.... which have become three yarns....
I didn't make extensive spinning notes on these, but I can tell you that the
black and grey are British Shetland. Their fibers measured five to six inches in
length. I got both of these from
Woodland Woolworks. The black had some interesting white fibers scattered here and there
throughout. I bought the moorit from
Paradise Fibers
(way back when Kate owned it) and it's fiber length averages four inches.All three were quick to spin (ah the joys of pre-prepared fiber!) They were spun to match the size of the rest of my Shetland yarns, so that their 2-ply WPI ranges from 14 to 16.
One thing that surprised me was that when I washed the yarns, the water was dirty! I've never had this happen with commercial rovings, but they washed beautifully as you can see.
So, at this point I have 14 yarns, each a different, lovely Shetland color. One more color to go, and then I'm ready to start swatching!
© 2007 Leigh's Fiber Journal
8 comments:
I think I asked this before but can not recall a reply. How much of each color do you have? What is in your mind for it?
Well, let's see. I have a little under 8 ounces each of the black and grey. Of the moorit, I have a little less than 4 ounces. (The less is what I used for the rare breed sweater.) At this point, I'm planning to use them with my other Shetland yarns for something Fair Isle!
Just lovely...and I can't wait to see the Rare Breeds Sweater in its finished state!
wow, nice color and beautifully even spinnning! You're inspiring me to get back to my wheels. They've been neglected.
What beautiful colors!!!! Since I've never spun Shetland is the finished yarn soft or like any breed are they all different?
That is gorgeous yarn. Shetland is a wonderful fiber, isn't it? So many subtle tonal variations. Can't wait to see what you will create from your collection.
What color do you still need? I could probably smuggle a bat of something out for you without The Shepherd noticing it LOL - not like we don't have an endless supply!
I was surprised when I washed my yarn how dirty it was, too - Kathy said it would be.
I noticed on Rascal or CatZee's blog that you have some Pampered Chef Lemon Rosemary Hand soap. Was it a Christmas present? You will just love it - if you have been working with onions or garlic - use it and the smell is just gone. BTW, their Christmas posts were VERY cute!
Happiest of New Years to you all. XOX T
Happy New Year to you and yours, Leigh!
Yes...many commercially prepared rovings will be dirty. This comes from a couple of reasons: scouring procedures might not be done correctly, or at a high enough temperature to remove all the grunge from the fleeces, but more likely is that after scouring a spinning oil may have been addded to the fibers for ease of the machine preparatons into rovings. I've noticed it more on Shetland rovings that come from England. That being said, I have bought "white" rovings that were just as dirty. I always wash any yarn I spin...even if I think it was squeeky clean..and still am amazed at the dirt that comes out.
I've tried telling my sheep to keep clean but they just won't listen!
Remember to drop your driveband and have empty bobbins tonight for luck in the New Year!
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