Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks's topics - tribe.net

post a pic of your...

2008-08-08T17:43:08Z

wheel...
loom...
needles...
self...
we want to see! I put one of my wheels up as main photo, but will change as people post new ones...

: )

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 6 replies

Mach 1 by SpinOlutions

2008-08-06T20:53:07Z

I am now the proud owner of one of these, just brought it home today!

If you've never heard of one, go to YouTube and type in SpinOlutions for their demo video.

Designed by mechanical engineers who live with spinners. I REALLY like this wheel. All the gadgets you have to pay extra for on a traditional or travelling wheel (if you can even get them at all) are standard on this one.

Finally, I have a wheel I'll actually use! My Babe Fiber Starter is in Manhattan starting a new life with a happy family.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

cable question

2008-08-06T04:52:52Z

I am learning cables. I have the basic concept down, but have come across a direction that I don't totally grasp.
It's the Princess Mitts pattern here: http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/pottercraftnews/nov07/pattern.html

The first cable says this, "Slip 3 sts to cn and hold to back (got that part), slip purl st from cn back to left hand needle and purl (this is the part I'm not sure of), knit 2 from cn (got this part, too.)"

What I don't get is this; the 3 sts that get slipped to the cn are K K P, from right to left. When you slip the P back to the left needle, it would be the last st on the cn? Is that correct? I.e., you slip the P off and purl from left to right and then knit the 2K from right to left?

Thanks to whom ever can help with this!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 8 replies

Welcome granddauthers of spiderwoman!!

2008-08-01T21:41:41Z

I read something like that somewhere...it sticks in my mind. I used to think I was the only big weirdo who felt that working in fiber was more than the physical activity of making stuff and a lonely granddaughter in recognizing the spiritual connection in working in this traditional woman's art form...I AM so happy that I was wrong!!

The first time I realized it was when I noticed that the Barbara Walker knitter and Barbara Walker writer of many women's feminist spiritual books were indeed one in the same woman! Then I ran acrosss The Knitting Sutra and I felt such joy!! I really like meeting all of you belly dancing/fiber people! What a sisterhood!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

whoooooo arrrrrr U?

2008-07-31T01:32:18Z

We have 110 members! YAY!!! I know many of you, but not all!

so tell us about yerselves!!!

ok I'll start

I'm Elizabeth, I spin, knit, sew, weave, crochet, make dinner & belly dance...next!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 19 replies

you tube videos!

2008-07-16T02:35:20Z

OMFG!!!
I love You tube! I couldn't remember how to warp my inkle loom and was just looking al all these pegs wondering..."ok...how do you do this again?"
So I started looking in books and all the pictures had looms where the tension bar was in a different place than mine, so I decided to google the Beka rigid heddle loom and I ran across you tube instructional videos.

I know I know everyone else already knew about this but I didn't!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPMUszodRH0&feature=related

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

warping the loom!!!

2008-07-03T22:38:46Z

I'm so tired from a big weekend of traveling and dancing that I'm going to let myself take it easy and warp a loom! I think something quick and easy would be good, like placemats! Yay!!!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

magazine trade

2008-07-02T14:24:54Z

Hi All,
I would like to get my hands on some back issues of knit/spin/fiber magazines. if anyone has a stash that they want to liberate or trade, I have a pile of VegNews and Piecework that I'd be happy to share.

My favorite mags are Interweave Knits, Knitscene and Spin Off but I'm open to everything.

Let me know and we can exchange addresses. Thanks!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

what's this I hear about

2008-06-12T19:35:19Z

wanting to start up our little local chapter or belly dance fiber meetings???

Gigi aka Georgina said she wants to start meeting...anyone else for my house say Wednesday mornings around 11?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 5 replies

knitty issue

2008-06-12T19:34:02Z

I think the Shetland shorty in the new knitty issue would be perfect out of some cotton handspun. Take a look...
http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTshetlandshorty.html

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

leaving for the U.K.

2008-05-19T17:40:25Z

I'm leaving for nine days so I won't be here...not that you guys need a moderator as this is the nicest and friendliest of tribes! Ah the sad thing I learned last year when I was in Scotland...is that the world has become so small that the yarn shops there have the exact same stuff as the yarn shops here! I will look again though to see if I can find unusual and wonderful goodies!

love & hugs!!!
E

p.s. I kind of lie about the yarn shops there was one in St. Andrews it had handmade clothing that you can't find here & I bought a very expensive coat.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 0 replies

ahhh...summer knitting

2008-05-19T17:36:26Z

it's nice isn't it? knitting in handspun cotton and linen...or nice socks for when the air conditioning has gone and made your house freezing cold! Not that I advocate using the ac, it's so wasteful & bad for the environment! But ya know I'm having hot flashes lately and I have to use something...

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 0 replies

Now I'm in trouble!

2008-05-08T18:10:06Z

I just found out about this Plucky fluff website from Kris (aka Ziza). We've been getting together weekly and spinning and enjoying the spring time in my backyard.

I had no idea that people were doing such fun things with their spinning! I have tried to put beads onto my yarn before, with minimal success but these yarns are incredible. I immediate bought the her book Intertwined, and have been drooling (while sick all day yesterday) over the yarns. And since I felt better today, I immediately died some really dull greyish/brown alpaca that someone gave me a dark blackish plum. Next I'm going to dig up all the mohair & various fibers that people have given me over the years and just keep dyeing them and then I'll start making batts on the drum carder! Not to mention all the beads I've been stashing for years and years and haven't know what to do with! I'm so excited I can hardly believe it!

So I also ordered her other book today. Yippeee!!! Thanks Kris! here's the website...
http://www.pluckyfluff.com/yarn.html

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 9 replies

socks, circs, two at a time

2008-05-05T15:39:57Z

Well, I finished my first pair of socks with the Maizy yarn. I had to reknit the first sock because it was large enough to fit a Mammoth. As I suspected, the second sock was still a bit loose and I hit my gauge stride on the third sock. So, they are not quite the same size, but manageable. Haven't worn them yet.
I also knit a pair of mitts on one long circ, Magic Loop style. Very cool and a great way to avoid Second Sock Syndrome (not so much that I dont want to knit the second one, more that they come out the same gauge.
I made a sample sock from Cat Bordhis "architecture." Very weird but worth pursuing.
I am also working on a dance sweater that Quinn made me a pattern for. So far so good and I will be happy to show it off at TF09, I hope.
Anyhoo, thanks all who have contributed tips and tricks on my knitting journey. Really enjoying myself.
Oh, also have a project on the Ashford Knitters Loom (rigid heddle) but haven't done much Charkha spinning.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

Got goat? Need some brainstorming!

2008-04-19T15:09:30Z

I have Derry a Nubian/Angora goat. She has the long spiral locks that are so pretty. I'm clipping them intact and washing them (carefully) and I plan to make tassels with them as the center and beading and spun yarn around to hold the lock. In my mind this would look great! I am washing as careful as possible, and gosh is she a stinky goat! Phew!
I have dried them and gently combed them. I have got a lot of fibers pulling out but most stay in place, though a bit fuzzy. I have found one place that has Cotswold locks I may try in the future. Anybody try washing and combing and keeping the locks all together? Anything to calm the fuzz and get that pretty curl again?
What were your results? How about Cotswold? Any help is gratefully accepted!
;-D
Kathy

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 18 replies

Knitting crisis...

2008-04-19T06:58:58Z

So a long while ago I started the Twisted Float Cocoon Shrug by Annie Modesitt.

This is what I have so far:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/ladyravenchilde/Spinstitch%20Spiderwoman/IMG_3686.jpg

It's gorgeous laying flat, but I really hate how it looks on. I don't have a picture of my own being worn, but here's a picture of someone else's:

http://static.flickr.com/63/195147364_97beaa330c.jpg

You can see, it gets all ruffle-y in the front, and I just hate it. For some reason, I never noticed that before I started making it. I have been trying to avoid frogging the whole thing, but I've just been staring at it for months.

I need some ideas. What can one do with a flat knitted circle? How can I salvage this?

P.S. I've already thought of: table-cloth, blanket, shawl. I think a table-cloth would be a waste of some really soft yarn. It could do as a blanket but I'm saving that as a last resort. Ditto on the idea of making it bigger and folding it in half as a shawl.

Hopefully,
~Ilyena~

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

netflix for fiber freaks!!!

2008-04-18T23:54:46Z

http://smartflix.com/store/category/101/Spinning-Weaving

got it from my fiber hall list on yahoo!!! wheehooo!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

pirate yarns

2008-04-16T18:35:39Z

So along the lines of the Lexi Broeger books & inspiration...yesterday I took a break from Tribal Caravan insanity and prepared a batt. I used Black merino roving & a bunch of random crimson wool that I had cleaned & dyed, cuttings from my serger of bits of black & red lace and skull & cross bone fabric from Robert's pirate pj's, and also black & white striped fabric from pants I was commissioned to sew, and ran it through my drum carder, it's really cool looking! I didn't take a picture of the batt, but I spun it up...I'll have to find the camera and take a picture of the yarn.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

buttonhole in circular knitting?

2008-04-10T20:40:56Z

I've been screwing around all morning trying to remember how to make buttonhole in circular knitting. For reference, it's for a thumbhole in a pair of simple mitts so any other technique is welcome as well.
I found the buttonhole video on knittinghelp.com, but it's for a one row technique that turns the work.
I tried the bind off that she shows (which is very neat and clean with a wrap stitch reinforcement) but then the working yarn is still on the right needle when the bind off finishes to the left.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 19 replies

Stage names?

2008-04-07T18:25:05Z

For those of you with stage names:
When did you give yourself a name? Was it when you started dancing, performing or another time?
Why did you take the name you did?
I'm going to X-post this question to see what other tribes say too!
Thanks!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

Ravelry!

2008-03-28T16:56:21Z

I got my invitation and have joined but I have to go to Orange County for the day and can't stay home and play : ( Maybe I can find a nice yarn shop there....hmmmm

oh yeah, I'm ElizArtist like I am everywhere...it's easier to be the same name...

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

Spinning day!!

2008-03-27T23:38:18Z

Kris & I had a spinning day at my house today. It was really nice in the backyard until the bees came swarming over the roof and we had to run inside! Now there is a lovely strawberry shaped beehive hanging in the Acacia tree over my deck! Kris finished up some random bits of spinning and plying and I worked on the BORING beige karakul that I will have to dye because it's such a dull color....blah!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

process or product?

2008-03-19T16:35:43Z

what kind of knitter/crocheter/crafter are you? is it about the process of the craft or the end result?

enquiring minds want to know!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 18 replies

Navajo 3-Ply on Spindle

2008-03-14T15:39:49Z

I know some people on this board have been looking for ways to use the Navajo 3-Ply technique when you aren't using a wheel. Someone on Ravelry posted this link to a video of a gal breaking down this technique on a drop spindle ... thought it might be helpful. :)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1205956405787252867&pr=goog-sl

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

the weaver's garden

2008-03-12T18:51:11Z

Ok it's a little hard to stay inside and do anything with the weather being soooo incredibly beautiful, I'm sure many of you are feeling this too! Is anyone growing dye plants or anything for spinning/weaving???

I'm growing cotton! It's doing quite well. I have to go to Orange county and take care of my mom today but tomorrow I'll try to remember to post pics of my cotton plants.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

oh my lawd!

2008-03-08T04:42:13Z

a place for belly dancers who spin and knit/crochet????? *heaven is smiling at me*

:) Hiya!
I'm Zira, from Salem Oregon. I've been knitting for 5 years, crocheting for 3, and spinning for 4. I have only ever used a drop spindle, but I imagine if I ever get around to buying a wheel, My life will cease to exist as I know it and I will spend my days creating loveliness to be compared with pink peppercorns and pippi knee socks' stuff, because thats the type of yarn I adore.

I've been bellydancing a few years and am a member of troupe Zephyr, out of Salem as well. :)

Nice to bump into other dancing fiber nuts!!!!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 6 replies

Got my wheel up

2008-03-07T00:10:15Z

Finally pulled my old Norwegian out of the garage and the Mother- Of -All out of a box, and put it back together.
It was a little stiff, but not bad for being out of use for at least 15 years.
The leather thingie that connects the treadle to the footman broke but i got some cord to replace it.

My daughter is learning to spin on it now, tho it's maybe not the best wheel for a beginner. It's a flax wheel and has a high ratio, so it goes pretty fast, but she's doing her best with it.
i want to teach her how to chochet maybe too.
She's been wantig to learn to sew, but i have no room to put up another machine, and I use mine a lot, so I worry about it getting broken.

I think learning to spin will be fun for her.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

photo gallery

2008-03-02T22:55:47Z

Hey ladies! I feel like the gallery hog! Someone else post something...anything...it's easy...
Carolena! Someone!!!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

Insane? Anyone else?

2008-02-28T17:03:29Z

I bought a pound of flax seeds...

Have this idea that I am going to plant my back yard full of it, then learn how to process it for spinning.
This may be the stupidest idea I have ever had.

Has anyone actually processed flax that they grew? Were you able to spin it or did it just end up in the compost pile?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

how to crochet a star?

2008-02-26T21:35:34Z

Hi All,
I've been busy with thread! Still haven't figured out the Navajo 3 Ply technique but I am bound and determined to find a way to manage the thread I'm spinning on the charkha.
In the meantime I am delving into crochet. I will get to knitting eventually, but I've found that I like crochet because it's only one needle and you can't drop stitches. :)
I also bought an Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom, they call it the Knitter's Loom I guess because they want it to appeal to crafters who might knit a scarf in an afternoon with a fancy yarn. I've been too intimidated to thread my Baby Wolf loom, too many years without using has made me forget how (anyone who wants to come to my house and show me is welcome, I'll make tea!) So, the Ashford is perfect for now. Very easy to understand and use.
Speaking of Ashford, I noticed on their website that they have a RETREAT! Gah...can't go this year but I will jump through a hoop on fire to go in 2009 if they offer it again.
OK, the reason that I'm posting: I want to learn how to crochet a star. Like in the crown of a hat, or on a pair of fingerless mitts. A star that is connected to the body of a garment. Can anyone help? Please bear in mind that I am a beginning crochter. I can understand anything if you show it to me but I am pretty low functioning on crochetese directions.
Thanks!! Nice to see you all again.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 13 replies

Cant Sleep

2008-02-26T01:44:18Z

Ive picked up my knitting needles again after a year or so and when I get into bed after working a bazillion hours a day, I cant stop knitting. I knit for hours til I fall into a coma. Nothing fancy, just arm warmers - but I cant stop. Anyone else have this problem?

Now I have to force myself to not do it and go to sleep like a normal person and not wake up at noon. Bad for bizness!
:)

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

so who else?

2008-02-18T21:00:21Z

How many of you are in troupes with other fiber folk?

In our group (She'enedra) there's me & Ayse, Heidi can knit & crochet but doesn't do it much, I'm not sure about the other girls. I know they like the results of our work, but I'm not sure if they actually practice it.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

Introducing myself

2008-02-18T20:58:13Z

Hi, I'm Hastings and I'm a wool freak :) My Great-grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 5 (started with potholders) and I stuck with that for quite awhile. Then I discovered needle felting about 5 years ago and it became a gateway craft.. I mean, once you have 3 or 4 fleeces just hanging about you may as well dye, wet felt, and spin, right?

I'm also a seamstress by trade so my poor husband has just embraced the fact that in case of emergency we will never be cold and can use the wool and fabric for additional insulation.

We're in the process of possibly moving out to my father-in-law's land-- trying to rezone to subdivide now. They already keep my chickens but once we move we will be able to raise sheep. He's sweetened the deal by building a giant out building for his office. The upstairs has quite a bit of extra space and he asked me at Thanksgiving if I had ever considered weaving. "There would be plenty of room for a loom up there."

Oh, dancing. I've been dancing ATS about a year now and I love it. I took a break in the middle to have my little boy but was back dancing about 3 weeks after his water birth. He's 6 months old today :)

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

NATURAL DYES

2008-02-17T07:26:53Z

a textile studio called EARTHUES in seattle specializes in natural dyes. you can buy color kits, indigo kits or seperate color extract. its an ancient process and all their dyes are organic and fairly bought. indigo, madder, logwood grey, logwood purple, cochineal, weld, fustic, cutch, quebracho red are just some of the dyes that they have. they come from the earth and are non toxic! you can call their studio if you have natural dye questions! love life and the earth
EARTHUES
www.earthues.com
206.789.1065
PEACE PANCAKES

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

Bellydancing veils??

2008-02-15T01:56:04Z

Hi all! I do a lot of hand dyeing of silk scarves and have a source for silk bellydancing veils (45"x108" semi-circular, 8mm Habatoi silk). My question to all of you is this: Is there a market for hand-dyed silk bellydancing veils? If so, and if you were to think of purchasing one, what sort of design or embellishment would you like to see on them? I'm not a belly dancer, so I'm kinda in the dark on this one.

Thanks in advance!
Becky D. in Indiana

P.S. If this post is inappropriate, my apologies.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

video

2008-02-12T17:33:04Z

I'm trying to find that funny video that someone posted on knitting vs. crocheting and I can't figure out what thread it was in does anyone else remember that???

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 0 replies

labels

2008-02-12T15:28:23Z

Anyone have a source for custom printed fabric labels? Something that might say, for instance, "Made by Auntie Carolena with Love"

;)

thanks!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 5 replies

how to calculate

2008-02-11T03:55:25Z

OK, I know this is supposed to be easy but..
I have 150 yards of recycled sari yarn. I want to knit a piece 18" square. If I run out of yarn I'm sunk because the colorway is one of a kind.
The yarn size is "4 sts/1 inch" my needles are #9/5/5 ml

So, how do I determine if I have enough yarn for the project. I know there is some give and take around how tight or loose my actual stitches will be.

thanks!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 7 replies

A spinner's garden

2008-02-08T22:48:27Z

I have got 4 cotton plants growing finally!!! I'm so excited I have had trouble growing them the last few years because I have rats that like to eat my garden goodies & chicken feed. But I found out from Elaine Hallman last year when she came to give us a workshop that cotton plants are poisonous, so the poor rats, must have died (I wouldn't want that). But what I did was open up my gate to let the dogs run around the garden so they could chase off any rodents or make it unpleasant for them to live there. And it seems to have worked some what. So YES 4 cotton plants!
I predict having an over abundance of home grown organic cotton in the near future!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 6 replies

Newbie here! How cool is this!?

2008-02-07T17:32:35Z

Hello to all,
I just found Tribe a couple of days ago, and joined a tribe for belly dancing. I was plinking around the lists of tribes and I found you guys! What are the chances I would find other folks that spin AND belly dance!?!? I guess I'm not so weird after all! ;-P
My name is Kathy and I just started dancing last week and already love it! I have been spinning (wheel and spindle) for about two years, though I don't do it enough. I have three boys, a hubby and lots of critters, including llamas and sheep to spin. So glad to have found you!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 7 replies

at Hips of Fury

2008-02-06T22:47:54Z

I saw Cynthia (of Alamkara) walk in with her inkle loom, she had it all set up with card weaving on it! It's very interesting how many belly dancers I meet who are also fiber people!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 7 replies

netflix?

2008-02-06T20:58:13Z

Does anyone know if Netflix carries any fiber arts dvds? I've looked under hobbies and found nothing..

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 9 replies

guilds

2008-02-06T05:01:34Z

Does anyone belong to one? I still belong to the Ventura County guild...it is a great resource with a library you wouldn't believe and equipment to borrow and the best part is elders who've been doing our craft for so very long.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

Any one spin Dog hair?

2008-01-29T01:51:47Z

I used to long ago. Even done Wolf hair, courtesy of a rescue org.
My biggest project was to spin and weave a King size bedspread (was going to say 'Afghan' but couldn't keep a straight face) out of Samoyed dog hair.
It's nice to work with, a lot like cashmere or camel. You use the soft undercoat from brushing - you don't shear them.
My Salukis have no undercoat to speak of, but my Kangal is a fur machine. I'm brushing out huge clumps of hair. i thought maybe i should save it, but i hardly have time to spin now. Maybe someone else wants it?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 5 replies

post pics etc...

2008-01-24T18:44:24Z

Hey all!
I just posted some pictures of things I've made...a while back ok but whatever!!! I hope you all feel free to show things you've made, I would love to see. And to post other stuff too! I'd love to hear what you are doing this winter!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 0 replies

Almost shearing season

2008-01-21T21:56:51Z

Ahoy!
Is anyone interested in raw wool? I have a small herd of FinnishLandraceXShetland Sheep. Very soft, in many colors. Depending on cold weather, I will be shearing late next month.
I am also interested in possibly reducing herd size but only to good homes. So here I am looking to the spinning/craftly people to see if anyone may be interested?
Thanks,
Sahara Christine
Hermiston Oregon

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

suggestions?

2008-01-11T19:35:36Z

i just finished a spinning project, and i now have on my hands about 1100 yds of DK-ish weight handspun. it's a pretty aqua-colored wool-mohair blend. i'd like to use it all up in one project, preferably a wearable, but i'm having a hard time finding something that matches up right.

do any of you fashionable gals know of a project this might work for? at this point, truly any and all suggestions would be appreciated ...

thanks, dancers!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

fiber resolutions???

2008-01-04T23:27:30Z

Anyone?
I have one, it's one I've had for quite a few years and have NOT followed through on!!! Horrible of me! It's that I want to weave a blanket for my king sized bed...I know it's kind of a big goal as well as a big blanket...but every year when it's cold in L.A. for all 10 minutes I think I want a wool blanket that I made by myself! When will I do it? maybe in 2008...

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 0 replies

thanks LIz and 3 ply

2007-12-18T17:53:30Z

Just wanted to say thank you to Elizabeth for the yarn! Sandi handed my two balls of handpun, 2-ply cotton last night! Can't wait to play with it!
Very thoughtful of you.
I wrote to Eileen Hallman for directions on the Navajo 3-ply and here they are. Haven't tried it yet, I hope I can figure it out:
First, it’s a crochet chain stitch.
1. Place your yarn on a table a little distance from you, so that you can easily pull the yarn toward you.
2. Pull the end of the strand toward you in your left hand
3. Make as if you are going to grasp something with three fingers on your right hand, and make a loop around those three fingers on your right hand with the left, folding the yarn back on itself. The loop should be big, but under light tension.
4. Grasp the strand with the left hand so that you have encircled the right; the right hand should be closer to you than the left, and the left now has the strand & it’s beginning in your left fingers.
5. Fold the loop back on itself, away from you, bringing your left hand toward you and moving your right, inside the loop, toward the source.
6. You should see a loop and the strand coming from your yarn source. With those 3 fingers on your right hand, grasp the strand coming from the source and pull it through the loop.
7. Keep pulling your left hand away from the source, and keep pulling the strand through the loop you are making.
8. When your left arm is not long enough, keep hold of what’s in the right hand (you can park the loop on a finger) and let go of the left to allow the yarn to ply back on itself. Attach that yarn to your spindle and keep on making loops and pulling the yarn through.
Once you get going, it’s pretty easy. Keep some tension on both the strand coming from the source and the loop—if it all gets too floppy, you will have trouble doing it.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

Attack Of The MothZZZZZ!!!!

2007-12-11T22:44:20Z

ACK!!!
Need some help here! So for Thanksgiving, instead of cooking, we cleaned and organized. I got all my art crap put into bins' etc. Much to my horror and chagrin I found that moths had gotten into my stash. :(
I've never had this problem before having lived with hardwood floors most of my life.
What to do? I cleaned all the critter leavings from my rovings...(I did notice that the more expensive the fiber, the more they seemed to like it, natch,) and I put everything into ziplocks. So 2 questions; Are my rovings still useable if they've only been nibbled on a little? And, how do I keep my investment critter free? Is lavender enough of a deterent?

I'm throughly cheezed. :(

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 5 replies

holiday gifts

2007-12-11T22:43:17Z

Is anyone making gifts for the holidays? Any suggestions or ideas to share? I'd love to hear what you are doing.
I am knitting my daughter some over the knee socks...they are taking a long long time!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 7 replies

Knitty

2007-12-06T09:46:49Z

the new issue of knitty is up so I'm going to leave now!!! but I wanted to tell ya'll that there's an article from Twisted sister Lynne Vogel on color combining and using up your stash!!!
and here's one of her great ideas make a moebius wrap with that stash! I haven't done any moebius for a while...anyone else?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

winter

2007-12-05T20:30:17Z

Well you know winter in Southern California is unpredictable it goes from sunny & warm to cold & sometimes it's even wet one day after the other. Today is sunny and nice, but still the cooler days make me feel lonely and aching for a knitting/spinning/fiber group! I miss that. But I want one made up of my positive and creative belly dance friends...
Anyone want to join me once a week? We can meet at my house or I DO drive ya know!!! I have a car and will go to L.A. and we can meet at a coffee house or something...

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

fluff and roving

2007-11-29T01:49:09Z

I came home from work today to find a box with 5 ounces of freshly carded alpaca fiber on my doorstep (ordered a while back and forgot about it!).

The woman I bought it from carded it for me but she didn't pull it into roving. Is there more to "pulling fiber into roving" than physically pulling it out into long strips? What else will I need to do with this before I can spin it? I work with a top whorl drop spindle if that makes any difference.

I'm so excited to make something with it!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

WPI gauge

2007-11-28T20:48:49Z

does anybody know of a good place (online) to get a pretty WPI gauge? i'm kind of thinking it would be cool to have one made out of nice wood that i could maybe wear around my neck when i'm spinning ...

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

ning migration...

2007-11-26T17:20:17Z

*chuckle*

Just wanted to let you know I migrated over here from the ning site. Made me notice that I'd been settled into a bit of an old routine here at tribe... visting the same places and not looking around much at what else was here. A bit of a fresh zing from Ning could be a good thing in more ways than I thought!

;-)

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

New knitting needles!!!

2007-11-14T22:51:35Z

KnitPicks.com has a great new product! Options Harmony Circular interchangeable and also Double Pointed needle sets in multi colored wood! The circulars are 5.99 up to 9.99 (depending on size) and the double points are 6.99 to 9.99. They're shipping is reliable and quick. Their phone # is 1-800-574-1323. They are extremely well made. For those of you who collect needles, these are beautiful.Check them out!!!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 7 replies

Alternate place

2007-11-09T19:47:46Z

So I started a group on the Tribe Refugee Bellydancers site that Holly started...here is the url...feel free to join me in case tribe dies on us!!!
http://triberfugeebellydancers.ning.com/group/bellydancinghandspinningfiberfreaks

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 0 replies

cotton spinning wuz up?

2007-11-05T20:23:29Z

So how is it? Are you getting tons done?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 10 replies

Turkish Crochet/Greek Lace--

2007-11-05T20:20:01Z

I belong to a knitting/crochet Meetup group and one of the ladies posted the following. I'm hoping some of you might be able to help.
Isiris
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A friend and I are both trying to find source
material on learning a Turkish crochet/lace technique.

We both want to learn this Turkish form of crochet
lace called Oya, Oyasi and Oyalari lace, sometimes
called Bebilla lace in Greece. We cannot find any
books on the topic here in the United States.

I am very interested in obtaining a book/s
(preferrably two, one for me, and one for my friend)
on the topic... pattern books. How-to books. Is it
possible for you to find these books for me?
Preferrably with English in them? I am very anxious to
learn this technique, and there are no older Turkish
ladies to teach it (it seems as if it is a "dying" art
form).

I have gone to Amazon.com to try to search it, and
have come up with no results.

I have zero connection with the Greek or Turkish
communities, and was wondering if you were able to
help me find any type of pattern book, how to book, or
anything else that might assist me in learning this
technique [for instance, would you know of any Greek
bookstores or any older women at church or in your
family who might know this technique or know of
someone who does?].

Eagerly looking forward to any replies anyone might
be able to offer on this technique!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

found it!

2007-10-03T23:24:32Z

here is a website with lots of spinning videos....
this is the page with Navajo ply done on a wheel.
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/spin-navajo-ply.shtml

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

Plant & manmade fibers

2007-10-01T19:44:35Z

I was browsing through the Woodland woolworks catalog and found they have 2 pages of non animal top to spin.
There's fake cashmere top
nylon top-those are for blending with wool
soy silk made from waste after the tofu making process which they say you can dye with Landscape dyes (I like these dyes, very easy to use)
organic cotton of course
Peruvian cottons
Hemp
Flax
Bamboo top- one that is produced without chemicals or pesticides!
Ingeo- which is made from corn but difficult to dye
www.woolworks.com
the catalog is very useful with tips on handling different fibers etc

geez these people ought to give me a discount! haha

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

your LYS!

2007-09-24T16:51:44Z

So during Tribal Cafe weekend we took a "field trip" to the LYS and I'm thinking that we can gather information here from anyone who lives near a belly dance festival about their Local Yarn Shops. Here are the ones in my neighborhood,
for Tribal Caravan-
Anacapa Fine Yarns
4572 Telephone Road #909
Ventura, CA 93003
805-654-9500
www.anacapafineyarns.com
-my personal favorite although it is the farthest of the LYS's in proximity to Tribal Caravan. Yes, I used to work there and ocassionally teach a knitting class there, but here's why I list it. It's cozy and everyone there is friendly, there is a great selection of yarns and books and you can sit there for a really long time not buying anything just hanging out and eating red vines and doing your thing. Oh yeah, VERY knowledgeable staff : )

Village Knittery N More
31139 Via Colinas #201
Westlake Village, CA 91362
818-91-KNIT
805-379-0722
www.villageknitterynmore.com
Very cute 'n cozy, lots of ladies sitting around chattin', knittin' & drinking tea. Nice store friendly atmosphere.

Eva's Needlework
1321 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. #120
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

A really good shop, to me not as friendly as Anacapa but knowledgable staff and they have everything. Eva has a book out Pursenality's or something like that.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 16 replies

Wow

2007-09-17T19:09:51Z

Talked to our jewelry maker guy in Pakistan this morning.
He kept asking if I needed anything personal from there, since he was getting ready to ship our order, and I finally mentioned the Spinning wheel .
Had to send him a pic, since he wasn't sure what I was talking about - it's more a village thing.
Figured he'd have to take some time to find one, and told him not to hold the order since it's not really important, but he told me he made a special trip out to Swat and got the best one he could find.
I feel sort of bad he went to the trouble, since it's for me and not biz related, but wow, that was so nice of him.
Can't wait to see it.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

felting

2007-09-17T18:34:57Z

I did the dumbest thing in the world...
I felted my dog!
He was so dirty that I had to give him a bath and I didn't brush him first...he's a Sheltie = very long hair & under coat...and I was just going at him with the shampoo and water not even thinking I'm felting this poor guy.
Later I went out and came home and was petting him and realized he had all these clumpy dredlocks that I could not pull out because I had felted him!
Now I think he needs a shave!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

needles & accessories

2007-09-04T02:37:05Z

I am such a nut for beautiful knitting needles! I was so sad when Brittany stopped making those gorgeous walnut needles and they sell on Ebay for $50! Is everyone insane? I would love to have more but I'll buy them from a garage sale thank you!
Anyone else have beloved accessories too?

I did buy a pair of Bake lite needles off of ebay once though and they are a prized possession.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

look at all our members

2007-08-29T16:01:19Z

whodathunk there'd be so many fiber/bellydancer types in the world! It's been so quiet here! I'm trying to shake things up...
what are you making???
who are you???
how did you find us???
What do you like to make???

I'll answer my own questions...
I'm making too much stuff as usual, some costume parts for Pirate Faire. I'm knitting my hubby some new socks for his birthday gift, spinning cashmere, knitting tons of dish cloths and a large sweater...weaving a scarf.

I am Elizabeth, I started this tribe because I thought it would be fun to be in contact with other belly dancers who like to work in fiber too.
That's how I found us.

I like to make anything I can.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 5 replies

tribal cafe

2007-08-25T10:21:02Z

ok so we are planning a "Spin In" at Tribal Cafe! actually 2 of them. Carolena & I & Ayse (I'm dragging her along) will have our charka wheels with us, so who else is game???

We'll be n the lobby of the Clarion hotel at Tribal Cafe August 17th & 18th

1-2 p.m. Friday and 1-2 p.m. Saturday.

Yarn for Lunch!! HIGH FIBER!!!!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 15 replies

Ideas for things to make...

2007-08-20T05:38:34Z

So I came up with an idea for some of the lovely handspun cotton I'm collecting. I'm going to knit a choli! I think it should fit really well since it will be knit! Don't hold your breathe though, this will take a while!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 0 replies

what can i knit?

2007-08-13T18:42:45Z

I'm a belly dancer and a knitter, but have not been able to come up with a way to combine these two passions. I just made my first pair of socks (and they fit!) and have been thinking of doing an intarsia dancer on my next pair. But that doesn't seem like enough.

Have any of you knitted something for your dancing?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 4 replies

treadle sewing machines

2007-08-03T08:14:30Z

Ok so when we had the spinning workshop Carolena noticed my treadle sewing machine and said she has the same one. Does anyone else like to sew on a treadle machine? Mine is completely functioning at 103 years old, but I still haven't gotten fully into using it. I have to get a couple of things for it, mainly extra bobbins to get myself comfortably working on it, but I think it's heavy treadling. Any recommendations? Is it just that compared to a spinning wheel the treadling is going to be heavy?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 6 replies

Warping that *@#!! loom....

2007-07-30T04:40:46Z

FYI: Elizabeth has helped me and I think my loom is an old Beka rigid heddle loom.

(Warning: disjointed post.)

The Little Loom House in Louisville, KY recently bought out a yarn shop that had been out of business for a few years and never got rid of the last of the stock. Friends started weaving a year ago and drug me to the the Little Loom House this Spring. Well, I had seen the pile of garbage bags and the stuff on the shelves that needed sorting. A neighbor told me that there was an estate sale a few door away on Saturday, so I ended up purchasing some of those drawer things I hate, and taking them to the Little Loom House. I had planned to go up there Saturday to check into purchasing a small warping frame. I took my loom with me, thinking I would use one of the warping frames there and get help winding a new project on the loom. I figured I be there an hour or so.

Yeah, right. I ended up helping begin the work of sorting and rearranging the mess downstairs. About a medium sized pick-up truck's worth of rolled fabric and yarn.

Anyway, I finally got to measure out my yarn, and warp the loom. I'd have wound on, but it was closing time and the Director had plans for the afternoon. The looks she and two other experienced weavers game me as I warped that thing were interesting. With the holes in the heddle being so small, I have to use a size 10 steel crochet hook to pull the yarn through. I don't have the mounting blocks, so I sit with the heddle perpendicular to my lap and start at the middle. (Pattern? what pattern?) Then, I flip it over end to end and do the other half. I go through the hole, then the slot and pull my yarn even. Hunting for each end as I go. I will often put a phone book on either side of the heddle when I put the yarn around the finished end, to the heddle in place. This time, I used flower pots on my back porch. I trimmed the yarn and tied all of my bow knots this morning so I could start weaving another scarf.

Sally Moss, the Director, said I'm supposed to loop the yarn over one end of the loom, even them all up and wind on, THEN go through the heddle.

Any other suggestions?

http://www.littleloomhouse.org/

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

Yarn Stash

2007-07-13T22:29:42Z

I chose the screen name Yarn Addict as a joke. Now, I'm beginning to wonder. I went to the basement to see if I had some off-white baby yarn for a weaving project I was thinking about and started realizing how much yarn I actually have. I think I have a problem. I have containers in three different, but close locations in the laundry area; plus two bedrooms, the hall closet, assorted places in the living room, and a bag to go to the basement from my neice. (Half a garbage bag.)

Now, what makes this worse, is that I am debating wheter or not to go back to Hobby Lobby and buy up more black/white/gray Paton's Ci Ci to make another scarf. It's on clearance. (See photo of scarf on loom.) Everyone who has seen the scarf loves it. I've got a special order for a narrower version that will use the other two skeins I have.

I need to buy another plastic shelf unit at the hardware store (the kind that hold 250 lbs., that I think are worth buying) and try to consolidate some of the yarn in less locations.

How do some of you deal with the out of control yarn situations?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

shelly tell us about macrame

2007-07-12T18:50:46Z

I want to know!! I used to macrame when I was a kid! It was popular then...I'm dating myself again...

Will you post pics of the Unmata costumes you macrame-d?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

Weaving Help requested.

2007-07-10T16:14:21Z

I bought a used loom, without instructions, etc. Unknown brand, rigid heddle loom. It has a Beka heddle, but I think it's a very, old, brand loom that's no longer available.

My question is about buying a new heddle. This thing, heddle size unknown, is a real pain to warp. The holes are so tiny, I have to use a size 10 steel crochet hook rather than a slaying tool to warp the thing. I tried other hooks, but it takes something this small to work. Are there other styles of heddles, in other brands that will be easier to warp? I mostly want to use the thing to make scarves.

Also, what is the reccommended size of heddle to scarves? Is there a way to measure what I have so that I can figure out the dent?

Yarn history:
Crochet: 30 years.
Knit: relearned 1.5 years ago
Weaving: Less than 4 months.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 6 replies

"Idiot's guide to warping your rigid heddle" anyone???

2007-07-09T15:22:28Z

HELP ME!!! I am not getting how to do this. I have a wonderful rigid heddle (Kromski Harp) I want to get set up to weave and I cannot figure out how to do the warp and such. I read and reread and I am only getting frustrated. I know it isn't difficult so why is my brain not functioning. Aargh! I think part of the problem is I like to see how to do something and then I do it. I cannot find any video helps. Someone, anyone, help a sistah out!!!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 10 replies

photos

2007-07-03T15:34:40Z

Anyone have a photo of themselves spinning in a belly dance costume??? It would be perfect for our icon. I can't believe I forgot to snap pictures at our cotton spinning workshop!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 0 replies

tell us!

2007-06-27T18:09:44Z

So we have a 49 members now!! I'm wondering about all of you. How did you become a belly dancer and a fiber person? If you tell I'll tell!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

Cotton spinning workshop in L.A. area

2007-06-27T18:04:24Z

Hi all, I'm posting this to some of the tribes where I think there may be spinners who are interested in learning to spin cotton on a charka wheel that I am hosting a charka spinning workshop at my home on June 21 in Newbury Park, with Eileen Hallman. If you are interested please message me asap, as I'll be leaving for Europe in 2 weeks. We still have 5 spaces available for students.

I just posted that all over the place to get some sign ups I know this tribe's members know about it already! We really need some sign ups but I'm so busy it's crazy!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 20 replies

Turkish Spindle

2007-06-14T20:37:54Z

does anyone know where i might find directions for building my own turkish spindle? i'm anxious to try one (you know how the word "turkish" resonates with bellydancers), but i'm hesitant to spend the money on one.

do any of you use one often? are they awesome? :)

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 6 replies

knitting question

2007-06-14T16:23:15Z

I'm renewing my knitting skills and I have a question:
When casting on, does the "tail" get used up? I keep trying to not use it up and it keeps shrinking.
And, I found this info!

If you like pets better than people, or need to work on something your cat will approve of, try a pet blanket. Blankets make the animals more comfortable and hence more adoptable. Cat blankets should be machine washable and measure about 12”x 18”. Dog blankets should be more like 18” x 30”. This is a great way to try out a new yarn, use up the stash, play with stitch patterns etc.

Animal Care and Control, 1200 15th St., San Francisco, CA 94103.
http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/acc

Peninsula Humane Society, 12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94401.
http://www.peninsulahumanesociety.org

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 5 replies

I am leaving town

2007-06-04T11:59:14Z

I hope you all have fun while I'm gone!!!
Chat amongst yourselves and go ahead be LOUD!!!
I'm leaving for NYC on Sunday night then I'll be home for a few days, then off to the U.K. for Tribal Ford!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 3 replies

Happy Mother's Day!! Guess what....

2007-05-31T20:43:49Z

I am now the proud owner of a Traveller spinning wheel!!! I cannot really believe that I have one. My beloved family all pitched in a bought it for me. :::sigh::: Now I have to finish it and put it together, which is a bit intimidating, but I think I can handle it. I am so stoked!! Has anyone ever done this? ANy input before I start?

Peace~~~

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 8 replies

Triangle adjustable loom

2007-05-25T22:37:44Z

Do any of you have one of these? How small does it actually adjust down too? Does it go down to three foot all around like the travel triangle loom. 7' to 3' would be amazing! I have been looking at them and trying to decide if they are as versatile as they seem to be. You could make shawls to head wraps all in one loom!

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

Journey Wheel

2007-05-14T02:55:14Z

Omigod! Have you seen this:

http://www.journeywheel.com/jw.php

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 9 replies

cotton!

2007-05-08T17:21:23Z

My cotton spinning kit from Woodland Wool Works arrived yesterday! It's basically a giant bag of sliver samples, two pamphlets and a tiny metal spindle. Ack! I can't wait to dig into it.

I ordered a book charkha from Eileen but haven't heard from her. I think she is in Guatemala right now.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 32 replies

Hitch Hiker Spinning wheel!

2007-05-04T17:29:56Z

Check this baby out!!! http://www.woolery.com/Pages/hitchhiker.html

Its sooo much fun! I want one want one!!!

but.. have to make do with what I got... it works just fine... =) but my poor ole louett just isnt as cute =)

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 5 replies

inkle looms

2007-04-26T10:48:21Z

has anyone done much inkle loom weaving? I have done a little but I don't like the tension I'm getting it's not even enough. Any thoughts?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

zils are like knitting

2007-04-25T17:32:44Z

I was teaching my Zils Drills class last night. A new dancer who was frustrated, asked if it was just a "practice thing." I said yes, but it's more about repetition, you don't really need to understand it intellectually, just get the motion and the skill will come.
She said "Kind of like knitting?"
"Yes! Kind of like knitting!"

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

Crochet vs. Knitting.... too funny........

2007-04-24T18:20:41Z

Good morning!

I wanted to share with everyone a funny short that I just added to my profile.... no, I'm not trying to see how many hits I can generate for my profile - hehehe :)
I just love this short, it's about people that crochet & knit & it is really funny. I hope you all enjoy it... ~Dilara

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 11 replies

Wheel Opinions anyone???

2007-04-24T16:04:25Z

Ok, I am really itching to get a wheel and I have tried several. I have a small home with lots of stuff in it so I need small and would like portable. . :-) I really like the Traveller and the Kromski Sonata. I am having a hard time deciding. I also like the Minstrel. I would love to hear from all of you about your wheels, why you love them, if you would rather have another one why. Pros and cons, single drive and double drive preferences, I would love to hear it all!

Peace~~

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 19 replies

Leg Warmers...

2007-04-16T21:33:59Z

I want leg warmers that go over my knee, and have a stirrup on the foot. I dont have time to make any... and I suck at knitting... and crochet is beyond me, beyond a simple chain... AHAH

Does anyone make them??? or know of a place that makes them for plus size legs?

they would be worn under my harem pants... I need something to keep my legs warm for practice and performing...

I have a few cones of some yummy mohair blend yarn that I want them made from... (with other yarn too)...

I can see, with my yarn snobbery, that they can get very very expensive... AHAHAHAAH

Any Ideas??? I am not afriaid of getting ones that are premade that I pay for either...

I am willing to trade sewing...

Angelia

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

growing cotton & dye plants

2007-04-03T21:47:36Z

So the past few years I've had a problem in my garden with pests eating all my seedlings. To combat that I've used my friend Ayse to grow stuff. She has taken my cotton seeds of various colors and dye seeds and reports that their are seedlings beginning to sprout. Especially that the indigo is sprouting and her backyard looks like a little nursery.
Does anyone else grow cotton or any useful dye plants in their gardens?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 1 reply

sliver vs. roving

2007-04-03T19:31:31Z

Hi All,
I have a question. Being new to cotton spinning, I'm not clear on the difference btwn sliver and roving. As I remember it in the wool spinning world, roving was the super combed fleece that looks like what is called sliver in the cotton world. I could be remembering wrong, it has been 20 years! Or is sliver aways the super slick ready to spin fiber and roving is the rougher stuff that you card by hand?
And, how is sliver produced?
Thanks.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 7 replies

Newbie saying Hi!

2007-03-30T18:14:30Z

Greetings all! I was so excited when I was invited to this group, there are so many of us!
I have been spinning for about 7 years. I learned at a little store in Lancaster Pa. I have many drop spindles and could form quite an addiction to them. (Addiction...bellydance and spinning, I think I am addictied to circles! LOL) I also weave, knit, crochet and needle felt. I just love fiber. Right now I cannot wait to go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool! Are any of you going?
I am hoping someday to graduate to a wheel. I hint at every birthday, so who knows this could be the year they have a couple months yet.
I really miss the little shop in Lancaster, I was part of the guild there. It was very open, since it was at the shop, so you could drop in at any moment in the day and spin and shmooze. Well, here I am now with you and I am so happy to meet you all... although typing and spinning will be quite a trick!
Peace~

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 5 replies

retreat

2007-03-29T18:21:02Z

ok well let's flush this idea out then...

it's a weekend right? Do you want to do it somewhere special? That will add to cost. Or at someone's home? My home is always available for stuff like that if you don't mind dogs and cats. Do we want just cotton spinning or other types of fiber too? Just charka or a combination of regular wheel spinning? I can show people how to set up a regular wheel for cotton spinning, that would save money. What about dyeing? Microwave dyeing?

are we going to dance? have a hafla? anything else?

post ideas here, I'll contact Eileen and see about her availabilty.

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 35 replies

remember to stretch!

2007-03-29T14:55:59Z

OMGoddess!! today I feel all sore and tight between my shoulders from teaching yesterday and I did a lot of spinning when I came home. I have to remember to stretch and move around a bit while doing fiber work, gosh I would never dance without warming up.

I haven't been weaving much but now that I think about it everytime I warp my loom I end up needing a trip to the chiropractor. Does anyone else experience this? Any advice?

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 9 replies

Question About Plying

2007-03-29T05:43:00Z

So I plyed my first (second) yarn from two bobbins, and it came out pretty. Haven't wound it onto the niddy noddy yet.
But in an attempt to get my 'first' yarn plyed, I bought some copper metallic thread to ply it with. It looks beautiful with the olive green yarn, and I've got about half a bobbin of it when all of a sudden it started breaking. I'm really frustrated with it now, but it was looking so good I don't want to just chuck it.

Any advice? Is the copper thread too delicate? Did I just hit a weak point in the yarn? I've tried retying it together to keep going, but it won't cooperate anymore. :(

Help...

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 5 replies

Spinning linen..

2007-03-27T04:13:05Z

sooo... I have some nice unbleached linen fiber here in a bag that I picked up for fairly cheap at Black Sheep Fest in Eugene last year... and there it sits...
Not that I have much time for "pleasure" spinning anyhow... stupid me for signing up for production spinning, and I feel that I HAVE to keep doing it... bleh...

They love my work too... but... its all overprocessed merino, thats been hand dyed, and has to be "perfect". I like spinning my own hand processed heritige breed wools... Navajo Churro, Jacob, Icelandic... they make the best "thick thin" type for belts and falls and and and what not...

yah... soo... sorry about the tangent... (I dont get out much)...

but what do you recomend??? wet or dry spinning of linen??? my friend says to do wet... another says dry.... I am all confused!!!

Blessings

posted in Bellydancing/ handspinning/ fiber freaks - 2 replies

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