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May 31, 2007

There's No Crying on Vacation

The vacation at home is proving to be quite pleasant. Monday, being Memorial Day, included friends, Polynesian cocktails on the deck, grilled chicken and potato salad. Tuesday there was knitting and spinning and reading. Wednesday was all about shopping and a haircut. I managed to fit in some knitting and spinning, too. Today I'm hoping to dye some yarn. No doubt there will also be knitting and spinning. There was something else, too . . . thinking . . . remembering . . .

Oh yeah. We went to a Brockton Rox game. I drank beer, ate hot dogs, watched baseball, and knit. Good times.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (27)

May 30, 2007

Pow Wow

On Sunday Dale and I went to a the annual Spring Planting Moon American Pow Wow at the Marshfield Fairgrounds. There was food to eat and crafts to buy but the highlight of a day like this is the dancing.

Dale and I were content to watch these men and women dance for the better part of the afternoon. If you get a chance to go to something like this, I really recommend it.

Okay, back to vacation.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (27)

May 29, 2007

Spindling

You may have noticed that one of my vacation goals is to practice spindle spinning. I've actually been practicing with the spindle since I came home from New Hampshire Sheep & Wool.

Turns out, I don't hate spinning on a spindle, I just wasn't using the right spindle for me. See, I bought two spindles back in October 2005. One was a Bosworth and one was pretty. I can't remember who made the pretty one but I liked the wood so I bought it. And I tried to learn spinning on the pretty spindle and I couldn't do it. So I gave up spinning with the spindle. I never even tried the Bosworth. You know the rest of this story - the next day I went out and bought a wheel and I didn't touch the spindles again.

And all this time I thought I couldn't spin on a spindle. I felt kind of pathetic about that, frankly, and I came home from New Hampshire Sheep & Wool with a fresh spindling lesson from Marcy and a determination to really get some skills with the spindle. When I picked up those silk hankies I decided to give the Bosworth spindle a shot. And guess what? My spindling problems weren't all about me they were also about the spindle I was using. That pretty spindle? It spins like crap. The Bosworth, though? Now that's a spindle that you can learn to spin with. Can I get a woo? And also a hoo?

Of course, this story doesn't end here. Once I discovered that I could spin on a spindle, well, I wanted more spindles. I went to that wool thing in Rhode Island and I bought a very nice and rather light weight spindle that was made by Cathy. Cindy actually helped me pick it out. The stone is Jasper and the shaft is maple. It's very pretty and it spins pretty well.

Then I read a Kirsten's blog post about her search for the perfect spindle. The next thing I knew I had emailed Steve and he had emailed me and we had decided on a design and wood to be used and lo and behold, I have another spindle.

Isn't it gorgeous? Oh yeah, babe. Steve is fabulous to work with and really wants to have happy spinners spinning with his spindles. He had a couple of these square ones and I couldn't decide which one I liked best so he custom made this one for me. The whorl is Birds Eye Maple and the shaft is Purpleheart and it spins and spins and spins. I think I'm in love.

Too bad I didn't discover this love of spindles before I bought all those spinning wheels. I probably could have saved a lot money.

Or not.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (47)

May 28, 2007

Vacation Goals

I am on vacation this week. I'm not going anywhere and I have no special plans, just a week at home doing stuff.

Wanna see my list of vacation goals?

~weed garden
~plant annuals
~get haircut & color
~spin every day
~practice spindle spinning
~go to YMCA 3 times
~dye some yarn and/or roving
~fix the everyday cardigan
~knit a pair of bootees

I'm calling them goals because I don't want doing these things to feel like doing work. Goals are something to strive for but they aren't the same as writing a "to do" list. Right? I'll keep you posted as to how I'm doing.

In the meantime, I took this picture last Thursday when I left work. The top is down on the Jeep. Summer has officially arrived. Squeee!

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (27)

May 25, 2007

Eye Candy Friday

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
General John Logan, General Orders No.11, May 5, 1868

It's as true today as it was 139 years ago. Let us not forget to honor our veterans.
Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (24)

May 24, 2007

Things That Make Me Go Hmmm

~Kristi is editing the next edition of Yarnival. She's looking for entries, particularly ones about fiber festivals, so go on and submit something for her to consider, won't you?

~I spun a few more silk hankies and then wound the singles into a center pull ball and then plyed them on the Lendrum. Is it cheating to ply spindle spun singles on a wheel? It's a very tiny skein but it's my first ever silk and I'm damned proud of it.

~Have you contributed to Claudia's Ride yet? There are some great yarn-y and fiber-y prizes to be had, not to mention the over all good feeling you get by supporting such a worthwhile cause. Go on, you know you've been meaning to get to it.

~Erin has two new colorways inspired by my Eye Candy Friday photos! One is Lilacs:

And the other is Daffodils:

I think they're gorgeous and I'm thrilled to have provided Erin with the inspiration for these yarns. Are you going to buy some? Tell her Carole sent you and you'll get a special discount.

~Remember the Mad Weave socks from Sock Madness that you all liked so much? The pattern is now available for free at Tina's blog. Speaking of Sock Madness, I won't be competing in Round Two. Instead, I'll be co-hosting with Hillary. Squee!

~Speaking of worthwhile causes, I knit four squares for the Rebuilding Greensburg project. Lois knit a square, too, and the five of them are winging their way to Laura as we speak. Err, write. Err, read. Whatever, I've mailed them. There's plenty of time for you to knit and mail a square, too. Just saying.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (44)

May 23, 2007

Norma Bag

If you've been around the blog long enough you'll remember that I went to Vermont in September 2005. While I was there I spent some time shopping with Norma and she helped me pick out yarn to make Kaleidoscope Yarn's "Project Bag," a rather large felted bag. The yarn had been marinating in the stash ever since but last month I pulled it out and wound it up and cast on. I finished knitting it last Friday and was anxious to felt it. But I also really wanted to take a photo that would show you just how ginormous this bag was pre-felting. Alas I was home alone and not really coming up with creative photography ideas.

I tried draping it on the back of our computer chair. But that doesn't really convey the feeling I was hoping for. I tried a couple of other things like attempting to get the cat to get inside or bribing the dog sit on it but none of that worked. I finally settled on this:

Yup. I put the bag over my head and took a photo. The things I do for the blog, eh?

Once I pulled that sucker off my head, I threw it into the washing machine and set about the felting process. After a lot of hot water (sorry, Al Gore) and a bit of agitation and twenty minutes time, I had this:

Quite a drastic difference! It shrunk up nicely and the fibers felted together and made for a very strong bag. It took from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening to dry. Technically, it was done at that point but I decided I really wanted to line this bag so I went trolling through my fabric stash to see if I had anything that matched.

Look at that - I couldn't have done better if I had purchased the fabric specifically for the project! And I've had that fabric even longer than I had the yarn - I'm pretty sure I bought it at Keepsake Quilting about 4 or 5 years ago.

Monday night I met up with Lois and she helped me make a lining.

We started by measuring the bag and then calculating how to cut the fabric for the lining. We cut a rectangle the size of the bottom of the bag plus 1/2 inch all the way around for the seams. Then we cut a long rectangle for the sides. We seamed the rectangle into a tube and then pinned the bottom onto that. We also made a pocket for my camera and put in a D-ring for my keys. We pinned the lining in place and then turned the bag inside out to sew the lining in place - by machine, thankyouverymuch. The felted fabric on this bag is so thick that the machine stitches don't even show. Once the lining was sewn into place, we threaded the handles through the slots and tied them in a knot. It only took about an hour to make a really beautiful lining for this felted bag.

It's quite large and can hold both current knitting projects along with a spindle.

And I absolutely love it! Thanks to Norma - for the inspiration. And thanks to Lois - for the finishing details. I now have a great new knitting bag

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (65)

May 22, 2007

Let Me Entertain You

I have two new projects on the needles:

Garter Rib Socks. The yarn is Claudia's Handpaint in the color "boot camp." These are a gift and I can say no more than that.

La Dentelle Belle Scarf from Knituition. I'm using the Brooks Farm 2 Ply Kid Mohair that I bought at Rhinebeck. I haven't gotten very far but I'm loving it.

Since neither of those things are very entertaining, I'll leave you with something that I find highly entertaining.

Ambrynn, Grandpa aka Dale, and Daddy aka Brant. When Ambrynn says "dance" . . . you'd better dance!

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (40)

May 21, 2007

A Day of Play

On Saturday, Blogless Sharon and Martha and I headed to Coggeshall Farm in Bristol, RI for their first ever Wool Fair. It was a gray and drizzly day but our moods were bright and sunny -- we were off in search of fiber and we were together - that's what really makes days like this worth while.

The event was quite small but I think it has marvelous potential. We saw Lisa and Cindy and Donna was there as a vendor. My purchases were meager but I did manage to find a spindle, some cheery lime green roving, and a "rambo" bump. Good stuff, truly.

After the festival we headed into Bristol center for lunch. We found a nice pub and had burgers and beer and then wandered around Bristol for a bit. It was relaxing and fun to explore some place new to all of us. But then we went somewhere that wasn't new to me, only new to Sharon and Martha. Those of you familiar with the area will be able to guess where we went - Sakonnet Purls.

Sakonnet Purls is a wonderful yarn shop in charming Tiverton, RI. And it's huge, as yarn shops go. It's not huge like WEBS but it's pretty darn big. They've got lots and lots of Rowan, including a whole wall of kidsilk crack - and there's Noro and Malabrigo and Claudia's Handpaint and and and. It's a bit overwhelming, just ask Martha. There's also a "sale shed" full of yarn, all for $4/ball. I actually pulled out the camera while we were in there.

Only a sale on Debbie Bliss can cause smiles like those.

We had spied a coffee shop on our way to the yarn store so after we left we headed there for lattes and a bit of knitting. It was the perfect way to end our day, I'll tell you. Chatting, sipping coffee and knitting with friends, it just doesn't get any better than that.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (45)

May 18, 2007

Eye Candy Friday

I'll have you know, I'm terribly allergic to lilacs. And yet I still stuck my face in the lilac bush the other day and took a whole bunch of photos. This is my favorite. In fact, I love it so much it has replaced Margene's mountains as my new desktop background.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (46)

May 17, 2007

Spring Fling Socks

Don't you worry about the sock yarn stash. I'm doing my best to knit it down. I've even got proof in the form of a newly finished pair of socks - the tenth pair of 2007, in fact.

I've been calling these Spring Fling Socks and they are a gift but I can't tell you who they are for because the recipient occasionally reads this here blog. I can tell you lots of other things though.

Like how much I love the yarn. It's Sunshine Yarns in the color "Spring" and it was a gift from Kathy. It's soft and squooshy and the colors are fabulous.

And I can tell you how I love the 2 X 2 ribbing on the legs. I thought I would get bored with the never-ending knit 2, purl 2, but I actually enjoyed it very much.

And I can also tell you how much I love a traditional heel flap and gusset. Honestly, I never get tired of knitting a heel flap, turning a heel, and picking up stitches. It's magic, I tell you.

Or how much I love a regular old toe. Doesn't the sock look like it's smiling? I'm smiling, too. These took exactly two weeks to finish.

I guess I really love these socks! I don't love dandelions but I couldn't help but notice how well the colors of the dandelions match the colors of the socks. And I know someone who does love dandelions. Wanna come over for omelets, Norma?

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (69)

May 16, 2007

Yarn Stash Overhaul

Most of my yarn is kept on shelves in the computer room. There is a bit more in some boxes under the computer desk - four sweaters worth or so - and there's also a basket full of Sugar 'n Cream - and a really big basket of handspun - but the bulk of my yarn stash is sock yarn and I keep it on open shelving. Oh sure, there's some lace weight and some odd skeins of Noro and other worsted weights and some plain yarn for dyeing but mostly what I have is sock yarn.

These last few months it's gotten a little messy. Blame it on Sock Madness, blame it on the winter blahs, blame it on the fact that I don't spend a whole lot of time in this room, but it was definitely out of control and maybe even a little overwhelming. So last week I decided something needed to be done and I set about reorganizing the shelved yarn stash.

Of course things always look worse before they look better.

I was brutal with the stash and only put back the stuff I know think I will actually use. The rest has been set aside for prize donations and gifts - it's good yarn just not yarn I love.

And see how nice it looks? That top shelf is worsted weight and dye-able yarn and the bottom shelf is lace weight and miscellaneous other yarns. Those three shelves in the middle hold the sock yarn stash. It's good sock yarn, too. Lots of handpainted stuff along with Opal and Trekking and Fleece Artist. I'm really happy with the way it all looks.

I did make one fatal error, though. I counted the skeins of sock yarn. 80 pairs worth. Oy.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (78)

May 15, 2007

New Hampshire Sheep & Wolf

The title of today's post is brought to you by Pastor Olson at my church. You see, on Friday when I told him that I was heading to a Sheep & Wool festival, he thought I said it was a sheep and wolf festival. I explained what I really said, told him a festival with wolves wouldn't be much fun for the sheep, and we had a good laugh. I'm happy to report that there were no wolves at the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool festival - only good friends. And perhaps some fiber and yarn.

The weather was absolutely perfect - blue skies and warm sunshine with just enough of a breeze to bring the temps down to a comfortable level. This weather was all the sweeter when compared with last year's horrific rain and flooding. I even took a picture in the same spot just so you could see the difference in the water level.

The blogger meet up was great fun. It wasn't as huge (or overwhelming) as Rhinebeck and I got to catch up with quite a few friends while meeting some new ones, too. We had lunch in the picnic grove and spent even more time visiting and laughing. I did remember to pull out the camera for a couple of photos.

Manise is whacking Dale. I think he criticized her spindling technique or something. Whatever the case, he had it coming. Heh.

Laurie is probably contemplating the best way to enable my non-wool purchases while Maryse makes what I call her "French" face. You know the one, "zee I am better zan you becawse I am French" look. Love you, guys.

And that's it for photos of the festival, I'm afraid. You'll just have to trust me that we ate lobster rolls and shopped and laughed and had a generally wonderful time.

Oh, wait. I can provide photographic proof of the shopping.

you can click this one to make it bigger

Two Grafton Fiber batts, one Foxfire ribbon batt, some merino from a place I don't remember but I couldn't resist the color, yarn and a free pattern to make a couple of baby hats, Judy's sock yarn and a wristaff, silk hankies and a silk brick from Carolina Homespun, and a t-shirt that says "Spin Free or Dye."

You will notice: no fleece. Of course, this could be because I have 3 processed fleeces at home that I haven't even touched yet. Or it could be because I brought two unprocessed fleeces with me to leave with the good people of Friend's Folly for processing. Whatever the case, I wasn't even tempted.

And that's my travelogue of New Hampshire Sheep & Wolf. It was a wonderful day!

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (54)

May 14, 2007

Enabled

I will have a full report on New Hampshire Sheep & Wool tomorrow but for now all I have time to tell you is a quick story.

Apparently, there was a transcontinental conspiracy to get me to purchase something other than wool on Saturday. So, for Sylvia:

Silk Hankies. Cate helped me pick them out.

Spun on a spindle - by ME. Marcy showed me how.

And all the while, Laurie nodded with approval.

Resistance was futile.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (42)

May 11, 2007

Eye Candy Friday

Dale, Brant and Luke planted this flowering crabapple tree for me on Mother's Day 3 years ago. It's still pretty small but it's lovely when it's in bloom. Right now it's thisclose to bursting into flower.

Happy Weekend, Happy Mother's Day, Happy Spring. That should cover all the bases, eh?

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (33)

May 10, 2007

Spin, Spin, Spin

ETA: Cheryl and I, along with Helen, have made a command decision. We will have a blogger meet up at NH Sheep & Wool at Noon on Saturday outside the Roby Building, in the area facing the Goat Barn. Be there or be square.

There's nothing like the threat promise of an upcoming fiber festival to put me in the spinning mood. I'm not sure if it's thinking about the festival and all that good spinning mojo that gets me going or if it's needing to make room for incoming fiber - although I suspect it's the latter. In any case, New Hampshire Sheep & Wool is this weekend and I've been spinning down the stash like crazy for the past week or so. Wanna see?

Spunky Eclectic Monthly Fiber Club for March. Superwash Merino in the colorway Dandy Lion. Enough for very short socks, I think.

Spunky Eclectic Monthly Fiber Club for April. Corriedale in the colorway Strawberry Fields. Hannah has requested a hat and I'm thinking the teen version from the Hat Trifecta.

Grafton Fiber in the most stunning blue. I've got 500+ yards of this and I'm considering a shawl. Or perhaps a scarf. Or maybe even a hat and mittens. Anything but socks. Heh.

Black Lamb Merino & Silk. This was in my Yarn Aboard package from Cynthia. I Navajo plyed the singles to keep the colors separate. Aren't they just like a rainbow? There's only about 100 yards so I'll save this to put with something else.

There's a bit more room in the fiber drawer now. Time for shopping! So, who else is going to be in New Hampshire on Saturday? Blogger meet up, anyone?

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (53)

May 9, 2007

Things That Make Me Go Hmmm

~I'm thrilled that you all enjoy the posts about our reenacting adventures. They are easy to write and it's fun to share this stuff with you guys. For those of you in our area, we've got a full scale reenactment coming up at Borderland State Park on the weekend of June 16-17 and you're welcome to come and visit.

~Look at what Birdsong sent me for the Jeep. Isn't she wonderful? This wasn't for winning a contest or anything it was just because she lurves me. I think that's pretty terrific. Anyway, I've named her Hattie and she swings and sways to the music. Yesterday she was really grooving to "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown." No need to thank me for the ear worm. Heh.

~Has anyone read The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian? I'd love to have a conversation or two about this one. And while we're talking about Mr. Bohjalian, I had the good fortune to hear him speak and then meet him in person at a library conference a few years ago. He's extremely intelligent and quite personable and I've truly enjoyed all of his books.

~I've decided that spring really is my favorite season. For years I tried to make myself love fall the best because it was my mother's favorite season and I thought I should feel the same. (We won't even talk about the issues that are tied up in that statement.) This year, though, I've allowed myself to truly recognize that I love spring. The trees, the flowers, the cool mornings and warm afternoons, the hint of summer that's in the air - I love it all.

~I'm a little concerned that the only thing I seem capable of knitting these days is socks. I really ought to consider a sweater or a hat or a shawl or something. It's time to challenge myself again, I think.

~We had steamers the other night. They were given to some friends but there were too many for them to eat so they brought a bag full over to our house. Dale and Hannah and I scarfed them down and they were fabulous. Sweet and fresh and absolutely delicious. I started to take a picture for the blog but then I looked at them. They're kind of gross and not really deserving of a photo. Good thing they taste better than they look.

And that concludes this week's Hmmm report.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (45)

May 8, 2007

I Was A Day Tripper

When we go to a Civil War event for just the day rather than a whole weekend we call it "day tripping" and that's what Dale and I did this past Saturday. It's much easier than setting up the tent and making arrangements to be away overnight. In fact, these days, it's my preferred way of attending an event - I get to go and have fun and still sleep in a real bed at night. This particular weekend we held what we call a "Camp of Instruction." It's basically a chance for the reenactors in our area to get together and learn new techniques and better ways of recreating our time period.

For the ladies, this means knitting - hooray! I spent some time Saturday morning teaching a few ladies to knit fingerless mitts. We used the ever-popular Fetching pattern. While I have no idea if this particular pattern would be considered period correct, fingerless mitts were widely worn during our time period so we're knitting these based on that. It was the first time any of these women had knit cables and I showed them how. I guess I really am over my fear of cables!

During the afternoon we had another woman come and talk to us about period correct sewing notions and trims for our dresses. She was so informative and I really learned a lot.

While we were exploring feminine pursuits, the men were doing manly things. Dale gave a presentation on safety as part of his role as the Brigade Safety Officer. They also drilled and fired guns and cannons and stuff.

As much fun as we had during the day, late afternoon and into the evening was even better. Can you guess why?

Was it because the Quartermaster Sergeant appeared with a beverage for me? (And before you all give me any crap, let me just tell you that martinis are indeed period correct. 1862, bay-bee.)

Was it because the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers provided musical entertainment?

Was it because we had a fabulously gorgeous bonfire?

I'm sure it's partly because of all those things. But I suspect that it's mostly because of the fellowship we feel while among our fellow reenactors. Our shared love of history and its preservation has bound us together in the same way that wool has bound the knit blogging community together.

These are good people - much like the knitters and spinners I know.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (43)

May 7, 2007

Bloomin' Friendship

The Bloomin' Feet Swap '07, coordinated and supervised by the fabulous Amanda, has drawn to a conclusion. I sent a package off to Hillary and a package for me arrived last week. I was thrilled to discover Leah's name on the return address label. Leah and I have read each other's blogs for quite some time now and have become friends for the same reason many of us are friends - we love knitting. However, something happened in Leah's life recently that served to truly bond us. This shared experience has certainly deepened our friendship, but you know what? Nothing says friendship like a pair of handknit socks.

Aren't they wonderful? The colors - which Leah worried weren't springy enough for a "bloomin" sock swap - are just so me. The pattern is lacy but not over done. The yarn is incredibly soft and they fit perfectly.

There were other goodies in the package like Green 'n Black's chocolate (my favorite) and some pretty flower candles and note paper and a Burt's Bees sampler pack. Fabulous stuff, all of it.

When I emailed Leah to thank her she replied, "The socks in no way show you how much I appreciate your friendship. Just think of them giving you a hug from me each time you wear them." It's an absolutely perfect sentiment. Thank you, Leah. I'm looking forward to a lot of hugs from you.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (44)

May 4, 2007

Eye Candy Friday

The flame of a single candle really can light up the night. Especially when you are camping in a field with a bunch of wackos reenactors. Just saying.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (25)

May 3, 2007

Mad Weave Socks

I finished the Mad Weave Socks from Sock Madness Round Four. I may be out of the competition but I'm still taking advantage of the wonderful patterns for each round. And speaking of these wonderful patterns, several of you have asked about obtaining them for your own selves. You can get pattern one here, pattern two here and pattern three here. I will keep you informed as other patterns become available, I promise.

Without further ado, here are my finished Mad Weave Socks. I love them! I modified the pattern slightly - I can do that now that I'm not an official competitor - and just did ribbing on the sides of the leg and foot rather than a long line of cabley type twists. I really thought that took away from the woven stitch detail, plus it was a PITA. I also did my standard heel flap rather than the eye of partridge heel the pattern suggests.

The yarn is Piece of Vermont knit on size 1 Addi Turbos. Jessie's colors are wonderful. They are subtle and varied and they blend together beautifully. Sometimes these look gray and sometimes blue and mostly lavendar but always yummy.

I'm skipping the Round 5 pattern as I'm not that crazy about it but Round 6 will be released on Friday and I'm hoping it will be something fun.

What am I saying? It's sock knitting. Of course it will be fun.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (53)

May 2, 2007

And Yet, There's More

Can I eke out another post about Frank Harlow Day? Of course I can. I have explanations and answers to questions.



Margene and several other people commented that they didn't know that Hannah reenacted with us. She hasn't lately so it hasn't really come up on the blog. However, since this event is right in our town and since the high school history club participates, she basically has no choice. Two of her friends dressed in period clothing and came along for the day and I think that might have been part of her willingness to participate this time.

Marcy asked for pictures of Dale. Believe it or not, I didn't get any pictures of him on Saturday. My daughter-in-law Heather did, though. She also got some beautiful photos of Ambrynn that I just have to share with you.

Cheryl asked about our pot roast. I use a large cast iron dutch oven to cook the meat. I put it in there with some cream of mushroom soup and some red wine and then set it next to the fire right after lunch. I give it a turn every half hour or so and about an hour before we want to eat I add potatoes and carrots. It takes a long time but, hell, I'm not going anywhere. I call this my Civil War Crock Pot and it's a delicious meal. Everything tastes better when you eat it outside, right?

Kathy emailed me to make sure that the committee didn't give us a hard time at the event. The truth is, the committee was dissolved by the Board of Selectmen the Tuesday before our program. It had nothing to do with us or this event but the timing couldn't have been better. Of course, we are being blamed for their demise but, you know that's the way it goes. All I have to say to them is you reap what you sow. Oh yeah and: Bah-Bye.

Thanks again for all your support and good thoughts for our living history. I promise to have real knitting content tomorrow.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (39)

May 1, 2007

Abigail's Debut

As I'm sure you noticed from yesterday's photos, I brought Abigail - my Canadian Production Wheel - with me to our living history event. Now, I bought Abigail last summer and she came with one bobbin and a teeny tiny orifice opening - not really a set up conducive to lots of spinning.

So, I brought her flyer assembly to Dave at Rhinebeck and ordered 3 more bobbins from him. I got the extra bobbins at SPA and Dave also drilled that orifice opening to be a bit bigger. All of this went a long way towards making Abigail a more pleasurable wheel for spinning. And yet I still avoided her. I think it's partly because I'm so comfortable with the Reeves and the Lendrum and I just didn't want to take the time to really get to know a new wheel. However, Saturday's event forced me to do just that and I'm so glad I did!

I was spinning some Shetland lamb that I bought from Spirit Trail at last year's New Hampshire Sheep and Wool. I know I bought it there because the label was completely smudged and practically erased due to all the rain we had! This fiber was a perfect match for Abigail and I had no trouble spinning a pretty fine yarn. And boy is she fast. It seemed like I had one bobbin filled in no time at all.

The spectators really enjoyed seeing the spinning, too. I was surprised at how many people had never seen anyone spinning before. Most of them had no idea how the wheel works and quite a few thought that the fiber I was spinning was actually going around the drive wheel. It was fun to explain the process and tell people about the history of spinning. I passed on the information I have gleaned from Dave about the use of CPWs here in New England, including the fact that women weren't spinning much by the 1860s since textile mills were so widely present in the area. Nevertheless, I'm confident that women in rural areas would have still been spinning at home and I feel okay about offering this impression at a Civil War event.

I actually enjoyed it more than knitting at an event. It was much easier to stop and start with the wheel than pick up and put down knitting all day long. Dale was thrilled that I brought the wheel and I know he'll be encouraging me to do this more often. Who knows? Maybe the enticement of lots of spinning time will get me to give up more fiber festivals in favor of reenactments.

But I doubt it.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (57)