Returned from Shepherd's Harvest festival

[jenett]

aka our local fiber festival: four large non-animal barns of vendors, three barns of fuzzy animals (sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, and rabbits.)

The fiber geeks among my readers will be impressed: I went in with selkie_b on 7 pounds of fleece (still in the grease, but incredibly clean and gorgeous silver Corriedale.) Total cost? $57 for over 7 pounds.

(The non-fiber geeks will like to know that this is an insanely good price - other fleeces were going for roughly double that, and processed roving goes for around $2 an ounce, or $30ish a pound - of course, that's processed, but this fleece is clean enough it may not need processing, and I'll spin it as is.)

I have plans to try spinning bulky yarn this time, and make a nice cozy shawl for next winter. (It's got to be bulkyish yarn, or I'll never get it done by the end of the winter.)

I also got roving from Frabjous Fibers. I got the Moulin Rouge colorway, which made L blink a lot when we met up with her during her break from her dyeing class. And I was really tempted by one that's not on their website right now, Hespera, which is really gorgeous jeweltones of dark red, plum, deep green, deep gold, and a few other things.

And then I ooooohed over Briar Rose a lot.

Comments

[alsatia]

Oooh, neat. I'm always impressed by people who spin, because it seems so difficult and so expensive to get materials to me. I suppose that's the same way other people feel about me knitting, although I continue to insist there's nothing remotely impressive about any of the knitting I've done.

[jenett]

It all depends on what you're doing: I usually spend $20-40 for enough fiber to keep me busy for *months* if I'm spinning remotely regularly, which is a pretty good rate of return.

The mechanical bits of making spinning work are a little tricky at first (much easier if you can get someone to show you a few times), but I find it incredibly soothing. No counting, any problems are really obvious (the fiber breaks, the spindle falls down) and pretty easy to fix.

Knitting's a lot harder for me because I'm not good enough at it to count and talk/do anything else at the same time, and I don't love knitting enough to set aside time when I'm not doing anything else.

(This is part of the reason for the shawl, too, because I want to do a really simple pattern, so I can knit + talk at the same time)

[carbonel]

I think I saw the place where they were selling that, and I almost bought a bag for $40. But I'm not ready to get into doing my own carding, though if I'd remembered that as a member of the Textile Guild I can use the drum carders there, I might have succumbed.

Instead, I bought a whole bunch of colored roving and top, but I don't get to play with it until I finish spinning this ounce of black silk that is taking forever. Getting close to done, finally, despite the help of both kittens.

[selkie-b.livejournal.com]

I need about 3 lbs for a sweater for my dad, you see - and this was the only way (with just me bringing in income right now) that I could afford to do so. It's so pretty! Silver-gray and such a nice staple and crimp!

[squirelawrence]

Yay for handspinning - need to see if there's a community on DW yet. And if not, whether I'm up to making one. Only been spinning for a couple of months now, but severely addicted.

Came here from the non-fannish friending meme - mind if I add you?

[jenett]

Please add away! As far as spinning coms, there's handspinning though it's been quiet. We could change that, though!

[squirelawrence]

Yup - definitely think going to have to post some there to try and get interest moving!

That's a lovely icon, btw!

[jenett]

Thanks! That's my harp, Tale, though she is not that color - she's walnut wood. She is seriously underplayed at the moment, but I hope to change that soon.

[squirelawrence]

Lovely!

Have you read Gossamer Axe, by Gael Baudino? 'Bout a Celtic harpist who starts a rockband to rescue her lover from the Fae.

I swear, I don't just recommend this book because typing the description makes me grin every time. But it helps.

[jenett]

I have! It's one of my regular re-reads, even. (Actually, haven't re-read in a while: should consider bringing up with me on my short excursion north next week.)