Thesockladyspins

Third bobbin finished this morning and started straight away on #4. Quite a bit left from the 3rd braid so will get a lot on #4 before getting into the 4th braid (7.50 oz). Still haven't a clue what I will do with all this yarn, add it to my ever growing stash. On the Monstersock list is a group making 'fatties', hadn't paid much attention to it until last night, started with page one and read all until page 13. Knitting with two strands of sock yarn tog to make thicker socks, for boots or even house slippers. I need to make a couple of pair for Maela's big brother so am combining a ball of variegated Opal with lots of blues and greens, so far so good. I cast on 44 stitches on 3.25 mm DP's, its making a nice thick (but still soft) fabric). . The bear (black) came running up from the south and then under the fence and into bushes on east side of fence. Never did slow down long enuff to present himself for a pix. So now up to 5 3 blacks and 2 griz.

Finished the second bobbin of the variegated pinks & reds, spun fine enuff that when plied it should be close to DK weight. Nearly 8 oz on each. Still have enuff left over from 2nd braid to make a pretty good start on #3, then 2 full braids still to do. I usually get bored after this much of the same color but there is enuff variegation to wonder what will be next. Also finished the first pair of socks for Miss M, she will be heading off to K in September, can wear warm wool socks on wait for school bus. 1st sock of second pair just past heel, same colours but in different places. Also planning on a couple of pair for the older brother, thinking now I will prolly hold two strands of sock yarn tog to make thicker and hopefully warmer socks for active boy. So far today no critters. YET. Several are wondering if I feel safe in here with bear activity, always tell them that I'd rather have the 4 legged predators around than the 2 legged carrying guns.

Coming back to wool room after breakfast, saw movement out side window, set coffee down, quickly, grabbed camera and got 3 pix of another visiting griz. Pix taken thru window shows window frame and bear not much more than 10 feet from window (and me). Pix #2 after bear left a deposit then turned and sort of ran towards the north, under the fence in a flash then out of sight into woods just north of yard. 2nd griz in my yard so far this season.

I called Susan's Fiber Shop in Columbus, WI this morning and she wasn't available to talk, didn't leave a message figured I'd call back later. Well she just called me back and I ordered 3 new belts for my homemade electric spinning wheel. Service beyond belief. When they come will get into some serious plying, even tho its not my favorite thing to do it has become absolutely necessary. I will remember the good service and should I ever need anything else will call there first. Second bobbin of the red is nearly finished, should get it done yet today. Have 2 more full braids plus a couple of yards from 2nd braid so will easily fill at least 3 more bobbins, each close to 8 oz. Its Falkland wool from eweniquely ewe fiber creations in Grants Pass, OR, vintage stuff from my stash. Have just had 2 days of rain, first day enuff that it made puddles on driveway, then most of yesterday just a steady soft gentle rain, and with temps in upper 30's meant lots more new sn...

Just before 5:30 the geese took off making the wake me up racket. So up to put water on for coffee then to get dressed, just sat down at puter and looked out and saw a black bear ambling this way, grabbed camera and got two pretty fair pix. And the reason I check before opening the door to step out onto the porch. Bear spent a minute or so licking off the dead bugs on front of the car Just the price I pay for the mountain view.

I had a Louet S 71 without a drive band, and its been forever since I changed to a new one. Not remembering how to do it I wrote to the Louet forum and had 2 quick responses, the plastic bearing cover had to removed then the back piece with the knob loosened enuff to get the new belt in place. I did just as the gals said and bingo the S 71 is now usable again. First thing I did was to use it for plying some variegated greens. Feeling better finally from the effects of the cold I even got out the S 90 from its travel case and got it set up ready to spin more of the mixed reds. Cold really slammed me this time and just as I am feeling better the cottonwood fluff is starting to fly, that doesn't agree with me for sure. Monday will call Susan's Fiber shop in Wisconsin and see if they can make me a new belt for the electric (homemade) wheel) last one I got was from them, must be 10+ years ago. This time if they can do so will order 3. Had the last of my box of mixed organic ...

Went into town last Friday for Williams Lakes annual spinning day, 48 spinners showed up and a good time was had by all. Vendors down this year because of other things in their lives, the ones there did really well. Alice had a full table of stuff she was destashing from her fiber, I bought $7 of a fiber called Teddy Bear from Louet, might be 6-7 oz total. Only thing that went wrong all day was when several tried to pull table loaded with the lunch away from the wall, leg folded and everything crashed onto to the floor. Fortunately ladies had more food in kitchen to put out. . Only other thing I brought home was a bad cold, first one in well over a year. Starting to feel better now every day. Had to go to Tatla for more blood letting yesterday, would have much preferred to stay home and as soon as I got home had a 90 minute nap. Soon hope INR stabilizes. Two more smallish bundles of BFL-Silk mix found, had been in the basket from last falls Desert Mesa. Both will go into the stu...

8:30 pm just shutting down puter and looked up and saw big griz right in yard over by the driveway, took pix thru window, light wasn't the best but can definitely tell its a griz. Wish I could have got a pix with its head up , to busy eating grass to do so. Will be verra careful loading the car in the morning, its now parked right at the steps of the porch. Finished first braid of the variegated red Falkland wool, will take the next braid into town to spin at the Williams Lake spin in.