A spin on a fairy tale

I was reading an interesting thread on Ravelry today, which really struck me given my recent infatuation with spinning yarn. We're all pretty familiar with the tale of Sleeping Beauty, who pricked her finger on a spindle and fell into her infamous slumber. The question was posed - what part of the spinning wheel did Sleeping Beauty actually prick herself on? I don't have a spinning wheel myself (although my husband seems to be warming to the concept in the future) so I was quite intrigued by the answers people had. It would seem that this has been intriguing quite a few people for a while, including someone who has been making a concerted effort to prick her finger on a variety spinning wheels...for historical purposes of course!

It would seem that there are various possible answers, given that fairy tales form new meanings through time and with translation between languages.

Some say that in the original written versions of the story, Sleeping Beauty was cursed by a spindle (as in a drop spindle), because spinning wheels weren't yet invented at that time. It has also been said that she originally pricked her finger while sewing and the spinning wheel was brought into the story during Victorian times. There has also been some question as to whether it was the spindle itself that was cursed and the simple act of her touching it was what caused her to fall into her sleep, rather than the act of pricking her finger. Foreign versions of the story from the 1500's say that the prick to her finger actually came from a splinter in the flax being spun.

While the best known version of this story is most likely the tale that Disney has told, the accuracy of the spinning wheel causing Beauty to prick her finger can be questioned, as more modern spinning wheels do not really have anything particularly sharp on them that could cause that type of injury. However, wheels that are not quite so modern have quills that apparently can be quite sharp.

Granted, we will most likely never really know what exactly happened to poor Princess Aurora, but knowing that the king and queen burned all the spinning wheels in the land is enough to make any spinner cringe.

If any of you have insight into this fairy tale, I would be intrigued to hear what you know so please feel free to comment! Next I think I'll be doing some reading on Rumpelstiltskin.

What to do with office trash

The beauty of being crafty is that it opens up the possibility to make something out of things that others would probably discard. Now that I have been spinning away with my drop spindle and really starting to get the hang of it, I did some research as to what might be helpful when plying two single strands of yarn together. There is something called a "Lazy Kate" which holds the bobbins of spun yarn and makes it easy to ply several strands together. Seeing as I just depleted my PayPal account buying roving for my new hobby, I decided it'd be easier to make one myself rather than having to buy one for now.

After rummaging around my office, I realized that all the supplies I needed are actually right here. Not only that, but they're plentiful and easy to access. So, here we are - my Lazy Kate recipe.

-2, or as many as you may need, plastic CD spindles (I work in music so there's lots of these around. They usually hold CDs before they go in jewel cases)
-1 cardboard box that is a little narrower than the length of the spindles
-1 pair of scissors
It's definitely a rough prototype and I will make a prettier model later, but it works like a charm (no more "toilet paper roll" bobbins running around the floor) and cost a spectacular free 99. Can't get much better than that!

My so called yarn

I had ordered a drop spindle and roving from a farm on localharvest.org last week, so that I could make a few first attempts at spinning my own yarn. It arrived on Monday and of course, I spent quite a bit of that afternoon furtively spinning up the roving in my office at every opportunity I could. Waiting for a report to run? Spin the yarn. Waiting for the printer? Spin the yarn. Well, you get the idea.
Anyway, 48 hours later, I have 28 yards of something that could be mistaken for yarn in my possession. I took it home last night to set the twist and dry it. Then I woke up this morning, pulled it off the shower head and have my first mini-hank of joy!

I'm calling it watermelon. I know that much more practice is needed until I have something that looks more "regular" so to speak, and of course I have ordered more roving already because I'm almost through the practice wool that I bought. As if I need another obsession? Oh well. =)

Etsy Featured Shop - Sheknitigans!

I recently realized that despite being such a knitting fiend that I have never featured a yarn, fiber, or knitting store on my blog. Well, the saying goes that it's better late than never, so here we go!

For this feature, I interviewed Coley from Sheknitigans, an Etsy store featuring some truly beautiful hand-spun yarn. I have been sitting here this week waiting patiently for my own drop spindle and wool to get here so that I can start spinning myself. I find the beautiful yarns in Coley's shop to be inspiring as someone who has just decided to learn to spin!
How did you get your start spinning?
A few years ago while visiting my first fiber festival, in Rhinebeck, NY, I purchased my first drop spindle and rovings. I tried to spin this way to no avail, but still really wanted to spin, I was truly fascinated by it. After retiring the spindle for two years, my parents gave me the best gift ever - an Ashford Traveller. Three hours of assembly later, I tied on my first leader yarn and haven't stopped spinning since!

Can you give a brief description of the spinning process for those who may not know?

Spinning involves the drafting and spinning of fibers in precise (or not so precise) amounts to make different varieties of yarn. It is a combination of hand movements and foot treadling to make all the magic happen.

How long does it take for you to create an average skein?

The average skein takes me approximately three hours to spin, and then there is time involved to set the twist with a wash, whack, and dry. My upstairs neighbors really love the whacking part I'm sure.

Who dyes the yarns that you create?

I love to support other Etsians and buy 95% of my rovings and batts from Etsy Sellers such as Freckle Face Fibers, Poppy Flower Fibers, and Loop!

Do you let them create the colorways or do you design the colors with them?

Typically I let the dyers do what they do best, and I purchase the color blends that I can envision as a finished product. On occasion, I have recommended a colorway and they have been kind enough to oblige me. (Ok, I had a dream about roving. I admit it.)

What is your favorite thing about handspun yarn?
In a world of me-too's, everyone is searching for their own creative touch. Hand-spun yarn is always unique and original, no two skeins are ever exactly alike. Using hand-spun in a generic pattern or your favorite pattern can make a regular project really outstanding.

What is your favorite thing about this yarn?
Forest Fantasy is such a fun yarn out of my typical color range. My favorite thing about this yarn is the sparkles, and how soft the yarn is! You would never expect anything that sparkles like this to be next-to-skin soft, but it is really incredible!

How do you decide on the names for your yarns?
I am always inspired by my surroundings, which typically involve food and Starbucks. My favorite drinks and flavors are always making their way into my colorway names. I also try to incorporate literary devices such as alliteration - its the business marketing major in me ;)

What suggestions might you have for someone that is thinking about trying to learn spinning?

Try to find someone who spins - it might be someone in your knitting group, or in an online forum. They can provide encouragement or an opportunity to try spinning, as well as tips and support. The fiber community has been so amazing and helpful, supportive at every turn. It's incredible how much everyone is wanting to help and see you succeed. I am entirely self taught and people are always amazed to the learn that. Find a wheel and give it a whirl!

Do you do any other fiber arts?

Besides spinning, I knit at every spare moment - at red lights, in restaurants, on the plane. Spinning has given me the ability to make a popular pattern really unique by using my own handspun yarn to make it special.

To learn more about Coley and her yarns, also visit her website - www.sheknitigans.com.