Busy Days....

L-R Koi, Emerald Green, Alloy, Poppy Red, Gray Jade, African Violet, Vivacious, Manhattan Blue, Carafe

                                                                    originally uploaded by ontheroundfiberart.

Hello! *Waves*

The kids are in bed, the kitchen is clean, the goat is milked, and I'm banned from spinning while my hands take a break. So naturally, I was playing around on the internets when it occurred to me that I haven't blogged all week!

Honestly, I don't know where this week went- it all sort of mushed together and and drifted on by. 'Tis the season, right? T-ball starts up, the lawn needs mowing, gardens need to be tended too, and craft shows are coming so it's work, work, work as much as possible! Needless to say, I didn't get much computer time in....

Despite how fast the time went, I have a lot of beautiful work to show for it! I spun 12 amazing skeins of handspun yarn (hence my hurt hands) and have dyed over 20 lbs of wool!

Truthfully, I LOVE this time of year. I love all the green and the longer days, and the fresh air! I feel motivated and inspired. It feels good to have work, to have color everywhere, and fun things ahead!

I hope you're staying busy, and enjoying it!

p,s, The yarn in the photo will be listed next week! Stay tuned for more information about shop update details.

OnTheRound Shop Update 5/2/13

OnTheRound Shop Update 5/2/13, originally uploaded by ontheroundfiberart.

This update will feature handspun BFL and Merino wool, hand dyed sport weight BFL, 2 new colorways in my Maine Yarn & Wool collection.

This update will also feature one of my newest products- a felting kit! More information on that to come tomorrow....

www.ontheround.etsy.com

Sunday Spinning

In case you're looking for me today, here is where I will be. In my rocking chair, tucked in neatly with my baby wrapped tightly to my body, peddling away at my wheel and a glass of water near by.

Happy Sunday!

Navajo Plying

NavajoBlog, originally uploaded by ontheroundfiberart.

Lately I've been experimenting with Navajo Plying, or chain plying handspun yarn. I work with hand painted roving a lot and I really like the way that the method retains the color changes in the wool.

When I am trying a new technique, I prefer to wing it initially, and then research the technique. The yarn above is my first attempt.

I've since done quite a bit of research on the subject and have learned a thing or two.

Overall, my first attempt turned out quite well. I used a one hand method and it became clear to me that I need to use my left hand to hold the twist so I don' t get little tangles as I work a new loop (see middle photo). I also was treadling very quickly and had my bobbin on fast intake resulting in a frantic spin...clearly I need to slow it down next time.



This morning I found this great video by Sarah Anderson on youtube. I really think that this video is THE video you should watch if you are interested in learning to N-ply yourself. She explains quite a lot in a very methodical, logical way all while showing the technique, slowly and clearly.

I'm going to do a few more play skeins with little bits of singles I have laying around before taking it to the shop. My plan is to N-ply the Finn wool I recently hand painted and offer it up in the shop next week.

Stay Tuned!

Handspun Yarn Update

UpdatePromo2012, originally uploaded by ontheroundfiberart.

Good morning!

Today I am editing photos for my next shop update. At the rate that I am currently waddling, it's looking like I'll be listing new yarn on Thursday, Feb 2nd. Be sure to come by the shop and see all the beautiful blues and greens I have in store for this week!