I Made Yarn!

I've been doing some spinning, and I think finally getting the hang of it.  Spinning is one of those physical skills where your body takes over and your brain just hangs out, half paying attention.  Initially it's more tear your hair out frustrating, but eventually it starts to click.

I played with wool, trying different thicknesses and methods of spinning.  I started with two large bunches of natural Jacob roving, plus some Finn and Wensleydale top.  I honestly don't know quite what to do with this yarn, besides knit cat toys.  But here are the results:

Left and above: My first 2-ply; Right: One ball from 3 sheep

All the balls and hanks I've spun so far.

Seattle Hearts Trees

I was walking yesterday, enjoying some spectacular weather, when I saw one of these:

Planting strip tree, before sidewalk construction

Seattle values its trees so much that they are legally protected.  Each tree over 6" in diameter is valued by a city arborist before construction.  In the notice above, the tree is valued at $3300.  In older neighborhoods trees can easily be worth $30,000.  Damage to a tree results, at minimum, in a fine equal to its value.  "If the violation is willful or malicious, the amount of the penalty may be trebled."

It's so pleasant to walk under beautiful old shady trees on a warm day.  The trees also harbor a host of wild birds, and help keep the city cool.  Good job Seattle!

Solar Powered Self

My energy bump due to sun and warmer weather has arrived, and it's so so welcome!  I've had a migraine respite for a couple days as well, and got out to see friends last night.  Yesterday was full of phone calls, which sorted out a hairy health insurance problem.  Pro tip: one great doctor will know and refer you to other great docs.  Merely good docs don't have this superpower.

Thanks to everyone for reading, it's a big boost to see the stats :)  I have a few small projects to share, of varying success, I just need to photograph them.

Best Boyfriend Ever?

He's dependable, cuddly, warm, and will never leave you...

Handknit by the artist's mother and grandmother, he will keep you company all winter long.  Complete with awesome video, demonstrating all the benefits of My Knitted Boyfriend.

Courtesy Noortje de Keijzer

 

A Post

I want to post but don't have anything specific to base an entire post on.  Instead a quick update:

I'm continuing to spin and feel my fingers getting more proficient each time, that's very cool.  The last couple weeks have been migraine heavy so I've been struggling to stay caught up with eating, cleaning and other basics of life.

The cleaner who made life so much easier and nicer? She quit.  I can only clean part of a room at a time, and rarely two days in a row, so my place is not great.  I really need to vacuum again but that's the hardest job for me.  I'm looking for a new cleaner, but that's really slowed down by the migraines.

My hands are hurting less, the arthritis seems under better control, so I've been knitting more.  Hopefully I'll have a finished project to show soon.  I'm thinking about what I can knit with handspun yarn, too, which is fun :)