No Ms Toad, you really wouldn’t like it inside, trust me. Nice try, though, sneaking around behind me as I came out the door, and making for the opening as I try to go back in. There are things in there that would curl your hair. Oh wait, my apologies, things that would give you bumps. Uh, more bumps.
I decided to try my new wool combs with the alpaca fleece that I washed and dried a year ago. I love them! Combing removes so much more vegetable matter and short cuts than carding. The fibers pulled off the comb are light and airy and beautifully aligned. I do get much more waste; I’m putting that in a bag to put out for nesting material for the squirrels and birds. I was going to comb all the fibers then spin, but the preparation was so fluffy I just had to spin it right away and not risk compaction in storage.
I tried spinning directly off the comb, but my skills are not that advanced yet, so I pulled off the fiber then spun on my vintage Befra Willy wheel. I now see how the yarn on a Irish tension wheel (flyer is slowed down) has to be thicker. There is more strain on the yarn and thinner yarns snap. I’m still pleased with the thickness of the yarn for multipurpose projects, but this will not be lace yarn.
I think it is the bright button eyes, the large head to body ratio, and the fuzzy appearance that make High Eyelashed Jumping Spiders so cute. I don’t mind bugs, but they don’t usually hit the “cute” note for me. This one does. It was also calm and inquisitive for the photoshoot, which I always appreciate.
I thought I would make up stitch marker necklaces for the stitch marker swap at the Fiber Fest. I’m good with wire, but not entirely sure that wire is the right material for hand made stitch markers. It seems they would catch on the yarn. So I made holders instead. I have a large spool of square copper wire (20 gauge) that looks awesome twisted. I used satin cord for the necklaces with a simple slide knot so the length is adjustable.
Full disclosure, it has been awhile since I’ve done wire work, and it took my hands a few rounds before they remembered the moves with efficiency. I also didn’t make it to the swap meet. I was quite ambitious of me to attempt a four hour stretch at my first festival in many years. It is OK I only made it an hour and a half. Next year I will plan better. And make markers like these:
Every time I walk in the kitchen, I turn around and see this.
They are stalking me, hoping I’ll open a can of chicken.
Critters and Craft 