Showing posts with label icelandic wool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label icelandic wool. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
To Ply or Not to Ply
These were the pictures I took of the first attempts to ply my single spun yan. It was amazing, even if the end result was not exactly knittable.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Snow and Spin
The days are getting longer and the sure signs of spring can be seen, yet mother nature won't let us off the hook just yet!
Another snow storm is upon us. We rose early to see a whirlwind of tiny snowflakes falling from a white gray sky.
I have finally succumbed to the flu everyone else has had a turn with here and my head is heavy as I try to write this post. I sent DH on to Mass without us. An extra Rosary will have to take it's place for today.
But as I wondered through my congested fog I felt the urge to spin. And though I'd missed my last class I wanted to try and ply some single yarns I'd already made.
I can't seem to upload pictures for some reason I will try at a later date.
The result was a lovely (yet not balanced)kaleidoscope of colors blending into the white of the Icelandic single I'd already spun.
The joy that I felt at seeing this is more than I could truly describe. Suffice it to say that it encouraged me to look at my own wheel (I'd been using the one borrowed from the guild)and attempt to figure out what was wrong with it.
In short order I realized that it was the break band that needed to be set and though I still don't know for sure if I did it properly it worked like a charm!
I had been afraid that I wouldn't like using my wheel, a Kromski Prelude after having been taught on a Louet I quickly discovered that "my" wheel that my DH so lovingly bought form me is THE spinning wheel for me!
Well, it seems we will be snowbound for the next couple of days. Fortunately for me I have plenty of wool to spin.
Sorry for the squirly post as I am using my phone to post because the computer doesn't seem to be in the mood this cold winter day.
If you stop by please leave a comment! I would love to hear about your early spinning days or of your dreams to one day spin or knit.
Sandy
Shepherdess and (wool Spinner) hee hee
Another snow storm is upon us. We rose early to see a whirlwind of tiny snowflakes falling from a white gray sky.
I have finally succumbed to the flu everyone else has had a turn with here and my head is heavy as I try to write this post. I sent DH on to Mass without us. An extra Rosary will have to take it's place for today.
But as I wondered through my congested fog I felt the urge to spin. And though I'd missed my last class I wanted to try and ply some single yarns I'd already made.
I can't seem to upload pictures for some reason I will try at a later date.
The result was a lovely (yet not balanced)kaleidoscope of colors blending into the white of the Icelandic single I'd already spun.
The joy that I felt at seeing this is more than I could truly describe. Suffice it to say that it encouraged me to look at my own wheel (I'd been using the one borrowed from the guild)and attempt to figure out what was wrong with it.
In short order I realized that it was the break band that needed to be set and though I still don't know for sure if I did it properly it worked like a charm!
I had been afraid that I wouldn't like using my wheel, a Kromski Prelude after having been taught on a Louet I quickly discovered that "my" wheel that my DH so lovingly bought form me is THE spinning wheel for me!
Well, it seems we will be snowbound for the next couple of days. Fortunately for me I have plenty of wool to spin.
Sorry for the squirly post as I am using my phone to post because the computer doesn't seem to be in the mood this cold winter day.
If you stop by please leave a comment! I would love to hear about your early spinning days or of your dreams to one day spin or knit.
Sandy
Shepherdess and (wool Spinner) hee hee
Monday, February 14, 2011
Spinning a yarn!!
WOW!!! What a feeling! As of yesterday, I have officially been spinning wool fleece into yarn. It may not be the the prettiest right now but it sure is nice to see it winding up on the bobbin.
I started taking lessons after two years waiting, last week at the Philadelphia Handweavers Guild in Manayunk, PA. Every Saturday from 1:30-4:30. After the first class last week, I really thought I'd been in Spinning 101 for the next 10 years. It seemed hopeless. Each time I began to treadle, it seemed like my foot had bionic speed and my poor hands were impossible to keep up.
There I was, attempting to keep my "drafting triangle" steady, treadle slowly....ahhhh I threw my hands up more than once. It was like patting my head and rubbing my tummy at the same time....it just doesn't work.
But then our instructor Deb, patience and humor of a Saint just kept encouraging me.
The second class was getting started and I sat before my wheel and was resolved to continue spinning commercial yarn onto the bobbin (a bobbin which I was certain cried out for real warm wool wrapped around it). Suddenly I felt a little push and I offered up a silly little prayer.
When I ran out of the Coopworth roving that I got at class, I tried the next batch of Shetland. I have to say its not as easy to draft and spin as the first was. Maybe its me (always a possibility) but I just think its a little rougher. I need another bobbin and I might give plying a try!!! Did I really say that?? Wow, life is good!
And now it is Saint Valentine's Day and I have a house filled with little sick ones and one sick Nana that I have to tend to. Spinning will have to wait until they are all tucked in for the night. If I don't fall asleep at the "wheel" first! LOL that was spinning humor in case you missed it :-) !
Happy Saint Valentine's Day to you! Share your love not only with that special someone but with all those, near and far who bring love into your life every day! And that means your sheepie too!
God Bless you always.
Sandy
Shepherdess
I started taking lessons after two years waiting, last week at the Philadelphia Handweavers Guild in Manayunk, PA. Every Saturday from 1:30-4:30. After the first class last week, I really thought I'd been in Spinning 101 for the next 10 years. It seemed hopeless. Each time I began to treadle, it seemed like my foot had bionic speed and my poor hands were impossible to keep up.
There I was, attempting to keep my "drafting triangle" steady, treadle slowly....ahhhh I threw my hands up more than once. It was like patting my head and rubbing my tummy at the same time....it just doesn't work.
But then our instructor Deb, patience and humor of a Saint just kept encouraging me.
The second class was getting started and I sat before my wheel and was resolved to continue spinning commercial yarn onto the bobbin (a bobbin which I was certain cried out for real warm wool wrapped around it). Suddenly I felt a little push and I offered up a silly little prayer.
And this is what magically happened!!!
OK like I said, not the prettiest but it felt so good to finally "get it". Then I came home and amid all the usual hustle and bustle of family life I tried again and this is what I have so far.
When I ran out of the Coopworth roving that I got at class, I tried the next batch of Shetland. I have to say its not as easy to draft and spin as the first was. Maybe its me (always a possibility) but I just think its a little rougher. I need another bobbin and I might give plying a try!!! Did I really say that?? Wow, life is good!
So there you have it. The joys of a newbie handspinner! I can't begin to express how silly and giddy I felt when I first realized that I was actually spinning this raw wool into something that could soon be used to knit with. I see a future filled with warm woolly socks for my kiddies! Heck I think the pooch might need a pair!
And now it is Saint Valentine's Day and I have a house filled with little sick ones and one sick Nana that I have to tend to. Spinning will have to wait until they are all tucked in for the night. If I don't fall asleep at the "wheel" first! LOL that was spinning humor in case you missed it :-) !
Happy Saint Valentine's Day to you! Share your love not only with that special someone but with all those, near and far who bring love into your life every day! And that means your sheepie too!
God Bless you always.
Sandy
Shepherdess
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Wet Felting During The Snow Storm
But what else to do to keep busy but play with more fleece! This time around I wet felted a small hand bag and a small pouch. So much fun!! Still need to add a strap on the yellow one and a clasp on the little pouch. Let me know what you think? And please post some pictures of projects any of you have made, would love to see them!
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