Starts with Q
As I mentioned, I was at the Maritime Spinners' Retreat this weekend, and I had a great time connecting with fellow spinners and knitters. We were able to participate in a fibre challenge by spinning 4 oz of merino fibre any way we wanted, and then creating a project with the yarn we had spun. I needed to make something QUICK because I received my fibre quite late, and then had very little time to get it finished. Spinning coiled yarn is fairly quick, but it also makes a short amount of yardage due to the structure of the yarn. Short yardage meant a smaller project, and thus a quicker project! I decided to use my rigid heddle loom to weave the coiled yarn into a short runner or even a neck scarf, just to emphasize the nature of the coiled yarn. So, this was my quick project. I'm hoping to do a blog post soon showing all the other projects made with the same fibre.
I like the way it turned out - it makes me think of ocean waves or ripples in a pond. I might use the woven fabric to make something else eventually, when I have more time.
While in PEI for the retreat, I visited McAusland's Woollen Mill, where they make yarn as well as a lovely blankets. The mill was built in 1868. It was originally a lumber mill and then became a wool mill. One of my favourite pictures is this shot showing bobbins of maroon coloured 3-ply yarn which are waiting to be skeined. I love the contrast of the maroon and the steel and the wood of the empty bobbin.
Here's a bonus shot of the skeining machine where those bobbins are headed next!
Fall
Since I'm in the northern hemisphere, it's definitely fall for me! Here's a picture of a young maple on our slope in the front of the house. I do love the fall colours! I had hoped to take some nice fall pictures at the retreat but it rained buckets all weekend - not very conducive to pictures outside.
