Happy Memorial Day to all! I hope everyone is safe and happy today.
I decided to start something new today. After finishing off some small handspun recently, I felt the itch to start a larger spinning project. Perhaps even one I would try to make as a 2-ply yarn?
This is 4 ounces of alpaca roving in kind of rusty oranges and browns. It’s a little compact from long term storage but I think it’s workable. I’m going to use my larger/heavier drop spindle and then perhaps my wheel to ply? I don’t care for the colors so it seems perfect to practice new things on because I won’t care if it gets messed up!
I split the roving in half by weight and then stripped the roving into smaller and thinner strips to pre-draft it and take some the compression out. I then wound that first half (lightly) into a ball and put in a project bag. I’m hoping that this improved fiber prep will help me make thinner yarn and more consistent yarn.
Disclaimer: I am NOT a knowledgeable spinner. I have no idea what I’m doing or what most things are called. I’m just amusing my self during social distancing by bumbling my way through some fiber.
Happy Spinning!!
My Tangled Yarn Knitting Adventures 
My favorite spinning projects have come from unappealing roving.
Well… except one. It spun up like dryer lint and hair balls. Over-dying it blue helped.
I was just eyeing an alpaca fleece today and wondering if I should start a spinning project. I love the color of your roving and can’t wait to see your yarn. Go for the 2 ply!!
Yep try ply. I put some tips on one of your previous posts for making 2 ply from one single. If you are doing 2 separate lot of singles you’ll need to think about how you are going to get them off the spindle and then ply. For 2 ply I definitely find it easier to ply the start and end of a single.
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You are braver than I am right now. I dont have the nerve to try this
Just a tip on roving. As a felter, I have a lot of roving or tops and they will eventually compact over time. You can help refresh it by spraying sections with a fine mist, putting in a plastic bag and seal the bag, then pop it in the microwave with half a glass of water for a minute, then leave it. I get what you mean about the color, but Alpaca seems to be a bit dear here in the UK, so good for you for just going for it! 🙂
That seems like a sly technique! I’m dealing with old hand me down fibers….might come in handy!
The tip was passed on by an experienced felter. I have tried it and it does work a treat as some of the finer wool tends to matt more easily. Also, you can give it a shake and draft out a little with hands close together so it doesn’t pull apart. I do that all the time now as a matter of course. Have fun with your spinning. I bought a wheel so I can spin the alpaca I can’t spin with, but I need to practice more! 🙂