Tag Archives: spinning

Starting Targhee

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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!!

Finished Floofy Polworth

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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!!

Spinning Mulch

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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!!

A Finished Second Sparkly 2-ply

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My plying session this week was super fruitful! I finished my second skein of sparkly alpaca 2-ply.

This was 5 ounces of fiber that ended up turning into a 144 yard skein with 138 grams total weight. It worked out to a light worsted/heavy sport type skein. And the best news ever is that it is pretty darn close to the original skein so they should work together nicely!

I already have new fiber on the wheel and I will show you the awesomeness that this Targhee wool is doing! Happy spinning!!

Fiber to Warm Up Winter

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My dad surprised me this last week. He caught me after a weekend visit with a shipping bag. He admitted that some of my Christmas didn’t ship in time and it had arrived in February. He was a little embarrassed but I was excited!

This was 4 ounces of Rambouillet in the “Shiver” colorway and 4 ounces of a 70%/30% merino/nylon sock blend. The sock blend are little bits and bobs of mixed colors. I think I would break each nest into half or thirds and try to make matching singles.

I have a finished skein to show you tomorrow and now fiber already on the wheel that I will show next week. So for now, this fiber will need to wait its turn. But I am always happy for surprise fiber and adorable dads.

Happy Stashing!!

Plying Again So Soon

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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!!

One Tense Football Game

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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!!

Finished Pink Thick and Thin

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She’s lumpy and nubbly and she’s all mine, lol. I am now calling this my Rustic 2-ply as it’s full of “character”!

After washing and drying I measured this skein out. The wraps per inch are ALL over the place but they mostly averaged out to worsted weight. The finished skein is 148 grams and 173 yards. It’s VERY pink and there are some spots where the fiber is not spun at all.

This is the kind of skein where it would be perfect for weaving with to show off that texture. Weaving is a fiber craft I had not dipped into. I may tuck this skein of yarn into the stash to wait for that day.

Happy Spinning!!

Balanced But Lumpy

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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!

FO Friday: Shiny Black 2-ply

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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!!