tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66869270207710628492011-12-13T14:19:16.797-08:00The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-36996452393401628292011-10-06T07:17:00.000-07:002011-10-06T07:17:28.634-07:00

Over the summer months I was contacted by Gaia Gualtieri with Dyeing House Gallery in Tuscany requesting use of my Autumn Leaves Yarn for their web site's Fall Banner http://www.dhgshop.it/ Awhile back Claxton was learning a few phrases here and there of Italian so I asked him if he'd peek at the site and let me know what it was about. He reminded me of what our cute, 6 year old nephew (who is

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-66265870303618823142011-10-05T11:40:00.000-07:002011-10-05T12:21:42.974-07:00

No fever. No injury to report. Claxton didn't finally gather the family together for the dreaded intervention. Of course there's no room to gather family as I just received shipment of a bump (21 lbs) of wool (yahoo). I placed it right in the center of the living room where I can gaze at it from various angles because why even bother to try and hide the stuff any more ? At this point I'm fooling

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-3793180065248936302011-09-07T06:49:00.000-07:002011-09-07T06:53:24.047-07:00

I've been having a lovely time preparing for an upcoming class I'll be teaching on October 8th and snapped the above picture of our most colorful clothes line after a dying session. Lively colors of cotton gauze were drying in the warm breeze just begging to be photographed. They'll be used in making  3-D projects of wool during the class. I wanted to be sure that I had plenty of colors for

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-78783282472336714582010-07-25T13:17:00.000-07:002010-07-25T13:17:08.955-07:00

And, here she is! My painted silk warp, the very one I've been yearning to finally harness onto the loom and she (for certainly this warp is too pretty to be a boy)  is, at last, settled in and ready to be woven! I threaded in three long scarves worth of hand-painted silk! (Oh how that painting process took forever). The previous project hung around for a bit too long. But, I'm actually quite

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-81560909286051615242010-07-10T15:20:00.000-07:002010-07-10T15:29:17.028-07:00

I have hundreds of pairs of knitting needles. Consequently,  I have zillions of unfinished knitting projects. But, there is room for only one 8 harness floor loom in my house so, there can be only one unfinished weaving project at a time threaded throughout this contraption and residing therein...and gumming  up the whole works until it is woven off and...o.k., o.k.  THIS IS A GOOD THING. I

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-75521041316767700902010-06-13T13:25:00.000-07:002010-06-13T14:04:19.170-07:00

When I was in the 6th grade I would sit in my room and listen to Queen's,  A Night at the Opera over and over and over again on my record player. I loved Bohemian Rhapsody. It was very popular at the time but, my most favorite song on the album was The Prophet's Song. (That one would get stuck in my head for days on end.) The first concert I ever  went to was Queen at Municipal Auditorium in

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-51281648775085889942010-05-23T11:05:00.000-07:002010-05-23T11:12:10.017-07:00

There's a lot to write about but, I don't have time because I've gone even crazier. Poor Claxton. He's so very kind and good to me and for 4 days last week the only way he was able to get from our living room to the kitchen was to go out the front door, around the house, then into the kitchen through the back door (it's been raining, by the way). Why has Claxton had such a time making his way

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-81149476679063107452010-03-21T09:21:00.000-07:002010-03-21T09:44:24.094-07:00

Before we moved from Kansas City to northern Wisconsin I was seriously into gardening. That interest has faded a bit over the years.  It may be, in part, because I had a hard time adjusting to 6+ months of winter. In all fairness it is a bit of a climate change. (Last year we didn't even have a summer season, just extra helpings of winter and spring.) It might be that, after all those years of

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-4241282310179893752010-03-19T08:47:00.000-07:002010-03-19T10:57:36.076-07:00

As is customary of "The Treadler" I do have my yammerings to share  but FIRSTLY,  Let's have a go at this pattern shall we? MATERIALS NEEDED:  One upright, (squarish) naked tissue box in need of cozying. U.S. size 5 / (or 40 cm)  16" Circular knitting needles OR a set of 5 double pointed knitting needles OR well, you know, there are a great many ways to knit in-the-round so choose your favorite

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-56198775808836785012010-02-14T10:13:00.000-08:002010-03-19T11:00:24.941-07:00

This rhymey poem, dear Claxton,Holds a special thanks from me.I'm grateful that you tolerate, My fiber odd-yssey. You could have me commited. It's not that hard to do. It's not like there's no evidence, to push the verdict through. For, if you chose to testify,(and thus incriminate)A quick commitment hearing,would securely seal my fate. It was you who found our crock pot stuffed,with wool and

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-69082386341827862542010-02-05T07:25:00.000-08:002010-02-05T07:25:04.302-08:00

Last night I was oh-so despondent and this morning I'm oh-so very happy. Last night I thought I was almost out of wool. When I say, "almost out" I don't really mean all the wool on my multiple shelving units, or the wool in the big box that is for sharing when teaching classes, I mean I thought I was almost out of undyed wool. When I say "undyed wool" I don't mean the two raw fleeces I have yet

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-4677728601974516672010-02-02T22:19:00.000-08:002010-02-02T22:53:43.579-08:00

Well, last post I was dying wool and might have mentioned how I had a bit of a strange urge to bite into the colorful fibers. I figured, "O.K. That's odd but, not surprising. After all I am stricken with the chronic fiber fever that plagues so many, many knitters, hand spinners, weavers, etc., (we know who we are)... Perhaps if I dye wool for all the rest of the day I'll be satisfied and this

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-92151429206014625232010-01-31T09:54:00.000-08:002010-01-31T09:54:46.309-08:00

Well, the fiber addiction has reached a new low. I could eat this 4 oz. blend of wool and mohair.Imagine the fur ball I would have to cough up if I did. Still, part of me thinks it would be worth it. Is that odd? I'm not going to eat it. And, (heavy sigh here) I'm not going to spin it either. I've placed it in my little Etsy shop...for now. We'll see how long I can last before I yank it out of

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-83973276144197704222010-01-29T16:20:00.000-08:002010-01-29T16:35:34.802-08:00

This posting will not be a tutorial. There is no method to the madness here. In my last post I demonstrated how to twist a nice length of prepared wool top into a compact and manageable braid without dividing the fibers into three strips. That happy braiding process is the starting point of this most evil experiment. Aren't they lovely? Five  fantastic, 4 oz braids from a commercially combed wool

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-39298551956680379332010-01-29T09:37:00.000-08:002010-01-29T14:04:53.589-08:00

For this little demo I am working with Merino Top. I love to purchase wool in this particular preparation. The word "top" refers to a particular type of preparation. To me it means that all the work has already been done. The sheep have been cared for and given their hair cuts for the season. The fleeces have been sorted and skirted. The fibers have been scoured clean and commercially combed out

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-34728513748622778272010-01-15T15:56:00.000-08:002010-01-18T10:34:08.188-08:00

Here are a few photos from a small wet felting project where the wool was felted around a plastic jar. This little piece was completed the same way as the tiny felted bags I've been making by wet felting wool around golf balls. First picture above: I prepped 5 different colors of wool using my small, Louet drum carder. I carded the colors side-by-side as I did not want them to all blend together

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-85453606419848080102010-01-10T10:29:00.000-08:002010-01-10T10:52:05.893-08:00

Ingredients needed: Watered-down Dawn dish washing liquid. There's no special ratio. Add just enough water to make the liquid thin and runny yet still able to suds up. Access to hot and cold tap water. Wool felts more quickly when it is subjected to sudden temperature changes. Wool. The amount you need will be based on the size of the vessel you desire.  I photographed an assortment (

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-24814302081044399452010-01-07T05:36:00.000-08:002010-01-07T05:39:25.701-08:00

I think this row-by-row, decide-as-you-go knitted cozy looks a tiny bit like either a broccoli or an asperagus spear. Anyway, it's intended to give off a gardeny vibe. The top is crocheted from some of the coily novelty yarn I've been unable to stop spinning. Turns out it is not only great fun to make crazy yarn but quite intriguing to play with in projects as well! (Sadly, this realization

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-86006574537237376542010-01-05T17:18:00.000-08:002010-01-05T17:18:49.853-08:00

My sister Laura always calls presents "gifties". She's due for one from me because her birthday fast encroacheth. Laura is a fabulous painter. She does beautiful things with blue and yellow. She is also the Garden Goddess. (I used to be crazy for gardening myself before I became a total textile addict and no longer had the time for anything non-fiber related.)  She shops locally and she feeds her

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-81259156054296393162010-01-03T10:03:00.000-08:002010-01-03T10:21:21.279-08:00

Claxton and I were talking about how time seems to click by at a much faster pace than it used to. Here we are at the beginning of another new decade. We just know it is going to fly past at break-neck speeds. When I was young a few months of Summer vacation seemed to stretch out endlessly. But, that only makes sense. A 10 year old of today will have quite a decade ahead. By the time 2020 rolls

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-51657299904797977692009-12-29T15:56:00.000-08:002009-12-29T15:56:00.999-08:00

Whew! I just came off of a weekend that involved viewing 13 full-length, first-season, hour-long episodes of The Walton's! If you only vaguely remember this program it first came out in the olden days of 1972. I wasn't very interested in the show back then because well, I was busy being a Walton of sorts. I was a little kid, the oldest of 5, actually living that big ol', innocent, large family,

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-15259556339726627802009-12-24T13:26:00.000-08:002009-12-27T06:27:12.385-08:00

When my son was a little guy we lived in Kansas, in a neighborhood filled with young families with children his age. All the kids got along so well and loved to play outdoors together. Whenever they'd meet up after school or on Saturday mornings the call would go out from one child to the next, "Let's Ride!" It sounded gruff and exciting to hear this message echoing forth but, I found the cry

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-71423373462558441012009-12-09T06:22:00.001-08:002009-12-10T06:22:01.747-08:00

I've ridden my bike in the snow for years. It could be a bit like riding on the beach. (Powdery snow might behave like sand.) Sadly, the above is not my bike. My bike died... from being ridden in the snow.  This bike is an awesome retro-ride that Claxton found at a thrift store, the Vista Sophisticate. No mountain bike tread on these tires. Also, those great old fenders are fantastic on a

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-62170007672462166362009-12-02T07:21:00.000-08:002009-12-02T07:26:30.422-08:00

Back in October I was contacted by Cindy Cole of Studioloo and invited to interview myself for the wonderful Spin in Public Site. As I'd never interviewed anyone before and, as I'd never been interviewed I thought it would be a great opportunity for both of me. I decided to set the interview location on my own turf so that I would be at ease and comfortable asking and answering the tough

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-75155084143608139802009-12-01T06:43:00.000-08:002009-12-01T06:56:17.829-08:00

There's nothing like having a wonderful family holiday filled with a great many adventures and woolen inspirations then, once home again, realizing that I have about 25 pictures of the Turducken and very few photos of anything else. So, here it is, Teal Marie's Turducken. I was wrong to think a turkey that is stuffed with a duck that is stuffed with a hen means there will be wishbones for

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-31296694089447891112009-11-19T06:01:00.000-08:002009-11-19T10:24:53.091-08:00

I hope to create a fun pattern before the end of this year. Here is the initial experiment in various phases from carded fluff at bottom left, to skein and needles, and a quick pair of practice mitts (from a pattern) at top. The objective: create an original fingerless mitt / texting mitt design for sharing here. At present I'm noodling with different thumb gusset options. The design I'm hoping

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-50895331265803036862009-11-11T07:49:00.000-08:002009-11-11T09:06:28.175-08:00

Pluckyfluff Here are a few collage photos of the adventures had this past weekend. Above, and in the center of the spinning group is the wonderful Lexi Boeger leading a class at the Textile Center in Minneapolis, MN. At top right is a picture of her book, Intertwined. It is a great resource of creative endeavors in the spinning of art yarns. Great fun to sit in on Sunday and watch the creator of

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-52000613556059012242009-11-07T06:19:00.000-08:002009-11-07T06:19:57.628-08:00

This is to be quite a busy weekend. I'm teaching a class today and taking one on Sunday. Both require planning for supply needs and packing a large amount of my fiber stash and equipment. Our house has multi-levels and when I'm bouncing all around (jubilantly) organizing for these activities I find myself,  repeatedly either at the top of a staircase or the bottom of one proclaiming, "Wait a

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-83469739570119759922009-11-04T06:45:00.000-08:002009-11-04T06:45:37.788-08:00

...Silkworm moths having   S.   E.   X. Once the above is complete (right now it's all about diverting my eyes because this scene is playing out all around me) the male goes off into a corner of the egg carton in search of a cigarette and the female... gets to the serious work of laying about 500 eggs.  Now, it might just be my middle-agedness talking here but, I find the below picture 

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-36042488329488692032009-10-31T07:57:00.000-07:002009-10-31T08:05:36.412-07:00

It's a dark and rainy Saturday morning, happy Halloween. You never know what kind of trick-or-treating weather the little ones are going to endure up here in northern Wisconsin. Again this year it looks like the kids will be going out dressed up as warm winter coats. As for me, I'm so out-of-the-loop I thought Halloween was tomorrow. My big plans for today were to make a bunch of tatting

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-12890726035891153412009-10-30T15:15:00.000-07:002009-11-02T05:42:22.445-08:00

That's going to be my new swear word. So, while we're still waiting for those silkworms to awaken from their cocoon comas. (Hasn't it been too long? It feels like it's been too long. The cocoons aren't even moving or kicking or giving me any signs of promise...) Anyway, time on my hands to do something really stupid. I spun up a couple of hobby store craft fluffs and loaded the resulting yarn 

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-10106539520491960292009-10-22T16:47:00.000-07:002009-10-22T16:49:01.947-07:00

Well, we're all snuggled up and tucked in now. The little silkworms have completed their spinning stage. I have exactly 100 cocoons! Left: After having chosen a favorite paper roll  in which to spin, these little silkworms are in the process of building their cocoons. Right: The lovely, white cocoons once the outer fuzz is removed. These characters should be hatching forth in the days ahead.

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-38787298224513380722009-10-11T17:58:00.000-07:002009-10-11T17:58:35.954-07:00

Ah, where does the time go? This has been a weekend for those last, fond farewells as the little babies are growing up and heading off to enjoy the next phase of life. Here's a bird's eye view (through a paper towel roll) as one of the little characters spins a silken knook for itself. I haven't captured it here but, in the proper light I can see the silkworm working away inside as it spins

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-23170736711750652592009-10-05T04:38:00.000-07:002009-10-05T11:55:52.663-07:00

Here's a fun cotton cloth design that knits up quickly and has a bit of a Northwoods theme: For ease in reading I have spread the row-by-row instructions over two pages. To Print: Click on each instruction page individually to enlarge. Then print the enlarged picture. If you have any difficulty simply email me and I'll happily send you a PDF version. My email address is at the top of the

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-69350382189073248612009-09-27T14:07:00.000-07:002009-09-27T19:37:43.642-07:00

Pictured: Artificial Autumn leaves, woolen roving to match leaf colors,  (at left) plastic leaf stems and spines after silk leaves have been removed. Autumn is a lovely time to be up north when the woods explode with color! And, the beauty of the changing seasons can always be counted on to inspire a crazy textile addict such as myself  into handspinning action! * So, I found these artificial

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-7548560502184739552009-09-25T09:26:00.000-07:002009-09-25T09:40:28.133-07:00

I've just spent a couple of hours fussing over my silkworms. The world's only domesticated insect certainly can be high-maintenance. But, it will be worth it when I have all that lucious Bombyx Silk right? Right?!! * Why are Bombyx silkworms considered a domesticated insect? Because, you will not find them in nature, ever. Now, there are all kinds of other worms out there from tent worms to

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-38565630038782054522009-09-22T05:34:00.000-07:002009-10-05T11:55:39.534-07:00

Happy Autumn to you! And, with Autumn comes crisp, colder weather which can only mean it's almost WOOL season! (Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy...) Almost. Actually, I believe that every season is wool season but, it isn't cold yet so let's grab up that soft, absorbent cotton and get to work on another fun little wash or dish cloth pattern. * I love springy, sproingy wool and haven't knit much

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-33109816202148969982009-09-21T16:12:00.000-07:002009-09-21T16:23:57.322-07:00

Our little silkworms are growing up: Date of birth: Most hatched forth from Tuesday, Sept. 15th thru Thursday the 17th (the year of our Lord 2009.) Measurements at birth: Really small about the width of a pencil line. Measurements as of today, 9/21/09: About the width of a nice strand of fingering weight sock yarn to be precise-ish. * Here's a little-known-fact: If a 6 lb at birth baby grew as

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-87202415660719219542009-09-19T15:56:00.000-07:002009-12-24T05:54:36.425-08:00

Around my neighborhood we have a little something called "East End Day". If you live in the East end of this city then it is best you know that on one special Saturday every September there will be hundreds of people walking up and down your street looking for garage sale bargains. * For us East End Day usually meant, "Day to  leave town and go camping." * One dark year it turned into, "Time

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-32544063744689198222009-09-17T17:25:00.000-07:002009-09-17T17:25:56.954-07:00

So, here's my better half with his skate board at the Harvest Festival in Duluth. Not only did Claxton agree to come with me to the handspinning demonstration and meet my long-time spinning compadres but, he also said he might, just might come to one of our studio gatherings and...LEARN TO SPIN YARN! Oh, Claxton! I never loved him so much as when he spoke those words. Little did I realize I'd be

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-7632146585051892772009-09-15T16:59:00.000-07:002009-09-16T05:49:01.587-07:00

Once upon a time there was a beautiful oriental princess enjoying a cup of hot tea beneath an old mulberry tree. Plop! A bright, white oval drops directly down with a splash into her hot beverage. What's this? A cocoon is floating in the center of her tea cup. The princess reaches in with her chop stix and and grabs one silken thread from which the cocoon was spun. As she pulls at this thread the

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-31723301855781862282009-09-12T04:58:00.000-07:002009-09-12T05:06:40.801-07:00

*Back in college I once sent my sister a post card that had printed in bright, bold lettering, "Do you still have a crush on your postman?" (I thought that was so hilarious at the time.) Anyway, when this little beauty of a box was sitting on our doorstep I thought of the vast variety of assorted strange cards and packages that a postal worker runs across over a career.*I'm getting ready to take 

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-63584557803693773002009-09-10T05:46:00.000-07:002009-09-10T05:46:37.198-07:00

Before I launch too far into overzealous enthusiasm let me say I've tried raising silk worms before. The above pictured is my entire harvest from the last effort. The moths never even hatched forth! That time I started out with 200 silkworm eggs, a very cold, dry house and a certain wide-eyed innocence that well, I don't ever seem to shake off because HERE I AM AGAIN! *Stupid Spin Off magazine!

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-28347003602901792582009-09-08T06:03:00.000-07:002009-09-08T06:22:48.863-07:00

My good man Claxton is always bringing home Bargello books for me.  Bargello is a type of needle point embroidery that is traditionally very vibrant and often employs many hues of a color. It is also traditionally stitched in wool on canvas. I don't embroider but I love to look at the colorful pictures! ***This weekend Clax and I were perusing through the bargello treasury collection he has

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-36397182287195421782009-09-03T05:25:00.000-07:002009-09-03T07:42:07.434-07:00

Duluth Art Institute ~ Lincoln Park Site2229 W. 2nd Street, Duluth, MNThe DAI Fall Schedule is complete with lots of fibery offerings for 2009. (There's a handy-dandy link at the top right column of my blog.) Once again I've been given the opportunity to lead the oh so very wacky, "Wool Felted Figurines" class. It is served up in 3 sessions with the understanding that at the end of that third

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-4621913958809599972009-09-02T07:30:00.000-07:002009-09-02T15:59:59.394-07:00

Shh! Be very quiet. They're sleeping.My new running shoes have arrived and subsequently destroyed the last good reason I had not to dive into those freshly re-asserted fitness goals. There is nothing to stop me from exercising now! I guess I would like to let it all sink in a bit, though, perhaps observe a moment of silence (or a few days)? After all, HONESTLY, I was really, really good and quite

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-24832490813860094222009-08-29T05:57:00.000-07:002009-08-29T15:21:40.427-07:00

It took me two years to get here but, I'm finally tired of being out of shape. Turns out, spinning yarn on a treadle wheel ain't that great of a work out after all. The Treadler has settled most officially into sloth mode. I haven't always been the sedentary being that sits here typing at you now with my resting heart rate twittering away at 72 beats per minute. (Yes, I know, I know.) Back in the

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-43563727391794364422009-08-26T05:26:00.000-07:002009-08-26T06:01:17.399-07:00

I think the magic is wearing off. This is one obnoxious project! Above is the wand work-in-progress sculpted out of Aves two part apoxie. That stuff is fantastically strong! And, the wand is not my problem. But, it does measure 12.75 inches and, as you can see I've got a long way to go on the little holster pouch for it. Therein lies all of my frustration: Along with the fact I can't seem to

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-87662775264617243012009-08-25T05:11:00.000-07:002009-08-25T07:36:47.628-07:00

I greatly value email for staying in regular contact with family. It offers me the opportunity to convey and receive information quickly without disturbing folks on the telephone. One of my very best email buddies is my sister, Laura in Montana. She sends me fun messages on a regular basis and always has an adventure up her sleeve. ***But, Laura has taken a trip to Washington D.C. and hasn't

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-50699674369056934042009-08-20T04:52:00.000-07:002009-08-20T05:58:26.121-07:00

As per yesterday's post I'm a middle-aged spinster woman (the kind of spinster that spins wool, not to be confused with spinsters of the olden days: 19 and still unmarried) who's in the middle of making a wand pouch. Good thing I'm capturing all of this in a web log eh? Anyway, dilemmas abound. From what research I was able to conjure up a wand's length can vary and may or may not be relevant to

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-52098280960565030872009-08-19T05:36:00.000-07:002009-08-19T06:31:35.326-07:00

Nothing will give your imagination a jubilant kick in the pants like witnessing the perfect combination of nieces and nephews at play. Our most recent family gathering was just that. It was deja-vu all over again as the kids got together and created an assortment of imaginary worlds in the very woods where I used to frolic with my siblings. There were a great many "wands" and "swords" wielded as

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-69657074821806133812009-08-15T04:26:00.001-07:002009-08-15T06:54:04.803-07:00

I remember a few summers back I tried to raise 500 silk worms. My attempt was fueled by the vision of the many lustrous cocoons I would eventually unwind and spin into pure silken thread. Mission failed. I have also attempted to grow my own cotton here in Northern Wisconsin. Mission failed (duh). These and a few other similarly fated experiments were pursued in the name of furthering my hand

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-32159507961428763392009-07-22T04:22:00.000-07:002009-07-22T08:14:21.616-07:00

by Teresa Clayton, The TreadlerBefore you go reading much further,This warning I ask that you heed.My story is terribly scary,Be wary before you proceed.---Let's hope that it's presently daytime,But, if you must read this at night,Secure every door, every window.The room should be well lit and bright.---Please, if at some point you are startled,by noises above or below,Steer clear of the cellar

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-11374746702251734782009-07-20T15:48:00.000-07:002009-07-20T18:06:47.941-07:00

Sometimes I wonder if describing myself as a "fiber addict" is really the way to go. Certainly it isn't a new concept. A great many arts and crafts enthusiasts have referred to their intense enthusiasm as "addiction". If you know what I'm talking about then you are no stranger to the all-consuming hold that a special project can take as it overpowers your every thought and free moment. You might

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-23560838201234043472009-07-19T06:31:00.000-07:002009-07-19T09:40:53.879-07:00

It was my sister who introduced me to the concept of a "Day of Beauty". This would be a day when some out-of-the-ordinary improvement is made upon an aspect of one's physical appearance (or at least that is how I understand it is supposed to be...in theory... )This weekend I thought I might try out one of 'em thar Days of Beauty for my own dang self. Like so many things I do it would have been

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-82778553725744852192009-07-04T13:00:00.000-07:002009-07-05T20:20:45.143-07:00

Warning: Within this post I shall announce the long-overdue revelation of the 2 winners in my finger puppet contest. (If you've been enjoying the suspense of not knowing who the winners are then please do not read beyond this point.)I was supposed to have made this announcement on June 21st, the first day of Summer. But, it was also Father's Day and the whole thing got procrastinated. I could say

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-23737575206690536362009-05-31T10:42:00.000-07:002009-05-31T11:52:41.212-07:00

Firstly, a reminder about the dramatic finger puppet contest that is going on right now! If you have yet to enter click on the link below and do so before June 20, 2009 or forever live in a saddened state of what might have been:http://thetreadler.blogspot.com/2009/05/great-procrastinators-freebie-contest.htmlI have to say, as I read all the heart-wrenching finger puppet entries I really wish I

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-1121524014021486192009-05-18T05:05:00.000-07:002009-05-18T05:29:20.278-07:00

This month I am proud to say I’ve finally opened my Etsy store, from start-to-finish a feat that only took me two years to accomplish. I spent that time creating and forgetting elaborate passwords for my account and procrastinating what I perceived would be the tremendous hassle of making a shop banner. Well, mission accomplished! Whoot! (Now I just need to get some stuff in there to sell.)What

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-26048420578872482692009-05-05T05:00:00.001-07:002009-05-05T07:06:35.391-07:00

If knitting needles were a treasure and I were a pirate I'd have to dig one heck of a hole to bury my bounty. Sadly, the hole would have to be extra big to support all of the unfinished projects that reside on so many of these various circular, double pointed and straight needles.The above picture is a little shirt I started for a little doll I never made. I just wanted to see how the painted

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-7988951288400398522009-04-27T18:59:00.000-07:002009-04-28T04:44:17.941-07:00

Mmmmmwwwhhhaahahahahah! At last, I have a novelty/bulky/art yarn spinning device in my clutches. Now, the fibrous mayhem can begin in earnest! This flyer head set-up with ginormous bobbin should be able to handle a hearty woolen concoction or two. I'll do a better job of mounting it one day but, for now, I'm not messing with success. The uptake is great and the spinning is smooth.It's a Clemes &

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-50521742048420346852009-04-26T12:41:00.001-07:002009-04-27T06:32:03.472-07:00

When I first realized I needed to design my own yarns the big, big goal was to spin everything smooth and even, smooth and even. Well, that has all changed. I want the lumpy bumpy yarns of my spinning youth, that first 6 weeks behind the wheel, only this time I want to exaggerate it all while retaining a balanced yarn.Seems it only took me 2 weeks to break every good habit I developed, except

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-17199627293378870162009-04-19T06:11:00.000-07:002009-04-19T06:50:46.721-07:00

I joined a gnome makers group on Ravelry.com then dove directly into a Spring Gnome Exchange. Look at what came to me in the mail last week! If the above isn't proof that hand crafted gifts are the best then I don't know what. Check out those hand spun bloomers. They feel like alpaca. (As a textile addict I always have to feel and touch everything.)The below picture is just for fun. My avatar is

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-86785314672308347242009-04-09T08:48:00.000-07:002009-04-28T04:15:04.259-07:00

Cornelia KandeykornMy noggin' has been cranking out some serious headaches of late. While I normally ascribe to the "no brain=no pain" philosophy I have to admit these little throbbers have been getting to me to the point where I almost believed my wool addiction was suffering, perhaps even falling by the wayside. Surely I have not been feeling myself and subsequently have not been able to spend

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-77900002077781986442009-03-31T14:09:00.000-07:002009-03-31T15:31:22.746-07:00

When it comes to games of chance The Treadler is anything but a winner. There has never been an opportunity for me to holler, "BINGO!" or "Yahtzee!" And, while my Grandmother, who passed away over 15 years ago, is still sent generic letters from Ed McMahon I have yet to receive one word from Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes that I too, may already be one (a winner).But, my luck has changed

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-46665495039358378582009-03-19T05:14:00.001-07:002009-03-19T06:08:27.188-07:00

Happy First Day of Spring!About 5 days ago we had such sultry weather up here in Northern Wisconsin I had to step out from behind my spinning wheel, set down my knitting needles, clear my lap of roving, dry my hands from wet felting, hang up my drop spindle and get out there! I even brought my camera. I live very close to Lake Superior so I walked on over to Barker's Island where you can see the

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-20721770927542573422009-03-02T05:52:00.001-08:002009-03-02T07:04:26.091-08:00

Started out with a variegated blend of white with a touch of brown. Space Dye 1Space Dye 2 Space Dye 3Space Dye 4 (See below post for spun outcome.)

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-40098339706242322602009-03-02T05:39:00.000-08:002009-03-02T07:19:11.627-08:00

Space Dye 1Space Dye 2Space Dye 3Space Dye 41/2 lb down and 14.5 lbs to go!What will The Treadler do with this new yarn?Something so top secret it is unbeknownst even to myself:)

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-91795889988903727762009-02-24T16:43:00.001-08:002009-02-25T07:40:35.174-08:00

So, there I was quietly spinning,with a group that was doing the same, when down sat a girl with a bag full of wool,and, truly that bag is to blame.***For in it were such lovely fibers.That bag contained all shades of green.I thought, "If this were mine to work with,I'd knit a nice 'meadowy' scene."***So, we talked about methods of dying,and sources where wool could be got.I left with leads on a

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-54314079714696263732009-02-21T06:41:00.000-08:002009-02-21T07:13:36.289-08:00

While searching for a favorite drop spindle I found this old experiment from many years ago. I had just started dying my own wool when I read that any protein fiber can be permanently dyed with Koolaid, vinegar, water and heat. I remember rushing out to the Lake Superior shoreline and collecting a nice helping of seagull feathers. (Seagull feathers are so very white...)That was back when I could

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-14377963306032126562009-02-18T05:52:00.000-08:002009-02-18T06:17:50.987-08:00

The above picture shows the fiber I've blended (wool, wool and sparkly blending glitz), the 2 ply yarn I've spun, and the assorted beads that have been strung onto the yarn which was then overspun again at the spinning wheel and then wrapped around a nice even stretch of cardboard.Here's a closer picture of the cardboard wrap. There is a lot of excess twist in that yarn. Look at the top edge of

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-60151780560250620812009-02-12T05:39:00.001-08:002009-02-12T07:32:05.401-08:00

My latest project was quite straightforward and easy but, very important to my long term goals. I knit most of this simple scarf (at left) without looking.It is the not-so-secret wish of every fiber addict, and here I'm speaking specifically to those whose method of fiber abuse is knitting, knitting, knitting, to develop the ability to do so with one's eyes closed or without having to look at

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-7228926623547021482009-02-08T14:35:00.000-08:002009-02-08T15:47:53.158-08:00

I found some great little sea shells for bead working and decided, as a weekend project, to make a very small woolen fringed bag. Above are the fibers from a previous dying session that I chose to match my shells: a light dull navy blue at left, and a strange orange and olive blend at right. In the center is a little bit of sparkly blending glitz...just for fun. I was shooting for a mossy,

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-41942584131072908022009-02-05T06:33:00.000-08:002009-02-08T15:27:40.231-08:00

We are having a very nippy February up in the North woods of Wisconsin! It's a great time for cozy, indoor projects. Naturally, all of my indoor projects (and a great many of my outdoor ones for that matter) involve wool.Dad gave out the best, old holiday cards this past Christmas. He found them in a box in the basement. Retro-cards are great fun and this one was especially beautiful because of

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-74955755879674687242008-12-23T11:41:00.000-08:002008-12-23T12:16:08.065-08:00

For those checking in to catch a glimpse of each other's dolls from the Duluth Art Institute adventure here's a peek at Christine's finished piece. I LOVE those creative, hand made snowshoes!!At our last get-together it was kind of sad for me to think about possibly never getting to see the finished dolls. Thank you so much Christine for sharing! (I've been wondering about how Hank was coming

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-28956849653529391922008-12-17T05:15:00.000-08:002008-12-17T18:01:00.213-08:00

Firstly, may I say I owe a debt of gratitude to the individuals who signed up for the needle felted doll class at the DAI. Wow! I hope that you had half as much fun as I did. The creativity, playful spirit and individual talents and tales of this group made the experience a real joy for me.As is always the case, whenever textile enthusiasts, craft persons and/or artists get together everyone is

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-65474317451674718952008-10-24T06:04:00.000-07:002008-10-28T05:03:39.190-07:00

If you live in or near NW Wisconsin or Duluth, MN and you enjoy playing with wool (spinning, felting, etc.) here are a few events coming up that may be of interest:Holiday Fiber Show and Sale ~ Sat., Dec. 6th from 10 am to 2 pm The Great Hall, The Depot in Duluth, 506 W. Michigan, Duluth, MN You don't need a spinning wheel to make your own yarn. I'll be showing folks how to spin wool using a drop

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-70607283314335226962008-05-13T04:25:00.000-07:002008-05-17T15:25:10.567-07:00

What constitutes a "wild weekend" for The Treadler? Mass quantities of fiber, lots of people, and experimentation going on everywhere.On May 3rd I was invited to host a station at the Duluth Art Institute's Family Day. I'm guessing there were 100 kids and parents there. Those in attendance got to throw their own pots on a potter's wheel, meet a local children's book illustrator, paint, sculpt and

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-28906178189018370022008-03-05T04:33:00.000-08:002008-03-06T05:37:33.507-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I decided to make a woolen vessel. I wanted a hollow, rounded shape with a small hole at the top, no seams, and a nice area at the center upon which to needle felt. I remember, as a kid in school we would papier mache around balloons. While the concept was perfect I DO TRULY HATE balloons. Besides, no balloon would stand up to the friction and abrasion required in wet

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-27062481672120470702008-02-26T15:21:00.000-08:002008-02-27T16:29:23.650-08:00

I haven't played a game of tag since well, before the turn of the century. While blog-tag is not as physically adventurous as the traditional, playground game it is pretty exciting to be invited by Melisa of Coppermouse Dolls. She's an absolutely fantastic creator of one-of-a-kind collector dolls! (For me it's the equivalent of being invited by one of the cool kids to come join in a game at

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-49858410775659065492008-02-07T22:49:00.000-08:002008-02-08T11:49:10.613-08:00

Well, I can't sleep. It's early a.m. and I finished the book I was reading. This seems like a good time to blog about the new washboard I bought last week! I've been wanting an old-fashioned washboard for a long, long while but, not quite enough to pay to have one shipped. (And, they aren't as easy as one might imagine to pick up while running errands about town.)I'd hoped to find a shiny new

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-76110373342031187002008-01-05T06:55:00.000-08:002008-01-05T11:11:38.686-08:00

There are all kinds of reasons for wanting to spin your own yarn. I spin for one purpose alone. There definitely are a lot of side-effects of spinning that I greatly value but, my purpose in spinning boils down to the simple fact that there is no other reasonable way to get the yarn I want made to the specifications I need.Probably now more than ever before you can buy some of the most fantastic

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-64122507168329299682008-01-04T04:36:00.000-08:002008-01-05T09:11:31.815-08:00

Sometimes real life interferes with the ability to pursue one's obsession. Here I'm speaking of my weekend ahead and the fact that all time is accounted for elsewhere. (Any fiber-related activity will have to occur in stolen moments.) I wish I could give the whole day to a project I have brewing but, to do so this weekend would be wrong.There are people in the world who have such a powerful

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-82036295197811435382008-01-03T14:00:00.000-08:002008-01-05T09:18:53.018-08:00

Well, it was all downhill from there. And, like other kinds of addicts I rationalize the crazy decisions that I make around my "need" to delve deeper and deeper into this fiber Odyssey. Ex: I have good reason for keeping every one of the 5 spinning wheels I "need". Furthermore, I have my husband thoroughly convinced as well. (We do not speak of the elephant in the room.)Allow me to digress a

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686927020771062849.post-14001312291671709192008-01-03T04:58:00.000-08:002008-01-03T13:59:29.376-08:00

Hi, My name's Teresa Clayton, The Treadler, and I'm addicted to wool. It's been 3 days since I last used fiber. No, I admit I'm not being truthful here. There's a little bit of wool stuck to my shirt right now. (Well, this isn't true either, it's alpaca.) Anyway, it's been zero days since I last used fiber.My story's one you've heard time and again. I was raised in a house where fiber abuse ran

The Treadlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515266084457118166noreply@blogger.com0