Handspun Yarn
Am sure many of you do not realize that I also hand spin 2 ply yarn when I have the time. I have been spinning neigh on 10+ years now.
I have a double treadle Majacraft Saxony, which I just love.
This is some of the imported Gotland fleece I have on my wheel. This is finished yarn being made into a skein.
Normally I just spin local fleece but in the Gotland case, it was a very rare treat indeed to have the privilege to make this into yarn. Gotland wool is the same fleece that was used to make the Capes and some of the clothing in the Movie, “Lord of the Rings”.
This sweater was made of local Coopworth fleece, that I handspun into yarn. My great Aunt Norah then made it into a beautiful sweater for me.
I still have roving left over from my flock of sheep I raised. Most of it being Brecknock Hill Cheviot and Black Welsh Mountain. To have a softer handle to this fleece I added equal parts of Llama fleece from a local Llama breeder.
Also have more Coopworth and Blueface Leicester Roving both coming from local NW sheep breeders and British top shot through with Tussah silk. Every bit of the green British top with the tussah silk has been sold as soon as I can finish it.
Ever wanted to see how a spinning wheel works?
I had my DS do a video short of me Plying the Coopworth yarn. Please excuse the house clothes.
http://inkbrushcreations.blogspot.com/2009/05/ply-coopworth-yarn-video.html
This 2 ply yarn is measuring 16 Wraps per inch, which would put it in the category of Fingering yarn. Only way I can describe the color is… a Heathered very light beige/grey.
Would make a beautiful sweater, hat, scarf or what ever your heart desires.
This Coopworth comes from a Shepherdess in Mid/Eastern WA area. It is very fine and soft compared to the other Coopworth fleece I have dealt with. The photograph shows the first ply being spun up and the Roving next to it. This will end up being a 2 ply yarn.
What yarn I do have for sale can be seen at my Etsy store at… http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5598628
Tags: crafts, fleece, handspun, knitting, spinners, spinning, wool, Yarn
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Wow is this cool, video too, do you comb the fleece so that it remains a constant feed into the wheel? I wonder that it doesn’t come apart at some point.
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 11:23 am
LOL .. you are probably wish you hadn’t asked… ;O)
First you pick through the fleece to remove all tags, remove skirting and VM, then you wash the fleece and let it dry, card the fleece to get the fibers lined up (combing) and make it into roving, then you are ready to spin it into yarn. ;O)
To save time on this part I sometimes send my fleece to my Favorite Woolen Mill to have it processed into Roving.
Yes, it can come apart during the first spinning, which is the beauty of this craft. Its very forgiving.
I draft the roved fleece through my fingers to get the right amount of twist, this twist is what keeps the fibers from coming apart. I prefer the Worsted method as I feel it gives a smoother finish to the yarn. Each single ply is then stored on a bobbin. When I have two bobbins of single ply yarn, I will put the bobbins on a Lazy Kate and then ply the two single yarns into which makes the yarn very strong 2 ply yarn.
Then I move the 2 ply yarn to the skein winder, take it off that, handwash, set while drying and then the yarn is ready for use.
It takes a lot of weeks to make enough yarn for a sweater but I love doing it!
VBG
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Fantastic! I shared your Etsy shop on FB
)
Posted on October 15th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Thank you Beth!!!!