Simplique! A Compedium of Plain and Simple Living

A Passion For

I have a passion for spinning fibers and enjoy just running my fingers through the oiled locks of various fleeces or through the marvelously soft fibers of goat, rabbit and alpaca.  It is tempting to want to have fiber stashes with untold numbers of outer garments, shawls, vests, gloves, caps and sock patterns waiting for the fibers to be spun for beginning and completing the soft hand made items.  I find it so contemplative and content to spin hours on end making thick and thin yarns, some smooth, some textured and others soft with just enough twist to keep the fibers from migrating out to make big dublamoosas - a doubled winter cap that is hand knitted in a rib pattern and finished off with a stockinette crown .  My favorite knitting patterns for home spun  are from School House Press and Elizabeth Zimmerman whom from her writings has taught me a more personable style of knitting from the heart.  I have been fortunate to attend shearing parties and pick out my own fleece, have plucked fur from rabbits, groomed hair from alpacas and goats, and all of this is a pleasure to me.  I have watched silk worms grow and spin cocoons, have worked with preparing flax and watched man made fibers extruding from factory machines into threads for spinning,and was very blessed to visit an actual wool mill in Nebraska where the fiber mostly wool is still spun today by mechanized ring spinners.  I like the feel of the wood and leather of the spinning wheels and the rythmic action of the double foot pedals, along with a fast spinning flyer upon the maiden head and seeing yarn come forth onto the bobbins in what seems like moments of time.  Yes the simplicity of turning fibers into yarns and yarns into finished well wearing items and knowing that years from now they will still be as wonderful as the first time they were worn.....a little frayed but much liked.

We need to have passions in our life that give us the desire to succeed and obtain that goal - and it does not have to be complicated at all, but it will still provide that same sense of accompllishment and thankfulness for the skills and talents we have been blessed with by Our Lord.

wonderful posts

09:38, Thursday, August 17, 2006 .. Posted by deedee06

Your writing has the peace of God woven into it. I will have my 18 year old daughter read your entry about home managers. I think she will really enjoy it. She is in her last year of high school and God has put a calling on her to be a wife and mother. I never get bored with my household chores either. Just adding a little creative flare and keeping in mind who will receive the fruits of my labor brings a real joy. Plus, I have a 5 year old son to stir things up! I hope you won't mind if I add you to my friends list. I look forward to reading your posts again. Blessings to you today........Denise (prairiemom)

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09:39, Thursday, August 17, 2006 .. Posted by Carol

I can understand what you are saying because my passion is quilting. Along with that goes a passion for material.
~carol