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on making yarn

7/30/2019

 
Picture
It has been said,
(generally by those who do not do it),
Picture
that making yarn by hand
must be incredibly relaxing --
perhaps 'almost' a meditation.
Picture
It has also been suggested,
once or twice,
​ or a hundred times,
(sometimes by the very people
who assume it to be meditative),
​that making yarn
is clearly 
boring
​ in the extreme.
Picture
It is possible
that both of these statements
are true.
Picture
Me? I can't tell --
 indeed, I have a feeling
that my perspective
​might just be
 a teensy bit skewed.
Picture
Making yarn is a thing I do--
perhaps the central thing--
Picture
day after day--
Picture
week after week--
Picture
Picture
year after year.
Picture
Even when I'm not writing about it--
Picture
​(as I won't be for the month of August
since it is blog-cation time!)--
Picture
I'm generally adding twist to something or other:
a used coffee filter--
a dead leaf--
an idea--
Picture
so all I can say for sure--
Picture
is that though it is my job
(or perhaps because it is my job),
Picture

I love it more than I can possibly say.
Picture
ps. these blog posts have more on coffee filter yarn
-Coffee Filter Yarn 
-Indigo and Paper (includes links to people who really know what they are doing!)
-Somewhat Slanted-with coffee filters

pps. The store will remain open so you can download guides.
The Backstrap Dialogues Zine (paper version) will be available again in September

ppps Wishing you a lovely month wherever you are --
and whatever season it is there--
meditating or spinning or being bored
or perhaps all three at once.

See you in September!
Meg C
7/30/2019 08:48:52 am

Good morning,

I was looking through past Spin Offs yesterday and came across the brilliant one on your tapestries! Orange Blossom Special was on the cover. It's always fascinating to read the story of an artist's creative process. Re-reading those articles re-energized me (we're having a heat wave here in New England, and I've been officially wilted). The funny thing is I wondered "How does that woman take a vacation?" Of course, you don't. But I hope quiet time away from the blog will give you space again to review other things. Keep writing.

With warm best wishes,
Meg C

Marilyn Westphal
7/30/2019 08:54:11 am

Wishing you a quiet August. Taking a bit of time to do not much of anything is so important in this fast paced world. Even more so by artistic folks. But it is so often seen as a "waste of time", often by the same people who don't understand doing art for the sake of enjoying doing it.

Gerri Barosso
7/30/2019 09:09:27 am

Have a wonderful August and blog-cation!

Deb
7/30/2019 09:26:48 am

See you in September

Teri Pittman link
7/30/2019 10:14:10 am

https://www.teahuntercompany.com/our-teas/blue-willow

For your staycation! This is some of the yummiest Earl Grey I've ever had.

Ama
7/30/2019 12:57:45 pm

Thank goodness for yarn, indeed. And thank goodness for Sarah! Thank you for a blog that brings me so much happiness, and I wish you a happy summer break.

Nancy B
7/31/2019 07:22:34 am

Have a wonderful blog-cation. Shall look forward to hearing from you again in the autumn. See you in September...

Meg link
8/1/2019 01:10:17 pm

Mr M has started to drink filter coffee so as we now have a new 'waste stream' in the home, I'm naturally thinking of how to make use of it and your spinning came to mind... All I need to do now is find an extra few hours in the day.... ;)

Jan Vercammen
8/4/2019 04:45:43 pm

I can relate to what you're saying. I make knitted appliquéd wallhangings (something no one else I know does) that take thousands of pieces to complete. Because of that, I knit everyday, sometimes all day long. Stockpiling units until I begin making a wallhanging and use what I have or make more. I love what I do or I wouldn't do it. Over the years I have grown in my creative life to such a point that I can't imagine going back to what I used to do - knit only clothing and afghans. People who avoid doing something because they think it might be boring are missing out on the wonderful process of creating. Enjoy your August.

Alicia Posente
8/12/2019 05:08:15 pm

HOLA compre un patron del sweter algo inclinado y aun no lo he recibido. Gracias

Karen L
8/27/2019 07:14:40 pm

Just found your blog thru a search about wool. WOW! I have spent years embroidering but wove in the late 70s and early 80s especially in Indiana trying tapestry, Krokbragd, coverlet patterns, Peter Collingwood class. I realize I've missed it all and you have re inspired/re directed/re enthused me - thank you so much for your blog - you never know how many of us you have encourage/introduced/refocused! How many of us you have touched with your inspiration.

Rebecca
8/29/2019 03:56:41 pm

Just a happy hello again, waved to you from New Zealand! I so enjoyed your comic on the fates and spinning flax in the Spring 2019 SpinOff that I went to your website, fell in love with your blog and on browsing your store, realised I "know" you! I have your weaving a bag on a box book at home (and a half-finished project of it)! Good to find you again, and boy, your blog is lovely! I'm so glad that August is just about over so I can get moaaar soon. 😊
Now just to find where I can subscribe...


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    ​Sarah C Swett 
    tells stories
    with
    ​ and about

     hand spun yarn. 


    Picture
    Click for info on
    my four selvedge
    warping class
    with
    ​ Rebecca Mezoff  
    fringeless


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