L.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Concert on the Meadow - Von Trapp Family Lodge
Every year since I moved to Vermont, our 4th of July Weekend has consisted of Fireworks at the waterfront on Lake Champlain, The big booksale on July 4th and the Winooski Chicken Barbque, and on July 5th, the Concert on the Meadow and fireworks at the Von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. As usual, I always bring some fiber work with me. Today it was spinning dyed cotton sliver on my beloved Orenburg Spindle from The Spanish Peacock ( he turns all his spindles by hand, and they are works of art!), and finishing a lacy shawl for my youngest daughter. I was working on fringe, when an elderly woman came over to look at what I was doing and chat. Turns out she's a crocheter and a spinner as well. Her wheel is very old, and came from Holland, and she's just recently discovered spinning in the grease. (A friend had given her a Jacob fleece) and she was having a blast "despite the fact that it is VERY dirty work". She liked the fact that the grease slowed down her drafting just a bit and it didn't get all fuzzy or blow away. We chatted a bit more, and before she left we exchanged names, mine, Leah Rosenthal ("Oh, are you Jewish? I've always loved the Jewish people"), and hers, AnnMarie Von Trapp. Wowza! The Von Trapp Family, made famous for their escape from Austria during WWII rather than fight for them, has been a part of life and lore my entire life. I've been to the Lodge more than a dozen times, and never met anyone. Fiber was the tie that brought us together for a brief moment. I'll remember meeting her always. (She asked if I'd be back for the concert next weekend so we could chat some more. I hope I make it back from the family Reunion in time.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Wow, you met a VonTrapp family descendant? How cool is that-- and because of spinning, natch.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Leah.
Oh, and I am so impressed that you spin cotton. I never have, and I hear it's pretty hard to do-- short fibers.
I started spinning cotton after someone explained to me that the reason I was having trouble was because I was trying to spin it like wool. Different beastie all together. I found it easiest to spin from a puni (like a really tight rolag). The fibers get all jumbled, and its easier to draft. 2nd, you have to "over spin" just a little so the thread doesn't fall apart. Keep some tension on it as you wind it onto the spindle. 3rd, you have to let the spin go up into the "V" of the fiber. Thats how the fibers grab one another. I found it easiest to start on a supported spindle (my beloved Orenburg spindle from Michael at the Spanish Peacock). After I had that down, I went back to the wheel, and found I could make it work. Good luck! L.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I did not make it back to the concert. The Family reunion was a resounding success, so I didn't feel slighted.
ReplyDeleteCotton is a great deal easier than you may think. Once I got the hang of it, I started saving my pennies, and after a (VERY)long while, managed to purchase a Bosworth Book Charkha of my very own. The cadilac of cotton spinning!