tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post115599935010946870..comments2024-03-19T03:17:32.682-04:00Comments on The Panopticon: Stitches Midwest 2006 Part IV: Well, Shut Mah MouthFranklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03670441931649806878noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156211085299069122006-08-21T21:44:00.000-04:002006-08-21T21:44:00.000-04:00Well, you've made me want to spin! I'm so glad tha...Well, you've made me want to spin! I'm so glad that you ended up enjoying and being enriched by the class you were so wary of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156200766331497722006-08-21T18:52:00.000-04:002006-08-21T18:52:00.000-04:00Franklin, your yarn is gorgeous! We all knew you c...Franklin, your yarn is gorgeous! We all knew you could do it! We just knew it before you did.<BR/><BR/>My t-shirts arrived today! Frabjous t-shirts! Almost as much fun to wear (no offense) as the Firefly t-shirts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156185131161767822006-08-21T14:32:00.000-04:002006-08-21T14:32:00.000-04:00Well said and stated. I used to spin a lot when I...Well said and stated. I used to spin a lot when I was a kid, but I kept getting nauseous.<BR/><BR/>Oh, wait, I thought you meant...dpastehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10813652943621759603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156169404889347012006-08-21T10:10:00.000-04:002006-08-21T10:10:00.000-04:00It's a hoot how we all have to be perfect the firs...It's a hoot how we all have to be perfect the first time out. It's the same with knitters. I had to ask someone in beginning knitting clsss to try a little positive thinking as she learnt to purl. <BR/><BR/>When crochet was kicking my a**, I was the same. My drop spindle contains about 10 yards of not the prettiest stuff in the world but it's a first go. I'm giving myself a month. Every time I get another mini-lesson I am told something new or wasn't ready to learn. <BR/><BR/>When people ask about it I show them and let them try. And tell them a little every day does it.<BR/><BR/>It can't be perfect in the begining or there would be no skill to it. There would be no joy in discovery and mastery.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156162591502992982006-08-21T08:16:00.000-04:002006-08-21T08:16:00.000-04:00I like the idea of "each one,teach one", but I als...I like the idea of "each one,teach one", but I also work in a yarn strore. And teach knitting there as part of my job. So sometimes I wonder, when do I teach for free,and when <BR/> for money. I can't teach everyone that comes into the yarn store,and some how I don't think I should if we run classes in the store. That goes for spinning as well.My good friend is a spinning teacher, and althogh she dosn't teach for her income,she does spend tons of money /time learning more skills by going tp spinning school every summer, in turn she does teach for money thru guild events or at local shops.<BR/> I don't think people should expect to get taught for free, but it seems to be that handwork,(be it knitting, spinning, sewing crafts) should be a free ride.Maybe it's because a lot of us were taught these skills by friends or family, we feel we should pass these skills on for free. <BR/>I get so mixed up over this topic, but I guess what I want to say is......<BR/>If you want to learn a skill be it knitting spinning ect. try teaching yourself,or look for a guild or stich and bitch,but if you are learing form someone for free,it is a gift.Remember that and maybe offer to pay,(lots if people will refuse payment) or gift them in a way they can not refuse. Knit them some socks, buy them a coffee ect.<BR/>So each one teach one but also mind your manners,<BR/>and don't expect free lessons. Sorry for the long rant. dennyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156128356131043682006-08-20T22:45:00.000-04:002006-08-20T22:45:00.000-04:00Will Merike be in Rhinebeck? Will you? Of course, ...Will Merike be in Rhinebeck? Will you? <BR/><BR/>Of course, unisex bathrooms. Looking straight ahead works very well. (Except for the one guy who would stride about in the altogether. I remember him and the ceiling all too vividly.)Luciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02344151648498823945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156122494551683952006-08-20T21:08:00.000-04:002006-08-20T21:08:00.000-04:00Franklin, Okay, I sympathize with the men's room t...Franklin, Okay, I sympathize with the men's room thing, except you do have one of those pointer things making it easier for you to go in the bushes than moi. BUT Mongradon!!!! I mean, taking out the men's room is so minor compared to his main sin: ruining Knitters' Mag. Used to be such a good publication, has been shit since he got there. <BR/>And Amy? Where is Amy???? The best writer they had on staff. Warmth, humor, skill, that is, skill with knitting AND writing and teaching both, and did I mention humor??? Where is she since he got there?????<BR/>KittyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156113585367448592006-08-20T18:39:00.000-04:002006-08-20T18:39:00.000-04:00Nothing of great import to say - just that I thoro...Nothing of great import to say - just that I thoroughly enjoy reading what you have to say. Oh, and I also thoroughly enjoy pestering my husband by reading him Dolores' 'pithy' comments while he's in the bath. <BR/>You just make me smile.<BR/>ChristineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156095725512891942006-08-20T13:42:00.000-04:002006-08-20T13:42:00.000-04:00I had a similar problem with spinning at first tho...I had a similar problem with spinning at first though I acknowledge that the actual problem was probably standing (cursing and snarling) between the spindle and the roving and not the actual spindle which was quite serviceable. It cannot be denied, however, that when I switched to a different type of spindle (in my case, a Bosworth) it suddenly got a lot easier and my singles got a lot better. I passed on the first spindle to someone else and she loves it. No troubles at all. Maybe they were a better match. <BR/><BR/>I noticed at the fab fiber fest in santa monica yesterday, that willingness to teach and talk and share the knowledge that is so common with knitters and spinners. It's rare nowadays. But when you encounter it, I don't know, you definitely do get that sense of being a link in a chain of knowledge. Not to mention the sense of community with a lot of other people who understand the need to constantly get more room for stash and perhaps hide fiber.Will Pillage For Yarnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15351477258799527005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156091840830678042006-08-20T12:37:00.000-04:002006-08-20T12:37:00.000-04:00What a nice post. I am also self-conscious about ...What a nice post. I am also self-conscious about spinning on a drop spindle in front of others. It's so silly - time to get over it!Julia (MindofWinter)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17921553069752206475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156090977277541102006-08-20T12:22:00.000-04:002006-08-20T12:22:00.000-04:00Franlkin, I take back my comment about being unsym...Franlkin, I take back my comment about being unsympathetic as in relation to bathroom signage. I do still support the need to change a few of the bathrooms to ladies rooms at an event with so many more women, but that's no excuse for a lack of signs.Sherry Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02103490521732524156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156087271287065672006-08-20T11:21:00.000-04:002006-08-20T11:21:00.000-04:00Great yarn, Franklin! It's amazing what a huge di...Great yarn, Franklin! It's amazing what a huge different the right tool makes, to say nothing of the right difference a huge tool makes (hey, minds out of the gutter -- I was talking about a Rick Reeves production wheel!). <BR/><BR/>I also love Tracey's spindles; they are simply amazing. Tracey is a consummate craftsman, and I always enjoy chatting with him and finding out what he's got cooking when I see him at the Estes Park Wool Market each June. I about died when he demonstrated his spindle safe by putting one of his glorious spindles in it and standing on it! <BR/><BR/>Thanks also for sharing your experiences with the class and reminding us about the power of a positive attitude.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156085950199701422006-08-20T10:59:00.000-04:002006-08-20T10:59:00.000-04:00dear; i like your pictures of people. all so natur...dear; i like your pictures of people. all so natural, as if i'm looking at the people myself, not at all like i'm looking at photographs of people.<BR/>does that make sense?<BR/>a friend of my younger DD can spin with a bit of straightened wire clothes hanger; isn't that wonderful?marie in floridahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14825004003979843667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156085545142848012006-08-20T10:52:00.000-04:002006-08-20T10:52:00.000-04:00I'm thrilled at the sight of your beautiful yarn. ...I'm thrilled at the sight of your beautiful yarn. Primarily because of how much joy it obviously gives you, and the class sounded lovely, but also because it gives me hope for myself. I bought two spindles at MDSW I haven't used well on my own yet, but I also got a wheel on Friday. Hee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156083550934061912006-08-20T10:19:00.000-04:002006-08-20T10:19:00.000-04:00When I learned to spin I took some classes, and th...When I learned to spin I took some classes, and there was much of it that I resented. She made me learn on a spindle (I wanted to be on a wheel) she made me learn prep (I wanted to jump in.) in short...<BR/><BR/>She was a really good teacher. The best part though, was that she told me that each spinner has a responsibility to teach another. That passing spinning on has always been done this way, and that as the knowledge dwindles, it's important to tell people so nobody takes their knowledge out with them. <BR/><BR/>Like Rabbitch I heard "each one teach one" a lot. I get some sort of fuzzy glow when I think about saving spinning for the future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156072458624200342006-08-20T07:14:00.000-04:002006-08-20T07:14:00.000-04:00I'm with Ted. Great yarn. Oh, and the handspun is ...I'm with Ted. Great yarn. Oh, and the handspun is nice, too. These are the stories that make me love ya like I do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156070769085995012006-08-20T06:46:00.000-04:002006-08-20T06:46:00.000-04:00I so enjoyed meeting you at Stitches, briefly but ...I so enjoyed meeting you at Stitches, briefly but wonderfully. And Now i've gotten caught up with your blog. I'm the "susan" photo'd in an earlier part of your Report from the excessively controlled consumer-driven wonderment known as Stitches.<BR/><BR/>I'd gone to the big quilt extravaganza in Houston, so I sort of knew what I was getting in to. <BR/>I did LOVE seeing all of the things knitted and worn by other knitters (with the Men wore things, too....and I did challenge you to Make Lace-wear a must do for Real Men). <BR/><BR/>so next year-let's organize a Near-But Not Even Close anti-Stitches extravaganza where NOTHING is for sale. But borrow and exchange will be tolerated. Heck, I'd help organize (take it back, take it back).<BR/><BR/>susan-up north in MadisonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156049192893669652006-08-20T00:46:00.000-04:002006-08-20T00:46:00.000-04:00Oh, Franklin, you did good! I'm so proud of you, ...Oh, Franklin, you did good! I'm so proud of you, and as happy as you are! But to be fair, you've had some excellent teachers along the way, not even knowing it. We have to remember the wonderful Ted, who showed you that indeed you CAN spin a yarn. We were all behind you, silently encouraging you, and knowing in our hearts, that once you experienced the thrill of making yarn exactly right for you, you would be hooked. Just one person at a time, and we will take over the world! haha<BR/><BR/>To those of you that are wondering why you can't gather up courage to pick up a spindle and spin, I would like to give each of you a kick on the far side, but will have to settle for pointing you into the right direction. Yes, you can learn from a good instruction book, or a website, and there are several. The best is to have a real live person at your side guiding you along. Where to find them? Check out the link at Spin-Off for all the spinning guilds, find one in your area, and go. They are enablers as much as I am! http://www.interweave.com/spin/resources/spinning_guilds.asp<BR/><BR/>You can also announce to no one in particular (the universe in general) that you want to learn to spin -- and then watch all the teachers appear right at your elbow. They are there, waiting for you to be ready and to ask.<BR/><BR/>You know, Franklin, we are expecting some truly fantastic knitting from your very own hand-spun hand-dyed hand-knit yarns!! Because we know you can do it. And you will!Tallguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733388422594420704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156044006490841242006-08-19T23:20:00.000-04:002006-08-19T23:20:00.000-04:00Your yarn is beautiful. I've been sitting next to ...Your yarn is beautiful. I've been sitting next to an unused spindle just waiting for the "right moment"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156042719938827742006-08-19T22:58:00.000-04:002006-08-19T22:58:00.000-04:00Your hands-spun yarn is quite lovely! It sounds li...Your hands-spun yarn is quite lovely! It sounds like you've found the teachers that suit your soul the best. Though you may be one of the "shy" ones, you too have been teaching with each post, you just were not aware of it:)Lacefreakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06291336363387079445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156042046891425832006-08-19T22:47:00.000-04:002006-08-19T22:47:00.000-04:00Very nice handspun, Franklin. I've been strugglin...Very nice handspun, Franklin. I've been struggling with my spindling and hope to find a class some time this year where I can find out what I'm doing wrong. I know the right teacher is out there.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for explaining what goes on behind putting on group events. I hope it helps others understand. Let's hope that your blog and others help the organizers of the next Stitches remember to consider their male attendees.FiberQathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06524481267771726089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156038061833152702006-08-19T21:41:00.000-04:002006-08-19T21:41:00.000-04:00I sympathise re your lack of bathroom arrangements...I sympathise re your lack of bathroom arrangements. As you said, organisers MUST cater for ALL their guests, not just the majority.<BR/><BR/>I was recently away for an craft weekend with friends at a campsite with dormitories, which is mainly used by school groups. I'm gluten intolerant (wheat etc) and not only did I not have to explain it to the cooks, they had alternatives planned for me. It was delightful to be specifically thought of, instead of left with only salad to eat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156034637369533042006-08-19T20:43:00.000-04:002006-08-19T20:43:00.000-04:00Well done. Well done spinning,well done blog, but ...Well done. Well done spinning,well done blog, but most of all....well done on dealing with a fear,and turning it in to joy (no wonder they named a spinning wheel that name.)<BR/><BR/>To Sogalitno , yes you can lean to spin yourself, I spun for 15 years before I took lessons,then I took some lessons and learned how to spin better.You know, even spinning bad yarn made me happy.<BR/><BR/>Now I spin for speed, fast fast faster.<BR/>I own 2 wheels, a fast one and a faster one.<BR/><BR/>It's fun to make yarn, fat slow yummy yarn,skinny fast sweet yarn, going to the garden to spin yarn yum yum<BR/><BR/>Opps sorry to break out in song.<BR/>I a happy girl.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156034145358188922006-08-19T20:35:00.000-04:002006-08-19T20:35:00.000-04:00Way to go, Franklin!!!! I resisted hand spindles o...Way to go, Franklin!!!! I resisted hand spindles of any kind for years, though I had some. Then I signed up for a knitting/spinning/dyeing retreat in Scotland this summer, and I knew I could not bring a wheel. That would have been way too much luggage. And lest I spend more time "dropping" than "spindling" and thus looking like an ass in front of the teacher (Freyalynn Close-Hainsworth, who has recently been published in Spin-Off), I bought more spindles and practiced my head off. Because I had a handle on things when I got there, I was more willing to try Freyalynn's suggestion of breaking away from the bottom whorl spindle and trying the top whorl. Needless to say, I am now addicted. We all had so much fun playing that afternoon! I even bought Viking replica drop-spindles from a Viking re-enactor in the Shetlands. Yes, they are primitive. Yes, they wobble. Yes, I succeeded in spinning nice yarn on them anyway. And working with "problem children" makes other spindles seem so much easier to use! I adore the portability and am surprised at how much yarn I have been able to make in a short space of time. My goal is to spin and ply enough of my Coopworth in-the-grease locks to make a pair of socks. Your swatch looks terrific! I hope I may have a chance to take a class with Merike someday myself. Thanks to your recommendation, I will make it a future priority! Keep up your good work and ENJOY!!!!<BR/><BR/>Paula<BR/><BR/>P.S. -- Hey. how come the first three letters of my word verification are "tsa"???? ;-)CP Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536523200461430763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156033408654558982006-08-19T20:23:00.000-04:002006-08-19T20:23:00.000-04:00Oh, and your handspun--just outstanding! I'm so gl...Oh, and your handspun--just outstanding! I'm so glad you took that class. I wouldn't mind taking a class with Merike myself.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00285597626042261061noreply@blogger.com