This weekend I had the pleasure and the privilege to attend the first annual Ply Away, an international spinning get together organized by Jacey Boggs Faulkner of Ply Magazine. I feel so lucky that it was located in Kansas City, my home!
On Friday, I took a full day class with Amy King, owner of Spunky Eclectic and author of the book Spin Control. The class was focused on how to spin sock yarn. We learned all sorts of ways to spin the best sock yarn from selecting the best blends of fiber to spinning and plying techniques. I did take a picture of my one presentable sample, an example of “light and tight” spinning. This means that I spun the singles for this yarn with a light twist, and plied the singles with a tight twist giving me a light and tight yarn.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEhicw3SRZK/?taken-by=fluffykira
I didn’t get to spend a lot of time wandering on Friday, but I did manage to head into the market place for a bit of retail therapy. The first day purchases from Huckleberry Knits and Greenwood Fiberworks came home with me.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEhiXCoyRY7/?taken-by=fluffykira
On Saturday I had a free day and spent it knitting and chatting and shopping. I met up with my friend Stefanie. We had a great lunch and spent time wandering the marketplace and knitting in the lobby.
We saw the new Flatiron Wheel from Schacht.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEjn1xayRS8/?taken-by=fluffykira
We wandered all the beautiful booths.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEjMjjzyRdK/?taken-by=fluffykira
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEjMqL_SRdW/?taken-by=fluffykira
Of course I had to do a bit more shopping at October House, Tuft Woolens, Topeka Twister, Frabjous Fibers and Yarn Geek.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BElqgHzyRST/?taken-by=fluffykira
We also got to do an little meetup for the Spinzilla 2015 Team Louet champions and posed with the Golden Niddy Noddy and Dave of Louet North America.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEjz1NwyRcX/?taken-by=fluffykira
Saturday night was a huge spin in. We had over 100+ knitters in a room with wheels and snacks and fiber and fun!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEkOpQSyRck/?taken-by=fluffykira
Sunday afternoon I came back and took my final class, a spindle spinning class with Abby Franquemont, author of Respect the Spindle, the book that taught me to spin. It was an amazing class. I forgot to take more photos, probably because I was just trying to absorb as much of the information as I could.
Overall the weekend was fabulous. I got to meet up with friends from all around the country and immerse myself in all things spinning. I can’t wait for next year!
Great recap, it was so fun hanging out with you this past weekend!