Spinner-At-Large: In The Lap Of Luxury

 

 

(Where it all begins. Suzie Pro spinning wheel, Majacraft; in lap: Bombyx silk top in Geisha, from Outback Fibers. All pics enlarge)

It's like working with molten metal.

I've become a bit of a silk junkie. It some practice to learn to spin––similar to learning the physical nuances of a lover. But once my fingers understood the the amount of sensitivity needed to exert the proper grasp? I was undone. I cannot get enough of the feel of this fiber sliding between my fingers in the drafting zone, then again as I twist and slick them down onto the bobbin you see; the transformation of a mass as light as air into a strong, metallicsized, lustrous length of love.

The fiber had a few slightly matted spots, calling for pre-drafting, but all in all it's been a smooth ride. The yarn––28 w.pi.––will be machine knitted into a lace top, as soon as the current commission for a 19' knitted rug is finished (don't ask yet).

All in all summer's been fun, and fall? Well, my days on the bench are winding down, but the textile season is on the upswing. I'll holla' back soon, and in the meantime remember this chinese proverb.

"With time and patience, a mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown".  

Thanks Jennifer, for the beautiful necklace; this was the motivation.

 

Comments

[Slow Clothes]

Sounds incredible, I and can't wait to see photos of the finished product!

I'm hoping to learn to spin in the spring...planning to take a trip to Oaxaca, to Teotitlan del Valle and spend time there learning spinning and natural dyeing.

[naomi dagen bloom]

Great photo, Sahara! Silk spinning--you never stop taking on another challenge. When are you coming to PDX (notice that live traffic feed records me here/elsewhere as Salt Lake City--never been there). We're ready for you whenever...

[Ava]

Hey Sahara, I taught myself to spin on a drop spindle using silk. I didn't know it was supposed to be the hardest to spin! I love it best of all.

Per your comment on my blog - lots of people here knit in the summer, but I have to admit that my knitting mojo isn't as strong in the warmer months, despite the prevalence of bamboo, cotton, linen, and other warm-weather yarns! I've learned to just go with it.

I neglected to add that I hang stitch markers every 20 stitches when casting on. Perhaps because I use plastic markers, their placement doesn't keep the work from twisting, but it makes the counting easier. I have some weightier ones somewhere here so I'll try those. Thanks for the tip.