Posted under MDSW & spinning & stash
This is where it gets really crazy. I didn’t realize how much I bought until I set everything out on the deck this morning to take pictures. Those fiber fumes must have put me in an altered state of mind where all thoughts of reason and all efforts of restraint fled from my being.
You see? Crazy.
It started with some wool roving from Brush Creek Wool Works that I bought to practice spindling. It’s dyed with cochineal with chrome as a mordant. I thought that was just really nifty. And for only $5.50 I thought it was a steal.
Then we have some pencil roving that was on my list of things to watch out for. I’ve always been intrigued by pencil roving so this was my chance to see what it was like in person. I’m not sure which vendor I got this from or what kind of wool it is as there really isn’t a label on it and the receipt got jumbled with the others I accumulated.
Although I’m not a fan of the softer colors, I was attracted to this next one because it was so pretty. Plus it’s Targhee and I’ve never spun that particular fiber up before. This one is a Mountain Colors roving from Carolina Homespun.
Now this next one is much more up my alley. I love the deep, rich, saturated colors of this braid. It’s a superwash merino that I’ll most likely knit up into socks by Spirit Trail Fiberworks.
Then I decided to jump off the wagon of my normal color repertoire again. This braid is by Gale’s Art and the colorway is called Cherry Blossom.
Yes. It’s pink. Yes. I’m supposed to have an aversion to pink. As Cookie would say, shut up!
I’m particularly tickled with the next batch of fiber. It’s handpainted silk by A Touch Of Twist and it’s so soft and luxurious. I want to spin these up with my spindles into a laceweight yarn.
Finally, finally (!!) we have about a pound of a wool and mohair blend from the Barefoot Spinner. I blame this purchase on Patrick as he raves about this stuff. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with all of the fiber as I just want to make a pair of socks, but I really like the colors. I’ll most likely try to share the wealth with the other spinners back home.
There is one more thing, but it isn’t a purchase. I won a prize at the spin in for being the spinner who traveled the farthest to attend the festival. There were others there that came from the Netherlands, England, and Belgium, but apparently Hawaii beat them all. The organizers of the event were really excellent though as they all got a prize as well. :)
I hope you’ve enjoyed delving into just how crazy I got, because I’m a little dizzy from how much I spent. Just think, I also bought yarn as well. I think I’ll save that for another post.
I look at it this way. I don’t come to the mainland very often and this was my first fiber festival of any kind. The last time I was here was about 10 years ago, so this is a rare opportunity as I don’t know when I’ll be back again. I might as well get crazy while there’s crazy to be had.
Hopefully, I’ll get to post the rest of my purchases soon. I’m going to be helping my friend Carla move her yarn store next week so things might get a little hectic. Hanging out at her shop has been really hard. She’s got some really gorgeous stuff. Temptation is everywhere people. I’m trying to be good. Wish me luck, mmkay?
Happy Friday everyone! The weekend is here. Enjoy it!
Shell on 09 May 2008 at 4:28 am #
Well while you may have been overwhelmed by the wool fumes, I think you did pretty well. But be warned, the shop is just as dangerous!
knitnana on 09 May 2008 at 5:27 am #
If nothing else, there should be some savings from not having to SHIP the stuff, right?
GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!!!
(especially the Spirit Trail!)
I can’t wait to see the yarn.
(((Hugs)))
tiennie on 09 May 2008 at 5:35 am #
Wow! Can’t wait to see you spin it all up. Congrats on the prize!
bockstark.knits on 09 May 2008 at 5:38 am #
Umm…I think you went crazier on the spindles, no? ;) I was expecting TONS more fiber! But what you got is gorgeous - I esp. like the Cherry Blossom one!
Kim on 09 May 2008 at 6:10 am #
You’re helping to MOVE a yarn store?! Move it on over here, please… That fiber is seriously gorgeous, and I can imagine one would get pretty drunk on all the fumes. I just want to jump in the middle of it and roll around.
Yes, I did make it to MJ last night; it was JUST Barb, Meghann and myself, all alone at that big long table. We knitted til past 9 and it was so peaceful.
I really like Spirit Trail Fibers. They are located in a very beautiful area of VA. I’ve got some of their sock yarn in stash.
margene on 09 May 2008 at 6:21 am #
You did a great job of buying! I really need to get more time at the wheel.
Cookie on 09 May 2008 at 6:30 am #
Honey, you don’t need luck. You need another suitcase.
Beautiful fiber. I can’t wait to see how the cherry blossom spins up.
Meredith on 09 May 2008 at 6:55 am #
What Cookie said! (I hope there’s a shop close by where you can get a suitcase with expanding sides.) I especially like the PINK fiber, but it’s all lovely!
fleegle on 09 May 2008 at 7:41 am #
Boy, were you busy! It’s all gorgeous, but no yarn? A friend of mine bought me some blue silk laceweight–I haven’t seen it yet. Wish I could have been there!
Rosa on 09 May 2008 at 8:10 am #
Those all look lovely! I love the colors.
KnittinDoula on 09 May 2008 at 9:35 am #
Ok, tell the truth. Have you rolled in it yet? I don’t really “roll” in fiber purchases, but I have spread it on the bed and cuddled with it. Mmm, cuddling fiber.
Kelley on 09 May 2008 at 9:55 am #
Wow! Those are all beautiful, and very different! I love all of them — the pink was surprising for you! It’s a good thing roving and yarn will squish into smaller places so you can pack it all to bring home!
.: tani :. on 09 May 2008 at 10:08 am #
um. opal? stop trying to justify your purchases. (easy for me to say, just wait until knitter’s connection). you deserve to enjoy your vacation and your haul! i cannot wait to see this stuff spun up; i live vicariously through my bloggy-spinning friends. ;)
lobstah on 09 May 2008 at 1:12 pm #
I’m so enjoying reading about all your adventures and fantastic purchases! I hope you brought a spare suitcase to bring it all home in! ;)
Jane on 09 May 2008 at 1:56 pm #
I have total fiber envy! You have wonderful taste in fiber swag and I can’t wait to see how they spin up! Magnificent friday eye-candy. it made my day :-) You don’t get out much so you should have no feelings of guilt. Besides, you are helping the economy!
hakucho on 09 May 2008 at 2:55 pm #
Good luck getting all your loot home :)
becky on 09 May 2008 at 4:04 pm #
Mmmmm, lots of nice fiber! Good on ya!
Jeanne on 09 May 2008 at 4:47 pm #
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Love it all, and can’t wait to see it all spun up. I do hope you brought an extra suitcase though!
Carrie K on 09 May 2008 at 5:04 pm #
Oh, nice haul! Not at all crazy. There’s some gorgeous fleece!
Alison on 10 May 2008 at 2:18 am #
You could blame the whole pink on me, you know. Any purple you may have ended up with as well :-)
Nice haul. I’m looking forward to spinning my silk from A Touch of Twist as well. It really does feel nice.
Robbyn on 10 May 2008 at 4:59 am #
You know me; I’m all about the color - and my gawd, THOSE COLORS!
I will greatly enjoy seeing you spin (and knit) those luscious, beautiful fibers.
And hey - that’s what money is for - right? If it’s another 10 years before you get to the mainland again, or to another fiber festival, isn’t it worth it?
debbie on 10 May 2008 at 2:52 pm #
garsh darn it, another wonderful haul! when you coming back to show off some stuff and share some stories in person? a couple of us on the windward side want to trek over the mountain end of may or early june….miss my big cup of hot chocolate and bagel with cream cheese….
textillian on 12 May 2008 at 1:00 am #
I have to say my favorite is what you got from Spirit Trail. What you got from Barefoot Spinner sure does photograph different from what I remember.
Signed,
Your enabler.
Roseann on 12 May 2008 at 3:56 pm #
You found so many pretty rovings! I confess I do have some things from last year that I have not spun so I restrained myself. I have 2 Golding Ring spindles (1.3 oz Celtic and 2.1 oz Sunbeam), your new ones really knocked my socks off, they are stunning!