a few thoughts on a friday evening

Okay.  Deep breath.

I think I've got everyone signed up who's left a message in the comments or who emailed me directly -- thanks to a few of you who tried a second time.  Yes, Typepad has been slightly....mildly...delicate the last couple of days.  On the whole, I think things held up remarkably well.

A few folks were worried they would miss the deadline.  No worry.  There is no deadline.  If you find us a week from now, you can still join in -- you just need to set a goal you can reach in the appropriate time left.

If you're wondering why I do that, let me explain.  I mentioned I do this in a kind of low-key way, being the low-key introvert that I am.  The reason I do this (and I've been at this for eleven years now, knitting a project the first eight, spinning the last three) is that it's an excuse for me to do a number of things:

1.  Think about doing one thing different.  One thing.  One small change, one new skill, just one thing. 

2.  Realize that sometimes you have to take time and make time.  You have to get organized in a way to make sure you can do the things you need and the things you want.  This is a moment for me to think about that.

3.  Make space.  This is especially true this year, when I'm confronted with thoughts about stash, both yarn and fibre.  I need to use some of what I have up, move it out, to make space -- both physical and metaphorical -- for new creative ventures.

4.  Not think.  I start to get out of the practice of spinning once spring turns to summer, and I get into garden/fill the freezer for winter mode.  That's important, but I also need moments to empty my head form all the planning that involves.  A few minutes of spinning every morning allows me to still the train that races in my head.

5.  Change gears.  If I dump everything else I'm working on, and just focus on the one project, often when I get back to other things after the Tour, I make much better progress for having taking a break.

There are probably more, but that's a good start.  And it's why I don't set  a deadline.  Yes, in a perfect world you'd turn on the Tour tomorrow morning (I watch on Canal Evasion, and I have done since I moved back from France), start your challenge.  But the world isn't perfect, and if you find us next week, I'd rather you had the chance to challenge yourself or take the time for yourself, or set something new in motion, in the remaining time available.

As for the goals -- there are so many, I've enjoyed reading what everyone is doing.  There is no goal too small.  All goals are worthy.  And you never know where a goal, no matter how big, no matter how small, will lead you next.

There are spinners of all skill levels here, from dead beginners to extremely experienced.   Some of you are planning to blog your progress; some have said you'd like to drop a note in the comments or pop me an email; some have said they'd just like to work on this and not report.  That's fine.  This is about *you* being comfortable with whatever you've chosen to do.  This is about *you* as an individual, and if you're getting out of this what you want/need, then that's great.

Okay, okay, now I know I'm starting to sound all airy-fairy and pop-psych-y, so let me just close.  I'm really looking forward to tomorrow morning.

Comments

[Serena]

Oh yeah! Count me in! Hopefully there won't be any Tour de Fleece or Tour de France doping scandals this year...

[Ann B.]

No blog, but count me in too.

[Mollee]

Count me in. I'm working on the blog, there are technical expertise issues with the blogger.

[bachtosocks]

Well, my goal is to spin at least a bit every day between July 5th and the 27th. (Hey, cut me some slack; I'm a beginner!!)

Despite this shaping up to be every bit as crowded a day as yesterday was, and even though I didn't get to bed until 2 AM, I still managed to spin a bit of lovely, white, BFL this morning.

I am da spinnah!! :)

[katherine]

*Fingers crossed* re: the scandals. I'm hopeful this year, where I wasn't last year. The Giro (tour d'Italie) was a good, solid race this year, not a lot of extreme fireworks, but good racing, and seemingly without problems. So I'm hoping that bodes well for the Tour de France.

@Bachtosocks -- good for you! I know what you mean, I've got so many things that need to be done today, it was hard to settle in this morning. But now I'm done, and I can get on with it.

Good first day of the Tour!

[Lisa Fall]

No blog for reporting progress. I suddenly realized that I have about five spinning projects started so my goal is to finish them all (or at least most of them) in the three weeks.

[Joelle]

I'd like to join, too! I'm a beginner, and my goal is a two-parter: 1) to spin a bit each day, working through my meagre stash, then buy locally for the duration of the tour, and 2) to end up with a few hanks to sell at a friend's shop. I only spun for one month before I abandoned the wheel in November. It's time to take it up again, and the Tour is as good a reason as any, I think!

[Ani]

Just found you! Count me in.

[Shannon]

I'd like to give this a go! Just found it on Yarn Harlot's site. I'm a new spinner using a generic bottom whorl drop spindle...I'll commit to spinning 10 minutes each day.

[Betty]

Count me in, too, please! My goal is to spin a little each day... I'm still recovering from surgery and wasn't able to spin for some time. I'm working on a lovely dark blue/purple merino on my primary wheel and there's a gorgeous tussah silk on my drop spindle.

[anj]

I just finished my first stage today. Watched it With my sweety and took pics for the blog. I'll post later tonite but WOWZA what a great finish today. I really love doing this each yr. I enjoy both the cycling part and the spinning bits. Thanks for putting up with us again.

[Diane]

I'm in! This sounds like a great challenge. My plan is to work on some cashmere that I bought waaaaay long ago with a friend - I would spin it, and she would knit it up. I think since it's been so long that as penance I'll need to knit it or weave it, but first I have to spin it!

So Cheryl, this one's for you!

Diane

[Jeanie]

Please add me to the blogroll!

I signed up on the LnV team through Ravelry (jeanius80 there) I am a newbie! My personal challenge will be to spin up my Miss Babs BFL into sock weight, spin up my targhee/merino into sport/dk and to spin up more targhee into a bulky yarn as well. Off to spin!

[vicki]

This is my first year, in addition to my first spindle and roving. It says that I have enough roving to make a pair of socks. I would like for that to be true, being a long time knitter, I know what I read is not always the case. Ha
Vicki

[plumbum]

May I join you? I have a stash to bust... and have been neglecting my spinning due to becoming besotted with my knitting needles.

I'd like to challenge myself to spin a little each day before breakfast (1 hour) and to work my way through my Project Spectrum rovings, as far as I possibly can.

http://www.woolgathering.org.uk

[katherine]

Of course -- I'll add you in to the participant list when I sign in later, but feel free to start ASAP!