Friday, September 18, 2009

Come Find Me on The Fiber Beat

Hello Everyone!!!

I'm about to embark on a new adventure: Fiber Beat.

There will be a new podcast which can found in iTunes and online. There will also be an accompanying Fiber Beat blog (but I can't quite figure out how to combine the two).

For now, I'm going to stop posting to Socktopus and focus full-time on Fiber Beat.

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Michael aka WonderMike

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Men's Fall Knitting Retreat 2009 - TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!!

Please tell your guy friends, your LYS, your favorite vendors about this event.

We are accepting registrations until July 3, 2009, but we advise sooner rather than later, if you're interested in joining us.

And, if you'd like to make a donation or sponsor, please give me a shout!

Thx,
Michael aka WonderMike (Ravelry)

Monday, April 20, 2009

Jenkins Turkish Delights

One should never say never.

I said I'd never knit lace.
I said I'd never spin.
I said I'd never spin on a wheel.
I said I'd never weave.

Clearly, I am not to be trusted when it comes to sweeping proclamations of activities I'll never do. Imagine my surprise when I "broke down" and got not one, but two Jenkins Bottom Whorl Turkish Spindles. I had been admiring several folks pictures on Ravelry (Marihana, Criminy Jickets and Eydeet. all evil, evil people.... which is why we get along so well) until I finally had to head over to Ed and Wanda's site to see what was still available.

They are so popular right now, that you have to "stalk" the list and make a request the moment the pix go live. They have updates about once every two weeks, but it helps if you send an email and tell them woods that you like.

The two spindles I got were a full sized Turkish in Cocobolo wood and Turkish Delight in Yucatan Rosewood (pictured here). Both are a joy to look at and have perfect balance. I was able to start spinning immediately upon opening the package because they ship with a little pouf of fiber. The TD had a silk hankie and the full Turk had some lovely dark blue/turquoise pencil roving.

I might be getting some additional Turks (and potentially niddy noddies/top whorls/wpi tools....) from the Spanish Peacock, but I have to wait until he's back from the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. My bank account and budget can breathe a sigh of relief... for the time time being.