Olds Fibre Week 2013

Spindles

Well back for another year, and if you've ever been to Olds College for their Fibre Week you wouldn't miss it either.  This is a very special year because not only are the Handweavers, Spinners and Dyers of Alberta holding their conference here but it is also the centennial year for the college.  I have registered for the Spindles class and although it was hard to chose which spindles I was going to bring I did make my choices.  (From right to left: Magpie Woodworks Mid Whorl, KCL Modular Travel Spindle, Tabachek Compact, Kundert, and my favourite IST). I heard that Ed Tabachek will be in my spindle class tomorrow and I'm excited to meet him!  He makes wonderful spindles and I am happy to say I have one of each of his designs.  If you EVER get a chance at one of his spindles, jump on it, you won't be sorry. 

It has been a strange season with weather (as every year is) but apparently there is a state of emergency in the Calgary/Canmore/High River area because of flooding and mudslides.  I have seen a couple pictures from Twitter and some streets have water that covers parked cars.  I hope everyone stays safe.  Sundre, which is the town right near Olds has had many people evacuated and they are staying at the college because it is the Emergency Response Headquarters.  I hope the people here don't mind us fibre people.  We may convert a few, you never know.  Unfortunately, I heard that my instructor for the Spindles class was turned away on her way to Olds.  I hope she is able to make it because it is my only class this year and this will be  my second try at this class as last year it was cancelled too. 

I am excited to help with the wool show this year, I will post more on that event later this weekend. 

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Highway to Olds

Drumheller Area

As for travel projects I brought sock yarn to knit socks for the shop and my nephew Connor.  I have also brought a few spinning projects; one on my Magpie Mid Whorl and the other on my KCL Modular.  I bought some merino/alpaca/nylon fibre here last year and I have split it into 3 so I can spin each portion on each of the 3 shafts for the KCL.  I plan on plying them to make a nice fingering 3-ply and then dyeing the yarn and knitting socks.  I have really wanted to do a full spindle project for quite sometime and I think this trip will be a big boost for me to complete it.  I also brought a simple yet effective crochet granny shawl.

Only problem about travelling is I miss my animals.  Our hound Jenny, is at Grandma & Grandpa's house and she gets spoiled rotten.  Our cats enjoy the dog-free house but they really do miss us and much as we miss them.  Xena and Rider weren't very happy last night when we brought out the suitcases. 

Xena

Rider