lone bobbin

Hasn’t been a fiber-filled summer, that’s for sure. I think I’ve been spinning once a month for the past 2-3 months. Rather shameful, I’d say. In fact, I’ve actually been spinning on my Ashford more than the Kromski since the latter was packed in its backpack since the beginning of July and the Ashford is sitting at Rich’s apartment.

I’ve finally unpacked the Sonata even though I’ll probably have to pack it up again pretty soon. It is a traveler after all. Anyway, I had purchased some funky wool at Pennsic – left overs from a yarn machine. Dyed it (also something I haven’t been doing much lately) and carded it. It ended up extremely lumpy, so I’m curious to see how it plies.

These are also my wedding colors. In fact, I have several skeins around the house that are blues and greens. hm.

queen ann II

It is the second time I’ve dyed with Queen Ann’s lace, yes? I don’t remember. I filled up my basket, collecting flowers from a field across the street. Good thing I did this a few days ago because they mowed it today! The flowers did sit in the basket and dry out. From what I read, it works better if they are fresh, but I already tried that.

The flowers simmered for a while, the locks soaked in alum for a while. Then they were combined and simmered for a long while. The end result: golden yellow. Different from the first time. But still yellow!

a shop update

It’s on the small side, but I haven’t updated the Etsy shop in several weeks, so I thought something was better than nothing. I’d like to get back into spinning and dyeing, but right now Rich and I are busy getting his apartment ready for another occupant. Also, we were on vacation, and not fully unpacked from that either. Most of the wedding planning is done, but we have lots of other things to work on. For instance, finding a new bed, getting his wedding ring, me packing my stuff. Basically the big day is TWO MONTHS away. Plus I’ve been working late this week. So, I hope to keep doing fiber stuff, but I make no guarantees. And that’s a quicky update on my life!

What are the new goodies?

Each is 4 ounces of Brown Sheep Company combed wool top

pink pouch!

Three years ago I met Lydia primarily because her daughter, the Wee E, crawled into our camp at Pennsic. Happily, we’ve become really great friends. However, we only get to visit for two weeks once a year. I can say with confidence that she has made my Pennsic experience so much better! Well, last year Eleanore had a lovely pink cloak and pink gillies. So when I dyed and spun a skein of pink yarn, I had to name it in her honor. The yarn was spun bulky weight (4 WPI) from combed Romney top. I was really happy with that skein and listed it in the shop for a long time, but no one purchased it.

Then I found out that Lydia had been wanting it! I brought it out with me when I came back for the second week. She asked if I’d knit something for her, so I made this little woolly pouch. Success! I’m glad to know it has a happy home, plus it’s the most productive thing I did the entire week!

that’s settled…?

How is that just yesterday it was January, 20 degrees, snowing, and I had plenty of time before the Great Lakes Fiber Show? Today is Thursday, May 21, and the show is this weekend! I’m still waffling on which skeins to enter for a few reasons.

1) I’m not sure I could handle the judge telling me my singles should be in the novelty category (again). And maybe that’s just the best I can do, ok?

2) I tend to spin heavy-worsted exclusively, so is that bulky or medium? This means that since all plied yarns, regardless of number, are in the same category, I can’t put two 2-ply and a 3-ply. Although I might try to squeeze one of the 2-ply into medium.

3) How masochistic am I feeling? How many times do I want to be put down and rejected? Or, conversely, how ambitious am I feeling? The more skeins I enter the more chances of a better score (or worse).

FYI – I’m a glass-half-empty kinda gal.

Here’s the breakdown thus far…

Bulky single (1)
Medium ply (1)
Bulky ply (2)
Spinner’s choice (1)
Novelty (1)

In addition to the three 2-plies and the yellow/green novelty from my last post regarding the skein competition, I am also including these two yarns. Both will be placed in the bulky category, even though by my eye, the 3-ply is medium.

This is not a novelty yarn, right?

something finished-finally!

Tuesday night I cut the two woolly seat cushions from the loom! Yesterday I finished tying the fringe and securing the edges, although there are a few loose ends to sew in. I’m glad to have these off my plate, as the loom as been warped and waiting for months. Making Tuesdays weaving night was the best decision ever!

I’m pleased with how they turned out, although the first one isn’t as dense as the second, meaning it might not be as squishy. I can’t say what the wool is that I used because it was unmarked when I bought it. Whatever it is, it doesn’t have a lot of lanolin in it. I thought the locks had been washed because they weren’t greasy, but after I had my hands on them for a few weeks (and gave them a sniff), I think they are actually dirty. Mostly they just seem dusty and stinky, so I’m going to wash both rugs before officially calling this project complete.

This weekend is the first BIG camping event of the summer. AETHELMEARC WAR PRACTICE at Cooper’s Lake, where we go for Pennsic War (hence “war practice”). Some of our household is going out tonight, but I have to work Friday morning, so I’ll be heading out in the afternoon. I’m bummed. I’m very curious about which merchants are going to be there. Will I come home with fiber? Fabric? Nothing? One never knows.

who’s it gonna be?

Sorting through my yarn stash, trying to choose which yarns will participate in the skein competition this year.

Categories according to the Show’s website include:

class 1	Fine singles
class 2	Medium singles
class 3	Bulky singles
class 4	Fine plied
class 5	Medium plied
class 6	Bulky plied
class 7	Spinner’s choice of fiber & ply
class 8	Novice spinner, 2 ply yarn (spinning one year or less)
class 9	Novelty yarn (ie, boucle, knot, spiral, slub, cable)

Obviously I won’t be in Class 8, but everything else is a possibility. However, anything in the fine department is highly unlikely. And I tend to spin “bulky” almost exclusively… at least by their standards. Yarns I would call medium have shown up in the bulky section at the end of judging, so I’m measuring everything ahead of time.

Previously I’ve only entered two skeins total, but this year I’d like to have a stronger showing. I have singles, 2-plies and 3-plies to pick from, along with a few novelty yarns.

I’m deciding between these three 2-ply yarns.The front two are about 10 wraps per inch, “heavy worsted” and the blue-green skein just squeaks in as a worsted weight.

I also wanted to include a novelty yarn this year and I’ve decided on the green/yellow skein on the right.

fleecy

With the Great Lakes Fiber Show coming up at the end of the month, I’ve been trying to sort out just what I want to do… leave a fleece? enter the skein competition? purchases?

So, I decided to take a closer look at the two remaining fleeces I brought home from Masque a month or so back. I washed the smaller Icelandic with Power Scour for the first time, so I thought I’d give that a go again. The two other fleeces are an Icelandic ewe and a Lincoln/Cotswold/Tunis cross. I decided to wash the later, but skirted both.

The cross fleece, 4 pounds, is really quite beautiful with lots of big full curls. I was surprised at the amount of mud, but lack of VM (at least I’m hoping that was mud!). As of this moment it is sitting in the washing machine going through a second soap bath. Next will be a rinse, spin, then dry. I’m not sure whether to have it processed or not. The locks are so lovely, I think I might keep it.

The Icelandic, about 6 pounds, has a 6 inch staple length. There were very few poo-bits on it, but more VM. However, it feels nearly dry – I’ve heard this breed is light on lanolin. It’s not getting washed today. I might keep some and have some processed. I look at it and feel quite overwhelmed, thinking about combing ALL of it!

seed stitch mug cozy

Even though I vowed not to knit for my dad again, let’s face it – he’s my dad. And I love him regardless of the fact that he won’t wear his socks!! Anyway, after watching me create weird little teapot cozies, he asked if I’d make one for a mug he uses at work. His requirements were simply that it couldn’t be a fun candy color and that it should have a bottom.

I chose this natural grey Romney – the first fleece I had processed by Zeilinger’s – which was already being spun. This particular skein was the first 3-ply I spun from three separate bobbins, not navajo-plied. I love the way it came out! I’m continually amazed at the true differences in plies, fibers, spinning methods, etc.

He picked out this cute little orange button to secure the handle strap. When I pulled out some possible buttons, I first thought of orange because that’s his favorite color. But then I decided against it since his tea cozy is grey and orange. However, after looking through all my buttons, he chose an orange one himself!

I’m pleased with how it came out. It isn’t spectacularly inspiring or intricate. Just a simple seed stitch. But I’m sure it will serve his purposes.

sharing and experimenting

Last month when I went to spin at Cosy’s house, she gave me a few jars of leftover dye. The colors were primarily cool colors and burnt orange. I thought it might be interesting to use dyes someone else had mixed and to see what different results I’d get compared to my own Lanaset dyes. And let me tell you – it was different! That burnt orange was something I’ve never mixed myself. The colors were very deep, dark, somber. Mine are usually light and pale.

I used Corriedale top for this dyeing experiment. So far I’ve spun up 4 ounces and traded 4 ounces. There are 8 ounces waiting for judgment. I love Corriedale – that and BFL are my favorite breeds for combed top. It spins into chunky weight yarns so fantastically! Now with my new jumbo flyer on the way, I can make big fat yarns till my face turns blue. Weee!