Just a song (scarf?) before I go...

Just a song before I go,

To whom it may concern.
Travelling twice the speed of sound
It's easy to get burned.

When the shows were over
We had to get back home,
And when we opened up the door
I had to be alone.
This is all that's left of the handspun singles yarn. The top was a silk/cashmere blend, handpainted. I used most of the yarn as weft in a woven scarf for a gift a couple years ago. Last week I decided to clear off some bobbins to take to Penland. I'm not sure what's with me and the singles yarn lately.....whether I'm trying to prove a point, or just make precious fiber go further.


She helped me with my suitcase,
She stands before my eyes
Driving me to the airport,
And to the friendly skies.


Going through security
I held her for so long.
She finally looked at me in love,
And she was gone.

She probably would have helped with the yarn too.....given half the chance.


Just a song before I go,
A lesson to be learned.
Travelling twice the speed of sound
It's easy to get burned.

Words & Music - Graham Nash

For purposes of clarity, I'm off to Penland for two weeks of weaving with Randy Darwall. I'm driving, not flying, but this song keeps going through my head. Thinking back to the late '60's when this song was written, airport security was nothing compared to today!

The guys and Jazzy (above) will hold down the fort while I'm gone. I'll be in touch with them but will otherwise be incommunicado.

Watch for posts when I get back with more pictures and "prose"......promise!

Colorful Update...

The singles merino from the previous post did indeed hit the dyepot. Then it occurred to me that some may doubt that the singles would be useful without biasing so I give you this photo of the dyed and dried yarn:

Below you see the color inspiration for the yarn. Now to come up with a lace pattern that satisfies my interpretation of "Bleeding Hearts".

Meanwhile some of the roving from this post has been spun into this sample skein. It's plied rather firmly (click on photo for detail) because I'm thinking of it as a weaving yarn. That could change after I sample with this bit of yarn.

Still making lists of things to pack and last minute chores. I hope to post one more time before heading off to Penland.

The Art of the Long View....

Life right now is busy, intense, filled with people and their problems. Fiber being merely an accessory to life. This is in direct juxtaposition to where I will be in two weeks as I travel to Penland. Where fiber will be the essence of my days and the rest will be the accessories to life.
I ofen wonder if I will ever achieve balance in my life. Once again I'm learning that achieving balance in my life has a lot to do with the decisions I make, the ordering of my priorities, and my ability to say no.

This is singles, handspun merino, 525 yards., 1.2 oz.

A reference for the grist and consistency of the spinning.

Here's the washed skein.

It feels like a little piece of heaven and will likely become lace.
The lace just might be something that I'll find in this

But before that, it may have an encounter with the dyepot.

But we'll have to see....

The answer just might be: "no".

Happy Mother's Day, what ever your maternal status and identity may be.