Spinning a yarn

By Lazykate

Who D'Ya Think You Are?

I've had the pleasure of spending time at my local primary school recently, helping out with sewing up cushion covers with seven and eight year olds. This involved a sewing machine and other people's children's fingers. To say my heart was in my mouth would be putting it somewhat mildly.

The boys in particular were enthusiastic with the pedal and my gentle reminders at the start of 'Watch your fingers there Michael' and 'remember, not too near the needle Sean' were replaced with a sharp,'Michael! For goodness sake Will you be careful!'

The interesting thing about the exercise was that for the relatively short time I spent with them and a sewing machine, their personalities shone through their machining. Michael, as you will have gathered is completely gung-ho in life, has no fear and approaches everything head first at speed. He was quick to learn and very independent, but a little bit untidy. Sean on the other hand was measured in his approach, listened carefully and was very tidy, but he was particularly hard on himself, a complete perfectionist to the point where I almost wanted to hug him and say 'there there'. Anna, the little girl in the group pirouetted round the table until she had to be forcibly sat down.

It struck me that our personalities dictate the way we spin - do you see yours in your spinning? Are your singles overly wound to the point of snapping and your shoulders ache after an hour of spinning from the stress? Did you also kick the dog this morning? Do you spin so fast that your skeins are permanently crinkled? Or are you so laid back that when you ply your singles fall apart? Is your life verging on the bohemian? Maybe your spinning is evenly balanced in both singles and ply? I would imagine in that case that you have all your ironing done. Jealous on all fronts.

How can we change our spinning personality to improve our work? Maybe a glass of wine or two to chill out for our more intense spinners. Or some up beat music to get the practically comatose ones moving. What about the pirouetters in spinning? Will we have to forcibly get hold of you and sit you down? It's ok to spin if the dishes aren't done you know.

Whatever our spinning style and lets face it there are all things we would like to be better at, lets enjoy what we are and take pride in what we do. Laugh at the crinkles and the snapping, give it another go and be pleased with the unique achievement that is yours and yours alone.

To read more about Lazykate's world of spinning visit her blog at lazyblog.lazykate.net