2026-02-21T13:05:11-05:00

Sitting & Spinning: Thoughts on Canadian Wool and the Beauty of Slow Making

February 21, 2026February 21, 2026/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Hi friends,

Today I thought I’d sit with you for a few quiet minutes. I want to simply share what has been on my heart and in my hands. This isn’t a tutorial or a how-to — just a gentle check-in from my spinning corner.

Sometimes the most meaningful conversations happen when we slow down enough to listen. Scroll down for the video.

Thinking About Canadian Wool

Lately, I’ve been thinking a great deal about wool in Canada. I wonder where it comes from and who raises it. I also consider how we support the shepherds and farms that care for these beautiful animals.

Living close to home has become increasingly important to me. The idea of using fibre grown within our own communities feels both practical and deeply meaningful. It connects us to land, season, and stewardship in a way that mass-produced materials simply cannot.

I find myself wondering:

Can we support local wool more intentionally?
What would it look like to build a resilient fibre future right here at home?
How might our crafting choices bless our local economies and environment?

These are gentle questions, but they keep returning as I spin.

What’s on My Spindle

Right now, I’m working with wool from local farms in natural shades. These include soft creams, warm browns, and quiet greys. These colors seem to carry the landscape within them.

There is something deeply grounding about spinning natural colour fleece. The fibre drafts differently than commercially processed wool — a little more alive in the hands, a little more honest. It asks me to slow down and pay attention.

As the twist builds and the yarn forms, my breathing slows. The rhythm becomes prayerful.

Spinning, for me, is no longer just about making yarn.

It is about listening.

There are bumps. There are background noises and the occasional interruption. I’ve come to see these moments as part of the authenticity of home life. Creativity does not happen in perfect silence. It happens in the midst of living.

And perhaps that’s exactly where it belongs.

On My Needles: Pink Cable Mittens

Alongside my spinning, I’ve been working on a pair of pink cable mittens. They are soft, cheerful, and full of texture — the project that feels comforting just to hold.

Progress has been steady rather than rushed. I’ve been enjoying the rhythm of the cables and the way the stitches create structure and beauty row by row.

There is joy in watching something useful and lovely take shape slowly.

The Gift of Slow Making

Spinning and knitting continue to teach me the value of unhurried creativity. In a world that moves quickly and demands productivity, fibre work invites me to move differently.

To pause.
To notice.
To create beauty with intention.

These small acts of making ground me spiritually and emotionally. They remind me that usefulness and beauty can coexist, and that simple work done with care carries deep meaning.

Looking Ahead

As I look toward the months ahead, my goals feel softer than they once did.

I want to continue exploring local fibre sources.
I want to experiment with Canadian wool for practical projects.
I want to deepen the connection between craft, faith, and daily rhythm.
And I want to keep making beauty in small, faithful ways.

Nothing loud. Nothing rushed. Just steady steps forward.

Come Sit With Me

If you’re creating something right now, I would love to hear about it. What is on your needles, your wheel, or your worktable? Have you explored local fibre sources in your area?

We build community by sharing what we make and why it matters to us.

Thank you for sitting with me today.

May your hands find peaceful work,
may your heart notice quiet beauty,
and may grace meet you in the ordinary moments.

With warmth and gratitude,
Grannie Doll

Ready for Valentine Knits?

January 20, 2026January 21, 2026/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/2 Comments

Love at First Stitch: Sock Knitting, Valentine’s Day & Pink Yarn Dreams 💕

There’s something quietly romantic about knitting socks.

Not the flashy, roses-and-chocolates kind of romance—but the kind that shows up every day. The kind that warms toes on cold mornings. The kind that says, “I thought of you.”

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I find myself reaching—almost without thinking—for pinks. Soft blush. Rose. Berry. The gentle kind of colour that feels like kindness rather than noise. And this year, I have a small collection of pink hand-dyed sock yarn skeins ready to find their way into loving hands.

Why Socks Make the Perfect Valentine

Socks are intimate in the best way.
They’re practical, yes—but they’re also deeply personal.

When you knit socks, you’re knitting for real life:

morning coffee on cold floors
boots kicked off at the door
evenings curled up with a book
daily walks, errands, ordinary days made softer

Hand-knit socks say, “I want you to be warm.”
And honestly? That’s a love language all its own.

The Magic of Merino/Nylon Sock Yarn

Every skein I’m offering is a merino/nylon blend, and there’s a reason sock knitters come back to this pairing again and again.

Merino wool brings softness, breathability, and warmth without bulk
Nylon adds strength and durability—because socks are meant to be worn, loved, and lived in

This blend is ideal for:

everyday socks
gift knitting
long-lasting heels and toes
smooth, satisfying stitches on your needles

And when it’s hand-dyed, each skein carries subtle variations—no two socks exactly alike, just like the people who wear them.

Pink Isn’t Just a Colour—It’s a Mood

Pink sock yarn feels different in your hands.

It’s cheerful without shouting.
Comforting without being dull.
A reminder that softness is a strength.

Whether you’re knitting:

Valentine socks for someone you love
a cozy pair for yourself (self-love counts 💗)
or a future gift waiting patiently in the drawer

Pink feels hopeful. Gentle. Kind.

A Small Batch, Dyed with Care

These skeins are part of a small, lovingly dyed batch—the kind of yarn that doesn’t rush you. The kind that invites you to slow down, cast on thoughtfully, and enjoy the rhythm of heel turns and toe grafts.

They won’t last long, and that’s okay. Handmade things aren’t meant to be endless. They’re meant to be meaningful.

A Gentle Invitation

If your needles have been whispering,
if you’ve been longing to knit something warm and loving,
if your heart could use a little pink right now—

These skeins are ready.

Cast on a pair of socks.
Wrap someone in warmth.
Or treat yourself to something handmade and kind.

Because love doesn’t always arrive in a box of chocolates.
Sometimes, it comes one stitch at a time. 🧦💕

With warm wishes and gentle stitches,
Grannie Doll

I have a few 100 gram skeins of hand dyed sock yarns to offer today focusing on Valentine Pinks. Let me know which one you’d like and I’ll ship ASAP. Cost? $20 per marked down from $30.

Thanks for looking today.

Still Waters in a Snowstorm

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Finding Calm Through Spinning, Soup, and Slow Living

Have you ever felt like you were rushing through everything — trying to get it all done — and then feeling that quiet guilt creep in?

I should have done more.
I wish I had slowed down.
I meant to take better care…

You can fill in the blanks.

Today feels like a good moment for a gentle check-in.

Here on Hamilton Mountain, we’re having one of those rare, holy kinds of days — a snow day, a pajama day, a let’s-just-breathe day. The kind of day when the world outside hushes itself for a while, and the inside of your home becomes its own small sanctuary.

So I pulled my rocking chair close.
I picked up my spindle.
And I listened to what my soul needed.

1. Finding Peace with Busy Hands

When the world feels loud and heavy, my hands remember what to do.

I spin.
I knit.
I create.

Not because something has to be finished — but because something inside me needs to be steadied.

There is something deeply grounding about working with fiber. It connects me not only to other makers around the world. It also connects me to the generations before me. These were people whose hands once spun wool by candlelight. Their meals simmered on wood stoves. Their days moved at the pace of daylight and seasons.

Today I’m spinning from my Distaff Day bat — a special blend I build year after year. I save little bits of fiber from past projects in a jar. Once a year, I card them together to make something new. From that batt have come socks (some that shrank terribly!), mittens, and now a new pair of mitts currently on my needles.

Sometimes I set intentions for yarn.
Sometimes I simply choose a color that feels like joy in my hands.

Both are holy work.

2. What’s on Granny Doll’s Stove

A big pot is bubbling quietly in the kitchen. It holds a bone broth made from beef bones, onion, carrot, celery, and a splash of vinegar. It will nourish my body with warm sips today and become soup tomorrow.

I’m thinking beef barley.

Yesterday I also roasted a local chicken, so tonight’s supper will be simple and honest: leftover chicken, rice, and vegetables. When we make things good, they are good.

This is Granny-core living.
This is larder living.
This is nourishment that blesses both body and soul.

3. A New Gentle Health Journey

Some of you know that I live with type 2 diabetes. Over the past year and a half, I have been learning to care for my body. I am doing this while using a GLP-1 medication. I have been learning its rhythms, its limits, and its blessings.

I’ve recently begun creating a 14-day gentle meal plan — not a “diet,” but a sustainable, simple, grandmother-style way of eating:

Using what we already have
Honoring leftovers
Eating mostly at home
Avoiding waste
Choosing foods that truly nourish

I’m turning it into a small booklet. It includes daily scripture, prayer, and reflection. You can adapt it, reflect on it, and make it your own.

If that sounds like something you’d love, let me know. I’d be happy to share it when it’s ready.

Still Waters

Today, Psalm 23 whispered to me:

He leads me beside still waters.

Outside, everything is frozen — snow piled high, roads quiet, the world resting under a white quilt.

Inside, my still waters look like:

A rocking chair
A spindle turning slowly
Soup on the stove
A meal plan that supports my health
And the deep knowing that I am cared for

Still waters aren’t always rivers and streams.

Sometimes they are quiet kitchens.
Sometimes they are wool in your hands.
Sometimes they are choosing to care for your body gently and faithfully.

So for today, dear friends…

May every stitch you make,
Every inch of yarn you spin,
Every meal you prepare,
Every quiet moment you take —
Be a blessing to your body, your spirit, and those you love.

You are always welcome in my cozy corner.

Until next time,
Grannie Doll 💗

One of Those Days: Spindlemas, Slow Living, and Finding Warmth Where You Are

December 20, 2025December 20, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Have you ever had one of those days?

Well… I’m having one right now.

Welcome, friends. I’m Granny Doll from DollCanCreate, living the 100 Mile Life and leaning deeply into slow, creative living. Today is Vlogmas Day 20 — and yes, this is the second time I’ve written (and recorded) this. Technology happens. We take a breath. And we begin again.

After a busy day of being out and doing the work that I do, I knew I needed to decompress. I needed to put my feet up and rest my body. Letting my spirit catch up was also necessary. So today looks like this:

A fireplace warming the room.
Christmas lights flicking on quietly by timer.
A candle that smells like cookies (yes, really).
A soft, calm pause in the middle of December’s rush.

And because it’s Vlogmas — or as I like to call it, Spindlemas — there’s also knitting.

On the Needles: Familiar Comfort

I’m still working on this lovely Shropshire fibre on my favourite spindle. I’ve officially cast on the second fingerless mitten. These are one of my go-to patterns — cozy, familiar, and comforting.

They feature:

A beautiful cabled pattern along the hand
A simple knit section above
A 3×1 rib at the cuff

As soon as I finished the first mitten, I cast on the second — just like socks. Momentum matters when you’re knitting and when you’re tired.

I’ll link the pattern below if you’re interested — it’s one I return to again and again.

Looking Ahead: The 12 Days of Christmas Cast-On

Today I’ll also be casting on something new as part of my 12 Days of Christmas Cast-On. Most likely, I will choose socks. I have so many new sock patterns waiting patiently.

I’m working with a gorgeous peacock blue hand-dyed sock yarn, and there are also:

Two pairs of slippers waiting to be made
Socks currently on the needles (I’ll show those next time)

There’s a lot on the plate — but the kind of “a lot” that feels joyful, not heavy.

Real Life in the Middle of Advent

Beyond the knitting, life is humming along:

Christmas cards are ready for worship tomorrow
Baking and gift-wrapping are still to come
Rest is firmly on the to-do list (and yes, it counts)

I also have a couple of extra worship services coming up — but I’m prepared. The planning is done. I’m ready to show up fully, without scrambling.

Advent, after all, is about preparation — of our homes, our hearts, and our lives. But it’s also the season of darkness, especially here in winter.

Solstice Reflections & Small Celebrations

Tomorrow, December 21st — the winter solstice — is also Nick’s and my wedding anniversary. Twenty years married.

We celebrated early with a late lunch/early supper because tomorrow will be full — but the moment mattered. And during the solstice, I think that’s especially important: finding something to celebrate in the midst of it all.

Whether it’s:

Family gatherings
Candlelight
Remembering loved ones who are no longer with us

All of it matters. All of it is holy.

A Gentle Reminder for Today

It may be cold.
It may be dark.
It may be windy, rainy, snowy — all at once.

Your house may not be perfect.
But your heart is.

And whatever is held in your heart today is enough.

So for now, and for today, I wish you warmth, rest, and gentleness with yourself. Vlogmas is almost over — but we’re not quite done yet. The 12 Days of Christmas Cast-On are just around the corner, and there’s still more to share.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for walking this slow, creative, faith-filled path with me.

Take care, friends.
God bless.

— Granny Doll 🧶✨

Essential Spindle Tips for Beginners

December 15, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Vlogmas Day 15 – Slow Craft for Busy Days

There’s something about spindle spinning that always feels like coming home.

In the middle of December, the days are short. The calendar is full, and the world seems a little louder than usual. I find myself reaching for my spindle. Not because I have to. But because I want to. It reminds me to slow down, to breathe, and to let my hands do something quiet and good.

If you’re new to spindle spinning, you are doing better than you think. Even if you’ve tried it once or twice and felt unsure, know this right from the start. You’re doing better than you think.

Beginning Where You Are

One of the first things I share in today’s video is how I make a leader. Sometimes I use a bit of pre-spun yarn. Sometimes I make one right from the fiber itself. Both ways are just fine. There’s no rule book here—only gentle guidance and curiosity.

Spindle spinning isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning how the fiber responds, how the twist travels, and how your hands naturally move. Every spindle has its own rhythm, and every spinner does too.

Wrapping, Spinning, and Letting Go

I also show how I wrap the fiber around the spindle to get started. This simple step can feel intimidating at first, but once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature. A wrap, a twist, a pause. Over and over again.

In the video, I’m using one of my favorite 3D-printed spindle—this one doesn’t even have a hook! And yes, that can feel a bit tricky at first. But with a secure wrap and a little patience, it spins beautifully. It’s a good reminder that tools don’t have to be fancy or traditional to be useful. They just have to work for you.

An Invitation to Experiment

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s permission.

Permission to experiment.
Permission to try different methods.
Permission to set the spindle down and come back later.

Spinning has been part of human life for thousands of years. No two people have ever done it exactly the same way. Your spinning doesn’t need to look like mine—or anyone else’s—to be right.

A Quiet Practice for Busy Seasons

During Advent and Vlogmas, spindle spinning has become a small daily ritual for me. Just a few minutes at a time. A way to ground myself, to pray without words, and to remember that slow things still matter.

If you’re spinning along with me this season, I’m so glad you’re here. And if you’re just watching and learning, that’s just as lovely.

🧶 May your fiber be forgiving, your spindle steady, and your heart at ease.

Grannie Doll

Too Many Choices? Vlogmas Day 12 — A Spinner’s Delight

December 12, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Welcome back, dear friends, to another day of Vlogmas/Spindlemas! Today’s little adventure was all about choices… so many choices. If you’ve ever stood in front of your fiber stash and thought, “Well now, which woolly friend is calling my name today?” — oh goodness, I was right there with you.

Vlogmas Day 12 had me pulling out fibers like a kid digging through a treasure box. Every one of them whispered something different, and honestly? I just wanted to spin them all.

A Burst of Sunshine: The Yellow BFL Blend

First up was the happiest little braid of sunshine you’ve ever seen — a golden yellow Bluefaced Leicester blend. And here’s the fun part: it gets its gorgeous colour from gold food dye.
Yes… food dye. Who knew something from the baking cupboard turns fiber into pure sunshine?
This one feels lively and warm in the hands. The kind of spin that instantly lifts your mood.

Soft and Steady: The White-Gray Shetland

Next came a fiber that feels like home for me — a gentle white-gray Shetland I had carded and hand-batted.
There’s something about Shetland that always feels right. Dependable. Cozy. Honest.
This particular batch is destined for mittens, and I’m already imagining how soft and sturdy they’ll be once knit up. Truly a joy to spin.

A Luxurious Treat: Merino–Cashmere Blend

And then… a little luxury.
A merino-cashmere blend that practically purrs when you touch it. I’m planning to spin just a bit of it. It’s not for a big project. I want to do it simply for the pleasure of changing pace. Like dessert spinning. Rich, decadent, and exactly what you need when your creative spirit wants to wander.

A Surprise Helper: The Kitten Cameo

And because no Vlogmas day in my house is finished without a little mischief, the kitten made an appearance.
She hopped into the frame, ready to supervise, critique, or steal fiber — still not sure which. (I didn’t leave that in the video lol)
But goodness, moments like that add such sweetness to the work. Life with wool and whiskers just feels right.

Closing Thoughts

Some days spinning is about a plan.
Other days — like today — it’s about delight, surprise, colour, texture, and following whatever fiber feels like joy.

If you’re spinning along with me this Spindlemas, I hope today you choose something joyful. Let it be something that makes your heart do a little happy dance.

Thanks for coming by, dear friends.
See you tomorrow for Vlogmas Day 13 — and may your fiber choices be just the right kind of overwhelming.

Vlogmas + Spindlemas Day 10: Slowing Down Into the Blessing

December 10, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Advent always asks something of us, doesn’t it?
It’s a season of preparation, of tending our spirits, of giving and sharing. A season where the heart gets stretched just a little wider — even when our calendars feel like they’re bursting.

Here in my little corner, it’s also Vlogmas and Spindlemas, which means I’ve been spinning every single day. Last time I chatted with you, I was working on that delicious red Shetland. I still can’t get the camera to capture it nicely. And yes, I can’t believe I said “y’all.” But here we are. I now have two sweet little cops of that red, and it’s sitting happily beside me.

But yesterday, I didn’t dig into my usual basket. To be honest, I know it won’t carry me all the way through December. Instead, I reached for something special. A bit of colour. A bit of chaos. A bit of joy.

I save tiny tufts of everything I spin throughout the year in a little jar. On Distaff Day in January, I card them all together into what I call my mystery batt.. That was the mystery I was spinning yesterday. It is a mix of fibres that probably shouldn’t work together. Somehow, they do. Perfect mitten yarn, I think. And I spun it on my tiny drop spindle, the one that feels like a friend.

Sock Knitting, Christmas Colours… and When Things Don’t Go as Planned

And then there are the socks.
I’m knitting the Crazy Sock Lady’s Heel Toe Do-Si-Do pattern, marking each 12-row repeat. I’m on the final repeat now — foot nearly done, toe up next.

This yarn was supposed to be Christmas red, but it came out more pink-with-a-dash-of-green than holiday festive. You know how it goes… sometimes the dye pot has other plans.

So what do we do when things don’t turn out the way we pictured?

Do we fuss?
Do we stomp our feet?
Or do we pick up the needles and make something lovely anyway?

These socks not be Christmas socks — but the ones on my feet definitely are. My West Yorkshire Spinners Grinch Socks, knit last year, still make me grin. Warm, cozy, a little mischievous — everything December should be.

Grandsons, Slippers, and the Joy of Making

I also found out today that both my grandsons want slippers.
One is a Kobe Bryant superfan — all basketball, all the time.
The other is a Buffalo Bills devotee — blue and red.

So guess who’s knitting slippers?
Granny is.
I can make a pair in a day or two once I get these socks off the needles. And honestly? I love that they asked. There’s something special about knitters being capable of wrapping love around the feet of the ones they adore.

Advent, Expectations, and Embracing the Slow

We’re ten days into Advent now — nearly halfway — and I wonder if you’re feeling the tug too.
The rush to “get there.”
The impatience for the holiday to arrive already.
Or maybe the wish for everything to slow down just a little.

But wishing won’t change the calendar.
Christmas will come, and Christmas will go.
The solstice will arrive — the longest night — and winter will settle itself in.

So what if…
just for a moment…
we leaned into the slowness?

What if we allowed ourselves to prepare gently, instead of scrambling for perfection?

What if the blessing is actually hidden inside the quiet?

These are big questions, I know. But maybe you’re feeling them too — the pressure of family, gifts, budgets, expectations. The worry that you won’t get it all done.

Let me offer you this little truth:

It is not necessary to run yourself ragged.
It is not necessary to give beyond your limits.
What is necessary is love — for your neighbour, for your family, and for yourself.

Smile at someone today.
Give yourself grace.
Let the cookies stay unbaked if that’s what your body needs.
Let the gifts be simple.
Let the joy be quiet.

Tonight I thought about filming a behind-the-scenes video for DollCanCreate and my 100 Mile Journey. Instead, I’m here with you — in the quiet. I’m grateful for warmth, for family, and for friends. I appreciate the little electric fireplace humming beside me. I’m thankful for the simple gift of being able to turn on the oven and make supper.

A Question for You, My Friend

On this 10th day of Vlogmas:

What are you doing for yourself?
What can you let go of?
And what might you gently pick up to bring joy into your life?

Hold those questions close as you settle into the evening.

And remember:

You are special.
You are blessed.
You are loved.

This is Grannie Doll, living the 100 Mile Life one day at a time.
Happy Advent.
God bless.
Until next time. ✨

Vlogmas Day 7 — Spindling Hope Into the Season

December 7, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

So welcome, dear friends. Day Seven of Vlogmas is here. Today I’m settling into my comfy rocking chair. I have that beautiful red wool you may have seen me pull from my basket. I’m working with my Dealgan—well, trying to. (Scottish Spindle) The camera didn’t want to cooperate, and the spindle certainly lived up to its name: drop spindle.

But that’s part of the charm, isn’t it? A bit of laughter, a bit of wool, and a whole lot of grace.

I picked up this spindle years ago at a fiber festival in Almonte, Ontario. I don’t use it often, but every once in a while it calls to me. Something about switching up tools brings a new rhythm to my hands and a freshness to the craft.

Today, I’m spinning a hand-dyed Shetland. I wish I could remember the dyer, but Shetland itself is one of my favourites—soft, lively, and full of character. I wind the leader through the cross at the bottom. Then, I bring it back up to the top. I give it a half-hitch and let the spindle go again.

This is my quiet joy on Day Seven.

Yesterday’s spin was different: a soft Barbie-pink Merino, a little two-ply that turned out beautifully. It will join the other colours in my blanket jar—my slow-growing rainbow of December.

What Are You Spinning? What Are You Creating?

I would love to know.
Are you spinning along for Vlogmas?
Knitting something soft and comforting?
Trying a new craft that keeps your hands and heart grounded?

Leave a comment below and let me know what’s on your needles, hooks, or spindle this week.

Spinning as a Practice of Hope

At church this weekend, I spoke about hope. I reflected on Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones. Those bones rose to life when God breathed upon them.

I keep thinking about how our craft mirrors that story.

Every time we spin a rolag, knit a row, or weave a few inches, we are quietly hoping:

hoping the yarn will be strong,
hoping the project will come together,
hoping we are learning even when we make mistakes,
hoping that the small work of our hands somehow leads to beauty.

Our craft is a form of hope.
A hope for the future.
A hope that even tired hands can create something meaningful.

And all the while, we sit in our cozy corners. Rocking chairs comfort us, with cats nearby and tea cooling on the side table. We think about the future in gentle, manageable ways.

Because out there, in the world of news headlines and endless commentary, it can feel like everything is coming undone. Some days, it is hard. Grief is real. December can stir up memories we weren’t expecting, or emotions we thought we’d tucked away.

So I return to what grounds me:

“Whatever is true,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is pure,
whatever is of good report…”

These are the things I choose to think on.
These are the things we craft toward.

And one of those lovely things is you.
Thank you for being here with me.

If You’re Enjoying These Vlogmas Moments…

Please don’t forget to:

Like the video
Subscribe to the channel
Share with a friend who needs a little December calm

I’m aiming for a video every single day for Vlogmas—my goal and my little offering of joy this Advent season.

We’ve just entered Week Two of Advent, and next week we move into Joy. How wonderful is that?

From My Home to Yours

Hi, I’m Granny Doll—also known as Doll from DollCanCreate, living the 100 Mile Life and enjoying every moment I can. I’m creating whether I’m in my rocking chair spinning wool with my kitty beside me. I’m creating while stirring a pot in the kitchen. I’m also creating when I write quietly on my blog. And I believe with all my heart that you can create too.

So tell me:

What are you working on right now?
Are you still deep in holiday gift-making?
Or are you turning toward something just for you? (A little self-care crafting never hurt anyone!)

Let’s talk about what our hands and hearts are connected to this Advent season.

For now, dear ones, this is Granny Doll signing off.
I care for you.
I’m thinking of you.
And I pray God blesses you with peace, comfort, and creativity.

Until next time—God bless and happy spinning.

Here’s the video:

Spindlemas Days 3 & 4: A Peek Into My Spindle Basket

December 4, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Welcome back, dear friends. It’s Grannie Doll here. I’m settling in with a cup of something warm. I’m living my 100-Mile Life one peaceful, wool-filled moment at a time.

This week, as part of Spindlemas, I found myself drawn back to a question many beginning spinners ask:

“How many kinds of spindles are out there—and how many does a spinner really need?”

Well… pull up a chair. Today I’m opening up my own spindle basket. I will share stories from the past twenty-one years of spinning joy. I will talk about learning curves and the quiet magic of handmade tools.

My First Spindle: Where It All Began

Every maker has that one tool that started it all.
Mine is a sturdy little drop spindle from 2004. It is hand-painted and well-loved. The paint is now gently wearing away after decades of use.

When I hold it, I remember those early days—fumbling fingers, lumpy yarn, and that unmistakable spark of Oh! I can make this myself.

That spark has carried me a long way.

Black Spruce and Alaskan Memories

Not long after, my husband Nick carved me a lightweight spindle from Black Spruce in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The bark has thinned over time, the wood mellowed, but it still spins fast and true. I can almost hear the quiet of the Alaskan woods every time the whirl turns.

These tools hold memories as much as they hold wool.

Spindle Exchange Surprises

Some treasures arrive by mail.

Years ago, during a spindle exchange, I received a sweet little hand-painted spindle. It was light as air. It was clearly fashioned from a drawer pull. Creative, whimsical, and full of charm.

Another exchange brought me a brightly colored whorl. It still spins beautifully. It is a little chipped from life, but so am I. Aren’t we all?

And yes… tucked among the collection is a tahkli spindle. It has a metal shaft and bead whorl. It is gorgeous and mysterious. It still whispers, “You’ll learn me someday.”

One day, little spindle. One day.

The Spindles I Reach for Most

Like many spinners, I have favourites that become old friends.

My Ashford Pair

A tiny light Ashford that spins like a dragonfly’s wing.
A larger Ashford that once met the wrong end of a dog’s teeth. A little tape, a lot of forgiveness, and she still spins beautifully.

My Beloved Unknown-Maker Spindle

Purchased somewhere near Owen Sound, this dark wooden beauty is my go-to for plying. The tip is finely crafted, the spin steady and long. She feels like poetry in the hand.

The Celtic Spindle

3D-printed, light, with a triskele design that feels rooted in ancient story. It spins like a dream—modern meets myth.

Moose-Mark Spindles

A pair from the Almonte Fiber Festival, each with a tiny moose on the underside. They’re balanced, strong, and perfect for plying.

My New Support Spindle

A recent adventure.
Metal tip, beautifully made, still leaving me humble and hopeful.
Support spindle spinning is on my “learn this well” list for 2026.

And then… the Turkish Treasure

This one is pure joy.

Made by Helen—whose motto is “Sawdust is my glitter.”
Smooth, elegant, satisfying in the hands, and spinning as gracefully as a leaf falling through still air.

What I Spin With These Tools

A spindle is only half the story.
The fiber tells the rest.

Right now in my basket:

A golden BFL dyed with Wilton’s food coloring
A soft pink Merino blend from last Distaff Day
A deep botanical-dyed BFL (onion skins + avocado = magic)
My Shetland mittens—white for one pair, and a beautifully varied Shropshire fiber for another
A cheerful pink hand-dyed skein working its way into a Heel Toe Do-Si-Do sock

And yes, sometimes my colors clash with my shirt. That’s part of the charm.

Where Wheel and Spindle Meet

You already know I spin my sweater yarn on the wheel. But what about the mittens, scarves, hats, and the bits that feel more intimate and slow? Those come from the spindle.

There’s something grounding about holding a tool that fits in the palm of your hand. You feel the twist travel through your fingers. You realize you are the engine.

Slow, steady, soulful.

A Peek Behind the Scenes

If you’ve watched my Spindlemas videos, you’ve probably seen:

The lavender vase beside my spindles
The Folgers tub blocking the cat from pressing random printer buttons
My plastic bowl full of tools—scissors, needles, bits and bobs every crafter keeps nearby

This is real life, Grannie-Core at its finest: cozy, functional, imperfect, and full of love.

A Question for You

What is your favourite sheep breed to spin or knit with?
Mine, so far, is Shetland—lofty, springy, forgiving, and perfect for the slow-living rhythm I crave.

Tell me yours in the comments so we can start a lively woolly conversation.

A Closing Thought for Advent

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, lighting Advent candles, or simply leaning into the hush of winter…

Let’s prepare our hearts for a world that is gentler, kinder, more hopeful.

Handwork teaches us that small things—twists of fiber, quiet moments, patient stitches—add up to something much bigger than we imagined.

From my home to yours,
this is Grannie Doll living the 100-Mile Life.

Like, subscribe, share if this warmed your heart—and remember:

If DollCanCreate… maybe you can too.

God bless, dear friends. ♥

Handmade Peace: Slowing Down the Last Weeks of November

November 19, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

By Grannie Doll

Late November has always felt like a hinge in the year. It is that quiet, often-overlooked moment between autumn’s last colours and the gentle hush before Advent. The world is slowing down, even if the stores and schedules insist on doing the opposite. And here, in this pause, I find myself reaching for handmade peace.

Not perfection.
Not productivity.
Just… peace.
Peace crafted slowly. Peace grown stitch by stitch. Peace rediscovered in the things made by loving hands.

The Softening of November

There’s a softness to these late-November days. The last leaves let go. The skies turn a shade of warm grey. My kettle works overtime, and the house seems to lean inward just a little.

This is the season where my Grannie-Core heart feels most at home. There are blankets on chairs and woolen socks on my feet. A candle burns while I tidy up the kitchen after supper. The pace of the world shifts, and I shift with it.

In these two weeks before Advent, I’m not rushing. I’m returning.

Knitting Peace Into the Everyday

Most mornings start the same way. I have a cup of tea. A knitted blanket is wrapped over my knees. I work on a few quiet rows of whatever project is calling my name. Lately it’s been mittens. Warm, sturdy, practical mittens knit from my own DK handspun — a rich brown I spun earlier in the year.

There’s something healing about watching your own wool become something useful.
Something about the rhythm of it — knit, purl, breathe again.

Knitting reminds me that peace doesn’t arrive in grand gestures. It grows in tiny movements. One stitch at a time. One row after the next. A little like faith, a little like prayer.

And this time of year? My knitting slows down my heartbeat in the best possible way.

Spinning as a Path Back to Stillness

While knitting fills my mornings, spinning restores my afternoons. I don’t rush at my wheel or my spindle this time of year. I let the twist build gently. I feel the wool between my fingers. I remember that this is old work — ancient work — sacred work.

Late November spinning always feels like a conversation with my grandmother. She didn’t rush her hands. She didn’t force a rhythm. She understood that handmade things carry more than fibre — they carry memory.

And in that, I find peace.

Sometimes I spin local fawn wool; sometimes I blend colours softly. Sometimes I just sit with the motion, letting the spindle turn until the world slows down beside me.

The 100-Mile Life: Peace on a Plate

Handmade peace for me also happens in the kitchen.

This is the season of root vegetables, local honey, hearty soups, and earthy flavours. Simple, humble, beautiful food from farms not far from my doorstep. A pot of carrots and sweet potatoes simmers on the stove. It feels just as comforting as a wool blanket over my feet.

Living a 100-Mile Life in late November feels grounding. It feels as though I’m part of the land that’s preparing to rest. The meals aren’t complicated. They’re just enough. Enough warmth. Enough nourishment. Enough peace.

There’s a deep comfort in cooking with what’s close to home.

Peace as a Practice

As the nights grow longer and the mornings darker, I find myself leaning into slow routines:

A candle lit before breakfast
A few rows of knitting while the kettle boils
A quiet moment at the window, watching the sky
A simple prayer whispered between tasks
A soft landing into the evening with wool in my hands

Peace isn’t a feeling we stumble into.
It’s a practice.
A rhythm.
A handmade thing.

These last two weeks of November invite us to breathe. They encourage us to make room. We should prepare our hearts for the season of light.

A Gentle Blessing for Your November

If your days feel rushed, may you find one slow moment today.
If you feel pulled in too many directions, may your hands return to something soft and grounding.
And if your heart is carrying heaviness, may a small handmade moment bring you back to peace.

Peace that is steady.
Peace that is quiet.
Peace that is born from the work of your hands.

“May your yarn never tangle,
your stitches stay kind,
and your spirit spin gently toward peace.” Grannie Doll

100 Mile Life/Grandma Core