In 2008, I gave myself a spinning challenge to see how much finished yarn I could spin in one year. In 2008, I made 7.80 miles of finished yarn, which is handspinning more than fifteen miles, because there were quite a few 3 and 4 ply yarns in that mix. (You can see the chart here for Spinning My Wheel.)
I’ve been working out of the handspun stash for all this weaving, and I’m running out of yarn. It’s time to take the spinning up a notch or two and spin up some yarn.
The fiber trunk has been emptied out and ALL the fiber has been pre-drafted, carded and set up to get spun.
And I mean EVERYTHING. It’s taken me a few weeks of continuous work, before and after work and on weekends, to get this done. But, done it is.
The other night I took all the baskets full of prepared fiber from all the cabinets, bookcases and everywhere else, and put them all on the floor of my little studio. There were so many that I couldn’t get back far enough to get them all in.
And it’s all prepped and ready to go! And I’m talking about ALL the fiber I’ve got, including some of the first fiber I ever bought several years ago. Yeah, I’m getting serious about this.
So, this is my personal challenge for the summer of 2009: TO SPIN UP EVERY LAST FIBER IN MY HOUSE by Labor Day in September. Can it be done? Stay tuned to find out. And, no, it’s not too early to start, even though it’s barely spring. I have a lot of fiber, so I need the head start!
And there’ll be a chart, too:
-Summer of Spinning-
| Spinning Date | Fiber Source | Fiber Content | Color Name | Yardage | Weight | Ply | WPI |
If you want to spin along, feel free to grab this little badge.
Check out the official S.O.S. (Summer of Spinning) page here.
Saffron
What an awesome challenge, Dave!
I’m cheering for you! I’ll be lucky if I can spin HALF of the fiber that I have.
Apr 23, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
Elinor
The pile of fiber is so pretty! I want to roll in it and ruin all your hard work drafting. Kidding. Can’t wait to see how it goes!
Apr 23, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
Michelle
If anyone can do this it’ll be you. I said last year I was going to join in but that totally didn’t happen. But maybe this year I’ll finally make a dent. And if you happen to run out of spinning I can help you out with fiber supplies from my stash…
Apr 23, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
Ginger
Go, Dave, GO!!
See Dave spin.
See Dave weave.
Oooh, the pretties!
Apr 23, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
Amelia Garripoli
The cool badge is almost enough to make me sign up
if I’m remembering my history facts correctly, it used to take 5 spinners to keep 1 weaver occupied … kinda like those sheep to shawl contests, with many spinners and one weaver. So you need a few more cats, and they need to learn to spin 
Apr 23, 2009 @ 9:04 pm
Chante
WOW, what a challenge. I wish I could take the same vow but I fear that the pressure might be too much for me. I’ll be rooting for you though. Good luck.
btw, long time reader, fist time commenter.
Apr 23, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
Duffy
That would be a fun challenge. Summertime is usually devoted to small knitting projects but I have a boatload of fiber for spinning. Name the date you’re starting and we’ll ride along.
Apr 23, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Carole
Given the weather predictions for this weekend I’d say you’re right on time! Good luck.
Apr 24, 2009 @ 5:39 am
Benita
I seriously doubt I can spin up everything I have, but I’m going to join you in this challenge. I’ll keep track of how much I spin between today and Labor Day, and we can compare notes at the end. Although, I have the feeling my pile of yarn is going to look pathetic compared to your…
And, I’m going to tag your blog on mine and see how many people we can get to join this challenge. This ought to be fun and very interesting!
Apr 24, 2009 @ 7:16 am
Roxie
And you spin such fine, beautiful yarn, too! That wheel will just be smokin’!
I love your color sense. I can sit and just feast my eyes on those drafts of roving, those luscious batts. My inner magpie is in a frenzy of greed. Want, want, want!!
Apr 24, 2009 @ 8:21 am
Leslie
I’ll think of you treadling furiously, trying to get it all spun up as I sit on the porch, knitting something small, enjoying the night sounds.
Apr 24, 2009 @ 8:56 am
Life Looms Large
Good luck with your spinning challenge!! Don’t forget to enjoy the too short New England summer though!!
I’m secretly thankful that I don’t like to spin….but your work definitely makes me rethink that from time to time!!
Sue
Apr 24, 2009 @ 9:23 am
anne marie in philly
all those colors are freakin’ amazing!
dusty and miss lulu will be “supervising” your efforts!
I will just stand back and watch…
have a great weekend!
Apr 24, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Beverly
Can I copy the chart, too? I love me a chart!!!
Apr 24, 2009 @ 10:35 am
Karen
Can I come over and roll around in that pile? Please?
I have no doubt you’ll spin it all!
Apr 24, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Heidi
Spin, Dave, SPIN! Just make sure sparks don’t come a’flying and ignite the fiber…
Apr 24, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
Peg in South Carolina
Summer would be a nice time to spin. Can even take the wheel outside. Can’t say that for the loom. Tempting. But I don’t think my body can take so much of any one activity. Besides, I’m not going to give up weaving for the summer! Or gardening.
Apr 24, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
moiraeknittoo
Ooo. This could be very inspiring! I hope to spend some time tomorrow trying to organize/clean/update my studio and maybe, just maybe, get the wheel out and going.
Apr 24, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
sara
Now that’s a great challenge!!!! Can’t wait to see the results…
Apr 24, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
jackie
And how many pounds would that be?
Apr 24, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
marj.
We’re shearing in less than a month so there’s no way in creation that I’d ever get everything spun up but it’s going to be fun watching you go through that pile of prettiness.
Apr 24, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Judi
Just look at all that yumminess! I don’t know how you are going to decide what to do first – maybe it doesn’t matter since the goal is to spin it ALL. Right now I am spinning some plain plain plain fawn colored roving. It will be a nice three ply for a Christmas gift for a friend that looooooves brown, but right now it is boooooring.
Apr 24, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
magicstixfibers
i copied your badge to my blog and i will start spinning more. i doubt that i will get even close to anything youre planning on but i’ve got to reduce my stash! i’ve got pounds and pounds of fiber, anything from raw, unwashed fleeces to ready to spin batts and roving. i will start monday and will keep a record of it on my blog with before and after pics.thanks for the kick in the behind, i’ve been lagging too long.
Apr 24, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
heide
Just to keep you on your toes maybe I’ll send you some more
Apr 24, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
Bobbie
Duffy told me about your little project, Dave, and suggested the entire Portland Spinnerati ride along with you. I agreed, and we’re cooking up details of a summer long challenge for the whole group. Memorial Day to Labor Day, complete with mini-challenges and prizes for each. See what you’ve started here, Dave? Mass mania, that’s what!
We’ll keep you posted.
Apr 24, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
Kathie Kelleher
You’ll do it!
Challenges are so motivating and fun.
You’re challenging me to start dying my own fiber and get proficient at spinning.
Your pre spun fiber’s just heavenly- can’t wait to see the yarn.
Apr 24, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
Kelli
You’re my hero. I love that you are challenging yourself to slay the stash. I’ll be tuned in to witness your progress and rooting for you. ~ksp
Apr 25, 2009 @ 8:42 am
Chris
Oooo, all the pretties! I’ll be watching, and maybe spinning some, too. My stash is perpetual so I won’t even think about trying to spin it all.
Apr 26, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
Devorah
Oooh! And your new toys are going to make that a pleasure!
Apr 26, 2009 @ 6:14 pm