A photo collage of my spinning from the past couple of days.
Clockwise from upper left: Finished alpaca singles (~500 yds, ~30 wpi); Targhee sample on Jenkins Kuchulu; Merino/Bamboo on Bosworth Mini; Carded rolags of Lakehouse Loft Corriedale for gradient spinning
Quick update on the Tour de Fleece progress:
And because I’m me, here’s a brief weather update as well: it’s hot. and humid. Blech!
Yesterday I finished the alpaca spinning. As promised, here are the rolags I made:
Pretty Rolags
I had some trouble skeining the singles onto the niddy-noddy. Some places, especially on the wheel spun yarn, were underspun; as I was winding onto the niddy-noddy, I kept getting breaks. I was doing my best to make “low twist” singles but I suppose I did too good a job in some points. Kind of frustrating but cest la vie. I finished the yarn by soaking it in very hot water and agitating it, followed by a dunk in cold water. Hang to dry and voila. I did some reading up on this method of finishing and it supposed to help strengthen the single. I still have half a bobbin to skein and finish so no final yardage totals yet.
Hopefully better pictures to come when my camera makes it back to the house and the sun is out. Not that I’m complaining. The rain is lovely.
Laceweight Alpaca Singles
Fresh inspiration! This shawl from the new Knitty is awesome. I think it would look amazing in a handspun. I think my TDF goal just became a little bit more focused. Stay tuned.
Quick update tonight. I finished spindling 2 ounces of the alpaca on Wednesday night at the former JJJ now Nu Cafe. So great to see some of my peeps again!! And I missed those who weren’t there. Using my Bossie midi, I started spinning my Loop batt.
Fluffy and delicious. And a monarch butterfly too!
Total love; very fun spin so far. Today I got out Charlotte (say hi to Charlotte):
Hi Charlotte!
and started spinning the remainder of the alpaca. Because of some problems with how the fiber was drafting, I decided to try a slightly different technique based on this blog post about creating rolags from combed top. It seemed to make the spinning a bit easier and I admit I love the way rolags look, especially all lined up. I’ll try to get a picture tomorrow of the ones that are remaining.
Yesterday and today have been travel days for us. Yesterday we drove from stuart to Jacksonville. Today is our return home. Unfortunately I just found out our flight is delayed by at least 40 minutes. Always fun when traveling with two small children. Rich has been amusing the kids by riding on the moving walkway and now they are playing over by a less crowded gate. Good thing I decided to bring my spindle with me in my carry on bag. Here is the progress from the past two days and the singles I wound off on the 4th.
Got a little spinning in this afternoon. Having a little trouble with the alpaca drafting out too thin/fast from time to time. Good thing I’m spinning over carpet.
Tomorrow we make the trek back to Jacksonville for our flight home on Uuesday. I’ve had a good time but I’m ready to see my house again. And my bed. And my wheel/yarn/fiber.
Here’s today’s picture. I like the way the colors are coming out. A nice chunk of sandy browns. Still not sure what this wants to be….
Today is the first day of Le Tour de Fleece! From today until the real Tour (you know, the one with the bicycles) ends, I will be spinning everyday. I hope I’ll be able to mow through a nice chunk of my fiber stash and end up with some happy yarns for fall knitting.
I’m on vacation right now so my wheel is at home. I did bring my little bosworth mini and 2 ounces of alpaca so that’s what I’ll be working on until I get back. On the wheel right now is some awesome wool and angora which I can’t wait to see as finished yarn. It is dreamy to spin.
Here is the alpaca project already in progress. Happy spinning!
You said it