I am going to be SO prepared, come the apocalypse.

[xiane]

So I now know how to spin yarn with a drop spindle.

All your sheep fear me.

Comments

[projekt-xie.livejournal.com]

WOOOOO! that's extra exciting. :)
I want to learn to spin, but alas, i have no time and far too many hobbies already. eh, what's one more..

[xiane.livejournal.com]

Heh, I have NO business picking up another hobby, but I justify this one with the idea that I can spin things to knit! Look, it's like a natural extension of an existing hobby, so it doesn't count as a new one!

I'm here to tell you that if you do decide to try your hand at it, buy a cheap spindle to start or make your own, because you really don't need a fancy one to start. [although there are some really tempting high-end ones out there!] It's a really satisfying hobby, though.

Okay, I sound like I've been assimilated into the spinning cult. O_O

[projekt-xie.livejournal.com]

thanks for the tip! both my roommate + i are knitters, so.. move ANYTHING in the apartment, and you'll probably find a ball of yarn hiding underneath it. ;)

[xiane.livejournal.com]

I have a bevy of knitters on my friends list - it's so cool that so many of us seem to find each other. Have you posted shots of any of your finished things?
I have a purse that I'm working on now that I'm planning on felting once it's finished - I'm inordinately proud of it so far, because this is the first thing I've made that absolutely looks like what it's supposed to before it's finished. :D

[projekt-xie.livejournal.com]

hooray, knitters! (I'm certain we will take over the world one day)
Yep, yep.. I have a knitting blog, but I think I've been talky-talky more lately, so all the pictures are on previous pages. I'm currently working on a modified cotton version of the Lelah top. Do you have pics of your knits up somewhere? If I recall correctly, I may have seen a.... scarf you made, ages ago? (red? or i could just be very confused and making things up..)
:)

[short-line2.livejournal.com]

All your sheep fear me.

I just read that and got this cartoon image of you running around a field of sheep with a strand of hair leading from a terrified looking sheep to your hands and then as wool yarn to a faceless person who had knitting needles. Made my morning. Thanks for the laugh.

[xiane.livejournal.com]

Heee. That's a priceless image! :D

[krasota.livejournal.com]

The poodle quakes in his steps.

[xiane.livejournal.com]

Hey, if you shear him I'm game to try making poodle fur. We can make him a sweater from his own hair! How meta!

[chattybadtz.livejournal.com]

Im so happy for you. I would love to learn how to do that. The Maryland Sheep and Wool festival is this weekend. I went last year and they sold bags and bags of uncarded wool for spinning. Unfortunately, I wont be able to go this weekend because my daughter is only 12 days old.

[xiane.livejournal.com]

I desperately wanted to go to the Sheep and Wool festival, but I just couldn't afford it. Next year! The sheep will wait. :)

Yay for new baby! And congrats! Do you have photos of her yet? All my friends are having/just had babies, wow. :)

[chattybadtz.livejournal.com]

Yes, I just updated my journal with a picture.

[ismene.livejournal.com]

When we have to return to a subsitence agriculture-based economy because there's no more oil, you'll be the leader of a town.

You can spin rabbit fur too, y'know. Angoras have lovely wool which I believe sells for a decent price. And you can keep rabbits inside an apartment.

[xiane.livejournal.com]

All I need to do now is start weaving again. [making note that I need a loom; I used to have one as a kid, but that's disappeared into the void of time] I will RULE ALL FIBER WORK MUAHAHAAA. O_O

When Rob and I have our own place, rabbits are definitely on the Farmer Xiane list. I can't keep them in the apartment we have now, because Squeegee would never leave them alone. It would be uuuugly.
Rabbits, goats, chickens. Yay play farms!

[ismene.livejournal.com]

Sometimes bunnies and kitties can get along, but it depends on their personalities. Rumor looooves bunnies.

[parkas-4-kids.livejournal.com]

How much longer 'til the sweaters start going on sale? ;-]

[xiane.livejournal.com]

Ha, when I manage to knit a sweater you'll know it. One day I'll be that good at knitting. *dreams*


:D

[parkas-4-kids.livejournal.com]

I hope your dream becomes a reality sooner than you think. :-]

[praesentia.livejournal.com]

i love to drop spindle spin! you rock! :)

[xiane.livejournal.com]

I should have known that you already know how to do that! I swear that we share so many interests, it's amazing!

[frogbabies.livejournal.com]

How did you learn (by book or by watching someone)? I *really* want to learn this since i'm like you and have no business learning another hobby, but it *is* like a natural extension of an existing hobby, so i'm up for it!!!

I don't know anyone around me who spins, so i'm looking for any helpful books that you might have picked up.

[xiane.livejournal.com]

Here's the link that I used to get started:
http://www.handspinning.com/lollipops/spininst.htm

It gives pretty good instructions; once I started playing with the fiber, it all started to make sense.
Here's another:
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/HowToDropspin.shtml
That one has videos, if you're a visual person.

I'll post a photo of my spindle later on today, so you can see what a simple thing it really is. If I can manage it, I'll try and get a shot of me working the spindle, too!

Look out, this is an addictive craft. :D

[frogbabies.livejournal.com]

Aren't they all addictive >:)

Have you tried dyeing fibers? Once i get spinning down, that's what i want to try next.

[seeliespright.livejournal.com]

My friend Katie is learning how to make croissants for the Apocalypse.

She just posted about it.