Summer Spinning

re: Summer Spinning

spinnerknits — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:01:12 GMT

I've learned to NOT forget to pack a spindle and some fiber...because I tend to buy new fiber when travelling and need a spindle immediately. I try to find fiber sources wherever I travel and can talk my family into stopping for briefly.

re: Summer Spinning

Randy2 — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:16:59 GMT

Amy - I am so glad I read this before I headed off to Germany for some total relaxation!! I wasn't going to take my "projects" or spindle, but after reading your article I tucked them away into my carry on. I got a new spindle at SOAR last year and hadn't really had any time to play with it. On the long flight to Germany I finished up a lace scarf from handspun Great Pyrenees dog fiber that needed my undivided attention. I find that everybody warms up to you on an airplane with you take out your knitting - especially if you are a man. While I was in Germany I traveled to the Lueneburger heide region, where they have a breed of sheep called the Heidschnucken. The sheep are used to maintain the heather in this rather large area. You feel like you have traveled back in time. The sheep are incredible animals - as all sheep are! Although I couldn't find any fiber (it wasn't for lack of trying), they are much like Shetland or Icelandic sheep. On our travels I knitted another scarf out of a colored Targhee blank I had knitted and then painted - in the car, on the train, relaxing in the back garden. The flight home - with all of the delays - provided a perfect time to knit up another lace scarf out of some handspun merino/alpaca. The spindle was a huge hit everywhere I took it out. The art of spinning and knitting broke down all language barriers.

re: Summer Spinning

CherrywoodSpinster — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:56:07 GMT

I have to take SOMETHING with me when I travel - spinning if possible, knitting if I have less space, both if I can manage. I was at a conference at a Muskoka, Ontario,Canada resort last week & took along my spinning wheel (handpainted Lendrum) in case I had some free time. The look on the doorman's face when I handed him the wheel was priceless - he held it like a newborn! I did get an hour or so to sit & spin on a lovely balcony overlooking the woods - very relaxing!

re: Summer Spinning

Fluffmuffin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:56:40 GMT

I almost always pack something fiber when I travel. Given I am addicted to turkish spindles my most common companion is a baggie with fiber and the appropriate turkish spindle. I have learned I can gently remove the shaft of the spindle, and then pack the bundle almost flat. If I have space I carry it in my purse or backpack so I can play while waiting or, with a small spindle, even while I am flying.

re: Summer Spinning

Genevieve MKnits — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:35:03 GMT

Dearest Spin off,

What a treat to pickup the new Summer issue and fall in love with the magazine and all things spinning again. Such a beautiful layout and great information. Amy, I love your post, I remember when I met you at SOAR in Potosi, MO and husband and children were not on your horizon line. How fast the years fly. Many blessings to you and the staff at Interweave. I'll be restarting my subscription even in these tough times, you all are worth it!

re: Summer Spinning

Gwen Crandell — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:57:04 GMT

If I don't take my spindle and rovs, I take the finished yarn and knit or crochet patterns and hooks and needles.

re: Summer Spinning

jenny hubbard — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 03:20:11 GMT

I love to take my Joy Wheel with me whenever I take a road trip. Before I got that wheel my Louet S10 went everywhere with me. The wheels have been to both coasts, as far south as South Carolina, and a far north as Oregon. There is nothing that can beat sitting on my Mom's back deck looking out over Santa Fe early in the morning. Well maybe spinning while overlooking the Pacific along the Big Sur in Califonia. Best of all is spinning in Poudre Canyon in August during the Leonid Meteor showers. The sound of the river rushing by while you watch the meteors shooting overhead and the feel of the soft fibers flowing through your hands can't be beat.

re: Summer Spinning

Doreen MacL — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:01:42 GMT

I am a thoroughly addicted fibre arts person and for years have travelled (even for dinner at a friend's) with knitting in hand, even with small children. Now I have added a drop spindle to my repertoire so I always have either that or knitting, preferably both!! I have a wheel too but for travel I choose a light spindle and a fine fibre- silk or silk wool blend and spin it very fine, then ply using the Andean method. The end product might be a small lace scarf so I take along knitting supplies with that in mind. I have used my drop spindle while travelling in Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Turkey, Morocco and all over the UK including Ireland and the Orkneys. Spinning is an especially good way to meet curious onlookers, knitting is too. I would probably take just about anything else out of my suitcase first. My drop spindle was even allowed on airplanes when knitting needles were banned. Happy spinning and knitting everywhere!

re: Summer Spinning

gazell — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:22:36 GMT

I spent a month in Barcelona last year and couldn't imagine not having/wanting some down time to spin. Nor could I imagine a month without spinning. I took several ounces of washed wool, and small dog brush, a drop spindle, and small niddy noddy, all in a ziplock bag or two.

re: Summer Spinning

judespins — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:13:43 GMT

I always travel with at least a spindle or 2 & fibre. We went to Mexico in January, & enjoyed sitting & spindling on the beach & as we went off on little daytrips to see the sites. It is interesting to see peoples reactions. I had hoped to meet some other spinners .. possibly see some local spinning, but sadly it didn't happen. Hopefully nect trip with be to an area with more fibre arts.

Judespins

Chilliwack, BC Canada

re: Summer Spinning

eclectic spinner — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:40:00 GMT

I always travel with socks on circular needles (hate losing a dpn!) and a takhli, spinning bowl and a baggie with cotton, and often my tiny top whorl Golding spindle and silk hankies or caps. All those things squish down into a very small package that fits into whatever carry bag I have. Then I also have a choice of projects and fibers to play with!

re: Summer Spinning

MarilynWK — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:43:58 GMT

There is ALWAYS room for a sandwich size ziplock full of fiber, a small niddy, and a spindle! Silk tops are compact and last a long spinning time. I usually also have another small project bag with a pair of knitted socks in progress. Then, no matter where you are, there's something to do! Take a tee shirt out of the suitcase to fit them in, or better yet, just shove them in your carry-on because you'll more than likely want them in the car, bus, truck, ship, plane, or train!

re: Summer Spinning

Shirlspins — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:41:33 GMT

I almost always travel with my pear-shaped tahkli spindle, a little ceramic bowl for support and a well prepared fibre. I use silk or Merino top, and spin lace-weight yarns. Sometimes it's only enough for sampling a lace knitting project before I decide how to procede next

re: Summer Spinning

hs2o — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:16:03 GMT

I spun my way across Canada in a car last fall. I picked up fibre as I went. I used my Tabichek drop spindle. Once in Halifax, I visited The Loop for more fibre. I spun in my hotel rooms and with family and friends. I spun at Thanksgiving Dinner with about 23 people there. The kids were fascinated...so were some of the adults.

I found an easy way to get more fibre in your suitcase to go home is to poke holes in the bags holding it. Then you can squish it down and get massive amounts in your luggage. I was sure to take one extra almost empty suitcase...just for fibre to take home!

re: Summer Spinning

Sande Francis — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:43:46 GMT

I have wrist issues so do not use a spindle, but I love my Rakestraw Spinner from Down in the Country Fibers. It packs easily, like a spindle, and always gets lots of attention and comments when I pull it out to spin. I can spin fine or thick with it and find it very versatile.