I went to Wool Gathering 2008 yesterday and had a grand time. More on that later. But first this most amusing/disturbing news…

I went to Wool Gathering, met up with my friend MysticSpiral who helped kick me into gear again on my spinning. She ever so patiently moved my spinning over to my new spindle (if something about 9 months old counts as new…) and I was off like a prom dress. [oh lord did I just say that?] For your viewing pleasure – the new spinning chair the boy made for me when I said I need to sit somewhere else to spin:

I wanted something with a little height so I could spin longer before winding the yarn back onto the spindle. It’s awesome isn’t it? (I’ve heard a rumour that there is a 12 step program for this…)

Cory’s modeling again – water bottle cozy

Description: Water bottle cozy
Pattern: Lacy Yoga Bags by Alison Green Will in the small size
Yarn used: 1.72 skeins of Tahki Cotton Classic in Colorway 3872 (100% mercerized cotton) 50g (1.75oz)/ 108 yds (100m)
Care Instructions: machine or hand wash, dry flat
Needle Size: US 7 (4.5mm)
Modifications: none, since my initial modification didn’t work out.
Finished Size: Small bag size
Date Started: 9/5/2008
Date Completed: 9/14/2008
Notes: This bag is pretty nice and I would totally recommend making one. It’s cute to boot.

full shot of the bag

I love the detail in the bottom of the bag.

The top of the bag has an eyelet row for the icord straps and has a turned hem. I quite like the technique.

Cory’s been doing a lot of modeling lately. The scarf is a little big on him.

Description: Mama T’s Handspun Scarf
Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Yarn used: 194 yds (177m) of Coridale Sheep spun by Judy of Five Points Llamas
Care Instructions: Handwash
Needle Size: US 6 (4.0 mm)
Modifications: I modified this to be a scarf so it’s a lot smaller.
Finished Size: 5″ x 64″ (13 cm x 162 cm)
Date Started: 8/23/2008
Date Completed: 8/28/2008
Notes: This worked out pretty well. I could have probably done another repeat but I was afraid I was going to run out of yarn. I had also already ripped it back once to add in another repeat so I decided to just go with it this time.

Full length view (folded in half)

Detail view

Name: Ecological Wool
Brand: Cascade
Weight: Aran / 10 ply (8 wpi) [Information on yarn weights]
Yardage: 478 yards (437 meters)
Unit weight: 250 grams (8.82 ounces)
Gauge: 16.0 = 4 inches
Needle size: US 9 / 5.5 mm
Fibers: Wool
Texture: plied

This yarn was purchased during Stitching Post’s Anniversary sale and is intended for a lovely little Strapless Mermaid Tank.

(Click the photos to make them larger)

Name: Fixation Spray Dyed/Effects
Brand: Cascade
Weight: DK / 8 ply (11 wpi)
Yardage: 100 yards (91 meters)
Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)
Gauge: 22.0 = 4 inches
Needle size: US 5 – 9 or 3.75 – 5.5mm
Fibers: Cotton, Other
Texture: plied

Name: C*EYE*BER Fiber by Mama E
Brand: Hand Dye for Cloverhill Yarn Shop
Weight: Lace / 2 ply
Yardage: 1780 yards (1628 meters)
Unit weight: 231 grams (8.15 ounces)
Fibers: Wool
Machine wash?:I don’t know.
Notes: There wasn’t much in the way of labels on this yarn. It just says 100% wool and gives a guesstimate on yardage. I added the yarn to Ravelry and I hope that someone can update the brand so I can find out more information.

At the Raverly party Saturday night the boy won Shear Spirit. He was quite excited! I also spent a good chunk of time talking to Ron from Buffalo Gold. He and his wife are very nice and have a beautiful product. Someone at the party won 4 skeins! of buffalo gold which makes for a cool $400 grand prize. Some day, some day I will find some cash to buy a couple of skeins and make something pretty for myself or something soft for the the boy.

Sunday I started my shopping having been unimpressed by anything on Saturday. I think the real problem was that Saturday everything was way too crowded and busy for me to even see anything that I wanted. I bought some gorgeous orange lace weight from Clover Hill Yarn Shop specially dyed by Mama E. I also got 3 skeins of W4 Soft Touch W4 from Shelridge Farm. The boy lucked out too because we also found some yarn for his Berkshire Pullover – 6 skeins of Rowan Big Wool for $30 (it normally retails at $15/skein)! We still need to find one more skein in that colorway but really it shouldn’t be too hard to find.

Other excitement from Sunday included getting Shear Spirit signed by the photographer. We also spent an hour hanging out and chatting with Gord Lendrum of Lendrum Spinning Wheels. He is a very sweet and low key man. My friend Aimee‘s wheel and broken on her way up to MD. She found out he was there and would fix her wheel so we brought it back on Sunday. He fixed it in under a minute and then sat around talking to us. He and the boy ended up getting into a discussion about CNC routers and PLCs (if that’s greek to you, don’t worry, you are not in the minority!) As we were walking away it was cute because the boy was still trying to come up with ideas to solve Gord’s issue.

There will be more pictures later, but I need to make some sort of light box because I haven’t found a good spot for taking photos in the new house. For now, enjoy the pictures from the festival.

The boy and I with the Raverly employees, Jess, Casey and MH!

Jess and Casey mingling, the boy mingling

Name: Regia Jacquard Color 4-ply / 4-fädig
Brand: Schachenmayr nomotta
Weight: Fingering / 4 ply (14 wpi)
Yardage: 230 yards (210 meters)
Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)
Gauge: 30.0 = 4 inches
Needle size: US 0 – 2½ or 2 – 3mm
Fibers: Wool, Nylon
Texture: Smooth, 4-ply
Machine wash?: yes