Well, today was the big day!! I buckled my new wheel into the front seat of my car and headed out to Karen's house, a spinner from the local spinning guild who offered to teach me to spin. It was fairly easy to find her farm... there is a big quilt painted onto the front of the barn. It is part of the Barn Quilts of Grundy County. This quilt pattern is called 'North Winds'.
Karen and her husband actually raise alpacas, and I got to meet the whole herd. I have to say there is nothing sweeter than a little alpaca face!! Karen shears all of the alpacas and sends the fleeces to a company to be washed and carded and made into roving. She is waiting for the call that the 50 pounds of fleece she sent in last May are ready for pick up!!
More Alpaca sweetness... I am now thinking that I may need a couple of little alpacas!
But onto the business at hand... spinning! Karen was a very patient teacher, and it wasn't long before I was actually sort of getting the hang of it! Now it is just a matter of spending time at the wheel practicing, practicing, practicing!
I have been doing a little knitting, and just have to finish the handles and the Sophie bag will be ready to felt. I think I am going to have to 'reward' myself with spinning time after I do a certain amount of knitting on my projects that have a deadline!!
Of course, Sumo is happy to keep me company whether I am knitting or spinning or whatever. And yes, his face is even cuter than those little alpacas! (Although it's very close!!)
Off to spin! I'll keep you posted on my progress!
Until Next Time...
13 comments:
What a beautiful site to drive up to. Thoses faces are darling but I agree Sumo is sweeter. Good luck spinning.
What a beautiful barn!!
The alpaca are so sweet. A neat place to take a spinning lesson!
Wow 2007 has been a dangerous year for you - you became addicted to socks and now spinning! What does 2008 hold?
Good for you finding someone to teach you to spin! Now you are going to need an endless supply of fiber! Good luck with all your projects :)
Now I think I need an Alpaca, too...
I love the pics of the alpacas! Good luck with the spinning it looks like so much fun.
i love the photo of the barn! what a beautiful place...
those alpacas are adorable, as is sumo, of course!
Alpacas are way cute!! Those Sophie bags are hot items right now, seems like everyone is knittin' them up.
Those alpacas are adorable, and they do have the sweetest faces. Not to mention my favorite yarn comes from those sweeties. I can't wait to see some of the yarn you spin.
Way to go Janice!
They don't allow grazing animals in my neighborhood *sigh*. I may have to move.
Adorable alpacas! Sumo seems a lot happier now that you're home-LOL!
and it seems like spinning is a lot of fun:-)
It looks like you had a wonderful time. Spinning is a New Year Resolution for me next year. And I loved seeing you Christmas celebration. How fun.
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