Have you seen me anywhere?

Hmmm, must be I can only blog in the wee small hours of the morning? Maybe I should try when I'm more awake. I'm sure I would be more irresistible that way.

Obligatory Why I'm Doing This Statement: I knit. I spin. I weave. I teach. But what seems to turn my crank is writing. It comes in fits and starts. I couldn't tell you right now if there will be an overwhelming fiber theme here. It's likely. But I like to ruminate on other stuff too. So don't be surprised by anything that comes out my virtual mouth. It'll be mostly clean, at least.

Just so you know, if you're a fibery kind of person: I am unabashedly a natural-animal-fibers gal (I count silk in here, though I know the structure is different). Nylon and acrylic and lycra have their places. Cottons, linens, and the newer plant fibers are good, but not always my favorite (though I think Wick is tres cool). If I knit with all-acrylic, it had better be GOOD acrylic.

And to get it out of the way: I prefer wood and bamboo to metal needles (in many, but not all situations), circs to straights (usually), and am most likely to knit sweaters, socks, hats, mittens. Not a dishcloth kind of gal. Not much into novelty knitting, though some of those cupcakes knocking around are awful cute. Prefer texture knitting to colourwork. Can knit left-handed and right-handed for stranded work, but usually throw with the right hand. And I'm pretty fast for a thrower.

My wheel is a Jensen Tina II I bought used from a friend. People looking for a wheel for the first time, get the best one you can afford. I will never tire of Tina, and she is rock-solid and easy to spin on.

I weave on an Ashford 20" (I think) Knitter's Loom. It's the newest addition. I'd love to have a floor loom, like a Baby Wolf, but then I would have to sell the sofa. Don't think for a moment that I haven't considered it! My apartment is too small to have much company over anyway, so why not?

I've dabbled in natural dyeing too. I quite enjoyed it...I love the element of surprise. But I need to work out a better yarn supply system, and I think when it warms up, my attic will become the drying room instead of my too-tiny kitchen. More to come there.

And yeah, I crochet. Learned it long before I knit.

Don't hold it against me. :-)