Tour de Fleece

[patelyne]

Aka I'm such a joiner.

So it took some peer pressure, but I've started trying to get into spinning. I've probably not even spun an entire ounce yet (and I'm not very good) but I'm trying. I like the idea that i can take a bit of fluff and turning into yarn, then turn that yarn into 'stuff'
Makes me think that if I could master it that I would be awesome über crafter girl.
More likely outcome is that I will mourn the loss of knitting time and give spinning up after a few months, but who knows? This is why I'm started out with just a couple fibers and a drop spindle, instead of massive amounts and a wheel. Well that reason and because I seem to have lost the money tree that was going to allow me to buy all the things I want (maybe I shouldn't have forgotten to water the side yard all last summer)

Anyhow, in order to get better at this whole spinning thing I've signed up with the awesome people on the Pissdrunk Pirates Flouncing Overboard Team for Tour de Fleece. Basically you spin a little every day (while the riders are sinning a whole other way) and by the end (hopefully) you've gotten better. It runs the same dates as the Tour de France (starts June 30 and runs until July 22nd), but being such a new new spinner I figured it wouldn't hurt to practice a bit early. Besides that, my pretty fiber was sitting there unused taunting me.



Both my fibers (and the little extra) came from Greenwood Fiberworks, and they are gooooooorgeous. My only hope is that I can turn this into yarn that looks even a quarter as beautiful as the fiber.
Check out the BFL I practiced with today, it's called Rosewood:

This picture came out a little dark, but you can get a good idea how it looks. So pretty and smishable.

And here is a not-so-hot picture of it on my spindle:

And a better one of it hanging:

I spun less than 10 yards, and maybe it's not as even as I'd like, but I already know I need to practice if I'm going to get any better. It is most definitely identifiable as yarn though, so that makes me happy. Really like the heathering of the colors.

I think I'll work a little bit with the other next time, it's a 50/50 merino/tencel blend called Cherry Cola

Comments

[kath_ballantyne]

*screams*
*flails*
I'm in love with those fibres.
And processed fibre like that is soooo much easier to spin than raw fleece. I was really pleased with the results I got spinning processed stuff and it's so pretty.

We've not been able to afford much of it. Our money tree didn't grow either.

I love the stuff you've spun. The colours are gorgeous. I've not actually used a proper drop spindle. I'd love to try one. We made our own with dowel and CDs. I did some stuff on there but I had to sit forward in my chair and it hurt my back. I'd like to try again at some point though. Maybe sit in the upright computer chair.

I've been tempted to join stuff like that but this but my health so often gets in the way.
I've been doing embroidery and making knitted toys or needle felted stuff in the evenings but I guess I could do a little spinning and then move on to the other stuff as well. Maybe it would push me to get some more of the yarn spun for Ruth's cable jumper. Did you see it? I'm really pleased that the stuff I'm spinning from the bags of fleece we got is good enough to be made into something.

The turning fluff into clothes and toys and stuff is so amazing isn't it? I still boggle at it.
I made a hat with stuff I'd got straight off the sheep, combed, spun, washed and then kitted myself and I could not explain the joy I felt at that.
Still haven't got over it.

I like to spin chunky because I like to knit with chunky but the other month a friend gave us some processed and dyed fibre that she had bought to do Nuno felting with and then never got around to it. There wasn't a lot so I spun it thin and made it a 2 ply. I'm really happy with it. It's much more even than I expected.
I've been spinning off and on for nearly 2 years now. I really need to get my arse into gear and go to the spinners and weavers guild.

Maybe I should join something on Rav. I have trouble getting it to load some times so I've not been anywhere near as active as I should be there.

It's really exciting to see you getting into spinning too. Sorry. I still get so excited to turn fluff into things without using a machine. *g*

I've never spun or knitted with tencel before. You'll have to let us know what it's like!

[patelyne]

My drop spindle came off eBay, super cheap but nice. I found a tutorial for making one with a dowel and fimo or sculpey (that bake-able clay stuff? Not sure if you have the same brands) I want to try it so I have a second spindle and got a square of glow in the dark and a square that says translucent. I really want to try a wheel, but I don't know anyone local that has one. I sent RLBF a link to build one, but he didn't seem all that excited to try (plus something about not have the right tools boooo)
My knitting group is going to an Alpaca farm fiber thing June 2nd, maybe I'll get to try one then?

Ruth's jumper is looking amazing, great job for both of you. I can't imagine being able to spin enough for an entire sweater! Especially since you've started from raw fiber, which I haven't tried yet. And it's sooo pretty.
TDF just says to spin 10 minutes a day, every day except the days the riders rest (which I'll have to look up because I don't plan to actually watch the real tour lol) I figure I can manage that much commitment. If I can kick my butt off Rav long enough, I spend a lot of time there. Have been since LJ started not wanting to load for me, nothing but problems for so long I basically gave up :/
I'll let you know how I like the merino/tencel, I love the colors so I hopei can spin it well.
FYI I blame Ruth and you for most of me wanting to learn to spin. You and your pretty pretty yarns.

[kath_ballantyne]

Oh and I went to look at Greenwood Fibreworks. >_< shouldn't have. Now I want them all. So, so pretty. And good prices.

[patelyne]

It literally took me 2 weeks to settle on my colors, and that was AFTER how long it took me to pick the shop. So many pretty choices!
They also threw in a couple grams of milk fiber, which is super soft and floaty. I have a feeling that might be harder to spin. I was happy, because I had $30 gift money to spend, and I didn't go much over (a dollar and then the shipping I think)

[untonuggan]

Oooooooooooooooooooooo. /drool

[patelyne]

I made this mistake of looking at that etsy shop again when I fixed my link. Now there's even more colors I like. Etsy is daaaaangerous!

[iamshadow]

I adore those colourways, and your spinning looks lovely! I am so excited for you, getting into all these crafts, and I totally take the blame for everything. :D

[patelyne]

I'm glad you accept the blame, makes me feel less guilty for eating all your Internet ith my pictures
(and thanks!)

[iamshadow]

LOL, Tumblr and Bittorrent are far worse consumers of our bandwidth than your pics are, sweetheart. :D

[patelyne]

Well that makes me feel a little better then. Of course, I'd be even happier if you didn't have to deal with caps. Or best of all, if you managed to steal the TARDIS so you girls could pop over for coffee and see all my stuff for yourselves :)

[iamshadow]

I would love that! Especially since I'm out of good coffee right now. :D

[luvinthe88and20]

That Rosewood is gorgeous.

[patelyne]

I know, right?! And my picture doesn't even do it justice. I need to drag it out into the sunlight, if we ever get some. This week's been kind of ick.