and the length of its 'handle'
have on the spinning--
and thus the yarn?
And what about the relationships between
-the position of the distaff
-the position of the fiber
-the preparation of the fiber
-the positions of my hands
-and the style of spindle?
My first two willow distaffs
(distaves?--my computer thinks not)
are inclined toward narrowness at the bottom--
a bit like a pointed lozenge shape--
causing the ever decreasing fiber mass
to slide down as I spin.
I kept my eyes peeled on my morning trot,
and on Sunday spied a couple of likely whips
of red osier dogwood.
(yes - the rain poured down and the path was flooded)
the fresh osier branches are still very flexible --
and also relatively heavy.
the willows alternating as they go up,
the osier branches sticking out in pairs,
(what is the botanical word for this phenomenon?)
allowing for distaff symmetry.
I'm not generally all that attached to symmetry.
But I'm pleased with the shape,
though can't so much about its effetiveness
or the increase in weight
since I've only just begun to spin.
Stay tuned.
I might get a teensy bit distracted.
I do so enjoy them even if I rarely seem to answer -- except in my head, alas.
Also -- any thoughts on this combination of comics and 'regular' photos?
Somehow it seems best to me to stick with one or the other--
the transition can be jarring.
But sometimes I don't have enough drawings
for all I have to say.
Hmmm -- a lesson there?