Today's Challenges
Today I first spun a two-ply, DK weight yarn out of some carded batts of wool and mohair.
Next, I handcarded some mohair locks and spun them into a laceweight singles yarn. This was more difficult as there were some lumps and the fibers were incredibly long. I will probably try this challenge again.
Those two challenges were done with a stopwatch so that I knew when my time ran out (it didn't). I can definitely spin the singles of a two ply for 9 1/2 minutes of the 15 and singles for about 12. I also ran out of fiber for the locks since I had only made one rolag. Next time, two.
The next thing I did was get out a faux cashmere sample and practice some long draw. This went pretty well and I find long draw to be rather magical. I like the resulting yarn very much.
The last challenge for today was worsted weight 2-ply from Alpaca top. My friend Michelle gave me this as a gift a year or so ago and I haven't touched it (want it dyed first) but I thought it might offer a challenge since I also haven't spun alpaca before.
I REALLY love this yarn. It's very soft, very smooth, very even. I will have to decide on some lovely warm colors for it and make my 8 oz. into something or other. Makes me wish I didn't live in a warm climate! It's just crying out to be a scarf.
That's it for today. I'm still soliciting challenges (not dryer lint, hair brushings or cat hair, though, although thanks, Joy for the horrors!!). Anybody want to see what I come up with?
Have a lovely!
Next, I handcarded some mohair locks and spun them into a laceweight singles yarn. This was more difficult as there were some lumps and the fibers were incredibly long. I will probably try this challenge again.
Those two challenges were done with a stopwatch so that I knew when my time ran out (it didn't). I can definitely spin the singles of a two ply for 9 1/2 minutes of the 15 and singles for about 12. I also ran out of fiber for the locks since I had only made one rolag. Next time, two.
The next thing I did was get out a faux cashmere sample and practice some long draw. This went pretty well and I find long draw to be rather magical. I like the resulting yarn very much.
The last challenge for today was worsted weight 2-ply from Alpaca top. My friend Michelle gave me this as a gift a year or so ago and I haven't touched it (want it dyed first) but I thought it might offer a challenge since I also haven't spun alpaca before.
I REALLY love this yarn. It's very soft, very smooth, very even. I will have to decide on some lovely warm colors for it and make my 8 oz. into something or other. Makes me wish I didn't live in a warm climate! It's just crying out to be a scarf.
That's it for today. I'm still soliciting challenges (not dryer lint, hair brushings or cat hair, though, although thanks, Joy for the horrors!!). Anybody want to see what I come up with?
Have a lovely!
posted by Wendy Stackhouse at 3:34 PM
6 Comments:
Awww, come on... doncha want to spin carpet lint or dust bunnies? How about spider web (I got LOTS of that... I could ask Charlotte to go to your house, if you want). hee hee hee
I am so excited to see you do this!
xo,
Joy
I wonder if they'll have silkworm raising kits at the fair this year...
Looking forward to a nice day off, I must say.
And Sunday!!
Hey there... saw your post to the snblosangeles list and came over to visit your blog. Saw your socks at the fair a couple of weeks ago... they're beautiful... congrats on the ribbon!
Thanks! I finally saw them yesterday and they are right in front of the door where you walk in. And being screamingly bright colors, you can't miss them!
I may not have won a blue ribbon (I acknowledge that they are not perfect in many ways) I did place highest in my Class, so I am very happy.
Also finally got my ticket and parking pass for Sunday. Joy and Star and I will be having a lovely afternoon, yay!
Drat! Blogger just ate my reply.
I wrote that I am enjoying your spinning samples. It is a lot of fun to play with different fibers and spinning techniques.
I don't know the range of things you may be challenged with, but here are my challenges:
spin over the fold
spin a cabled yarn
core spin mohair
navajo ply a lace weight yarn
spin a boucle yarn
spin the same fiber (your choice) in a worsted, semi-worsted, and woolen preparation
I will try the core spinning (what do you use for a core? thread?) and doing three weights from the same preparation, that should be a really good one. Also I'm going to get some cotton out and get back to that.
I've done from the fold recently and I think they won't do any cabling or three plies because each thing is only 15 minutes long. I will save those great ideas for next week when the contest is over.
Thank you so much for your suggestions! Pictures to come...
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