The Hunger Games

So it seems more and more people are reading The Hunger Games since in a few short weeks the movie will be coming out. I am also one who is reading the series, I am on book 3 right now, but went into reading them thinking they wouldn't be as great as people said they were. The reason I say this is because...I hate Harry Potter. There I said it! I can not stand those books or movies, I don't know why, but I don't. So, that was my reason for going into this thinking "I'm not sure..." Midway through Chapter 1 though, I was hooked. I enjoyed every bit of the first book, but enjoyed the ending of the second the most. Now of course like everyone else I am obsessed with the Hunger Games! So much so that I am creating colorways inspired by each of the districts costumes that they wore in the chariots. I am still working on some, but I of course did District 12 first. If you have not read the book the two tributes are dressed in black with a cape that they catch on fire. So think...black...fire...and then look at this...



Posting soon to the shop! Along with the other 11 districts. Want to get your hands on it? LIKE my Facebook page and find out before anyone when it will go on sale! Simply search "Spinerosity" on Facebook.

And may the odds be forever in your favor!

Returning to the Blog Months Later!

I love how my last post was about how I was going to have more time to blog for my store and my spinning with me to return months later. I am in my last semester at West Texas A&M, and just found out I am graduating with honors! YAY! But enough about my life, lets talk shop and spinning.

In the spinning world, I just recently received two wonderful alpaca fleeces. Now if you are a spinner you are probably thinking "WOW! Pricey!", but you are wrong friends! Right now a wonderful lady named Sands is trying to clear out last seasons fleeces for the shearing season, so they are $50 each. Yes, you read that right....$50! The fleeces are simply amazing, in fact my dogs are obsessed with them because they are so soft. If you are interested in getting a wonderful fleece check Sands site! You will all so see a certain Mr Peanut Butter





So, what am I going to do with two whole alpaca fleeces? I am processing all of them, spinning it, and crocheting two blankets. One will be a larger one for snuggles on the couch, and the other will be sent my husband during his deployment. My first priority will of course be my husbands, and I will blog about the whole blanket process I am sure!

Also in my spinning world I have been spinning art yarns on my new Babe Bulky Wheel which was a Christmas present to myself. I am enjoying art yarns more so than "regular" yarn, but I am still working on some roving I bought at a fiber festival back in October.

Now onto the shop! What is new with the shop?! I hit 200 sales this month, and I am already well past it. If you have bought a spindle, bowl, or fiber from me...I love you and thank you. I hope you are enjoying using whatever you purchased! Mainly what is new in the shop is..COLOR! I love color and paints but I didn't have many options in my shop for them. I now have many colors added though for you to mix and match, just simply add the option to your cart! I am also adding roving that I have dyed along with some new batts coming soon. Not only did I had color but I added a new spindle, an art yarn spindle! This bad boy weighs in at 3 oz! I have ordered more supplies to make more in other colors along with a plain option, so be on the look out for that.





So, that is all that is new over here at Spinerosity. Make sure to check out the shop for all the new items and updates. Like us on Facebook, follow the blog, and favorite the shop! It all is much appreciated!

Happy Spinning!!

How to collect silk from cut cocoons

I am finally done with school for this semester and will now be able to blog more yay!

I noticed there was nothing online on how to collect silk from cocoons that have the worm removed, so I thought I would document how to that works. You don't need any fancy equipment, but I do recommend using a pot you do not cook out of. I have a ugly pot I dye with that I bought at a thrift store for $2 :) You will also need a spoon, I used a plastic one, to help push the cocoons down into the water. That is all you need though, so lets begin!

First heat some water in your pot until almost simmering, like when dyeing no bubbles! You will want to let the cocoons soak, you may have to help some sink into the water with your spoon, for a good 10-15 mins.


Once they have soaked, leave them in the pot with the heat on, trust me it makes it much easier to collect silk when they are still hot. Try one to see if you are able to peel the silk off. I take my nails and pinch the bottom of the cocoon and begin to pull the silk off. I like to wind the silk onto my spoon to have a continuous pull going, and then I slide the silk off the spoon when I am done. Once the silk is dry you fluff it out and put on your drum carder in a batt or spin as is :)





And it always helps to have a buddy

Fiber Fun

Fiber I played with last weekend, minus the fleece that I dyed and the picker which will be in a post tomorrow! Finally starting to feel better so I'm back to fiber fun today! I have to finish 4 swaps I'm doing as well, all fiber fun ones, so be on the look out for 25 hearts, 40 granny daughters, magic yarn ball, and spinning fiber swap.



Hook 'em Horns



Dyed by Caroline:


Dyed by Jase:


20 of 40 granny daughters

Phat Fiber Box is HERE!

I got my Phat Fiber box today! I was so excited to see my mailman with it! Check out the awesome samples I got! So many fun fibers to play with!





Look at the super cute gift tags! I love them so much! Plus two stitch markers!


Can't wait till I can try next month for another one!

New Handpspun Yarn

Vista Fiber Fiesta

Saturday we drove an hour up north to Vista, CA to go the fiber fiesta. I stupidly forgot my camera and hate myself for it! It was a wonderful event, lots of spinners sitting and spinning on gorgeous wheels, and people everywhere grabbing up yarn and fiber. There were only a few vendors but they were great! So I'm sure you all want to see the yummyness that I got, so here it is!

1.5 lbs of Alpaca for $20 seriously! Thats dirt cheap, and it is amazing fiber!



4 oz of Merino/Tussah Silk


Silk cocoons without the worms



Last but of course not least, a hand carved crochet hook


Also that day I got my wonderful twindle in the mail yay! I'm not a blue person but it spoke to me!

New Spanish Peacock Spindles

Being put to work already to!!!
I think I need a Spindlers Anonymous!

It's all about the homemade fiber tools

Introducing my homemade grand wheel, it soon will be painted yellow, but we wanted to test it and tweak things before we started painting.


Ever heared of knooking? It's knitting with a crochet hook, and so much faster than knitting! You can buy a Knook set (which I have) but I wanted more sizes. So I made my own :) Today I am knooking socks.


The set you can buy: (if you want one, go to Walmart, they are $5 there)
http://www.leisurearts.com/knook-beginner-set-for-medium-weight-yarn.html

And of course my bright orange babe wheel, isn't it awesome! I painted the flyer black too :)

New Handpspun Yarn

I was going to put this on here Thursday but thanks to blackout throwing me off schedule I wasn't able to till today.

I already have a project in mind for this yarn, it is 300+ yards of sport weight in an unknown wool. I wasn't fond of it when I was spinning it, but now that it's finished I think it would make a great shawl. Now to find the time to actually crochet...sigh

New spindles listed!

There are eight new spindles listed in the shop! 7 painted mini spindles, both bottom and top whorl, and one bottom whorl lace weight. Some of the spindles were inspired, one by Halloween and the other by my mom's obsession for anything Texas Tech!
The ones with white or blue will not be returning so grab them while you can. And, remember who ever is my 100th sale gets something free! I'm thinking fiber related to :)

Batts, Batts, & More Batts

Snapped some really quick photos of the recent batts

Part of the Fleece Project:

Fleece to Yarn Project

Objects Being Used:
Drum carder
Dye
7+ lbs of raw corriedale fleece
Spinning Wheel
TIME!

Raw Fleece


After Just One Bath


Dyed (excuse our patio, its in the middle of being redone)




Now to remove more vegetable matter, and card into batts. Also need to dye more!