Sunday Stills - Horses

After a crazy week, I thought for sure I was going to miss another "tailor made" Sunday Stills challenge.  I set my alarm to get up way earlier this morning than I was sure I really wanted to (and then proceeded to not sleep well the whole night because I knew I needed to listen for it :-o) and was gifted this off the back porch when I let the dogs out :-D.

For more Sunday Stills...

Got It!

Of course, now that I'm looking at it on the computer rather than my iPhone I'm bummed I missed the top of the second rainbow.   Good grief.  It's a gorgeous rainbow after a perfect (and needed) early evening rain.  I'm telling you, I'll nitpick anything TO DEATH!

Grayscale

Sunshine's yarn.  Six colors blended from one black and white spotted sheep. 

And yes, there's a blue ribbon tied to it.  Don't get excited.  I was the only entry in that class ;-).  I left the ribbon on there to prove I got it finished in time for the skein competition :-).  And also, because I did make the effort to prep and (try to) spin really good yarn, even going so far as trying to count treadles while drafting, and follow the requirements and guidelines on presentation, thereby learning even more, it was a win. 

Still...even with all the care and effort, it's pretty much the same marginal yarn I always spin.  It's thick and thin, three skeins ended up bulkier than they should even though I used the same spinning ruler/guide throughout and I then had to scramble and spin more to meet the two ounce minimum.  While I am a completely functional spinner, I'd like to be a good spinner.  Practice, practice, practice...

So, the moral of this story?  Soap box number two (the first one having been a bit vague - enter a spinning competition and even if you don't win a ribbon you've still won the much more important experience!).  I've lost track of how many times I've heard, "My yarn isn't good enough to make anything."  Sigh.  Git ta knittin' (or weaving, crocheting...)!

I can will nitpick anything I do or make To. Death.  And nothing I've made with my handspun has ever gotten even a hint of a second glance from me in disappointment.  Yarn I thought was too bulky and overspun made a great woven rug in front of our couch.  Yarn I spun too thick for a DK weight sweater made a great worsted weight vest.  Yarn too underspun and soft made perfect weft for the Punkin throw.  Did you notice any bad spots in the Marcel sweater?  Neither did I :-). 

Nothing "wrong" with your yarn will ever "show" once it stops being yarn and becomes a finished item.  I promise.  Use your handspun, even your very beginner "practice" yarn.  Need a super small project?  What about a mug rug?  Hats are fun and easy.  You can never have enough mittens.  Knitting will teach you about spinning. 

Soft and sweet.  This will knit up just fine :-).

Never stop learning (and practicing, asking questions, watching videos, reading books, taking workshops, entering competitions... :-).

Maisie, Through My Expensive New Camera Filter

Doo, doo, doo, looking out my back (screen ;-) door.

I'm trying to put together a nice Sheep Heid update post with pictures of pretty yarn and actual (gasp) knitting, but it's mostly running along the lines of "yarn pretty, knits gud"...so I'll spare you.

Sunday Stills - Sky

There was a beautiful rainbow yesterday evening. 

It tried to double - you can see a hint of the second one just behind the tree on the left.

And it maintained all the way over.  This was as much as I could capture.  Isn't it nice when something is so beautiful you can't fit it all in?

For more Sunday Stills...