Workshop

Well six months of planning and the long awaited Sock Workshop of 2010 is over. I learned lots. I laughed lots. I worked lots. I enjoyed it lots.

There is nothing as gratifying as walking away from a workshop with new knowledge to mull and explore. I will be trying out some new spinning techniques for socks at the very first opportunity.We had a great time trying out worsted preparations for spinning a sock yarn that would withstand the onslaught of constant wear and tear that a sock gets. I relearned a plying technique that I had previously learned and got some techniques to make it even better.... I learned how to ply so that I can spin self-striping yarn and then I learned physics.... the physics of spinning.... things that I was already thinking about but hadn't quite gotten to the fruition of full formulation. I learned about the physics of twist in yarn and how the spinning wheel distributes twist, I learned about wave theory and how it applies to the distribution of energy and how it is interrupted by slubs in the yarn. I learned about recycling and how to use recycled bits in novelty yarn and what makes a good blend for a sock yarn. There really is nothing better than a successful workshop.

Tuesday is the full moon and once again sleeping has been an issue and so I managed to survive through the workshop with very little sleep.... I do have to say that I am next to wasted after working hard with near exhaustion. I am amazed at how well I did all things considered.

The company was great throughout the weekend and there was much to laugh at and discuss. Saturday started with great belly laughs which set the barometer for the whole weekend.

There were great fibres to try out, like my favorite for the whole weekend.... a Blue Faced Leicester (BFL) silk blend which was awesome and spun like a dream. I also got some Wensleydale which I am going to blend with some silk and cotton to spin for a nice 3-ply sock yarn. I think that it will look great maybe in a lace or textured knit stitch.... I was also invited to enter a sock in the Sock Exhibit and Exchange.... I think I might. I'm getting ideas.... the big thing with that is will I ever get time.....

I still have the big j.c. to finish and my birthday is only a few weeks away and my goal is to have the d-mn thing done and gone out of this house by then... it will be my birthday gift to myself. Then after all is said and done I have to get my level 3 homework done... I can't wait to get at it full time. Then what ever time is left will be for shawls for the fashion show at Olds and the Sock Exhibit.... we'll see. With ever increasing temperatures spring is just around the corner and I'm looking forward to sitting on the deck in the sunshine with a fire in the fireplace and flowers growing all around....

There lots to look forward to and lots to do.... in the meantime here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Moi with my Bamboo/Mohair/Merino blend 3-ply sock yarn. Oh... just look at that Rudolph nose of mine.... I could find wool even in the fog!
This was our instructor and I wonder what she was saying. Sorry M that was the only picture of you....

OK these two had a whole lot more fun than their faces are portraying.

Everyone is so serious.... they must be concentrating on the instructor.... she was very interesting.

Well she looks enthusiastic.... actually I think she's holding up yarn.... yes, we spinners need all the exercise we can get!

They're hard at work... I wonder what they're spinning....

We all had to fiddle with our wheels.... and look at that green on her bobbin... that's the Bamboo/Mohair/Merino blend fibre....

Ahhh... finally a happy face... "A little less seriousness and a whole lot more relaxation."... It's all good.

Cool another happy face....

And look at that there we all are.... We looked like such happy campers.... I means spinners....


And tomorrow you can see what we did.... I'm off to catch a few zzzzzzz's.