Summer wool

Remember this wool? Well, after a few nights of tredling, a movie of plying, a quick bath and drip dry- I've made yarn.  Once again, this natural magic amazes my hands and calms my heart.

 The yarn is made up of different sheeps' wool, from a study I did years ago.  Long enough that I don't know exactly who is in this blend... Some Shetland for sure, maybe Polypay and Icelandic... Either way, it's thick and thin, soft and warm.

 Warm is not something I'm trying to do right now, summer is upon us here in North Carolina. I'm thinking about adding this to the shop... I have so much yarn, more than I know what to do with.  If it's singing your name, let me know and we can work something out. I'd rather give you lovely people first dibs on everything I make.

These Hosta blooms is the reason I know summer is here. I didn't know they bloomed until I moved here, I love their tall, lavender petals. 

I had every intention of "working" in the studio on Thursday. Getting things done, crossing lines off The List. Out of the corner of my eye, I realized that part of my studio could maybe use a bit of a tidy. Then the other corner called out, and next thing I knew, hours had passed, leather scraps and paper bits had been scooped up, trash thrown out, books put away.  A clean studio. Just the kind of work I needed to do, but hadn't realized yet. As I sat in my cozy brown chair, soaking in how big the room felt now, the light in the yarn cupboard caught my eye. Nothing like well-lit hand-spun yarn, is there?

Now, I'm off to teach a meditation class, followed up by tea and a yoga class - in that order.  Have a beautiful weekend!  Happy November!

woolish

Woolen comfort. Even in the heat of the summer, hand-spun Shetland eases my soul.

Alchemy

I'm in Asheville this weekend, for our fourth (!) installment of yoga teacher training. I've brought this rugged, old wool to keep me company in the evening. I know I'll be felting this, so I'm just knitting squarish panels on big needles.  Nice and easy, perfect for after getting my brain filled with new, wonderful things.

The plan is to incorporate these Canadian beauties with leather to make a bag of some sort.  I'm not sure at all what it will look like, but I'm sure it'll be a fun bag to make! My aunt gave me the yarn years ago from her stash, and I'm happy to finally use some of it again.  It became a felted, all wool bag a few years ago, but I still have a few skeins to work through.

xo!

Playing with color

I'm ready for fall already, though the summer colors are succulent.  I'm torn. 


p.s. used the auto-blog on flickr for the first time... not sure about that! 

Yarn in the shower

I'm amazed. I have to dye more yarn.

WHY can't the days be just a tad shorter on the office side and longer in the fun work side?

A studio needs...

Good, sturdy, functional pieces of furniture. 

Not just metal shelves, mind you.  I was beginning to get frustrated with my storage in the studio room... The shelves were functional, but not pretty, not inspiring. The bags and baskets my yarn lived in weren't conducive to finding things easily.  The crap was literally piling up on the other shelves.  I wish I had taken a before photo, but trust me, it wasn't pretty! 

May I now introduce to you, in his shining glory, 

Gustav, the curio cabinet of yarny wonder. 

 Now, when I want to start something new, I need only to walk into the studio, open the doors and breath in the warm sent of wool. Ah, yes, this makes me quite happy! Though I now realize I need a new pretty shelf to go with him.  And Dearie DEAR does this poor room need to be repainted!!!  

Any suggestions? What colors inspire you?

Isn't he glorious?  (In case you're wondering, no, I don't usually name furniture, but this is a special piece who demanded extra accolades.)

Sneaky Pete!

Nearly done with this awesome project!  I can't wait to tell you all about it; I can hardly believe that it is finally happening. 

xoxoxox

Sneak Peek! Part Two!!!

This sweater is finished now, I've worn it for the past two days and I really need to block the sleeves a bit longer... but then I'd have to wait for it to dry!!! Whaaaa! 

The secret yarn project:  

Only four more to go!

Sneak Peek!

Here's a peek at a kind of secret project I've finally started after a year or so of saying "wouldn't it be awesome if..." with the owner of Charlotte Yarn, the local yarn shop I work at and frequent often on weekends.

It's only a sort-of-secret because the theme is fun and surprises are good.  Plus me being totally excited to finally get cracking on this = sneak peeks!!  I have quite a bit more work to do though! Enjoy!

Sometimes...

I work at my local yarn shop. This weekend I worked Sunday, and took some beauty shots for the site.

So, here's some of the best ones, because everyone needs some pretty yarn photos in their life.