May 11, 2007

At the wheel with mixed veggies

A little while ago, a friend was perusing Abby's hand painted stuff over on ebay and had a little falling down in the silk department. Since I'm a vegetarian, she thought (and was truly correct) that I would get a kick out of a colourway Abby had called "Mixed Veggies". When it arrived however, it was quite a bit brighter than she had expected. Beautiful, but bright. She popped it in the mail anyway, and this is what I saw when I opened the box.

Silkroving1105

It's just about fluorescent. Screaming orange, bright green, livid red....Totally carrots, peas and red peppers on acid. I was stunned. Intrigued though. Rovings often do very, very strange things when they are spun up. Things that are bright and jarring are often very different when they have been processed. Things snuggle up, bleed into each other... I was sceptical, but after having read Abby's tutorial on how to blend fibres to make tweed yarns, and seeing what unlikely colours she put together, and what a beautiful result she got with a little thought, I decided to think about it and trust her obviously intelligent colour sense.

There are a couple of things I know about spinning color. (I admit, almost all of the things I know came from the book Color in Spinning, by the very clever Deb Menz.) The first thing that I know is that spinning tends to intensify the colors in a roving. This was bad news, since if the colours in this roving got any more intense they were likely to blind an nearby innocent. I knew I was going to have to take as many measures as I could to tone down the intensity using spinning techniques so I would get something that I could enjoy, and not just as a safety product during walks in the woods during hunting season with Dick Cheney. Another thing I know is that colors are more likely to be subtle if I spin thin, rather than thick. Ok.

Singlesofsilk300

I spun it sort of thin. (I'm apparently not really, totally on my silk game, since this is only "thinnish" and not entirely predictably so.)
As I began to spin, I discovered that while the colours were very bright, there was way more white in there than I thought. That made a huge difference, washing out a lot of the intensity as I spun. The singles were looking pretty good, green bled into orange, orange was tempered by white.... Should I ply? Back to Deb...

"The colors in singles multicolored yarns are clearer and brighter than in plied yarns."

Well. If singles are brighter, then I was plying. The more plies the better, but the more plies, obviously the less yardage I would have. (I saw little point in owning 18 metres of a spectacularly blended five ply.) I decided (since I want sanity, as well as good yarn) to go with just two. (I know. A bit of a cop out.) If I had reviewed more of Deb's book before starting I would have spun even thinner so that I could at least do a three ply and still get decent yardage, but this is a learning curve, and I'm bound to fall off it now and again.

Twoplysilk1105

Two ply. Shoddy, underspun silk two ply, but kindly refer to the above statement about me, silk and the apparently sweaty and steep learning curve. The point is, I think we can agree (besides that I have spun this badly) that this:

Verybright1105

Is an electric mixed veggie that looks like the garden got hit with a radiation gun.... and this:

Silknotneon1105-1

Thanks to the spinning genius of Deb Menz and the dying genius of Abby (who turns out to dye brilliantly and not at all like she's on acid) is very, very nice yarn that is entirely approachable and reasonable. The moral? Just what I had hoped. That rovings and the yarns you make from them are often as related as how Martha Stewart and I prioritize doing a good job of the laundry.

Posted by Stephanie at May 11, 2007 2:11 PM
Comments

Yeah, and I don't have shelf tags on my linen closet, either. Oh, well.

Posted by: Presbytera at May 11, 2007 2:19 PM

WOW! First, I may be first (not counting on it); second, having just finished three tours for 97.5 gazillion fourth-graders those exquisite colors were just what my sluggish brain needed! Durned if it's not ALMOST enough to make me consider thinking about the possibility of some day spinning. Maybe. But oh my, Stephanie, that yarn is eye-wateringly beautiful, it's downright singing. Thanks for the opportunity to rest my dazed eyeballs on it.

Posted by: Dale-Harriet in WI at May 11, 2007 2:21 PM

Hmm...Neon appliance colors this time. Very interesting.

Can't wait to see what springy thing you knit with it. Looks like it would be a gorgeous tank top or shrug sweater!

Posted by: Peggy at May 11, 2007 2:21 PM

Oh that is some beautiful yarn!

Posted by: Jen at May 11, 2007 2:22 PM

I am really impressed with that spinning! Silk and I definitely don't get along that well, though cashmere and I seem to have come to an understanding. What if you'd plied it with something else entirely? That would've been interesting, too, I think.

What kind of yardage did you get, all told?

Posted by: Carina at May 11, 2007 2:23 PM

silk is my new favorite. that's quite beautiful!

Posted by: lisa at May 11, 2007 2:23 PM

That is quite the impressive difference. I had noticed that singles are sometimes more intense than the roving the first time I did KoolAid dyeing and my nice, moderate orange was suddenly a "don't shoot me" color. Perhaps now I should go dig out the disappointing singles and ply them, perhaps they will darken. And if not, I can always over dye them. :)

Posted by: Tanya at May 11, 2007 2:26 PM

i love the loud colors and agree that it would probably be a lovely tank top or some such. great job!

Posted by: amberpixie at May 11, 2007 2:27 PM

This is just beautiful. Definately a pick-me-up for droopy and rainy days. I think that yarn spun un-perfectly has much more character.

I am very new to knitting, but picked up fast, and asked my husband about spinning the other day. "Umm...let's have you focus on your current knitting projects and lowering the stash a little first. Besides we don't have a lot of room for a wheel." He knows the last comment has to real ground, but I think I'll humor him for a while :)

Posted by: Celeste at May 11, 2007 2:27 PM

Snort! "hunting season with Dick Cheney" Snort!

Yarn turned out nice btw.

Posted by: elan at May 11, 2007 2:28 PM

Very pretty silk handspun. Nothing to apologize for.

Posted by: Marina Stern at May 11, 2007 2:34 PM

Absolutely stunning, breathtakingly so! The burning question now is...what are you going to do with it?

Nice dig about hunting with Cheney, by the way.

Posted by: Teri S. at May 11, 2007 2:35 PM

Very impressive example of how much a roving can change when spun...the green and white mellowed out the Glow orange/yellow. What will it become?

Loved the Cheney comment, although even brightness wouldn't keep you safe from that one.

Posted by: Barbara A.M. at May 11, 2007 2:35 PM

Silk is my second favourite 4 letter word!! (I am not saying what the first is!!).

I love to see roving spun as I do all my dyeing at the yarn stage, having not actually learned to spin. I have the wheels, I just don't have the time.

No doubt this will end up as a sock?

Posted by: Shirley at May 11, 2007 2:36 PM

Yay! Back to the "lovely yarn and/or knitted objects d'art spread over lovely green and growing things" season!

Posted by: Susan A. in Ottawa at May 11, 2007 2:36 PM

Hi Steph, that is just beautiful yarn! I think I would just sit and look at it. I have a question regarding spinning: did you have to spin all of it to get this result, or do you do a test-spin (sort of like a swatch) with part of the amount to see if you like the results? It sounds like you just have to jump in and do all of it. What a risk! But an exciting one! How much did you end up with? I can't wait to see what you do with it. Lovely!

Posted by: danana at May 11, 2007 2:39 PM

It's simply lovely and has inspired me to haul out my spinning wheel this evening and see what I get from spinning up a beautiful batch of mixed blue roving I've been eye lusting for more than a few years now. I can eye lust the yarn afterward. ;-)

Posted by: Jane in NC at May 11, 2007 2:44 PM

That's what I love about spinning - it's always a little like opening a present...such a wonderful surprise! You never know what exactly your're going to get, but if you start with an interesting roving dyed by someone with a wonderful color sense, you are going to end up with something stunning (and you did - congratulations!) By the way - my favorite top to spin is baby alpaca and silk. Shimmering from the silk and soft from the alpaca.

Posted by: Kimber at May 11, 2007 2:50 PM

It's beautiful. Maybe someday I can spin that badly! I can only hope. And thanks for the great link on making a tweed batt. Not that I'm anywhere near that, but it's a good tutorial on making a spinnable batt, too!

Posted by: Sandra D at May 11, 2007 2:53 PM

And just how do YOU do laundry?
Anything less than labeled sheets, flat ironed each morning, is just NOT a good thing...

Posted by: Martha Stewart at May 11, 2007 2:54 PM

So very cool all those bright colors turned into beautiful yarn. I think you did rather well. But I am not an expert. But it makes me want to try spinning too. First I have to practice a little more on my knitting skills. Only a humble begginer here. But loving it.

Posted by: Diane at May 11, 2007 2:54 PM

Roving+thought and expertise = exquisite yarn. Martha Stweart (whom I hate with the fury of a thousand white hot suns) isn't fit to wind your bobbins.

I am just beginning to spin; what a wonderful lesson. Although, I acutally like bright colors. Helps people find me when I am in the woods with Dick. No pun intended.

Posted by: gaila G! at May 11, 2007 2:56 PM

Absolutely gorgeous.

Perhaps someday I'll actually learn how to use the drop spindle with the merino roving my sister gave me as a wedding present 4 years ago.

Though perhaps I should first start with the un-dyed (plain) sheep roving that came with it.

Posted by: Tiny Tyrant at May 11, 2007 2:58 PM

Well I love the veggie! Good work on all fronts! Hey if you donate it as a prize on my sister's MS Ride and can try to win it, though how I'll get Claudia to throw the competition, I don't know. Argh! Priciples!

Posted by: Sil at May 11, 2007 3:01 PM

Is that wrong trying to steal your yarn?

Posted by: Sil at May 11, 2007 3:01 PM

Beautimous spinning! Beautiful yarn...

I'm *always* amazed at how much a yarn will be different from what you'd expect in the roving.

And Abby's stuff??? I scored the last of those tweed batts off of e-bay, and wow - thud - they are gorgeous! Can't wait to start spinning.

Abi

Posted by: abigale at May 11, 2007 3:02 PM

Isn't Abby's stuff great!?!?! I saw that Mixed Veggies in her shop but didn't have the guts to try it out. I've loved everything I got from her! Your friend is very thoughtful! (and you did a great job spinning the silk; I just spun 1 oz. of her silk and it's absolutely gorgeous. It'll be a lacy...something).

Posted by: elizabeth at May 11, 2007 3:04 PM

Geez, Steph, that's gorgeous, both ways! I love the roving and your spun yarn came out looking just beautiful. I agree that you just don't know when you look at all rovings what your yarn will look like, but I find that mystery part of the intrigue that keeps me spinning, and of course, buying roving! Whatcha gonna make from it?

Posted by: Debbie at May 11, 2007 3:07 PM

After the seemingly magical transformation from roving to yarn in the time it took me to read this post I am afraid that I may be on a collision course with spinning now too. I've fought the urge for so long, vowing to conqure the sock & the sweater first . But now, having seen this on the eve of my attendance at Shepherds Harvest Sheep & Wool Festival, the kettle corn just may go to my head and the money for spinning gear just may fall out of my pocket. I suppose the only way to top craptacular knitting is with craptacular spinning.

Posted by: cursingmama at May 11, 2007 3:07 PM

That yarn would bring sunshine even into Bush/Cheney's dark sinful souls. What talents to turn raw materials into something so vibrant and beautiful.

Posted by: Leslie in Mass at May 11, 2007 3:08 PM

Not shoddy, not at all. It' really lovely! I love the rustic look in yarn, kind of like the hand made earthy look you see in hand thrown pottery.

Posted by: Margaret at May 11, 2007 3:09 PM

We are a wildland firefighting and prevention family and those colors are that of a safe fire - like a fireplace, all bright,warm and ready for vivid memories. Wish it was going to be socks for my hubby. Different perspectives on color, even how and why each eye sees it differently is what makes beauty in the world.

Posted by: lynn Anderson at May 11, 2007 3:12 PM

It looks somewhat like a bag of those Terra chips, which I'm rather fond of. I don't advise eating the yarn, though. But I'm sure you already knew that.

Posted by: Hugo at May 11, 2007 3:15 PM

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeey...nice yarn. Love it. One of these days, I just might add spinning to my list of skills.....

Posted by: Jen at May 11, 2007 3:17 PM

When you spin fiber, it appears a little darker. When you knit it, it gets a little darker yet. It's a rule of thumb in my book.

Posted by: Alison Hyde at May 11, 2007 3:17 PM

While spinning silk, powder your hands with cornstarch. It's perfect for combatting the sweatiness! Chalk, talcum powder, or flour might also work, though I haven't tried them.

Abby's stuff is FIRST RATE.

Posted by: Kristin at May 11, 2007 3:17 PM

finally veggies I could eat;) Yumtastic.

Hmmm I have some hand dyed silk rovings that I have been avoiding cause I was second guessing the color love- a bright mixed berries colorway.... may just have to spin it n ply it!

;) beautifully imperfectly, lovingly spun. Well done.

Posted by: tracey in mi at May 11, 2007 3:18 PM

"as how Martha Stewart and I prioritize doing a good job of the laundry."

... and I bet her washing machine doesn't even have a name....

Beautiful yarn.

Posted by: Cath at May 11, 2007 3:19 PM

Isn't Abby's stuff wonderful!! I'm spinning the wool version of Mixed Veggies as we speak...

Posted by: Puddnik at May 11, 2007 3:19 PM

That is really beautiful. I don't spin and don't understand all the terminology, you did such a beautiful job. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY . cecilia

Posted by: cecilia at May 11, 2007 3:27 PM

that last line? priceless. perfect.

and very reminiscent for me too.

Posted by: lyssa at May 11, 2007 3:30 PM

That is so surprising... I never knew spinning could be that magical!

Posted by: shanny mac at May 11, 2007 3:31 PM

Gorgeous yarn! Doesn't look so much like veggies I'd eat but I love it. And it's silk... sigh.

Posted by: Nicole at May 11, 2007 3:32 PM

Now that looked like fun. Nervous fun... but fun still. Let's see that Martha have a go at spinning silk anyways.

Posted by: sknitster at May 11, 2007 3:42 PM

As is so often the case, you sell yourself way too short. Your yarn is a marvel, and your juxtaposition of golden glory with purple splendor pure genius.

Posted by: Lucia at May 11, 2007 3:42 PM

I'm strangely drawn to the radiated veggie rovings. And I really don't think Martha does her own laundry these days.

Posted by: Rachel H at May 11, 2007 3:42 PM

Not shoddy, by any means, but have you ever tried spinning silk from the fold? It's a bit easier to control that way.

Posted by: Marcia Cooke at May 11, 2007 3:45 PM

Hey, it's not everyday that you get a chance to spin all of your veggie groups. Nice skein. I'd love to see what it would look like Navajo plied! That would be trippy!

Posted by: Manise at May 11, 2007 3:45 PM

OMG - just checked the links to Abby's yarns... speechless. Can excessive drool interfere with ability to put together coherent sentences? Lovely stuff. That's all I can come up with.

Posted by: sknitster at May 11, 2007 3:46 PM

Kinda looks like succotash :)

Posted by: Lynne aka Witchypoo at May 11, 2007 3:52 PM

I dont' have a ton of experience but even just a little white seems to tone down things quite a bit. I just did some sock yarn than ended up looking a lot different form the roving.

Posted by: ck at May 11, 2007 3:54 PM

How interesting. I am just starting to research and learn about spinning. I am going to a sheep farm next week. I can hardly wait!!!! I am so excited about the whole thing.

I just bought the book "Teach yourself Visually: Handspinning" Seems to be a very good thorough book. I have learned so much already!!

Posted by: Michele at May 11, 2007 4:05 PM

Okay look here... I already have a rather nasty yarn habit. Evidenced by my crafty pack-rat of a mother being surprised how much yarn I've crammed into my two bedroom apartment.

If you don't cease and desist with the cool descriptions about spinning and the pretty pictures and all that....Well, it won't be pretty. Can a spinning wheel maybe double as other furniture, say an endtable or tv stand?

Posted by: Amy in StL at May 11, 2007 4:07 PM

Beautiful! I just started spinning, and hopefully I can one day make yarns that gorgeous! :)

Posted by: ashpags at May 11, 2007 4:10 PM

I like both versions. The finished product reminds me very much of nasturtiums, which are my favorite flower. Okay, so they're not veggies, but they are edible. Peppery and not my idea of food, but non-poisonous wholesome in an Alice Water-ish way.
It's beautiful.

Lill

Posted by: Lill at May 11, 2007 4:12 PM

I think they are BOTH gorgeous! And I'm anxiously awaiting to learn to spin. My first "class" is at Black Sheep this June :D I've even rented a wheel to take with me.

Posted by: Michele at May 11, 2007 4:13 PM

You can spin great yarn AND do international political humor...I'm impressed :)!

Posted by: pennie at May 11, 2007 4:18 PM

Snork. Barbara A.M. used "Cheney" and "brightness" in the same sentence.

Your yarn reminds me of the colour of nasturtiums.

Posted by: grace at May 11, 2007 4:33 PM

I think the yarn's lovely. And I wish that my silk spinning skills were as good as yours. (Then again, I haven't had much practice on silk. Must go now - I think I hear a fiber purchase calling me.)

Posted by: Nicole at May 11, 2007 4:36 PM

Should have read all the way through to Lill's comment re: nasturtiums. I blame Barbara A.M. for my redundancy.

Posted by: grace at May 11, 2007 4:37 PM

The yarn turned out get. I love the colors.

Posted by: Beth K at May 11, 2007 4:42 PM

OMGosh! That is some of *the* most gorgeous stuff I've ever seen! The colors positively sing arias to me.

Thank you for stopping by and commenting - I may never wash my blog again! Er, well, you know what I mean: I'm honored. :)

Posted by: Romi at May 11, 2007 4:45 PM

That yarn really does look quite a bit like nasturtiums, which are quite yummy in a salad or slapped into a sandwich. You certainly tamed the roving!

Posted by: Kathy at May 11, 2007 4:47 PM

GORGEOUS yarn, stephanie! i enjoyed reading about it and looking at the pix almost as much as i enjoyed your Dick Cheney comment ... ~grin~

Posted by: vicki brooker at May 11, 2007 4:48 PM

You *need* to try some of Abby's sock batts. I swear they draft themselves. I recently got two coordinating colorways so I can make rainbow striped socks!

Posted by: Emma Crew at May 11, 2007 4:50 PM

This is almost -- please note the word almost -- enough to make me want to learn how to spin. Almost. Because the end result is quite lovely.

And am I the only one who thinks the roving (is that the right turn) wasn't really that bright? Or has the lime green and strawberry pink tank I'm making for someone warped my color sense?

Posted by: Shel at May 11, 2007 4:56 PM

Uh, that word was supposed to be Term. Not Turn. *mutters about the spellchecker from hell*

Posted by: Shel at May 11, 2007 4:57 PM

That color is amazing! I love golden yellow. I would knit more of it if it didn't make me look like I have hepatitis. Le sigh.

Posted by: James at May 11, 2007 5:03 PM

I posted this on yesterday's blog because today's wasn't up yet, but it is buried WAYYY at the end and I wanted everyone to have a chance to read it, so, forgive me, I am re-posting :)

Hey, I tried to search the comments for this, and I am not sure if any of you have mentioned it or not, but The Harlot SO deserves the vote for the best "hobby" blog (Knitting is a life choice, not a hobby), if not the vote for the best blog ever! Please vote here: http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com
She already has about 90 votes but hey, there are at least 750 of us readers (fans) out here - Represent!

Posted by: Cathy in Cleveland at May 11, 2007 5:05 PM

Okay - straight up, posting things like this just isn't fair. I have spun once and would really like to do it again/more and I've been able to subjugate the personality that fell in love with spinning. But a roving like that - with the silk & the colours!!! - appeals to all of my personalities!
It looks wonderful Stephanie - I can't wait to see more of the yarn and what becomes of it.

Posted by: Wannietta at May 11, 2007 5:23 PM

It's gorgeous! I'm so jealous! Maybe this means I should get off my arse and learn to spin one of these days. Thanks for the inspiration!

Posted by: Kathryn at May 11, 2007 5:24 PM

Please consider writing something for this:

http://www.cbc.ca/thisibelieve/contribute.html

I think you have a point of view (or several!) that should be shared with a wider audience.

Posted by: Chris at May 11, 2007 5:33 PM

Oh, pretty yarn, reminds me of a garden full of marigolds!

Happy spinning!

Posted by: Martheme at May 11, 2007 5:34 PM

Yay, I'm vegetarian, I didn't know you were too. We're taking over the world!

Posted by: Sarah at May 11, 2007 5:40 PM

I love Abby's batts. In fact I got 4 new colours in today!

Abby is a wonderful lady to deal with - highly recommend. She also knows more about spinning than I ever could hope to.

Posted by: Sherri at May 11, 2007 5:54 PM

What, pristinely folded, crisp cornered, laundry neatly stacked in categorized and colourwheeled closets that have been perfectly painted and organized to frightening proportions isn't high on your list of things to do this weekend? Are you mad? What kind of woman doesn't have that as number one on the maid's to do list (also categorized)?!

Nice yarn.

Posted by: Dorothy B at May 11, 2007 6:07 PM

Steph. Of all people. I mean, we have not actually met in person and I only know you on the internet and from e-mail ... but still ... of ALL people! I would have never, EVER figured you for one to be walking in the woods, or anywhere else, for any reason whatsoever, with Dick Cheney.

Unless, of course, you are trying to warn the deer, the ducks and any other living creature within a 2200-metre radius.

Having said that ... I must add that I am beyond impressed. This is the first time I have EVER seen anyone spin menudo!

Really lovely stuff, Steph. I love golden colorways.

Posted by: dez at May 11, 2007 6:10 PM

That's amazing. The reality of how different a yarn looks from skein/ball to swatch is still fully dawning on me . . . and the transformation that happens from roving to finished product is staggering sometimes. And fascinating--endlessly so.

Posted by: Annalea at May 11, 2007 6:21 PM

I love how sort-of magic spinning is, how the colours just sometimes come out so much greater than you ever thought they would, and how singles transform themselves when you ply them together.

Or, there's the alternate, the bad kind of spinning magic where that lovely rainbow coloured, carefully pre-drafted fibre turns itself into mud in your hands, and you scream at it, "IF I WANTED BROWN, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT BROWN."

Ahem.

This is a great example of the good kind of spinning magic.

Posted by: Janis at May 11, 2007 6:24 PM

So the question is, what would Martha spin?

Part of the good fun of the whole hand dyed universe is naming the colors. That stuff is not just mixed veggies, it is FRESH Mixed Veggies. I think you came up with a great yarn, and I can't wait to see what it will become.

Posted by: Karen Lauterwasser at May 11, 2007 7:04 PM

Wow! Fantastically gorgeous yarn in the end, and the tweed tutorial was fascinating. I think I'm going to be getting myself into trouble on Abby's ebay site.

Posted by: Danielle at May 11, 2007 7:31 PM

you and abby did a wonderful job. can't wait to see what you do with it!!!

Posted by: lori at May 11, 2007 7:49 PM

Let it never be said I wasn't flexible. Fridays are for Spinning (or is it Fridays are for Spinning Silk -- Tuesdays are for Spinning Wool?)

Interesting exploration of principles -- duly noted --, in either case.

Posted by: rams at May 11, 2007 8:05 PM

Holy cow, I'm touched! Thank you! I *love* to see what people do with my fibers, and truth to tell, that's probably half the fun for me. Of course, there are perhaps 8 halves to the whole here, because another half is playing with colours in a totally abstract way, free from the worries about things like "yeah, but this makes me look like a zombie if I wear it" or "geeze, this is full-on toys-r-us pandering girl toy aisle pink and purple" or "well, everyone says that traditional neutrals are in this season." Plus there's naming things, and with Mixed Veggies, I was on the fence about whether it was peas, carrots, and corn turned up to HIGH, or salsa that didn't quite work out, or what. I try to name my colours for what they'll be spun up -- with varying degrees of success, sometimes!

Colour in Spinning is a *great* book, and one of the things that's great about it is that it encourages one to take risks while still having faith that somehow, somehow, it'll work out. And I second what a previous commenter said about spinning silk from the fold (Grafton Fibers has a great page about that somewhere), plus I bet you would be shocked (in a good way) by tussah silk.

Thanks again for the very kind words, I'm so glad you enjoyed the fiber, and wouldn't you know, just when I'm nigh out of silk for a week or two...

Posted by: Abby Franquemont at May 11, 2007 8:06 PM

Stop being so modest about your spinning - silk is tough (sticky) stuff. The yarn is be-ayoootiful.

Posted by: Sonya at May 11, 2007 8:08 PM

While I know very little of spinning (yet...I need to find a teacher), I know pretty yarn and that, my friend, is very pretty yarn. Gorgeous, even. I can't wait to see how it knits up.

Posted by: minxy at May 11, 2007 8:28 PM

I guess this means that nasty old cold is history : )
Beautiful yarn, Stephanie. You have turned spinning into a spectator sport for me, probably for some other apartment-dwelling knitters, too.

Posted by: kathe at May 11, 2007 8:35 PM

That Abby. She wicked crazy talented. If you get any more of her too-bright roving, feel free to pass it on to me! :)

Love your yarn! But then again, I love pretty much everything you do (and no, you have not acquired a nutty stalker).

Posted by: fiberlicious at May 11, 2007 9:42 PM

Stephanie, I love that yarn! It came out great! Heck, I'd knit with it! Very spring like. I hope to try spinning in the future.

Posted by: Melissa at May 11, 2007 9:54 PM

That roving totally looks like the vegetable curry they sell at my local farmer's market (they are a bit heavy-handed with the turmeric, and WAY too eager with the cayenne pepper!), but the yarn looks like my Mum's Bubble and Squeak (a mixed vegetable mash that was the ultimate in winter-time comfort food when I was a kid).
And I see the morning glories are blooming in Canada. Happy Springtime to you all.

Posted by: Kate at May 11, 2007 10:02 PM

Good grief, that yarn could almost get me interested in eating more veggies! [g] And 'shoddy, underspun'? Pthththttttt. It looks like nice, soft, springy yarn with character to me, and came out lovely. (Although if you want more control, I'm with Marcia up there on spinning silk from the fold.)

And I can't believe I haven't pimped this book here before... I have yet to get Deb Menz's book, although I keep looking at it for future. ;) But one reason I haven't gotten around to it is because I have another wonderful book that most people overlook for color in spinning. (Because of the title, I think.) That's Diane Varney's Spinning Designer Yarn, by Interweave Press. (Reprinted in 2003; I got my copy in the 80's or so, and it's falling apart.) Yes, a goodly portion of the book is about different yarn construction - and a superb resource it is for that. All sorts of wonderful yarns, from basic to wild. But! You want color options? Ohmygawd. The first part of Varney's book is about color in spinning. Not only the basics of dyeing, but much more on blending colors via carding, then later on, by spinning method. The one picture alone of how progressive cardings will change the results of color in a yarn is enough to make you dizzy thinking of the possibilities. Better yet, she tells you how to do it with hand cards or a drum carder, before she gets into what you can do during spinning.

Go grab a copy, ASAP. I don't think you'll be disappointed, and it should prove a good complement to Menz's book. Great close-ups, so you can really see the details, marvellous yarns, gorgeous, gorgeous color combinations, and more techniques than you can shake a spindle at. It's the one book I *always* recommend someone getting, no matter how good a spinner they are.

Posted by: MonicaPDX at May 11, 2007 10:15 PM

May I have it, please?

Posted by: Susan at May 11, 2007 10:23 PM

Ha, ha. Not to worry, Dick only goes hunting his friends. Hunting WITH! I mean hunting WITH his friends!!!

Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

Posted by: Annette at May 11, 2007 10:41 PM

Love how that yarn turned out.

Posted by: KnitLunabudKnit at May 11, 2007 10:53 PM

Gorgeous! Great work spinning!!!

Posted by: Linz at May 11, 2007 11:55 PM

Lovely! Spinning is such a mystery to me. What kind of subtle gorgeousness will it become now?

Posted by: Texas Steph at May 11, 2007 11:56 PM

Heh heh heh, this entire post had me alternating between wide eyed wonder and fits of giggles, such pretty yarn, such a funny post. The violet is most beautiful.

Posted by: marianne at May 12, 2007 12:17 AM

Oooooo-ahhhhhhhh...pretty-pretty! So whatcha gonna knit with it??? Inquiring minds want to know.

Posted by: PDX at May 12, 2007 12:25 AM

Gah! Martha Stewart! My laundry could beat up her laundry any day. Hmmphf.

I have to learn to spin...especially if I get to see magic like that happen coming from my own fingers...even if it is badly done, it's lovely.

Posted by: Jen D. at May 12, 2007 1:34 AM

Both DH and I love your comment about Dick Cheney. I was chuckling to myself and he heard me and wanted to know what was so funny. Drat I found out that your talk is on the same night as DH MMM meeting but he said he wants to come and hear you too as he thinks you're so funny as well. I recruited another gal who is just learning how to knit at my dentist office. lol

Posted by: Catriona in Scarborough at May 12, 2007 1:56 AM

It looks like fresh summer squash- very appealing! One of the owners of my favorite local knit shop, Village Yarn & Tea (near Seattle), made herself a cropped raglan tee out of a very similar colorway (named Daffodil), and wore it over an olive green cami with her jeans. The affect was charming. It seemed too bright but it wasn't, if that makes sense. I remember thinking the color was not one that many people would be brave enough to try.

Posted by: Trista at May 12, 2007 2:17 AM

If I had a hit of acid, and I saw something like that, I'd probably die from sensory overload. Something like that. That would be really bad. Super bright colors scare me... it's all about the dark, cool, jewel tones.

Posted by: Convivialiddell at May 12, 2007 2:40 AM

What an enjoyable blog. I haven't ever spun, but something about this post in particular makes me want to give it a try sometime. Your photos are excellent as well, and I especially love the aesthetics of the closing shot.

Beautiful finished product!

Best,
firefly

Posted by: firefly at May 12, 2007 7:10 AM

I like the complimentary color flower there...

Posted by: Cirilia at May 12, 2007 8:19 AM

Isn't the whole pre-dyed roving/spinning thing amazing? Magical alchemy, I tell you. That roving may have scared me off too except for the fact that I'm just-barely experienced enough in spinning now to have faith in a positive, surprising outcome. Look what you ended up with...I rest my case!

Posted by: runswithscissors at May 12, 2007 8:41 AM

I am just constantly amazed at your talents. I have a wheel on loan from a friend and have some roving and don't have the first clue about what I'm doing. My library lacks woefully in the fiber arts department, the local spinning guild meets at 10 a.m. on Wednesday afternoons, and it's rather frustrating! I just need to pin down a friend who has a little weekend time to spend spinning with me.

Thanks for sharing your spin-venture. The colors are gorgeous. And the singles (and the 2 ply) rock!

Posted by: Yvonne at May 12, 2007 10:18 AM

Wonderful pictures and laugh-out-loud commentary. (Shall we pray for the blinded innocents?) I love how the skein ended up with little flecks of organic green in it.

I have decided I will work backwards to spinning, then keep going backwards to raising the animals. Last week I did Kool-Aid dyeing, and I can tell it won't be long before I venture to the spinning. Thanks for putting all the beautiful (though challenging) goals right up in front of us!

Posted by: Beth in WI at May 12, 2007 10:50 AM

How dare you dis that lovely yarn? Designers charge extra for thos unique, hand-crafted elements. If YOU don't like it, send it to me and I will give it a good home and much love.

Honestly, it's beautiful yarn, and for your first venture spinnning silk, you did wonderfully!

Looking forward to your visit to Portland on June 8!

Posted by: Roxie at May 12, 2007 11:06 AM

Happy Mom's day!!!

Posted by: PDX at May 12, 2007 11:58 AM

please, Stephanie, I second this... You've got so much to say...

"Please consider writing something for this:

http://www.cbc.ca/thisibelieve/contribute.html

I think you have a point of view (or several!) that should be shared with a wider audience.

Posted by: Chris at May 11, 2007 5:33 PM'

Posted by: Marg at May 12, 2007 1:00 PM

Those colors actually do make me hungry as well...
The colors seems like some yummy indian spicy cooking...

Posted by: Tekopp at May 12, 2007 2:47 PM

Truly beautiful - colors I can relate too and seem to go with your them of 70's appliance colours.

Posted by: Teri at May 12, 2007 3:02 PM

Spinning and I have a love-hate relationship. I love it, it hates me. I love fiber, but throwing up bits of it into the air aggravates my allergies. So I must love roving and spindles vicariously. Sigh.

At least I can take solace in my veggie kabobs. :)

Posted by: Laura B at May 12, 2007 3:56 PM

Now that is intersting, to see a roving I would never buy being turned into yarn I would happily stop and sniff (and buy if funds allowed). Just goes to show you never can tell from a roving just how it will turn out.

Posted by: Badger at May 12, 2007 5:41 PM

Since I sew, knit and crochet, I love all of the colors - before and after. Unfortunately, I cannot dye or spin, although I would love to. I can see the silk in a down-to-there decolette neckline halter top evening dress. Then, to make up for the lack of beets in the fabric, do heavy garnet jewelry with it. Yummy! (couldn't help myself)

Posted by: BrendaP at May 12, 2007 6:17 PM

I just started spinning, so much to learn about plying and colour theory that I took many times in college is coming in handy now.

Posted by: Shell at May 12, 2007 6:20 PM

I'ma smellin da screen..but nothin. I love violets and I haven't smelled one for agesss. Nice yarn, too!

Posted by: Ruth at May 12, 2007 7:33 PM

I know zilch about spinning, but I know gorgeous yarn when I see it. Pass the veggies, please.

Posted by: cindyc in tennessee at May 12, 2007 9:14 PM

Love your blog for the inspiration it always provides. Thinking I need to get the antique wheel working some silk very shortly!

Posted by: Amy at May 13, 2007 12:19 AM

that is some SERIOUSLY beautiful yarn. i am in love with that bright yellow colorway!

Posted by: joyce at May 13, 2007 1:43 AM

Happy mothers day from the states!

Posted by: tonya leach-trickel at May 13, 2007 6:55 AM

Happy Mother's Day!

Posted by: Michelle at May 13, 2007 9:54 AM

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Posted by: myriam at May 13, 2007 10:05 AM

I wanted to wish you a happy mom's day
your blog brings a lot of sunny shine into what I
sometimes think of as a gray day.
thanks lori in florida

Posted by: lori at May 13, 2007 10:59 AM

Wow - what a difference that made in the colour. It looks really great - I have to tell you, I have bought silk yarns that look just as finished as yours. I don't think your spinning is as bad as you think it is.
Try saying that 3 times fast!

Posted by: Miss Scarlett at May 13, 2007 11:44 AM

An amazing transformation, and the blinding color turns into a jewel-bright color instead! I'm not a spinner myself and am fascinated to see what comes off the wheels of others.

FYI, I recently revived my long-neglected tiny knitblog and added links to my favorite knitblogs in the sidebar. Had to include the Yarn Harlot, of course. ;o) I don't comment very frequently but read faithfully.

Posted by: Carolyn Bahm at May 13, 2007 12:07 PM

Happy Mother's Day from one mom of three girls to another. Relax, and knit lots today. Sir Washie can have the day off too, unless one of those lovely girls wants to endear herself....... Perhaps Martha has a website one could refer to for (seriously) detailed laundry instructions.

Posted by: barbinvic at May 13, 2007 1:15 PM

I understand that it's not a Candian holiday but it's sort like Day of the Dead if you have Mexican neighbors? It spills over into your yard, too, but in a good way.

So ... Happy Mother's Day. I hereby declare that Sir Washie has the day off.

Unless you want to felt something.

Posted by: dez at May 13, 2007 1:25 PM

I hereby stand corrected. I have been informed that it is indeed Mother's Day in Canada today ... DH and I had it in our heads that Canadian Mother's Day must be later, on a different Sunday, or perhaps in June, what with spring dawdling on its way up North. Later ... you know ... to assure that brunch and flower-related activities are not interfered with by hockey or skiing or other snow-related things.

Why do I feel that I have just made a major gaffe in my application for Canadian citizenship? lesson learned!

Posted by: dez at May 13, 2007 2:19 PM

Happy Mother's Day!! Hope your knitting or gardening or spinning or whatever makes you happy!!

Posted by: Kristina at May 13, 2007 3:52 PM

It's gorgeous - it looks like it's going to be fun to knit. My favourite colours are in the 'veg' family.

Posted by: Luba at May 13, 2007 7:55 PM

The silk is beautiful. It will make such a nice accent for spring and summer. Enjoy.

Posted by: Cableneedle in New Mexico at May 13, 2007 9:48 PM

I'd've been spinning it to accentuate the brightness. But then, subtlety has never been my suit with the long pants....

Posted by: Kate Sanderson at May 14, 2007 8:30 AM

i hope you had a wonderful mother's day at your place, and the same to all the mothers who stop by: happy spring, and armloads of colourful/delicious veg/flowers/yarn...

Posted by: kelli ann at May 14, 2007 8:52 AM

Darn you, Harlot!

Now, thanks to your witty commentary and shots of brilliant roving, I, too, wish to begin spinning. I am inspired by your tenacity and the fact that anything, simply ANYTHING is possible with yarn. I need to find a spinning class.

My husband is not going to be pleased about this. (He does appreciate the ongoing sock adventures, however... :-) !!!)

Posted by: Mimi at May 14, 2007 9:56 AM

Very nice, I'm impressed with how you got the colors to tone down.
I'm absolutely in love with Abby's fiber, it's a joy to spin. I drool over her blog regularly :)
Silk is fun to work with, but you have to twist the heck out of it to make up for its slipperiness. Keep playing!

Posted by: Michelle at May 14, 2007 10:33 AM

Isn't Abby's stuff great?! I love her sock batts: blends of superwash and silk.

Posted by: Aimee at May 14, 2007 12:09 PM

First of all, it's gorgeous.

Second of all, I don't know if you saw it, but that is the exact color combination I made my crazy/bulky leg warmers out of. The kind of leg warmers that make me look like I belong on a Muppet Show monster sketch. Needless to say, I love them, and if you're dyeing of curiosity now, they're linked in my sidebar.

Posted by: LauraA at May 15, 2007 1:31 AM

Oh Stephanie! I've been reading your blogs for a long time and I've never commented before, but I really want you to know what a delight it is to come home after a stressful (or not) day at the office and hit your website. You have such an uncanny ability to make something out of nothing (who would think reading about stepping on a toy would be entertaining?), as all good entertainers do. Such a pleasure. Continue on, friend. As an aside, the spun yarn really is beatiful. You have many talents.

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