[Nfb-krafters-korner] any bulky machine knitters?

[Dixie]

Hi Jewell,

I only learned to spin about a year and a half ago.  I too was looking for a
new craft since I was very much into embroideries before I lost my sight.
That happened  6 years ago.  I went from 20/20 to nothing basically
overnight, so had to make some big adjustments.  I had always wanted to
learn to spin since I was a little girl.  My grandmother had 2 spinning
wheels in her house as show pieces, never to be touched.  Well, tell this
kid you can't touch and you know what she wanted to get her hands on more
than anything else in the house.  So, the summer before last I asked a
friend who spins to teach me.  She raises Romney and I have been spinning
the wool I have gotten from her.  I have a few other fibers, but, have yet
to get brave enough to try them.  I have some blue face, some alpaca, and
some Samoyed as well as plenty from my Fidelco German Shepherd.  None of
which I have ventured forward to try yet.

I am so pleased though to find another blind spinner!  Here in Connecticut I
am in a spinning group, we get together once a month, and I am the only
blind spinner.   Although there is one woman in our group who has Macular ,
this woman watches me so she will have ideas of how to get along when her
sight worsens.


I see you have found that ray of sunshine Becky.  She is a machine knitter
and I hope to be just like her one day.  Smile.


Dixie

~ @-> ~ <-@ ~


-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewell Boll
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2010 12:57 PM
To: List for blind crafters and artists
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] any bulky machine knitters?

Hi Dixie,

I am thrilled to hear of this list and to be able to connect with other 
blind individuals who have a common interest in a craft.

I have been spinning about 15 years now. I was looking for something to take

the place of my passion for sewing as I lost more and more of my vision.  I 
wanted something to keep my hands busy and yet enhance my sense of touch. 
Spinning has certainly filled that desire. I have spun many different fibers

just to relish in the feel of the different textures. My favorites are 
various wools and llamas.  I have tried the cottons and linens, but didn't 
find them enjoyable.  Merino, angora were fun, but not easy to spin for me. 
Do you have a favorite fiber? What are you doing with the yarn you have 
spun?

I hope you will persevere in your knitting.  I had no one to teach me, so I 
found a beginner's knitting book and taught myself.  I telling you, I went 
through a lot of frustrations, but was stubborn enough to persist. 
Eventually, I got better. and it will for you too.  Just keep knitting.  I 
did get a response to my inquiry regarding any one knowledgeable in machine 
knitting.  Perhaps if you make the same request, she will respond to your 
request.  Do you have a machine now?

I will tell you little about myself.  I live in Sheboygan which is midway 
between Milwaukee and Green Bay on the western shores of Lake Michigan in 
Wisconsin.  I have Ushers syndrome which is a progressive vision and hearing

impairment.  I now have light perception and wear two hearing aids.  I do ok

one on one, but finds it more difficult in noisy settings. I love to 
knitting to books, I enjoy walking every day with my guide dog, Gus. And of 
course, I enjoy my crafty hobbies.

Please tell me a little about yourself.

Jewell 


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