Crushing on Paula
My new crush, second only to Josh Holloway 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!!!