Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Off to Class

Immodest as it may seem, I'm going to show off my newly acquired mad spindling skillz in a skein competition. My newbie-spun is off to Class 8, Novice, and Class 14 (a Challenge Class!), Textile Yarn Swatch, at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Festival, at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in Ringoes, September 16-17.

For the challenge class, here's my sample of commercially prepared Blue Face Leicester fiber, sample skein of 20+ yards (18+ m) laceweight yarn, and blocked sample of fabric, knitted in a garter stitch version of Old Shale, which shows off the yarn texture and variegation nicely. The yarn was part of my Tour de Fleece spinning.

Fiber sample   Skein of laceweight yarn   Sample fabric, knitted in Old Shale pattern

Knitting the swatch had a primal quality, as if this old pattern is what handspun wool laceweight is meant to be. I'm thinking it wants to be a stole, although fingerless gloves would be exceptionally pretty (and so useful, too!).

I should note that for a Garden State, state fairs in New Jersey sometimes leave something to be desired. There are plenty of regional fairs, but... well, the one closest to Exit 151 is held in the parking lot of Giants Stadium and most closely resembles a moveable version of Coney Island. Not to mention this year's NJ Sheep & Fiber Festival was cancelled due to lack of interest. Happily, knowledgeable Risa (who has started an Ivy KAL) heard of this alternative.

Please keep your fingers and/or needles crossed for me – it's the very first time I've entered a FO in a show. I plan to go on Sunday – if you go on Saturday, check out the skein competition and let me know the results of the judging.

[ETA: See how I did here.]

6 comments:

Beth S. said...

I'm hoping to be there on Saturday, and will cast an eye on the skeins and look for yours! Good luck! :-)

I can't believe the "real" fest was canceled... the problem there must be outreach and advertising. I mean, it's right next door to New York, and you'd think everyone in the area who's going to Rhinebeck in October would be thrilled to have a "warm-up" festival to attend. Right?...

CrazyFiberLady said...

I was never able to make it to that other festival as they unfailingly would schedule it so that it coincided with either Rosh Hashannah or Yom Kippur. I'm interested to see how the GSSB fares this year. I went two years ago and it was tiny. The massive amount of rain beforehand that nearly flooded most of the grounds didn't help. Good luck in the competition! Deb and I are going on Saturday so I'll eagerly check out the competition!

--Deb said...

Good for you--that's exciting! I'm looking forward to going on Saturday . . . and if the show turns out to be disappointing, well, it's right near Flemington which has excellent shopping opportunities! (grin) Good luck!

Anonymous said...

You rock, Ina! Good luck! I wish I could go and cheer you on...

Opal said...

Your spinning really just blows me away. It's so beautiful.

dragon knitter said...

you rock, girl! i should enter my spinning around here, i just never think of it, until it's too late, lol