I was out in my garden with my daughter Hannah (age 4½) this
weekend looking at the tulips that are pushing up from under the snow. We
marveled at robins who were gathering twigs to weave their nests and uncovered
piles of worms blithely turning our compost into soil (Hannah's favorite part
of gardening—the worms). It's definitely spring in Colorado—but that doesn't
mean we won't get a lot more snow before spring is really here to stay.
In the meantime, there are spinning projects that are
calling my name—several in the Spring
2010 issue of Spin-Off that is
just now arriving in mailboxes across the United States, and soon, throughout
the world. The Frosty Mornings Cowl is
tempting me—cowls are so practical, they have all the comfort of a scarf
without the loose ends to manage. This issue also features the results of our
call for entries for Button-Up Neck Warmers—they're lovely! I've been
wondering—what do you prefer? Cowls or scarves? And why? Tell me in the
comments. Carol Rhoades' Cozy Crocheted Cuffs look like they are
knitted, but they are brilliantly crocheted—perfect for keeping the chill of
early spring at bay. And I've been tempted by the ramie necklace and earrings
project simply by the pearl beads alone.
I missed the Great Yarn Caper at Spin-Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR) 2009 that Linda
Ligon orchestrated, but reading about it in the Spring issue, I almost feel
like I was there amid the frenzied spinning hilarity. We received an e-mail
this morning from a reader about her guild's spinning antics—spinning while
wearing a pillowcase on one's head. Amazingly, one can spin a decent yarn this
way.
Maggie Casey wrote a great short article providing a quick
list for maintaining your spinning wheel—as she says, "a little oil and a lot
of love will go a long way." I'm envisioning a spring cleaning session on the
back porch with my wheel.
—Amy