's something. Sometimes it's unknown until the thing tells me what it wants to do with its current incarnation. That one is always fun and interesting.
Isn’t it interesting — the ‘what are you going to do with it’ question? And then wondering what causes some to feel compelled to ask it — and what leads us to know that that is not the point? Of course sometimes it is the point, but then it’s often obvious. Such a wild ride — especially when we are chosen by multiple media and want to work with earth and fire and air as much as pigment and and wool. Sigh. Frustrating when a darned poll is as confusing as actually choosing what to do next! 😂
These questions are exactly what I needed today, in the doldrums on the sea of making. what does make me feel alive? I am trying to divide my time between teaching and making, but not really doing either one.
Oh gosh June. I’m so glad. And I hope that a breeze of some kind catches your sails as you contemplate what does make you feel alive. There are so many assumptions, so many ‘have to’ things that sometimes it’s hard even to tell what is what? But always worth asking somehow, even when the winds and tides seem at cross purposes….
I am the same, I can spend a whole day spinning on my favourite Riley Turkish Drop Spindle. I love the whole process and yes, I like making pretty geometric patterns with my yarn. During my recovery I have been seen many times, on my porch, walking to the letterbox, even the waiting in the hospital, waiting for my appointment. Other patients took photos of me. My spindle is always in my bah and a spare in case I come across some organic thing I could spin. Your page today has made me feel, comfortable, happy, squishy, love carded fleece, and downright blessed to be reading it. THANK YOU!
Spinning in private, spinning in public, spinning on the porch and on the way to the letterbox— it’s just the best. And those little cross arms are so friendly, aren’t they? Love hearing about yours.
This Gusset has me turning inward- when do I feel most like an artist/creative? I’ve never felt like an artist (that implies painter or sculptor to me.) I feel most creative when learning (or relearning) something.
Looking at these luscious fibers and spinning effects makes me want to try spinning again. With a new fiber hub around the corner from me offering classes, I may just do that.
Turing inward — it’s a fascinating and helpful thing to do, isn’t ’it? notice what really calls? Like suddenly and unexpectedly — some fiber!
And I combined artist/craftsperson in the question because I imagined any number of readers define themselves by the latter rather than the former. But not all. And now that I think about it, I should probablay have added “maker”.
following you, your pictures, your conversations with Beryl, fill a gap in my soul, and give me inspiration. I have several cats, and we have long conversations, especially as they first come to this home, about the fact that they are weaver kitties, and have to be strong and resist temptation. I know they understand, as they never bother projects in the works, but play with their own yarn I give them. I had one kitty, who would pick locks for me to use in my rya rug, give them to me, and sit with me as I worked. He passed away a year ago, and the rug is his memorial. For me, a furry companion is a must as I work.
I love this so much— hearing about your conversations with your cats. Because of course they know so very much, don’t they? Amazing creatures who live with us — who read us like books and whose merest glance can let us know so much —not only about how they are feeling but how we are feeling! I know Beryl smells my angst — sometimes even before I’m aware of it. And my contentment.
It’s funny that this Gusset came the week I totally lost focus on all weaving because a bit of fluff distracted me. Twist the fluff into 2” of string, then pull out another bit of fluff, twist, then obsess, then start a spinning adventure. This Gusset convinced me the distraction was right. Thanks Sara!
I’ve been to Joseph’s Coat. I bought some lovely hot pink yarn there for my stepmother who loves all pink, knit a shawl for her with it. And I absolutely did not know that about the footnotes! Although I do also like reading them at the end because they are detached from the original and therefore, kind of their own thing.
Now that is amazing. Not only that you’ve been there, but also that you remember exactaly what you bought. Though how ever to forget a hot pink Shawl??
Thanks much for your thoughts about reading the footnotes at the end. Since I’ve always written as though that is how they work, it never occurred to me that people would actually interrupt the flow of the “top words” for my digressions—and now that I know that they can, i have wondered if I should change how i write them. But of course, as you say, people have a choice. And I’m glad.
My dad lives outside Missoula, so I know the yarn shops. Yes, hard to forget hot pink. My step mother also loves hearts, so I actually knit her a hot pink shawl with hearts in it. Wow! Interesting thoughts on the footnotes. I’ll probably keep reading them all at the end, but I do have a choice:).
I hope so, since I didn’t add a sewing/mending category. Though some needlework also involves looping too (I’m thinking buttonhole stitch), so it could be tricky. Sigh.
Hi Sarah, another wonderful post and thanks heaps to you and your friend Rochelle for the tip about the footnotes. I had no idea. PJ
Isn’t it cool? Knowing this actually changes how I think about them too— and maybe will change how I write them.
That hovering business is really cool. Certainly helps closing the gaps.
Oh good! I do tend to go on at greater length in the footnotes….😂
I didn't know about the footnotes either. Probably only young people do. So keep the tips coming.
How delightful to be thought of as a young person! :)
I have been spinning since 1970 - made myself a drop spindle with a curtain holder with washer in it for weight, and wool quilt batting. Soon added a cast iron floor flange (that sucker spun forever😄).
Then I moved on to a romney fleece from a farmer son San Juan Island. I finally got a Norwegian spinning wheel in 1975. Right now my favorite tools are a 100 year old Turkish spindle and a set if Orenberg spindles. I recently knit a sweater from spindle spun wool, and am now spinning yak/silk roving with the Orenberg spindles. Probect for that as yet unknown…another Sarah
What a marvelous material and tool and making legacy Sarah. I so love how one things lead to another and our practices evolve. Also, how the pull of the simplest tools is so very strong. Those Orenberg spindles are amazing. Thanks for letting me think about them.
In the polls it would be lovely to have more than one choice. In the first question I clicked wool/protein but I also love cellulose and natural dyes and words and your question hints that, maybe, more than one answer is allowed. Sadly, the settings (I'm assuming) are only allowing one answer and not allowing any last minute change of heart either. I think that may be why the first questions have the most answers - at least in questions 1 and 2.
I noticed this in your poll about your summer project as well. I clicked the first item with the intent of giving more than one answer but then couldn't change my mind once I realised only one answer was possible.
You are so right. More choices in the polls would be super nice, and I wish they were designed so that would be possible. It makes it hard to design the questions as I can feel myself wanting to click them all too. It might be why I actually made three polls, but then each one had so many possibilities…. I should have let you know at the beginning to avoid causing this feeling. Will definitely try to remember next time. Thanks!
Oh, those delicious meringue locks! Just made me forget why I'd opened my laptop in the first place. Well, the rest can wait while I get lost in a Tuesday Gusset world. .... The poll is fun, but I also wanted to chose more than one, like maybe all of them? Air/water/earth/fire evoked my love affair with clay, which still calls to me from time to time. So many earthly delights!
Clay! Yes— I really wanted to do a clay category all by itself. But then I thought about music (air?) and got all tangled up in the myriad possibilities. So hard to have to choose. But also —so fun to see the responses roll in. Thanks for voting anyway. And thanks also for the thought of those locks as meringue because that is EXACTLY what they look like.
I was today's years old when I learned about footnote hovers! And I must be an anomaly because I scored super low on your polls LOL
Me too about the footnotes 😃
Teehee! I do love the stealth poll questions and an always tickled when I see that a few people choose them. So freeing sometimes, not being part of the majority, eh?
Yeah, I need to add pigment/ink/paint/dye + air/water/earth/fire + when thinking about making + things built with words to my poll selections. :-) Otherwise, I think that while we artists might be working with different materials and/or ideas, there's always a through-line. Some intrinsic thing that connects everything together. Do you think so? And no, I don't think everything has to have a purpose. I've been asked here and there about various makings, "yes, but what are you going to do with it?" Sometimes my answer is nothing. Sometimes it's something. Sometimes it's unknown until the thing tells me what it wants to do with its current incarnation. That one is always fun and interesting.
Isn’t it interesting — the ‘what are you going to do with it’ question? And then wondering what causes some to feel compelled to ask it — and what leads us to know that that is not the point? Of course sometimes it is the point, but then it’s often obvious. Such a wild ride — especially when we are chosen by multiple media and want to work with earth and fire and air as much as pigment and and wool. Sigh. Frustrating when a darned poll is as confusing as actually choosing what to do next! 😂
These questions are exactly what I needed today, in the doldrums on the sea of making. what does make me feel alive? I am trying to divide my time between teaching and making, but not really doing either one.
Oh gosh June. I’m so glad. And I hope that a breeze of some kind catches your sails as you contemplate what does make you feel alive. There are so many assumptions, so many ‘have to’ things that sometimes it’s hard even to tell what is what? But always worth asking somehow, even when the winds and tides seem at cross purposes….
I am the same, I can spend a whole day spinning on my favourite Riley Turkish Drop Spindle. I love the whole process and yes, I like making pretty geometric patterns with my yarn. During my recovery I have been seen many times, on my porch, walking to the letterbox, even the waiting in the hospital, waiting for my appointment. Other patients took photos of me. My spindle is always in my bah and a spare in case I come across some organic thing I could spin. Your page today has made me feel, comfortable, happy, squishy, love carded fleece, and downright blessed to be reading it. THANK YOU!
Spinning in private, spinning in public, spinning on the porch and on the way to the letterbox— it’s just the best. And those little cross arms are so friendly, aren’t they? Love hearing about yours.
I didn’t realized how much I sound like a Dr. Seuss character
😂 sort of the opposite of Sam I am..
This Gusset has me turning inward- when do I feel most like an artist/creative? I’ve never felt like an artist (that implies painter or sculptor to me.) I feel most creative when learning (or relearning) something.
Looking at these luscious fibers and spinning effects makes me want to try spinning again. With a new fiber hub around the corner from me offering classes, I may just do that.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Turing inward — it’s a fascinating and helpful thing to do, isn’t ’it? notice what really calls? Like suddenly and unexpectedly — some fiber!
And I combined artist/craftsperson in the question because I imagined any number of readers define themselves by the latter rather than the former. But not all. And now that I think about it, I should probablay have added “maker”.
following you, your pictures, your conversations with Beryl, fill a gap in my soul, and give me inspiration. I have several cats, and we have long conversations, especially as they first come to this home, about the fact that they are weaver kitties, and have to be strong and resist temptation. I know they understand, as they never bother projects in the works, but play with their own yarn I give them. I had one kitty, who would pick locks for me to use in my rya rug, give them to me, and sit with me as I worked. He passed away a year ago, and the rug is his memorial. For me, a furry companion is a must as I work.
I love this so much— hearing about your conversations with your cats. Because of course they know so very much, don’t they? Amazing creatures who live with us — who read us like books and whose merest glance can let us know so much —not only about how they are feeling but how we are feeling! I know Beryl smells my angst — sometimes even before I’m aware of it. And my contentment.
It’s funny that this Gusset came the week I totally lost focus on all weaving because a bit of fluff distracted me. Twist the fluff into 2” of string, then pull out another bit of fluff, twist, then obsess, then start a spinning adventure. This Gusset convinced me the distraction was right. Thanks Sara!
Well golly gee — SO excited for you. Where will that bit of string lead? Gotta keep twisting to find out, eh? 💛
I’ve been to Joseph’s Coat. I bought some lovely hot pink yarn there for my stepmother who loves all pink, knit a shawl for her with it. And I absolutely did not know that about the footnotes! Although I do also like reading them at the end because they are detached from the original and therefore, kind of their own thing.
Now that is amazing. Not only that you’ve been there, but also that you remember exactaly what you bought. Though how ever to forget a hot pink Shawl??
Thanks much for your thoughts about reading the footnotes at the end. Since I’ve always written as though that is how they work, it never occurred to me that people would actually interrupt the flow of the “top words” for my digressions—and now that I know that they can, i have wondered if I should change how i write them. But of course, as you say, people have a choice. And I’m glad.
My dad lives outside Missoula, so I know the yarn shops. Yes, hard to forget hot pink. My step mother also loves hearts, so I actually knit her a hot pink shawl with hearts in it. Wow! Interesting thoughts on the footnotes. I’ll probably keep reading them all at the end, but I do have a choice:).
Does sewing/mending count as interlacing? It seems like the closest match...
I hope so, since I didn’t add a sewing/mending category. Though some needlework also involves looping too (I’m thinking buttonhole stitch), so it could be tricky. Sigh.
Oh my God- I read on my phone, & had NO IDEA about that! Thank you!