My primary focus this past weekend was the Targhee spinning project. I am SOO close to finishing the singles on this one. The weather has turned back cold for this week so it’s back to fire spinning.
Only one more ounce and I can tee up for plying! My mojo has been ALL spinning lately and I’m not going to complain as its turning out some beautiful handspun. I should really start knitting with some of it, lol!
Happy Spinning!!
We are getting peaks of warmer days here in Kansas. It was about 60 degrees so the whole family got outside to play. The kids played soccer and I peddled on some new Targhee Singles.
This fiber is a gorgeous aqua colorway. The targhee is not as soft as the polworth I just finished. Again I’m going with my default spin of short forward draw and two plies.
With some concerted effort on drafting, I am achieving some very thin singles. This could end up being a lighter weight yarn. Which is very exciting to see I am going more control of my technique.
Happy Spinning!!
I officially adore Polworth. This fiber was a dream to spin and literally FLEW off my wheel. I finished all four ounces of the fiber in an evening and then managed to rest and ply the singles last night.
I gave the skein a wash and put out to dry near the fire last night. It was sooooo floofy this morning when I checked it. The fiber really plumped up in the bath to make a nice full worsted. I mean I probably lost some yardage to this but its so smooshy that I don’t mind.
This turned out to be just under 160 yards in length and weighs about 113 grams. It was pretty consistent at 9 wraps per inch throughout. I can’t wait to get this labeled up and delivered to my coworker at her March retirement party!
Happy Spinning!!
I found out recently that a dear colleague is retiring. She is fellow crafter and knitter. Her primary hobbies are glass, wood burning and knitting. I decided to make her some handspun as a retirement present.
I have 4 ounces of Polworth from Three Waters Farms. Its CRAZY soft and I’m really keen to see how it feels spun up. Going with my standard let my hands just spin and make a 2 ply.
I have REALLY been enjoying spinning in front of the fire lately. It’s warm, cozy and quiets my brain at the end of the day. I even catch my kiddos watching the wheel instead of the fire some days.
Happy Spinning!!
I decided to ply my second go at this black and shiny Alpaca fiber. I teed up my lazy Kate and a huge ole mug of water.
The plying went beautifully and I think I even managed to spin this yarn somewhat close to the first skein! The sparkle is truly what gets me. It’s just so shiny but the skein isn’t scratchy.
The kiddos absconded with my fiber wash and bucket. So once I track that down I will get this skein washed and whacked. I’m hoping for close to 150 yards with a stretch goal of 175 yards. This will mean the two skeins together can make a substantial project!
Happy Spinning!!
The Super Bowl is upon us and the Kansas City Chiefs squeaked into the title match. This black fiber is brought to you by the AFC Championship game that was a nail bitter. Too keep my blood pressure under control, I just kept focused on the spinning. By the end I blew through all five ounces!
The fire didn’t hurt either!
Now I have to decide if this will get plied before or after the big game! Happy Friday and Happy Spinning!!
My spinning that I am now calling my “Rustic 2-ply” is plied and coming off the bobbin this week.
As predicted, this is VERY thick and thin in spots. In fact there are some places where the roving is not spun at all. It can be very lumpy in many spots. But one silver lining, it was a very balanced skein after plying. There is almost no twisting back on itself. And it’s hanging straight down
This skein is off to is bath time so I can measure and count this skein. I think this will work out to be worsted on average across all the spots. And with 8 ounces of fiber used I am expecting a decent amount of yardage.
Happy Spinning!
My Shiny Black Alpaca 2-ply is done and dry. It came out GORGEOUS!
I did get a little aggressive on some part of the plying and even after a bath, some sections are over plied/very energized. I can probably send it back through my wheel in the opposite direction and take some of the crazy out.
It did stay a sport skein. I got 12 wraps per inch (mostly). This 133 gram skein came out to 160 yards. Will make a lovely project. I am thinking of gifting this to a coworker who is retiring that is into fiber. She doesn’t retire until March so I have time to ponder.
Happy Spinning!!
The hubby was in charge of bedtime last night so I had some free and clear time. The singles from my sparkly alpaca FLEW onto my wheel this week. The fiber was very excellently carded and it felt easy to spin.
I poured myself a strawberry blonde ale from a local brewery and started plying. The two bobbins are fairly well matched and I only had a few yards to chain ply at the end of one bobbin.
The skein is resting on its bobbin and waiting for a bath this weekend. Pre washing the yarn looks to be around 11 or 12 wraps per inch. So light DK to sport weight probably? It might change a little after its swim and whack.
Happy Spinning!!
I ignored my adult responsibilities and sat at my wheel for most of yesterday. I had finished my Finn yarn and I pulled more fiber from Fiber Flurry to spin. This time it is black alpaca with Firestar mixed in.
This roving is carded very nicely is lovely to spin. It’s smooth and comes out fairly consistently. I have 4.7 ounces of this fiber. I think I will plan to weigh it and spin onto two bobbins for a 2-ply. A single day got me an almost full first bobbin!
Happy Spinning!!
Michele plays with yarn, food, and music in Portland
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