spinning,

things that make you go hmmm….

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You might think that because this is a knitting blog, written by someone who likes working with and talking about fiber that today’s post would be all about the wonderful spinning class I had yesterday. And it was a great day – so much spinning that I started getting a bit tired and cranky! So much spinning that I shall show you some pictures tomorrow. But for now there are more pressing concerns ….. literally.

On our way into the spinning class yesterday, I felt a dreaded poking. A sharp little poking just under the left boob. You know that initial little metalic poke? It’s the old underwire’s divorce decree ….. it is going to give up the will to support you. But you think that this marriage might be saved – it just about really hurts, but not quite and so you simply tuck that underwire back into its pocket and continue your day. But every now and then it worms its way out in a clear signal that this is no longer your favorite bra?

Well, that is what happened to me. Not a disaster by any means and the spinning lesson was indeed wonderful.

After a full day of spinning, I had to run to Target and while there I decided to take a look at their bras. I have a love/hate relationship with Target’s clothes. I keep making solemn vows to stop buying cheap clothes, because cheap clothes don’t hold up well and don’t flatter and I am worth the extra $$ and all that [cue the inspiring music] But the lure of Target is sometimes too great and now I’ve got an underwire about to come hurtling out of my chest.

I was fairly delighted to see that they carry the Just My Size line. For anyone not in the know, this is a brand for larger women. Department stores do a fairly decent job in their women’s departments, but the hunt for large size bras, panties and even belts is always on. By the way, while shopping with Claire the other day, she was buying bras I had myself measured – you know how we are all allegedly wearing the wrong size bra etc. ……. well the measuring tape said I was a D cup. There is no way. Claire was all ‘no way’, the saleslady was all ‘no way’ and measured again and then said I had to try things on anyway because cups change from brand to brand. WTF?? when are the measurements the measurements. Why the shifting sands??!!!

But back to my tale of two boobs …… So I buy a C cup Just My Size bra, note that it is only twelve dollars and those department store bras were $60 and up and wonder how my delight fits in with my solemn vow but nevermind and end up buying two JMS bras.

It is only when I get home that I try them on ….. I know I should try them on at the store, but I just wanted to get the hell home. It had been a long day.

So anyway, I bet you are thinking that this is the part where I find out it doesn’t pay to buy cheap bras, or that I really am a D cup …… but you’re wrong. Those C cup bras fit great, are comfortable and look great too.

But this is what I did find out ….. in trying them on, I took off the tags and one of them was some kind of prepaid company postcard to reply about my feelings about their product ……. the Just My Size brand?

it’s owned by Sara Lee.

quasi stash reduction

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Jacob_mohair002

Isn’t it ironic, my spinning lessons have opened up a world of stash reduction? Here is a Jacob fleece plied with two different mohairs from my stash. There were a number of years there where I would go to Smiley’s Yarn Riot. Not that the yarn isn’t decent or anything, but it was bought in a frenzy with little regard for pattern or preference. This was back when Smileys would take its show on the road, or at least the local roads. They would rent out a conference room in local hotels, fill the tables up with all kinds of bagged yarns (I think all were discontinued) and then everyone would line up and snake their way through the room. The line was tremendous. Once your place on the line passed some yarn on the table, it was really difficult to navigate your way back through the throng. Split second decisions had to be made. At the end, they would throw all of the yarns in giant garbage bags. This was also before I had any real idea of how much yarn went into a project (not that I have a much better grip on the concept now) and so I would buy two bags of everything …. and sometimes more! So, if you want some goldish brownish greenish or blue mohair, let me know and I’ll send you a skein or two, or three, or four ………

The jacob is from that fleece where I experimented with color blending in the drum carder. This is the bobbin I spun before the experiment. It is a very rustic yarn, so the addition of the mohair softened it up. Much like Cara, I was under the impression that plying was a bit of a no brainer. Ha! Spinning lessons have taught me otherwise, so this represents my first educated attempt at plying ….. not too bad.

Daughter #1 is home for spring break. She and Daughter #2 commandeered the television in the den last night to watch old video tapes of themselves. This is a clear invasion of my knitting space. An outright messing with my knitting mojo. Rather than break up the sisterly bonding, I decided to take up my spinning mojo – my wheel and its accoutrements is in our basement, along with a big screen tv. So I got to watch all the preshows and the Oscars while spinning!

ps. shall we discuss what an ass Ryan Seacrest is? gah, I can’t stand him! have you seen Kathy Griffin’s whole shtick on him – she is hysterical. see if you can catch her on the Bravo channel sometime.

Another fantastic spinning class!

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editor’s note: Cara thinks no one will click the link on the word spirit ….. please prove her wrong.

Before I show you the pictures from my spinning class, I would like to give a shout out to all the Knitting Olympians – what an inspiration you all are! And a special shout out to all those Boston girls. I’d like to think that if I had done the Olympics, I would have been on your team and am sorry I didn’t make it to your fabulous party. You know I was there in spirit don’t you?

And now onto my fabulous Tuesday …..

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Peggy E. having way too much fun blending up some
roving and the fabulous results

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L to R: Ricki’s very first handspun and Peggy’s handspun!
and yes that is an antique bobbin being used to weight them down – couldn’t ya die?!

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we were joined by another fabulous spinner Louise
that’s her hiding behind her Ashford

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last but not least, my day’s efforts ….
don’t know what it was, but it sure is purty.

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Angelia reminded me that I never showed you guys pictures of my spinning! On the left is a bobbin with the brown Jacob. The bobbin on the right has the brown Jacob after Peggy E. added the green mohair and silk. And a bit closer …… brown and green. Although I must say that the difference isn’t quite as subtle as protrayed in the pictures. Check out how even everything is!

The only other thing I have been doing besides knitting and spinning is fighting off a head/chest cold. ugh! The kind where your eyeballs feel bulgy and your brain feels furry? When I woke up this morning, I had the smallest notion that I may be winning the battle – but I don’t want to jinx myself.

I absolutely need to get better. Tomorrow I am taking D#2 into the city for her very own tour of NYU given by non other than Cara! I won’t even tell you what Cara said the highlight would be …..you can fill in the blank: She will show us all the places she’s ever _____. studied? written poetry? worn her sorority pin while frat boys serenaded her? I am pretty sure it is that last one! And since D#2 is a beginner knitter, Cara wants to show her some of the city’s cool yarn shops. I wonder if Cara knows the best place in the city for some matzo ball soup – could be just what the dr. ordered!