From Sheep to Cowl

Since I learned to spin almost 3 years ago, the evolution of taking fiber from a big ball of fluff to yarn, single or 2-ply, still amazes me. I enjoy the process and every step along the way. There's no better feeling of a sense of accomplishment than when you can say that you not only knit an item yourself but spun the yarn as well. My non-fibery friends can't fathom but crafters get it.

I enjoy every aspect...dividing up the bump, in this case I started with the fab color/fiber combo from Spunky Eclectic for the September '10 Club selection of Romney in Tuxedo Rose. It was the first time I played with romney and I just followed Amy's suggestion to work the long fibers to your advantage and not over twist.




Used my Ashford Traveller, double drive to get about 150yds of 2-ply, DK to sport weight out of 4 oz...which I never ever spin anything this fat...lace is queen on my wheel, thinner the better for me.



But I had a specific project in mind with a special person to knit for. A birthday cowl, Juerga by Anne Hanson, for my dear friend Sherry.





Fast knit and I wish I had more yards left to make the matching wristlets but alas I did not. Next time, I should plan on a double dose of club to get a matching set.

Spintherapy

Work has been very trying this week...that's what comes when you end up outsourcing a service...the transition is brutal. So to try and stay sane (and rather than add to stress by knitting lace when I am preoccupied & prone to big blunders), I have been spinning.

I have been rotating my three spindles with the following:


Black Bunny Fiber's Romney/Border Leicester Top in Muscari on my Schacht hi-low whorl, using top whorl to spin. Fiber was part of the September shipment of Carol's fiber club.


Pigeonroof Studio's Border Leicester Superwash in Harvest on my Annie May low whorl spindle.


And lastly, my new spindle acquisition, a much-needed gift to myself, a Golding Tsunami Cherry .45oz spindle with Black Bunny Fibers' Merino Tencel Roving in Walnut from December's fiber club shipment. If you never have spun on a Golding, go...go now and get yourself one...what a dream to spin on! Already contemplating adding another...it is that good and so well worth the money.