Friday, April 17, 2009

Spring is coming slowly




This morning the sun is out and the birds are flying around cheeping happily. The snow is finally off the front flowerbeds and the tulip leaves are showing, have to go out in a minute and do some scratching around. The mice had a hayday under the snow this winter, hope they did not do too much damage. A lot of my bulbs had the dirt dug away from them so as I was potting inside plants I covered them up with the old pot dirt so we will see. I ordered some new poppy seeds and they came in the mail yesterday so better get them planted and under the grow lights.
I finally got the fibre back that had been at the mill for a year, I had them just wash, pick and dehair and it turned out great.I only had one llama fleece and the rest was alpaca. The llama fleece was from a young male and he was white with small brown spots so the fibre is an off white but will look great dyed. I carded the llama with some merino/silk roving and it turned out sooo soft. I spun some up and although I thought I had put a lot of twist in it, I could have had more, I find llama needs a lot of twist in the singles. I plied most of it two ply and then what was left on one bobbin I navaho plyed and I think I like it better in the three ply so will try the next skein three ply. You would not believe how soft it is. I can not wait to card up the alpaca, the light reddish brown and white is so soft and the grey and black are nice too but is a bit coarser as it was from older animals. RH has been working downstairs tiling the floor, drywalling and now is finishing the suspended ceiling so everything is stacked all over and that is where my work area is so have not accomplished much except for knitting this winter. I have such bad allergies so have been battling runny eyes and sinus problems, almost done...will be so glad when everything is put back in its place and all the dust is cleaned up but it is going to be so nice, our house has a walkout basement with large windows to the floor and now with the light colored floor tile and white ceiling it is so bright down there. Had a great Easter with all the kids and grandkids out for dinner, only one missing was younger son as he works in the oil patch, he purchased a house up there last fall so cooked dinner for his buddies that could not make it home either. Well am off to plant my poppy seeds and then go out and scratch around "carefully"in my flower beds.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

good to hear you got your fibre back and i wish someone would hurry up an invent touch screens :) id love to see what llama feels like - enjoy your garden time :)

Shelley's Garden said...

Good to hear your news. Your basement sounds like it will be wonderful when all is done. I saw a llama children's book in Chapters the other day and thought of you!