Spending Expedition…
I’m having a nice time in Minnesota. We got home so late on Monday night that most of Tuesday was a bust and we napped. But, Tuesday evening we went to Jackpot Junction (a casino near Redwood Falls) and met up with an aunt and uncle that live in Redwood for the 1/2 price buffet there. Since it’s mom’s birthday month whe got $5 back and the three of us ate for $14.50 , LOL! Can’t beat that, even at fast food 
We decided that yesterday was the day to do a road trip to Maple Plain (about 1hr 20 minutes or so from the farm), as we know my very unhappy sister in Grenada would not be cordial about going on a raod trip just for fiber. So, mom, Gaston (her Seeing Eye Dog ™) and I pile din their mini van and headed out on a road trip to Detta’s Spindle in rural Maple Plain.
Detta’s house was mostly filled with spinning goodness, with a bit of knitting stuff and commercial yarns. She had TONS of wheels, a fair selection of spindles and a lot of books and fiber. She managed to damage the checking out pretty good yesterday. But, I didn’t drive three hours round trip to not spend money, right?
Know that there is likely an afternoon of dyeing in my future I focused mostly on natural color fibers, wanting to get a variety of different types as well so I can get hands on experience to what I’ve read in In Sheep’s Clothing.
In the upper left is roughly 1/2 pound of Blue Face Leicester, which I’ve been reading that Theresa just loves BFL so when I saw this I had to pick it up, of course Then the small package in the clockwise direction is nearly 2 oz of Tussah silk, just to try a bit of. Then I got a pound of Punta Wool Top. The slip of paper in there says this is the same top that Brown Sheep uses for their Naturespun yarn, though it is not marked mill end as some of her bags were. But, this should be a good intro to spinning some different fibers that Snow hadn’t already set me up with and allow me to have some fun dying experiments as well.
I of course needed something with colors that remind me of home. This is actually a little more green in color that this picture indicates and the blend of colors in this Ashland Bay top reminds me of the lakes and the flora and fauna around them. This is 4 oz and may become a scarf in the future.
Then, in my quest to try out different fibers I picked up this 8-oz bag of 70/30 merino/eco-polyester blend fiber. Based on the coloring, I think this might also be Ashland Bay? I’m not sure if they make that blend as I’ve not become too familiar with the offerings yet. But, even though it isn’t all natural fibers I was intriqued by the use of a synthetic made from the recycling of soda bottles. I figure with the synthetic in there it will make for a nice sturdy yarn for socks and the merino will add a nice warmth.
You may also notice in this picture a drop spindle. Those who are observant will notice it is a new one. Yes, I have a Suzie Pro that I *love* to death. But I’m finding the spindle very enjoyable for traveling And, since my current spindle is a rather heavy 1.7 oz (great for plying though from my understanding) I succumbed to the siren call of a Cascade Spindle company Mt. St. Helen’s spindle. The wood of the whorl is absolutely gorgeous and check out the wonderful concave top that matches that of Mt. St. Helen’s peak?
This one is 1.0 oz and the groove for the yarn is deeped than my current spindle which I think will be nice. I haven’t given it a try yet, but I’m excited. Any recommendations on my purchased fibers as to what might work best with a 1.0 oz spindle? Mom says I probably don’t want to spin at their house because Gaston is really shedding a lot right now, but I can spin in my bedroom, as he and the cat aren’t allowed in there.
Speaking of spinning, here is some of the Coopworth I got from Snow on my first spindle. I’m guessing, based upon the targhe yardage that I’ve got roughly 50 yds on there right now…
It looks as though I’ll get to go to Creative Fibers before we go to the Orpheum on Saturday, but the other two shops will have to wait until my next visit. Which, is totally fine. I did enough damage at Detta’s I think.
BTW, Snow & Amanda - I picked up a catalog from her for each of you, so if I forget to give it to you when I get back remind about it, okay?
Northern Grounds in Willmar rocks for their high speed Internet! I’ll probably check back in sometime next week with another report of fiber stash enhancement from Saturday.
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You take such beautiful pictures, Kristi. Can’t wait to get you back home again, though. We missed you at SnB!
Comment by Snow — 7/21/2005 @ 11:25 am
Wow….I can’t wait to see what you spin up with all that fiber (is that the right word…take care.
Comment by michele — 7/21/2005 @ 12:46 pm