Challenge Yourself

A peek at my first combo spin all plied up

There is something in the air this time of year … I think that the approach of Spring makes us a little restless and we want to do things to shake up our old daily routines, to do something different.  Even when it comes to fiber, yarn, and spinning.

All around Ravelry, there are fun challenges being posted to help stretch our skills, trying new things, and shake things up.  The three that have really caught my eye are:

• Combo SAL at Spunky Eclectic – You take 2 or more different colorways, spin them up, and then ply them for wonderful results.
• The March Challenge at 13 Lbs In 2013 is to spin sweater lots (enough fiber to knit a sweater).
• Extreme Plying SAL at Southern Cross Fibre – forget out singles, 2 and 3 ply … go for 4, 5, 6, 10 ply … cables … go a little crazy with your plying and see what wonderful discoveries you make and what amazing yarn you produce.

And I want to take part in them all!  I’m actually combining the Combo SAL and the sweater spin as I have enough of my dyed shetland to knit a sweater (yay!).  And I must admit, my first combo spin has given me the combo-spinning-bug.  I’m looking through my stash and thinking about what would look really great as another combo so there are definitely more in the future for me.

The Extreme Plying SAL has also given me the kick in the pants I needed to finally try spinning cabled yarn and I am really excited to get started.  I have a couple of gorgeous candidates fiber-wise, but I just haven’t been able to pick “the one” to start with.

With all these fun spinny things to do it is hard to find enough time in the day to do all of them!  I’m thinking this weekend will be late nights, lots of good coffee, and a date with my spinning wheel.

Are you taking part in any fibery challenges?  Do you get a little restless in the Spring as well?  Tell me all about it!