Skunk Fiber??

Okay, I know it really isn't skunk fiber, but will admit that was my first laughing reaction to it in the vendor's display. But then I couldn't walk away. I kept twisting and turning the package wondering what it might turn into?

Since then I have had a fascination with striped roving. Not sure if it's just that I am suddenly seeing it, or if there really is more of it being produced. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Either way, I am having so much fun seeing what they want to become. And the more I spin them, the more I learn. I am finally making myself a bit more intentional about what I spin. Rather than just spinning whatever comes out, I am challenging myself to focus on what I want and why a yarn is doing whatever it is doing. (I know I'm rather slow to this game, but at least I am working on it!)

So back to the stripes. I started spinning with one drafting technique-until my hands got tired. I switched to a different handhold using basically (I thought) the same spinning method. I am prone to a sort of modified long draw for the most part. When I started drafting with my dominant hand for a change,my yarn changed as well! I called it a "pinch and pop draft" and the results were a very pretty striped appearance. I was shocked...and pleased. I had to keep playing!

It took me some time to equate the results with the way I was drafting, but I got there. Suddenly, I was able to switch from one color to the next in determined increments, or 'barber-pole" the colors or even combine them into a heathered appearance at will...MY will not the fibers'.

It was one of those "ah ha" moments our teachers live for! The yarn isn't anything particularly stunning but the lessons learned while producing it? Priceless

I have several more of these striped beauties in my collection that I will share from time to time. I have actually been on the hunt for them. If you have ideas of ways you have used them, please share.

 

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It's a Wash!

I have had quite a revelation lately, one that all properly instructed handspinners should have down pat.

Always wash your yarn before evaluating or using it! Duh, right?

Not being critical of anyone who's had a hand in my spinning journey, but I'd never seen the difference until lately.

These 3 skeins were all spun as close as possible to the same, at around the same time. Can you tell which have been washed? (Please note, that none of them have been weighted while drying.)

Shetland skeins

These are from a beautiful Shetland roving from my friend Mary Limpus. I am hoping to weave them into a shawl on my tri-loom! It is so tempting to dye them, but I think the natural variegation of the fleece itself will be design enough..

So it's off to the wash room for this lone skein!

 

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