Small Comforts

I think last week was the hardest week of my thirty year nursing career.  I am a manager in the NC Department of Health and Human Services.  I am not on the frontline of caring for patients anymore and cannot imagine the stress on our doctors, nurses and hospital workers.

This week I found such comfort in spindle spinning.  There is something about the repetive motion and light touch required which forces me to relax and breathe
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The picture above is my KCL spindle.  I love these modular spindles.  Being a tapestry weaver it allows me to weave small amounts of the colors, thickness and textures I want.

It has been great fun to spin these little Hobbledehoy battlings.  One or two on each removable shaft and then ply them on the KCL lazy kate for my weaving.

I am also really loving this tiny niddy noddy from NextLevelMade. I can wind my small bits of newly plied yarn on it and wash and dry it without removing it.

In keeping with the theme of small things, here is my Hokett loom in action.

Mr. Hokett has retired but some of his looms are still available and there are similar looms on Etsy.  I also have a tiny Mirrix which I am weaving a handspun piece on now.

I am playing with wedge weave variations on tiny landscapes.  It allows me to check out some design ideas.  I don't know what will become of these tiny taps.  But for this moment in time the spinning and weaving are like the rare perfume, a balm in Gilead.  Stay well my friends and find comfort in small things.