Too Much

So I decided to participate in the Tour de Fleece this year.  I was trucking along at a pretty good pace.  But then FAIL!

I completed a 4 oz braid of Into the Whirled fiber.  Done.  Good.  Though a bit overplied. 

Worked on the Loop Double Bump Madness again this year. 

THOUGH WHY DID I THINK I COULD DO IT WITH SSK CHOPPING FIVE DAYS OFF TdF??!

*sigh*

I actually have completed the singles for the two Bumps.  Some madness in my head said I could get them plied in time for SSK.  *blink*  Clearly, the heat fried my brain.  *sigh*

I started plying Saturday night. Did about an hour and a half.  Did 4-5 hours worth of plying Sunday.  And it looks like I have completed about a 1/4th of the plying.  *sigh*

I have a ton to get done before SSK.  I have to finish making stitch markers.  I have to wind yarn.  I just learned late Sunday that I have homework for a class I am taking on Thursday.  Yes.  I can get it done on the plane.  But I don't want to wait until the last minute as I need to get decent gauge.  So I either need to bring multiple sets of needles or just cast it on before I leave.

Not to mention I have to work today & tomorrow.  And I leave at dawn on Weds..  *sigh*

Yes.  It was silly to try to do both.  I think I have partially admitted in my mind that the Bump ain't gonna get plied for this year's TdF.  But there is also a delusional part of me thinking I can somehow.  *shakes head*  Hopefully I will come to my senses.\

Mind you, it is one of those weird times when having vacation *didn't* help with the TdF.  I think the last time I went to the Adirondacks during the TdF was pre-kids.  And this year, we went up earlier in the summer because my Eldest got to go to a sleepaway camp.  It was a great experience.  But it also meant my youngest was solo for the first time ever up there.

So my husband & I tried to do things to keep him entertained.  Which was good.  But it means I didn't spin as much as I would have on if my Eldest had been there.  I still may have spun more than I would have with a week of work.  But with travel, I am not sure I wouldn't have spun more on a weekend at home.

I am happy I tried.  And I am still going to see what I can get done.  For one, I could really use the bobbins for SSK!  *laugh*

Tour de Fleece Days 5 through 10 - July 6th to 11th - Loop Bullseye Bump in Beautiful Nightmare & Plying Into The Whirled 50/50 Tibetan Yak Merino

I haven't had a chance to post.  Things have been busy. 

Day 5 - Weds. the 6th

Had to do a lot of work.  Think I only spun about a half hour or so. 

 

Day 6 - Thurs. the 7th

Spent some time spinning.  Can't recall exactly how much. 

 

Day 7 - Friday the 8th

Didn't get a ton of spinning done.  Spun about a half hour in the morning.  Had a ton of work to do before taking vacation.  So I didn't get done until about 9:30.  So spent about a half hour to 45 minutes on spinning.

Weighted the fiber.  Thought it was close.  But still had 1 1/4 oz left!  But getting there.

 

I actually may have some more pics from this day.  But the net connection is a bit iffy where I am staying.  So I suspect I will post additional pics in a later post.  Otherwise, I won't get this posted!

Day 8 - Sat. the 9th

Nada. 

Spent 4+ hours in the car.  Drove to the Adirondacks to drop my daughter off at an overnight camp for a five nights. Spent the day with hubby and my little guy.  And then spent the night at a hotel. 

Day 9 - Sun. the 10th

Got a good chunk of spinning time after arriving at our final destination in the Adirondacks.  Finished spinning my singles of the Beautiful Nightmare Loop Bump.  Love it.

My thought was that I would start on the next Bump.  But I didn't have an empty high speed bobbin!  Oops.  So I figured I could ply the Into the Whirled Into The Whirled 50/50 Tibetan Yak Merino to get it off the bobbin.

Note to self...  Don't ply in the dark when you want to keep the colors district.  *laugh*  I didn't do a great job with that...

Day 10 - Mon. the 11th

Finished plying the Into The Whirled 50/50 Tibetan Yak Merino in the Vampires of Venice colorway.  Did somewhat better with the plying.  But the purple and brown are close enough that with a shady cabin, I didn't do great.  But I still think it will look pretty cool.  *fingers crossed*

I want to let it rest a bit before skeining it.  But digging in my bag, I found the Hobbidedhoy Battlings that I had started before the TdF.  So I can skein that and free up the bobbin!  *laugh*

Other Bits -

I packed a bunch of different Into The Whirled fiber on the just in case theory.  I really don't think I am going to get that far...but who knows.  I did take the 8 oz. of 221b that I have.  But unless I get the other Bump done in a day or two, there is no way I will have enough time to complete it.  I brought a bag of Bits that I bought as well as 4 oz in the Rhinebeck colorway.  We shall see.  I suspect I was overly optomistic about getting more spun!  *laugh*

Since I will be away Days 19-23, anything not completed by day 18 is unlikely to get completed.  I can try some wheels at SSK.  But I am not bringing my wheel.  I am transferring flights & fear it getting lost.  Should I ever get the opportunity to go again, I would drive if I want to bring my wheel.  *smile*

Day 2 Tour de Fleece - Into The Whirled 50-50 Tibetan Yak Merino - Finishing Singles

Happy to report I finished spinning the singles of the Into The Whirled 50/50 Tibetan Yak Merino. 

Great to spin.

I will let it rest before I try to Navajo ply it.  *smile*  But I hope it will be lovely.

As always, not as consistent as I could hope for.  But that is about me.  If I was patient and kept checking the WPI, I might have gotten it more consistent.  But I just enjoyed the spinning and let it do its thing.  I may regret that a bit as the finished yarn with have thick & thin spots.  But I may not.  Just have to see!

Today is Day 3.  I had to take care of some non-TdF spinning.  I had some lovely Hobbledehoy BATTlings on my bobbins that I needed to clear off.  I had finished spinning them the night before the TdF started.  So I wanted to give them a rest before plying. 

They are beautiful. 

And I came SOOOO close on matching up the amount on the bobbins!  It so rarely happens.

Fun!