My Blue Heaven

Look.

I couldn't help diving into this gorgeous Romney fresh from Yorkshire Rose Farm. Bess from Make 1 is a genius and is getting product from these folks who have just started selling their fabulous fleece.

Oh. My.

I was lucky enough to be able to test-spin up 2 oz. of this gorgeous Romney lamb batt on Saturday (Second Saturday of the month is Spin-in Day at M1). The pictures do not give the tactile experience, though.

See all those little fuzzy hairs? They are not anything but soft, soft fuzz. Imagine a baby lamb. That's what it feels like. And the lovely long staple - and sproingy crimp - of the Romney makes it pure joy to spin.

There is some gorgeous natural gray, the blue-with-gray I tried out (along with my uber-talented fibre friend Dawn known as MagicNeedles on Ravelry) and some pretty pink-with-natural white.

If you don't go get some, I will take it all home.

Pretty pleased

I was pretty stunned when a friend mentioned to me on Facebook that they "saw my ribbon" at Stampede. I couldn't wait to get down there to do my volunteer spinning and go see the Exhibition - and see my pretty little rosette. Third place in my section, amongst the fantastic knitters on display?

What were those judges thinking? (apparently, good thoughts of my knitting...who knew?)

I am so honoured to be in the company of some fantastic knitters. I am in awe of Marilynn Bonar's lacemaking prowess and ability, and Annie's quiet but graceful way of getting things JUST right, from fibre and pattern choice to just how gorgeous they feel and drape. (By the way, Annie/Spinknit, along with Opera, are fantastic wool judges and did some great fleece judging in the Stampede - for more, read Spinknit's July 15 entry.)

And to be in the company of my other fellow knitters' bravery in showing off this year's creations. Few who see the work on display actually know that these bits are mere snapshots of a larger passion, and the choices to show - or not to - and what to show - or not to - are something that defines each knitter's art.
I was so glad to be able to share my love of fibre, in the opportunity to spin along side a fantastic spinner in the barns, and again, with my guild in the Exhibition. My fellow Sheep Creek Weaver guild members were demonstrating some fantastic wet-felting and pin-felting, plus spinning. I'd like to think those who stopped by are a little wiser for their foray into that cabin, and look a little closer at any knitting or fibre art they next encounter.

By the way, mark your calendars because the Sheep Creek Weavers' annual sale, as we told anyone who would listen, is coming up October 24. Some fabulous one-of-a-kind items, beautifully handmade, and all local, will be at the Millarville Race Track.

In the Fibre Rodeo

Well sort of. Five bucks an entry for possible bragging rights at Stampede is a pretty good investment. Finally got up the gumption to throw my hat in the ring, and enter my quota of two items in the Calgary Stampede Western Showcase.

Tough call, though, to decide what to show. There are so many talented knitters out there, I'm really looking forward to see what everyone puts in! I probably should've entered some spinning but didn't manage to get up my nerve.

And for my two items: I elected to put in my first-ever finished lace project - I knit an Arrowhead lace shoulder shawl start-to-finish (in sport weight hand-painted Mountain Colours Swizzle in blue/purple jewel tones) for my mother in honour of her 60th birthday (pics to come) and my Entrelac Cap, seeing loads of people loved it. I've spent a lot of time on Entrelac this year - and I fear a few of my students will put my simple squares to shame - but it's all about the journey for me. This year, I conquered that fear of lace, and learned entrelac well enough to teach it.

The best news of all: I get to BE at Stampede, spinning my heart out, with the Rare Breeds sheep, in the Barns (the Ag building) for two evenings (July 7 & 8) AND with the Sheep Creek Weavers on July 11 in the Round-up Centre. I shall have photos...and (greedily rubbing hands together)...some Rare Breeds fleece!!

This week: Up to Olds Fibreweek on Sunday to learn Natural Dyeing with Jen Black - good fun!