Four Ounces
Two words: Work. Bizzy. Good thing I prepared this entry last weekend.
Creamy Coopworth. The sliver was prepared so well that I didn't have to attenuate this so much before going to the wheel. There were the occasional plant bits, but all you need is good sunlight to pick them all out. With no scale around, I figured the best way to measure the fiber is to unroll the 8 ounce ball, rip it in half, and again, and again, and perhaps even again, until you have enough fiber to manage through one spinning session. My limit per session is 1/2 ounce, sometimes even 1/4 ounce. I’ve been trying to spin a laceweight single for plying. The first bobbin didn't yield as much yarn as the second, but that's okay. It’s where I practiced the short draw, the long draw, woollen and worsted draws, fiddled with the tension, experimented with ratios (let me say I did all those fairly crappily, spinning blindly without a teacher, and having a ton of fun), and basically figured out the wheel. I think.
The overtwist above is ever so completely wrong, but I find it quite pretty. The fat and skinny next to each other has some appealing quality, as well as the fuzzy and smooth parts of the yarn where I tried woollen and worsted draws. I thought of dyeing the fiber earlier on, but decided to try it as it came from the back of the sheep. There are plenty of opportunities for dyeing in the future. According to this chart, 8 ounces of fiber spun at (an average) fingering weight (16 wpi) should yield between 880 and 1152 yards. I wonder how much I'll have at the end!
Some sports photography links for anyone interested. These guys make me want to quit my job and just go climb shoot pictures.
◊ Jimmy Chin; click for the Karakorams
◊ Rich Wheater; click for bouldering
◊ Michael Clark; click for portfolio
You've been working really hard and it shows! Your spinning looks absolutely lovely. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Those pictures are just breathtaking. Check out Caroline Yang http://www.carolineyang.com/ She does a lot of cycling photos, but she has other really nice shots, too.
your spinning looks great - and i love those little spirals. i think there's an official term for them out there somewhere, maybe knop?
(http://www.scottishtextiles.com/english/glossary/yarn.html)
anyhow, it's pretty ;) reminds me of that pluckyfluff stuff, only less colorful.
Thanks for the suggestions on my blog...I did check out Kidsilk Night, but it might actually be too fancy for what I need...but thank you so much for the advice! your spinning looks great and I checked out your patterns-I love them! I might use that Liesel stitch for my shawl!
Thanks again,
Tara
Your pictures are what make me love spinning. Even if I'm not spinning, seeing the yarn on the spindle like that gives me a thrill. (Okay, I'm easy to please, but still.) Nice work.
Your yarn looks great (and a lot like mine!! ;) ) I'm so happy to see another knitter teaching herself to spin by playing...it sure is fun, isn't it?!
If you are up for the drive - Wendy (Spaaz) and Heidi (Absinthe Knits) and a few other people are coming over to my house on Sunday to spin and knit. You are more than welcome to come over :) Its on Sunday around 1ish until whenever. I live in Oceanside just south of Camp Pendleton. Shoot me an email if you want the address.
Nice spinning! It looks so luscious!
okay, i am not a spinner so i really didn't get the lingo ;) but it is beautiful and i know it takes a long time to hand spin that. when i saw that drooping leaf scarf you knitted i knew i had to get that book from the library, what a wonderful book! when i start my scaf i will send you pics;)
Gorgeous spinning. What wheel do you use? I just allowed myself to get some roving and a drop spindle and I am so excited.
The climbing links are awesome.