I Do Not Mind You, Winter Wind
(Jack Prelutsky)
I do not mind you, Winter Wind
when you come whirling by,
to tickle me with snowflakes
drifting softly from the sky.
I do not even mind you
when you nibble at my skin,
scrambling over all of me
attempting to get in.
But when you bowl me over
and I land on my behind,
then I must tell you, Winter Wind,
I mind . . . I really mind!
The wood furnace is dancing with flames, hardly struggling to keep our little cottage farmhouse warm. But boy, is it cold outside; it was -17 in the pre-dawn hours and up to a brisk -5 as I headed out to do morning chores, and check on the chicks and ducks, needed to be sure I didn’t have any “chooksicles”. All was as it should have been; animals in their nests of hay. It even looked as though Syria, our oldest llama had made her own nest of hay; though it was supposed to be her and everyone else’s breakfast..silly girl.
After the chores were done, both outside and in..I settled in to sip hot tea and knit. I am trying to finish a lacy patterned brushed suri, ear warming, head band for Jenn. Then a bit of spinning,I have finished a skein of llama/merino blend yarn(I am not sure what I am going to make that into).
Funny how each season sets it’s own rhythm on a farm. Nature eases you from one season to the next, each with it’s own flurry of activity. Reminding us to enjoy, if you wish, the comfort of home on a cold winter’s day, the refreshing nip of the wind in October, and the warmth of the sun’s rays in May. ( May plantings,oh shivers xoxox)
Time to warm the Earl Grey…
A blend of llama and merino…
Chester, is grateful for his spring shearing…He would be way too hot in his fiberluscious coat all summer.
Thank you for the fiber LLala..(Shangrala)
Llama rovings…
Merino rovings purchased at the Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool festival.
My Favorite wheel…a Kromski castle style single treadle.
..such a pretty wheel,they make.
flyer, whorl, and maidens…
🙂
The lazy kate…used when plying the fiber.
Be well, stay warm.
Jess
A Winsome Journey ~ imagine, dream, create 
🙂
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I had no idea you spun your own!! That is just fantastic. Do you have any past posts on spinning I can check out?
PS — I tried knitting. I’m all thumbs. I prefer crocheting since I can do it pretty much without watching, but it’s been years since I’ve done a project. Perhaps it’s the time to teach my girls (and boys) a new skill. Thanks for planting the seed.
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Shannon, I did post on spinning and dyeing…harvesting color, I believe.
When your wee ones get the hang of knitting, a simple pair of slippers may fit the bill; we used to knit our own as children, very simple pattern…I shall look for it for you.
Jess
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Please do!
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A pattern from the 40’s
Instructions are for Child’ Size with changes for Women’s & Men’s in parentheses.
Size 9 (10.5 for men) knitting needles and 3 oz of worsted weight yarn.
1 strand Gauge: 4 sts= 1 inch 8 rows–4 ridges= 1 inch 2 strand gauge: 3.5 sts= 1 inch 7 rows= 1 inch
Slippers can be worked in single or double strand, but I prefer double for extra warmth.
Cast on 27 (29-35) sts
ROW 1: – this will be the wrong side – K9 (9-11), p1, k7 (9-11), p1, k9, (9-11).
ROW 2: K all sts.
Repeat these 2 rows for 5 (6-8) ins., or 2 (2 1/2-2 1/2) ins. less than desired finished length allowing the 2 (2 1/2-2 1/2) ins. for toe, end on wrong side.
TOE:
ROW 1: P 1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to end.
ROW 2: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat these 2 rows of ribbing for 1 1/2 (2-2) ins., end on wrong side.
First DEC. ROW: Work ribbing for 7 (7-9) sts, * slip, k and psso, k1, k2 tog. *, work 3 (5-7) sts ribbing, repeat between *’s once, finish row in ribbing; 23 (25-31) sts.
NEXT ROW: Work 7 (7-9) sts ribbing, p3, work 3 (5-7) sts ribbing, p3, finish row.
2nd DEC ROW: Work 6 (6-8) sts, * k2 tog., k1, slip, k and psso *, work 1 (3-5) sts, repeat between *’s once, finish row; 19 (21-27) sts.
Break yarn leaving an end about 12″ long. Thread yarn tail onto yarn needle, and remove the remaining sts (toe) from the knitting needle by weaving the yarn through them, pull tightly to close. Repeat pulling tail through all sts twice.
Finishing — Fold cast on edge in half (so slipper is inside out) and sew 3 (4, 5) ins. from toes leaving just enough room for your foot ot go inside slipper. Back stitch for 4 sts and cut yarn. Re-attach your yarn at heels then stitch heel shut. Make another slipper. Add a pom pom if you wish
Shannon. I will find pictures so that you can get an idea of how they look ….
J
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Hi, a friend of mine gave me a beautiful spinner. I looked it up it has the signature Of the maker on it. IT is a tina 2 it is a castle style with a couple small differences. My question is, is it hard to spin? And what animal spinning wool is cheep we and easily spun?
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As a beginning spinner, you may find a coarser carded wool fiber such as Corriedale easier to draft and spin.
Some more slippery fibers like silk can be more frustrating as you are learning. Buy a bag of prepared wool, at a supply shop, fiber show, such as a sheep and wool show, or online(be aware here).
It is not hard to spin, it does take practice, and a good technique. Find a comfortable stool or low chair and just practice treadling on your wheel until it feels comfortable to you.
There are many how to videos on you tube. Natalie Redding is a good one to watch. You can find her on face book as well.
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