Crushing on Paula
My new crush, second only to [Josh Holloway](http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/cast/78278.html) from LOST (who, by the way, has the same birthday as me!), is Paula Simmons.
Paula is a weaver/spinner/shepherdess who is also half of the “Pat Green Carders” business. She’s written several books and I noticed in one of the Spin Off ads that her “Spinning for Softness and Speed” book was reprinted. So I called her to see how I could order a copy. She said, _”Well, you write me a letter.”_ I got out the pen and paper, wrote Paula a letter and mailed her my cheque.
The book came in the mail yesterday and I’ve been enjoying her writing and instruction. Take for instance:
Spinning without looking
Once you get the feel of it, you will be able to spin without look at the yarn or your hands. This is not a matter of showing off; it has practical applications. If you can spin without looking, you can then read a book, or watch television, or look out the window at the sheep.
I love it. The whole book centres around the idea of spinning low-twist yarns with one hand from a well-prepared fibre supply. One that will slip easily… Kind of like a one-handed long draw… I’m going to try this with some of the Border Leicester and Romney that I have waiting to be spun and knit into a hat…
Shop Stuff…
The sweet shop has been updated with eight new skeins of sock yarn! I knew I would eventually snap and dye a Buffy-inspired yarn, so here it is:
And here are the rest — obsession-free colourways:
And finally, if you asked me questions in your comments, I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to answer them! I only realized on Monday that most of my comments were being tagged as junk and didn’t get published on the blog… and here I was thinking that everyone had gone to Rhinebeck and decided to ignore me!
Such beautiful colorways! I so want to buy some but… I must resist. I will run out of feet to knit for!
I love the Slayer colorway, but I missed it. Maybe you’ll dye more. Sorry you thought we were ignoring you. I didn’t go to Rhinebeck either
haha, perfect name for that yarn and the perfect color
Oh gosh, I thought it was just me on the comments….LOL! Way to go on the yarn dyeing…you’re amazing!! How long does it take for you spin a skein? I’m curious if I can add another dimension to my yarn obsession….LOL
Oh, you are truly cruel and heartless!
I adore Old Rose and Coal Harbor, but my budget will not abide such an expenditure.
*going now to poke my eyes out with knitting needles and try to forget I ever saw such beauty*
I had that problem with the latest release of MT, too, but Jay Allen of Six Apart left a note on my blog to check the whitelist section of the documentaiton:
http://visit.freecia.com/archives/2005/10/holy_comments_b.php#comment-942
Hope this helps you.
“…or look out the window at the sheep.” Oh to have this life.
*snap* The Slayer color is awesome! Make more of that! I’ve been wanting something in reds.
I got my order the other day, and I love it! Such beautiful colors.
I love that slayer colorway.
The yarn is beautiful! And, Paula’s book has been reprinted?? I want that book! Where can I find her address to order it? How much did it cost?? Cool!
Glad you got the book! Love your new colorways.. The slayer is really neat!
I thought ‘Willow’ was part of the Slayer theme.
All the new colors are beautiful!
Ahhh!
I am always too late to grab whatever I want, it get sold too fast !! I am talking here the 400 yards of sock yarn. However, if you believe that you will make more of the slubby blue ones of Blueberry or Star 73 – i would be a buyer !!
Love the Slayer colorway!
Address for Paula please (and price)? Sounds right up my alley.
I really dig Paula Simmons too. LOL I am reading her book *Spinning and Weaving with Wool.* I checked it out from my guild’s library at the last meeting. I am hoping that they have more in their library and I will have access.
Or maybe some of the older members will have a few copies in their private libraries!
That Paula Simmons book sounds fantabulous, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I’m sure you’ve had to give out that address a million times now… maybe one more? Thanks!
I got my shipment of Slayer yarn. It is FABULOUS!! I can’t wait to knit it up. The yarn is beautiful and it arrived in record time. I can see that I’m going to have to limit my looking in the Sweet Shop, or I will have no money in my checkbook. Will definately be buying more in the future!!!