Leap Day, 2012

Four years ago I blogged about spinning yarn on leap day. A lot has happened in my life since then as I imagine it has in yours.

I'd like to present a flashback to that day, because even though it was four years ago, it is resonating on my frequency today.


Leap Day:

Today is a special day that only exists in secret gardens, magic castles, and enchanted forests... a hidden room behind a bookcase, a day in between days.


It's a good day for making progress, for making a giant leap!

Today I share with you a progression of fiber. I dyed the wool, spun it up, and plied it together into yarn. It's now called Sea Change.

Is it perfect? No. Was it once the clippings off a sheep? Yes.

That is the sea change.

Even as everything spins around in constant chaos, we have a free day. Use it for do-overs and new beginnings... I suggest.

There is so much magic in creating things. It is a leap. I am a part of it and so are you.

This day is for us!

/end flashback

I needed that. Enjoy your extra day today, party people! And in other news, look out tomorrow for a new pattern.

This week in knitting and spinning and other thing

Hi again! Isn't summer just the bestest? I'm loving the late sunsets and fresh fruit and skirts with knee socks. I'd like to share some current events from this side of the free world:

1. I was interviewed for a podcast! The Knit Pick's podcast! It can be downloaded for free (anytime after Wednesday July 1st) from the Knitting Community or through iTunes. I subscribe through iTunes.

Kelley and I chatted about a few subjects: The Tour de Fleece, Sock Summit, and Spin Off. I am certain I stuck my foot in my mouth a few times, but I have learned to live with this trait of mine. Overall it was really fun and I'm happy I had the opportunity.



2. Tour de Fleece you say? Yes! Welcome to another year of the Tour de France themed spin-along. Telling muggles about a sock knitting convention is one thing, but trying to explain handspinning yarn along with a French cycling event is really pushing it.

And yet, there are over 1150 of us signed up to do it, and nearly 60 prizes to give away! It's not too late to sign up and it's not to late to donate a prize either. The event is hosted entirely on Ravelry now, in the Tour de Fleece group. Go there, won't you?

Here is yarn I spun during 2007's Tour:


3. I'm not done talking about the sock summit.

4. Black Sheep Gathering was a smashing success. And it included Brownie Batter Blizzards and a Value Village stop in Salem on the way home.



This is a picture my pal Lee took and I'm totally stealing it but it is of me and I am telling you now to visit her flickr and blog because she is so flipping talented!



5. So twice this week I'm out running and I spot a lemonade stand. Different lemonade stands. So twice I bought street lemonade from young entrepreneurs. Twice I gave tips. Twice I heard "oh boy!" These kids really need to set better prices. What costs 25 cents anymore?

6. Speaking of running... I'm attempting to do the First Thursday run this week. Any other Portlanders into it?

7. Cold brew coffee. It's always there, in my fridge. Calling to me. So delicious. Make room for some in your fridge too?

8. And I'm still knitting, of course:

Quant Redux

Wow! My pattern made the cover of Spin Off!!!!

See for yourself.

Tour de Fleece 2009

WOW does time fly! The Tour de France is coming again! It begins on Saturday, July 4th. I can hardly believe it's been another year but here we are again and I am really excited. Welcome to the fourth annual Tour de Fleece - an online spin-along for people who spin yarn and play with fiber.

This year we will have teams and prizes, just like last year!

The first Tour de Fleece was in 2006. We had 16 spinners and a lot of fun. 2007 was much bigger, with 138 spinners, and even more fun. 2008 was HUGE, with over 400 spinners. I wonder how many we'll get this year?

The concept is simple, They spin, we spin. A real spinning themed spin-along.

Want to participate?

1. It's all on Ravelry... check out our group. If you're not yet on Ravelry, it only takes about a day to get your sign in info. It's free of course, just do it already!

2. We also have a Flickr pool here. Join the group and show off your homespun in the pool!

If you want to give it a try, or just follow our progress, or are a fan of the Tour de France, JOIN!

Guidelines (NOT RULES):

1. Spin every day the Tour rides, if possible. Saturday July 4th through Sunday July 26th. Days of rest: Monday July 13th, Monday July 20th. (Just like the actual tour)

2. Spin something challenging Wednesday July 22nd. (The Tour’s densest mountain stage with 5 mountain passes)

3. Take a button if you want one. Then we can use the button on our blogs in show of solidarity. Take it from here or grab a clean one from the flickr pool.

4. Wear yellow on Sunday July 26th to announce victory. Why not wear yellow on any day you feel particularly successful? (Yellow is the color of the race leader in the Tour - but here we are all ‘race leaders’)

5. Other colors if desired: Green (sprinter - think FAST), Polka-dot (climber - as in uphill), and white (rookie)

Teams: Join one, or many, or none. Sign up in the Ravelry group. (I can't stress enough how great the Ravelry group is)

- Peloton (The main group. Everyone is in the peloton at some point)

- Rookies (first years)

- Sprinters (fast and/or high mileage like lace)

- Climbers (conquer mountains, big personal challenges)

- Breakaway (Art yarns)

- Lantern rouge (You will participate as much as possible but you may skip days here and there. Cheerleaders welcome.)

- Wildcards (This is for people who want to form their own team. This includes sponsored teams, like those affiliated with a specific fiber shop or people who live in the same town, etc.)

The teams are inspired by the actual Tour de France.

Prizes:

So far we have some fantastic fiber-related prizes donated... yes we do.

Start training... NOW!

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There are 1150 Tour de Fleece members on Ravelry! (and growing)
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Stage 17: July 23, 2008 - Challenge Day!

Stage 17: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Embrun to L'Alpe-d'Huez

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Welcome to Challenge Day!

The cyclists climb 4 mountains today:
Cote de Sainte-Marguerite
Col du Galibier
Col de la Croix de Fer
L'Alpe-d'Huez

The last 3 are beyond classification climbs, and Alpe-d-Huez is probably the most famous climb in Tour history. It means something to a cyclist to make this journey, and in some ways it symbolizes the Tour de France itself. Cyclists know what it takes to survive it, and it bonds them in a unique way. To me, that is the heart of our challenge day. I can't wait to see what you make of it!

I'm going to spin/ply roving for 6 hours. That's my challenge, considering I have a day job and plans for Wednesday evening. I'll have to get up early to do it. I'm looking forward to it because the actual Tour airs at 3:30 in the morning here on the west coast (!) The other part of my challenge will come later, when I knit myself something from this yarn to be.

Today is our day to really challenge ourselves. What are you going to do?/What are you doing/What did you do?

I thought I'd pop a picture in here of what I spun on last year's challenge day: It's a rainbow yarn with a lot of bright feathers. It was a challenging technique for me. It was my personal Col l'Aubisque.