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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Spinsters!  |
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Farmgirlheart
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Valerie
Los Angeles
California
USA
103 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 5:11:32 PM
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Hey,
I was wondering how many spinners we've got here?! Also, where can I get some great roving for not too crazy prices?
Thanks! |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 5:39:37 PM
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I spin on a drop spindle. I've gotten roving from Etsy sellers plus The Sheep Shed Studio has low prices. ;)
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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Edited by - Bonne on Feb 20 2009 5:39:54 PM |
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Farmgirlheart
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Valerie
Los Angeles
California
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 5:53:22 PM
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Awesome! Thanks for the info! I have yet to try the drop spindle...but I'm sure I shall try it soon!
:) |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 6:59:08 PM
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Valerie, Welcome to farmgirl connection!!! There are a fair number of us lurking around on here! In fact I got started spinning this summer because of some of the ladies talking about it! I started on a spindle and now I have about a dozen of them and I have a wheel! As Bonne said The Sheep Shed Studio has good prices! I would also make sure to check out what Grace Gerber has! I have gotten a lot from her and the quality is wonderful! She will probably catch this post or you can find her etsy site at www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
Happy spinning!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 04:43:48 AM
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What wonderful words Monica - Yes I am a SPINNER and boy do I have fiber. This whole week I have torn my farm shop apart and am in the process of putting it back together and it is amazing what I found. Also a retails shop that carried my fiber and products went belly up this last week so I am opening those boxes and putting the goodies on the shelves. I have tons of fiber, some new yarns and if you give me alittle bit of time they soon will be on my Etsy site. Great blends, some fantastic exotics and even some kits to try your hand at natural dyeing, basic felting and some great books will be on sale. Hope you stop in there is plenty to go around.
Happy Spinning and yes I too love to drop spin.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 07:13:17 AM
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LOL oops, I came here out of curiousty because I thought you meant never married women! Like Old Maids! Sure wondered what you had to say about them!!
LOL
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71 |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 08:47:09 AM
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I am also a spinner. I love to spin. I have 4 spinning wheels, over 30 head of sheep and I will have lots of wool here in a couple of weeks. I have a few fleeces of shetland and will be washing and ready to sell soon. I have always put my on Ebay as buy it now and it goes very quickly. I will try to post it so you all can catch them if you like.
I like to spin some bulky yarns and then I weave them into rugs...so soft wool rugs.
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 09:18:37 AM
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Grace, It's easy to say wonderful words about your fiber! It's just incredible!
Valerie, I have to say also that Sarita has wonderful fleeces! I have a light gray Shetland fleece and a white Corriedale fleece from her and they are both so very soft and are spinning up just beautifully!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
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Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 09:53:02 AM
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| Bonjour gals! This puts a new "spin" on getting enough fiber every day, doesn't it? You go girls! I am thoroughly impressed. Hugs, Nance |
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Farmgirlheart
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Valerie
Los Angeles
California
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 2:29:05 PM
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Awesome! Thank you all for the fiber sources! I will be checking each one out! Oooh, I'll probably have the biggest hoard of fibers before I know it! I only started last November but I am having the greatest time discovering all my fellow spinners! Hah, who says it's a dead art!
P.S Yarnmamma,I love it that you thought I was going to comment on never married women. I'll tell you what I think of them while I'm at it. As long as a woman is truly happy and loves herself she doesn't "need" a man to make her who she is. Marriage, from what I hear, can be wonderful but it's NOT for everyone! |
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 2:38:06 PM
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how true Valerie! Also many women after becoming widows or getting divorced decide that it's ok to live alone. I am one of those. We don't have to hate men or be bitter...we can just be at the phase in life to enjoy our own company...that's me.
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71 |
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 3:43:25 PM
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Thanks for all the info ladies! After many months of trying ot find a spinning class or even someone to teach me privetly, I am sighned up for a class in the middle of april. So hopefully I will be a spinster soon too.
Lillian
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 4:52:19 PM
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Gals, I am with you on singel or married...be happy where you are as far as being married or single. I think God puts us where he wants us for a purpose, make the most of it. I like the way you think Linda.
Monica, I am so happy you like your wool...I love the yarn that you spun and still trying to decide what to make with it, I love the color so I have it hanging on a peg in my studio and just admiring it until I figure it out.
Gals,What do you do with your yarn when you are done spinning it? Do you like to spin soft and fine or more coarse? Do you weave it, knit it or crochet it? or do you knit and felt it? I am full of questions and always love to hear from others. Sometimes it opens my mind to try new things.
I am a self taught spinner with an occasional lesson on the web or reading books... especially the Spin Off Magazine. I have all kinds of drop spindles and never really enjoyed them but I do enjoy spinning on my wheels. I love to watch others use the drop spindle but I couldn't get a good rhythm...????
It is cold and windy here today...freezing cold so after doing my chores, I turned my bucket upside down and sat down with the sheep. They will be sheared in just a short while now...many in this part of the country were shearing today...burrrr! I just can't keep my hands out of their wool. I have two shetland white ewes and their wool is so fine and silky...then I have 2 shetland black ewes and one older whither that has coarser wool...rug wool. The corriedales are white and brown and black, their coats are so thick and fine. I also have reddish brown, tans, oatmeal, silver shetlands and all are different. I like to try different wools, don't want to get bored (but 30 plus fleeces are a few too many.)
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 7:40:27 PM
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Lillian, I am so excited for you! You will love it, but I will warn you it's very habit forming!!! I started spinning in July on a drop spindle and now I have a wheel and wool, silk, mohair, cotton, alpaca, carders and more!!! It's so relaxing though!!
Sarita, I love it so much!! I am spinning the Corriedale with some pink silk right now and I am going to weave a shawl on my loom with it! I am not crazy about pink but it is coming out so nice! I am really happy with it!!! I like the drop spindles because you can take them anywhere! I always have mine with me when I go out and I usually spin on the way to church! I have even taken wool to card with me! I did a demo at Isaiah's school for his class and I took my wheel to show the kids about cotton and wool and I took wool for the kids to make felt balls and they had a lot of fun! Oh, I want to get more wool from you, but right now I am trying to figure out what to do with all of the cotton I have! Hubby needs it out of the van! Yikes, there are nearly 100 bags in there!!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4235 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4235 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 04:12:41 AM
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I have been a spinner for a year now. I have 2 sheep. I have just started on 2008 wool. Got to get that carded, before I shear this year. I hope anyways. I have taught myself on my wheel, did take a drop spindle class, that got me started! I knit, crochet, felt with my wool. I really enjoy knowing, that I care for the sheep, shear them, and make my own yarn. I still call it a unique novelty yarn, but I love it. It stays together so I consider that a success. (even if I have to rip out)
Have Fun
Michele |
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ktknits
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Kathy
Northwest Indiana
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 04:45:07 AM
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I spin too! In fact, next weekend I'm going to our annual spinning retreat. I look forward to that all year!
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
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FiddleChick
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
78 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 07:10:33 AM
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I'm a spinner! Just learning - I spin on a drop spindle so far, but am trying out wheels because I want more, faster.  I just got a pound of wool and want to make a sweater and if I have to spin it all on a drop spindle I'll be old before it's done! I've never had lessons, but have found it pretty easy...my yarn looks like yarn so I figure I'm doing okay. I did get a book "Start Spinning" by Maggie Casey and have found that helpful (although also frustrating because there's a yarn pictured a lot in there that I covet!! I've decided to make it myself!!)
I don't have any fiber animals yet, but am in the process of getting angora rabbits and sheep (probably Icelandic.) I am SO EXCITED about it!!!
Keeper of the Past - I have to know...on your blog on the November 17 post Wool, Wool Everywhere, what kind of sheep is the one that is two down (black face, black legs, white fuzzy body)??? I saw some on the cover of a catalog and have been trying to figure out what they are. Is it a Suffolk? I love that look.
Farmgirlheart - have fun spinning!!
Siúil A Rúin: "Singing for someone's supper . . ." www.tradlassie.blogspot.com |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 09:42:06 AM
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FiddleChick, that sheep is Ebby, she is a registered shetland. Her mom was black and died after giving birth to twins. Her dad was Smokin, a registered shetland. I think the Icelandic and the shetlands look so much alike. I have never spun Icelandic but I hear it is wonderful. Some of my shetlands have the double coats and some have a soft single coat. What I like about my shetlands is that most of them love to be petted and hugged, they wag their tails. They are also easy keepers, don't need their tails docked, don't seem to get sick much, wiry little characters. Go visit the shows and see if someone around you has different sheep and pick the breed to raise that make you happy...all of my are loving and pets.
I am excited about Spring. My favorite place to spin is on my front porch in the fresh air.
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 3:41:23 PM
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I have raised Icelandic for 12 years and will gladly answer any questions about them - love their fleece but I love just about all fleeces... I had two Corriedales who had the softest wool and when I bred them to my top Icelandic rams they produced the most incredible lambs - big, bold and way so soft. I also then got a single coat which was about three times the staple length of a corridale but they maintained their crimp - just heaven.
Now for those of us who live, eat and breathe fiber I presently have about sixty fleeces awaiting my work and that is not counting what is out in the pasture - I am also planning in spring to make my rounds on shearing days to pick up new inventory. I will have to stop into some the the farmgal's blogs to see what they might have for sale - if you might help out this forgetfull gal might you send me an email from those of you who have fiber to sell.... I have been for the past two weeks still on two hour barn checks for the last three goat gals - still no babies - my brain is mush...
Spinning for me is my heart and soul - I love getting others hooked on it- give your life a whorl and spin!!!
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Old Spirit
True Blue Farmgirl
1498 Posts
Rae
MN
1498 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2009 : 11:00:04 AM
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Hi
We are going to be getting sheep this spring and I am wondering if anyone can give me info regarding .... everything! My husband knows how to shear but from that point. I would like to spin my own yarn so any help is good. Also the cheapest is good.
Thanks
Rae
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31 |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
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Old Spirit
True Blue Farmgirl
1498 Posts
Rae
MN
1498 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2009 : 12:16:57 PM
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Monica,
No it will all be brand new to me but something I have wanted to try for years. Now will have the main source in my backyard come spring!!
Rae
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31 |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2009 : 7:20:20 PM
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Rae, You will love it! I have only been spinning since July and I am absolutely hooked! It is so relaxing! Watch out for Grace though, she's not kidding when she says she loves to get others hooked!  Actually Grace is wonderful and patient to answer tons of questions and she has some of the most wonderful fiber! I hope you enjoy it!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
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Laura Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
419 Posts
Laura
Rancho Cordova
California
USA
419 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2009 : 9:17:54 PM
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Thanks to Valerie, I learned how to use a drop spindal this weekend. Not bad if you ask me...did pretty good. But I thought I would share something with you ladies. I was looking for instructions online and I found this....
WARNING!!! Spinning reduces stress and promotes well being. It can also be habit forming and lead to obsessive behaviors such as, but not restricted to: caressing and hoarding all fibers; dying them with food colors and things from your garden or whatever you have laying about; spinning the fluffy bits of the weeds in your fields, the cotton wad in your vitamin bottles and even the lint from your dryer! Proceed with extreme caution!
I found this and thought it was perfect! I got a good laugh!
Farm Girl Hugs!-
Laura Marie #369
www.lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!"
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2009 : 06:31:33 AM
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Laura, That is perfect and so true! It is very relaxing and extremely habit forming! You start to look at things in a whole new light! One day I was cleaning up in the bathroom and my 3 year old Olivia was following me and she saw a wad of cotton my hubby had left on the counter from cold medicine. I told her to throw it away and she said "but mommy it's your yarn". I spin cotton and she thought it was my cotton! I have to admit I took a second look at it! When I saw the dog that won the recent competition, I couldn't help but think what his fur might spin like!!! Happy Spinning!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2009 : 08:03:11 AM
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Dog hair is FANTASTIC to spin. I get paid big bucks to spin dog and cat fiber... I love my pry fiber - so warm that the mittens I made out of the yarn is too warm to wear for very long.
I teach a class on finding things to spin other then fiber - VHS tapes, plastic wrap, grass and leaves and even my own hair after it was cut. I love paper too. There is no limits - have fun. Remember if you do not tell anyone if it flops no one will know..
Monica, your goodies are in the mail and you will have to share photo's when you make something with the fibers. I think you are going to love the "Old Gold" blend. It is a dream.
Keep spinning ladies it is great for the heart and soul
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Spinsters! |
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Spinsters!
