October 17, 2005Shirley Spins (and so does Julia)I had an absolutely fiber-filled weekend, which included Friday night dinner and maniacal Griffith-finishing with Mary Heather, a full day of "work" at the Knit Cafe, and then a Sunday of spinning with Marnie. Marnie is an excellent instructor. Here she is teaching Shirley, my foster kitty, how to make magic with a drop spindle: 
Shirley is a fast learner. Notice how she perfectly mimics Marnie's technique.I have to warn you up front that there are no pictures of me spinning, because I was so taken with Shirley that I had to drop everything and take an entire series of her first spinning attempts. Here's another cute one: 
Notice the funny position of the back paw. She's so intent that comfort goes to the wayside. This is what spinning does to you. And, at Marnie's request, here's a close-up of Shirley from the same shot: 
When she saw this one, Marnie's first response was "Oh look, I think her eyes were even a little crossed!" Spinning is dangerously mesmerizing.In between doting on Shirley and clicking away with the camera, I did manage to learn to spin, and I actually found it to be really fun. I wasn't frustrated at all, which I attribute to the fact that I was using a kick ass spindle. This is not to say that I didn't experience the usual beginner pitfalls. I put too much spin in the yarn, let the twist hit the drafting zone, and ended up with my very own "handspun": 
See Amy even new wool spinners can create "cat barf"!I just had a heck of a time doing it. One more round with the brown batt and I'm moving on to the chocolate covered cherries bfl. Look out world! Posted by Julia at October 17, 2005 12:15 PMIn kitties | main | marnie | spinning
Comments
Oh, how adorable! Posted by: Kat with a K at October 27, 2005 10:24 AMI sent my MIL over to the store where Marnie shops for her yarn when she recently visited the homeland...isn't blooging fantastic... Hi Julia! Thanks for the compliment the other day! Spinning Day looks like it was so cosy and fun! Posted by: Stefanie at October 20, 2005 05:50 AMHi Julia, This is totally unrelated to your post but I'm not sure my email's working. I finished my Charlotte's Web shawl in your "knit behind" (finally)! Pic in my email if you got it. Posted by: Julie M. at October 19, 2005 06:49 AMYour cat barf looks good, I say. You are going to have *lots* of fun! I bet you already have your eye on a wheel. Uh-huh. Posted by: MJ at October 18, 2005 01:26 PMI've been bitten by the spinning bug too! Good job on your first attempt! Posted by: Faith at October 18, 2005 11:21 AMHow exciting, you're learning to spin. I am looking forward to watch your progress from cat barf to beautiful hand dyed skeins. Some day soon, I'm sure! Posted by: Deena at October 17, 2005 11:46 PMYaay for both of you. I bet Shirley could go in the record books for that sort of thing. I've never seen a spinning cat before. Can't wait to see how the cherries look :) Posted by: Vicki at October 17, 2005 09:07 PMGo Shirley! Those are very cute photos. I cannot imagine what would happen in this house if I tried to spin. Our cats are manic. Posted by: Jo at October 17, 2005 07:27 PMI love the kitty action shots! Way to go both of you. Amy Posted by: Amy at October 17, 2005 05:22 PMShirley is precious! Good for her! My kitten goes crazy when I drop spindle, mostly because I do a lot of it standing, so it's even more appealing to her! I'm borrowing a wheel right now, and that is even more exciting to her! She's climbing all over it, and trying to bat at the wheel. Crazy kitten. Hope you enjoy spinning...it's so much fun to make your own yarn! Posted by: Sara at October 17, 2005 05:07 PMI just found your blog. Love it! I am toying with trying to spin myself. I have the roving..it's a start. :) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your kitty. Posted by: Mary at October 17, 2005 03:34 PMWhat gorgeous cat barf!! :) Posted by: Amy Boogie at October 17, 2005 03:28 PMCongratulations! I knew you would pick up the spinning thing with no problem. Can't wait to see the chocolate covered cherries! Posted by: Nonnahs at October 17, 2005 01:21 PMUm, Cara, I already love you. No crack necessary! Posted by: Julia at October 17, 2005 01:12 PMThe cat does a better job than I do! Maybe she can give me some pointers;-) Posted by: margene at October 17, 2005 01:07 PMHoney, you are going to LOVE me! Crack in the mail ASAP. Mwah! Posted by: Cara at October 17, 2005 12:57 PMMs. Marnie, I think "skein" is a bit of an ambitious term for what I spun yesterday, but since you wound it so nice for me, I will take a photo to include in the next installment of my spinning saga. Posted by: Julia at October 17, 2005 12:27 PMcat barf for everyone! looks good to me! Posted by: Amy at October 17, 2005 12:21 PMMwha! Shirley cracks me up - what a cutie. Lucky duck - nothing beats having a spinning teacher! What's this about your first skein??? Can't wait to see some chocolate covered cherries :D Posted by: Tiffany at October 17, 2005 12:20 PMI can't believe your first skein didn't make it to press. I love Shirley, you were a great student but she was, well, something special. |