This is Ian. A Shetland.


This is Cedric. A Shetland.


This is Mocha. She is Coopworth.

Making a little progress......

Here is the way I am processing the wool breed samples. Wash with Kookaburra Scour after teasing a bit and picking out any vm. After it is dry, place a lock on the sample card. Comb or card the fiber. (I am combing most of them.) After I have spun the sample, I wind some of the single onto the sample card and then wind the rest off the bobbin onto a tp roll as you would with a nostepinne. I start with chain ply and then after putting that onto the sample card, I finish up the ball by plying from the inside and outside, making the two ply. Then it is ready to weave a sample and knit a sample with the balance put into a small skein. I am able to see and feel many wool breeds this way and it will help with decisions in the future for purchase or project.


Weaving a sample of the two ply with the Weave-It two inch frame.



Spinning the CVM. I think I am in love! It is wonderful stuff. I combed it with my Alvin Riemer fine two pitch combs and spun it on the Mitzi.



Here are some of the samples drying in the studio. The swift is good for more than holding skeins.

Wool Breed Study

I have started washing samples of wool breeds for my group to use as reference. There are 46 one ounce samples and so far I have washed a dozen or so and mounted three. This is great because it gives me an opportunity to see and feel the breeds. Some are surprising. I had notions of what they would be like and of course I was wrong about some. I am opening the fiber and getting rid of debris and second cuts. Then putting it into cheesecloth squares and tying in a bundle. See the little tags on the table? They are cut from milk cartons and labeled with a permanent marker. I am placing them on one corner of the bundle when tying to make it easy to identify each sample.


Unfortunately this sample of BFL was not sound and I was not able to selvage much. One of the samples was full of moth eggs and casings. The samples came in Ziploc bags and one out of 46 was not too bad I think. That was a good opportunity to show my group what to look for when we had a *Washing 101* lesson on Sunday. It re enforced the notion to check your stash often. You never know when those little critters are going to get in.


This is how I am mounting the samples. A lock, spun singles, plied, a knitted swatch, a woven swatch and a small skein. I am labeling with wool breed,washing information and if the fiber was combed or carded, knitting needles used, etc. I do this for my own sample box when spinning. No, not every project gets in there, just when I think about it. ;-)

Meet my grand puppies

Merry Christmas everyone!

Last night I got to meet my new grand puppies. Stonewall is on the left. He belongs to my oldest grandson. The female does not have a name yet. There is something wonderful about puppies. They are so cute and cuddly. Puppies smell good. (most of the time) It is even better when you can send them home and do not have to be involved in training. My family said that I came *this close* to having one of my own for Christmas. Thanks, kids, but I am happy with my other gifts. Had a wonderful time with the little ones. (two legged).
I am about partied out. Have attended and hosted several this season. One more to go. What wonderful memories are swirling in my head.
I am looking forward to a new year filled with promise.
Wishing you and yours all the best for 2010.

Close

When I bought my Suzie Pro from Lisa Souza, I received four ounces of Tropical Mist. 90% superfine Merino and 10% Tencel. I weighed the fiber, dividing it into three and spun it on the Suzie Pro. I plied it on my Rappard Mitzi and got one 366 yard skein. I managed to come pretty close to ending all three bobbins at once. I two plied what was left on the last bobbin and made a small sample skein. It was a fun self-challenge. I usually two ply, but I think I will start doing more three ply. Maybe with more practice I can come out closer at the end.

I got the book!

I received Respect the Spindle, Abby Franquemont's book just out from my Secret Santa. My local group had the annual Christmas party Thursday evening. Great foods, fine friends and lots of fun.

Christmas Knitting

I have been knitting for Christmas gifts. Over two dozen pair of mitts and a scarf or two. This shows part of them. Some have been given and everyone loves them. The pattern is Baby Fan Mitts by Morgan Wolf. Ewedaimonia.Etsy.com