still here – barely

I guess I’m getting sort of boring here. There is an obvious decline in visitors. Not surprising – I don’t have time for fiber! But do not fear, faithful viewers. With only FIVE weeks left of the semester, I’ll be back before you know it.

Lately I’ve been in the process of writing (or at least reading for) a history paper for my Early Medieval Civilizations class. I wanted to do something spinning related, since I enjoy that, but for some reason I can’t seem to come up with a valid topic. It’s supposed to be argumentative, but it doesn’t seem like there is much to argue about in regards to spinning. They had sticks – they made string. I have been reading this book, Women’s Work: The First 20,000 Years by Elizabeth Wayland Barber, and it’s quite interesting. I think I’m going to buy it. If you are curious about history and women and fiber, read it.

Otherwise, I haven’t much to report. I have been trying to knit the Mug Jacket and it’s been incredibly unsuccessful. In the beginning I was using a handspun yarn, but it was too heavy for the needles. Going up a size meant the finished product was too large, so I tried to cast-on with fewer stitches. But since I have no math skills nor pattern writing/editing skills, I failed miserably again.  So now I’m using a commercial yarn. I’ve gotten to the point where I need to start the stitch pattern, but once again not working. I don’t have time for this!