Back and Competing

Having just handed in my two skeins, one fine and one bulky for the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, and, am not happy with the results, it prompts me to ask why enter the competition. Here are my reasons why we all should enter.

1. To support the Woolcraft committee who work hard to organise a fabulous display to show the quality and variety of work. Anything that promotes and showcases wool, spinning, knitting, weaving, crochet.........deserves supporting.

2. To spin the best that you can. It's not often that we worry about every part of the process in all its' detail. Washing, preparation, spinning, finishing and presenting.

3. To see if you can improve by learning by your mistakes.

So what did I learn?

1. Sample beforehand to ensure the correct amount of twist for the fibre and final yarn.

2. Practice spinning, as I don't regularly spin fine evenly and bulky evenly.

3. Pick the right fibre preparation.using the wool combs for the fine spinning was a perfect choice and made the long tedium of consistently spinning fine, much more of a pleasure. I do need to practice using them. (Back to the Sheep and Wool show for more demos from the makers)

4. When you swash your skeins, before rewinding, ensure you hang them correctly, not scrunge them up in the back seat because you have to drive all the way home.

Will I do it again next year???? See you at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show. (www.sheepshow.com)

Spinning fine

I'm holidaying down at the beach with youngest son, and busy trying to spin 50grams of fine wool for the Sheep and Wool Show. I'm not sure how this skein will turn out as time has prevented me from sampling.

The main problem for me is what to do with this skein. I'm timing myself and am currently at two and half hours for the second single. I still have most of that skein, double it and add the plying! I'm not likely to sell the skein and it seems a bit of a waste simply making a scarf.

I have been interested in trying another 'knit a trip' piece, but maybe this time it should be more of 'knit 2008' with symbols surrounding this year. For example, taking a train trip to Bendigo could inspire railway tracks. Sounds a bit kitch, but could be worked on.

I could combine it with the idea of a totem and think of a pole I could wrap it around. Perspex springs instantly to mind. Planning is also required, I probably would draw this one out before attempting more. I also need to consult the 'real' fine spinners and knitters that I knopw for advice on how far this skein will go.

Lots to think about. More spinning should help that.

Access Arts

Today I have my interview at the CAE for entry into their Access Arts course. This is a fine arts course which covers, amongst other things, sculpture. It's an intense 16 week course and is my first toe into the fine arts ocean.

I have to have a portfolio of my work which I've never done before. I have attended drawing classes both locally and during the Studio Textiles course, so I had plenty to choose from. However, it was fairly easy to choose few as many weren't finished or not that good.

I've printed off my resume and the cuttings and photos I have of my sculptural award winning piece. Very impressive?

I am very nervous as this is becoming more important as I look at my work. Most of my drawings and paintings are from 2002 or before then. The course covers alot of ground in a short time, but I'm hoping to keep up after the course is finished.

Wish me luck!

Working hard

I've been working hard on the group Sheep and Wool Show Entry. D-day is Saturday, when hopefully all the pieces start coming together. Pictures will eventually be forthcoming when this project is finally out of our hands. Secrecy is everything.

I have also to work on my own entries for the show. I've decided to enter a couple of spinning sections. To prepare the beautiful fleece I have, I've decided to use my mini wool combs, as the rovings they produce are just beautiful. Little clouds of fibre.

There's alot of waste in the preparation, but the spinning is a delight. I haven't tried them yet for mixing colours or fibres, but am keen to.

Anyway back to the floor! (Stitching fabric on the floor....don't ask!) Wish us luck!

A new SnB Melbourne at Rosanna

Yes, we have a SnB group at Jenny's Fruit Supply. It is my local coffee shop, walking distance. My friend Mary and I started a new group and we had five attendees, all together, at our first meeting. It was excellent and we hope to make it a regular thing. It's great drawcard is Woolybutt is three doors down, so you can add to your stash.

I didn't have any photos of the group, however, as we've had some wet weather (Hooray!) my very shady garden is sprouting mushrooms. What beautiful things they are, so ephemeral and so surprising. The yellow mushroom/toadstool (I'm no expert) was an even brighter yellow the day before.

Guild meeting bliss

Attending HWSG monthly meetings isn't always an event which inspires enthusiasm. As I give my group reports, I'm sort of obliged to go. However, having said that, I'm always eager to go for the many gifts I receive, some anticipated, some complete surprises.

The gift of friendship is the most important. Good friends and guild friends, people I only see at these meetings, all are a delight. Fun, laughter and, of course, communing about all things fibre related. I'm not sure people realise how much this is appreciated and lifts my spirits. Yesterday was no exception.

The gift of learning. There is always a small workshop/gathering, and this month we were offered the delight of learning Tunisian crochet. Having never attempted this before, I purchased my needle, a cross between a crochet hook and knitting needle, from Lorraine at Woolybutt. Arriving a little late, I eventually go so caught up in this lovely, addictive craft, I spent the formal part of the meeting, starting over again and getting it right. Well, almost right, I kept forgetting to chain 3 at the beginning of the return row, so the sample is slightly lopsided.

My 'Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework' by Th. de Dillmont (always a wealth of knowledge on all the ancient arts!) says of Tunisian crochet that it 'has more resemblance to knitting than any other kind of crochet"......"stitches are all worked on the right side, and produce a soft and elastic fabric". It give a couple of stitches and patterns. I'm intrigued by it all.

The last gift was an actual gift from Peter. He's always at guild meetings, spinning away. (He's also part of the legendary mailout team for the guild). Anyway, he's give me this gorgeous and very sturdy small picnic basket filled with a little coloured fleece and a very big bag of what we think is cashmere. These all belonged to his sister who can no longer make use of them. So, very generously, he's given them to me.

The basket is gorgeous and I'll use it as a travel bag, with spinning goodies in it. The fibre has to be spun up, but what about all that cashmere. Peter is so generous with his spinning and knitting, he gives away most of what he does, that I feel the need to do something special. It will need thinking and suggestions......

However, for the moment, I'm frantically busy...well not quite.......yet.....making various pieces for our Sheep and Wool show entry. What a mystery it all is.....what fun!

Workshop in Bendigo

Yesterday I went to Bendigo to give a workshop. I called the workshop 'Chasing the rainbow' and we created some amazing yarns from multi-coloured fleece and tops.

I finished this scarf as an example of how these yarns look when they're used. They were a lovely small group and they provided lunch, including two beautiful soups. Lovely in Winter.

The drive up through Heathcote was lovely, it was a beautiful day, including a spectacular sunrise. There's a few places to stop along the way for some wonderful views and photographs. I might try and stop at a few when I go up for the Sheep and Wool Show in July.