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"Let's be cheerful"! We have no more right to steal the brightness out of the day for our own family than we have to steal the purse of a stranger. Let us be as careful that our homes are furnished with pleasant & happy thoughts as we are that the rugs are the right color and texture & the furniture comfortable and beautiful"! Laura Ingalls Wilder

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

mama spun a wood nymph

The ball at the back incorporated my first green bobbin.  The one at the  front, I was getting a bit better.
I may have mentioned a while back that I finally, after years of dreaming and desiring... learned to spin?  The first time sitting before the object of my fantasizing, I fumbled around with the green merino wool that was graciously provided by the friend that loaned me the wheel.  When it finally clicked, I had 'wasted' quite a bit of it.  Now I had the sable colored shetland that I purchased from another friend's stash which I spun up with a bit more finesse. (Those of you who are experts at the craft can stop laughing at me now!) Next it was time to ply.






I took a couple of weeks to consider this.  As a rule, when it comes time to bind the quilt, frame the drawing, seam the knitting... I lose interest.  It takes major self discipline to finish a project.  So it was that I allowed the yarn to wait so long on the bobbins without my attempting to ply.  Yesterday I watched a you tube video and did it.  As simple as that!  It was so much fun... I really love spinning more than anything else I've ever done.  Mainly because I actually love every step, keeping in mind of course that I don't sheer my own sheep nor clean and card my own wool (yet).  :)

I spun my own yarn, did you hear me?  I did it!  Next, I quickly grabbed my needles and this pattern, because it seemed it would be forgiving of my nubby beginner's yarn.


I used the 'bad ball' for this hat and I was right.
The pattern didn't mind at all!

Greet my sweet little wood nymph...  The gracious Erin who posed for her mama in a woolen bonnet on a hot summers day...

joining Ginny's Yarn Along
Blessings, Debbie
Posted by no spring chicken at 10:29 PM
Labels: , , ,

55 comments:

  1. Puffin HenJuly 12, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    Fantastic! I am hope to attend a beginners spinning session at our local spinners and weavers group at the end of the month. (Ha ha! That came out sinners and weavers until I corrected it:) - aren't we all?!) I'm very excited about it.

    Doubt I'll get my camera in gear to yarn along this week but so glad I popped by and saw yours. God bless...

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  2. Sherri B.July 12, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    That is so amazing that you spun your own yarn..wow! I love the colors.

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  3. JarkaJuly 12, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    it's beautiful!!! I love the color :) good job!
    I will try spinning (for the first time) in a week or two - after exams... I can't wait! ...

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  4. Tracey ~ CloverJuly 13, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    Oh Debbie, it's a dream come true! How wonderful to spin your own yarn, knit something, and then have a beautiful daughter model it! Can't wait to hear the names of the sheep in your future!xx

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  5. karenJuly 13, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    By the looks of your photo, I think you have been spinning for years! I really love the two colors paired together and your model is beautiful. What are you planning to spin next?

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  6. Buttons ThoughtsJuly 13, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    Oh I love that colour what a cool hat. I love to watch people spinning it looks so relaxing. Enjoy. B

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  7. JaneJuly 13, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    How neat is this? I would love to learn how to spin. The only class around here is always filled before I learn about it. Who knew it was so popular? Pretty color combination!

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  8. TannaJuly 13, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    Oh, Debbie! Your yarn is beautiful!! And, so I Erin modeling that cute bonnet!! My knitting friends keep encouraging me to try spinning and I tell them I just don't need another addiction! LOL! They all LOVE it! You did a great job! blessings ~ tanna

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  9. April DJuly 13, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    Hooray for you! I am thoroughly impressed--and your wood nymph is beautiful! :)

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  10. Reginas CottageJuly 13, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    hi debbie
    your yarn is wonderful and the bonnet is a dream!!!
    blessings,regina

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  11. JessJuly 13, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    I also dream of spinning. I have a spindle, but I can't believe that it's the same as sitting behind the wheel and feeling the rhythm of your pedal while you draft and plan.
    That hat is lovely!

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  12. DebbieJuly 13, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    I'm so impressed with this!! I can't tell you how much I wish that I had the gift of doing stuff like this. Anything I've ever tried in this department turned out to be a hot mess.

    You spun your own yarn!
    If you post that you did the sheep shearing, I'll faint.

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  13. AnonymousJuly 13, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Well done, you've done an amazing job! How satisfying that must be!

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  14. AnonymousJuly 13, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    Good for you! It helps to have the equipment. When I was homeschooling my daughter, we did a day at Plimoth Plantation and decided to do a spinning project. We bought the hand spinners. She caught onto it much faster than I did - and i fear what little I did, fell to pieces. Just not the nimble fingers. It was especially sad to note that in colonial times, by the time a child was 5 or 6 years old, they were expert hand spinners and contributing to the household needs in this way. Chalk another one up for childhood!
    Bless you as you revel in your newly mastered craft!
    Joy!
    Miss Kathy

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  15. Pom PomJuly 13, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    That yarn is delicious looking! Good work, Debbie! The wood nymph is lovely!

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  16. Mrs. FordyceJuly 13, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Love the colors of the yarn! So cool that you did it yourself, and mastered something new. A job well done!

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  17. JuliaJuly 13, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    I just love the color. Congratulation on a job well done. Your daughter is the perfect model.

    My daughter is the expert spinner, me, I never even tried and for some reason have no desire to spin and she has no desire to hook. Go figure. JB

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  18. AnonymousJuly 13, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Congratulations! Spinning yarn makes me very nervous, hence I haven't tried my hand at doing it yet.

    That is the perfect pairing of pattern and yarn. Great job!

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  19. AnonymousJuly 13, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    no how cool is that -- me too wants to learn to spin -- how lucky you are -- your learning new stuff that's useful -- hugs

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  20. Conservative Knit MomJuly 13, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    Lovely! Congratulations and what a lovely knit--the colors are very vibrant! And to think you you spun and knit it all yourself! I am so excited for you!

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  21. UnknownJuly 13, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Learning to spin so impressed! Nice color choice too! I love seeing things I wouldn't usually gravitate towards, but I do like them together!

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  22. LynnJuly 13, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    You made the yarn and the hat-cool:@)

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  23. MegJuly 13, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Yay! You did such a nice job! Spinning really is such fun, isn't it? :D

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  24. SheilaJuly 13, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Thanks....there is hope for me yet!!!!! :)
    I have everything to begin....I just lack the confidence!

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  25. Barbara F.July 13, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Not only can you knit, you even spin your own yarn?! Wow, I am impressed, Debbie! xo

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  26. CanadagirlJuly 13, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Wahoo! I admire you. [o= You did a wonderful job and I want to be like you when I grow up. I hope in the next year or two to get my spinning wheel. I think I might have to start with a drop spindle first. [o; I really want to get a camera with this years craft money. Hmmm who knows maybe I can earn enough for a spinning wheel too. ((hopeful thinking))

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  27. DonnaJuly 13, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    That yarn is absolutely amazing! Love the colors and the nubbieness. Love how Erin looks in the new bonnet. What a fun skill to learn.

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  28. Farm GirlJuly 13, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    I love to sit and watch Megan spin. I love seeing her dye it and then turn it into something just beautiful. It is a lovely kind of skill that just amazes me.
    I think you did wonderful!

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  29. Gumbo LilyJuly 13, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    I like the yarn and the knitted cap! The colors are earthy and beautiful.

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  30. ElisaJuly 13, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Wow..beautiful photograph with the spinning wheel. I love the yarn!! Great job! I'd love to learn how to spin one day.

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  31. house full of jaysJuly 13, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Amazing! It's beautiful. I'd love to try spinning someday. And I love the hat on your wood nymph!

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  32. trishJuly 13, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Lovely yarn and a beautiful daughter!xxx

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  33. Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage BlogJuly 13, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Wonderful! What a neat project!

    Well done!

    Deanna

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  34. CherylJuly 13, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Way to go! Your wool looks wonderful. We call it textured wool in this house. I have a few balls just like it. Wish I could bring my wheel over to play!

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  35. AnonymousJuly 13, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    You certainly did a fantastic job!! And how fun to spin your own yarn!

    I hope you have had a nice day.

    Vicki

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  36. DmarieJuly 13, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Erin is gorgeous and would probably look good in anything, but she looks especially sweet in your lovely bonnet!

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  37. SweetLand FarmJuly 13, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    I love to spin wool too! Although I have to admit, it's been a while for me to have time to spin. What kind of spinning wheel do you have?It's so much fun! Oh and the colors and your project are great!! Congrats on a new hobby!

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  38. ElizabethJuly 13, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Oh how fun! I would love to spin. I took one class and loved it. Hopefully someday I will realy get to try my hand at it. I think your yarn is lovely and the the bonnet and your daughter are georgous. I printed the pattern.

    Thanks for stopping by today for a blog visit. Glad you found a pattern (duffers) from me. It was a pattern swap of sorts.

    Blessings, Elizabeth

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  39. Susan BJuly 13, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    How wonderful to spin your own yarn! It's beautiful, and the bonnet turned out lovely.

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  40. VeeJuly 13, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Now she is a sweetie! I'm dutifully impressed. Oh, yes, I am.

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  41. lil red henJuly 13, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Congratulations on a completed project! That's a real accomplishment,learning to spin! I have too many WIP and more in my head. Too little time for it all. The hat is lovely on your daughter.

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  42. JulieJuly 13, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Well, I think it looks great! I bought my first wheel a few months back but have barely touched it because I'm afraid I will ruin the wool!

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  43. GardenOfDaisiesJuly 14, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    You are so talented!! Your yarn looks great!!

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  44. LisaJuly 14, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Beautiful! Somewhere on the bottom of my 60 by 60 list is to create my own ball of yarn. By the way, I simply love your posting style... Blessings! ~Lisa

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  45. Leslie July 14, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Lovely! Reminds me of mint chocolate chip. That bright green is one of my favorite colors right now.

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  46. StacyJuly 14, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    Wonderful! I'm putting spinning on my list of "someday I'd like to..."

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  47. GloriaJuly 14, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    You are so talented. Beautiful work of art you created here!!

    One is never too old to learn something new...:)

    xoxo...Gloria

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  48. AnonymousJuly 14, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Oh how fun! I love the colors. I have never tried spinning, although I with I had room for a spinning wheel... just in case I ever do decide to pick it up! lol

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  49. W-S WanderingsJuly 14, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Oh dear, I seem to be having "comment" issues tonight. I hope this isn't a duplicate...

    Yippee on the spinning! I'm gonna shout it out - YOU SPUN YOUR OWN YARN!!!!! Yay! I have spinning envy, though. I so wanna learn how to spin. I'm sure I would love it. And I want to get alpacas too. Dreaming big.

    The yarn knit up wonderfully. And such a beautiful model.

    Blessings...

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  50. AnonymousJuly 15, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Oh yeah, I can finally make a comment. I admire you. I find spinning frustrating but my girlfriend loves spinning how own wool. Clarice

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  51. CharityJuly 15, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    This is beautiful! I love the yarn you spun, and I'm so longing to get spinning myself. Soon... :)

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  52. LisaJuly 15, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    Debbie - terrific!!

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  53. CathyJuly 17, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Ah, the joy of spinning! I love your enthusiasm, and how smart to begin making projects right away with your spun yarn.

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  54. KJuly 17, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    When I grow up, maybe I'll gather as many adoring readers as you have done. Look at this list, girl!! But I will never spin. I have decided that. I think I'd rather go back to quilting. And I have this woodburning tool I am hot to try. Then again, as spinner and poet, you are charmingly consistent - feeding out the meaning bits at a time, squeezing the meaning out of the whole in a winnowing string of color and fiber.

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  55. The dB familyJuly 19, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    How neat! The brown and the green look beautiful together. Happy spinning!

    Blessings!
    Deborah

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