Spindle Camp Wrap Up

Saturday evening after dinner we gathered until the canopies for a game of pirate exchange. That's the gift exchange where you submit an item, in this case fiber, that's been gift wrapped and placed on a table. We all drew numbers and the first number, which was me, got to select one of the items. I knew what Hermi brought so chose her's. The next person can open a new "gift" or take one that's been previously opened, up to three times a steal per item. I lost mine within a couple of rounds. I had meant to get over to Mim's to buy some of her luscious dyed roving for my participation, but time got away and at the last minute, I ended up using 3.5 ounces of Mickey Mouth's fiber. His wool is my still my favorite wool to spin, but in this field of exciting colors and exotic blends, I was embarrassed at my vanilla offering. To my great surprise, he was traded up to his third exchange and ended up in Luci's happy hands.
This is my pirate booty. Most of the interest was directed towards spinable fiber but I was thrilled to get some ready to knit yarn. This came from Cindy who is the California and Hawaii rep for KFI yarn company, so has an unusually large stash. Lucky me!

After I got home, I figured out a basic pattern and cast on for a simple shell. I know there are a couple of summer tops here and, well, you know - there's no time like the present since it is already summer as of today.
I'd like to say that I was able to turn a blind eye to the members' swap and sale table, but I only lasted a day - until Sue Flynn came. I caved to this double pack from Cottage Creations. It's about 7.5 ounces and I think if I dye 7.5 ounces in that blue and ply them together, I'll have enough to use in a garment. Thoughts???
I walked by this a couple of times because I'm not a fan of Ashland Bay rovings, but this silk blend was a steal. Again it's about 7.5 ounces. I'm thinking about plying it with an undyed silk blend from Ashland Bay and then overdying the yarn. But not before I knit my summer tops.
And there are the little things that crop up when you're sitting in a circle on a sweltering day, knitting and kibitzing. Eileen Lee showed us a trick she learned from Lily Chen. Use bread wrapper sealers to secure the cast on ends of your knitting, or for that matter, any ends that you have in your knitting so they stay securely out of the way.

We're already securing our places for Spindle Camp IV, and I will pack a bathing suit and swim goggles.