Friday, July 01, 2011

Last minute change of plans

Last night I called Laura. The camel/silk I'd chosen for the Tour de Fleece had me a bit concerned, and I wanted her input. As a result I have changed my Tour goals to spinning this Ashland Bay combed top (4 oz. 70/30 merino/silk, purchased from Corgi Hill Farm) on my miniSpinner, and spindle-spinning Inky's roving. Actually, I think I'll spin two ounces of it plus two ounces of Rechel's grey cloud (to be dyed later) for a two-color Taygete.

While talking to Laura, I hit a speed bump in clearing my miniSpinner for take-off; I ran out of one of my three singles! After I got off the phone I wound the other two singles into centerpull balls so I could continue with a three-ply. That worked for awhile, then the yarn barfed. After that it was an exercise in frustration until I could no longer cope; yes, there was wastage. Sad, but true. This morning I wound off a 1000-yard (approx.) skein, though, so at least it's done, and the ms and I are ready to tackle the Ashland Bay top.


Look who's loving the loving! This morning Marta stuck around after I slipped her halter off, and stepped closer when I stopped petting her to get out my camera.Of course, Sarai got her share:
Yay!

Happy July from . . .

6 comments:

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

What kind of sheep are these, Michelle? I may have asked you before and missed the answer. I used to raise Coopworth and Coopworth Crosses. I loved the "blue" coat that several of them had. I still have a some fleeces (washed and unwashed) and some rovings saved in the closet and my spinning wheel set up in the extra bedroom even though I haven't spun in 15 years. Now as I write it I realize how long it has been. Your sheep are lovely and your wool is gorgeous.

Michelle said...

I raise the wee ones - Shetland sheep. Thanks so much for the compliments; I hope you get back to spinning soon!

Black Sheep said...

"then the yarn barfed" I know.. I KNOW it is not funny.. but I almost literally rolled on the floor with laughter.. my son just did not get it.. I can honestly say.. "I am sorry your yarn Barfed". LOL.. LOL..

Deb W said...

I'm late - a post or two back - I like that lazy kate! I biggified it, and it looks like it has a brake for tension too. Is it commercial? Can you tell me more?

I usually ply from the both ends of a center-pull ball (NO waste) but at KSFF someone had two different fibers plied together that was luscious, and I realized sometimes there just is a need to ply from two (or 3) balls. My Ashford lazy kate that came with my wheel just doesn't cut it.

Michelle said...

Deb, that's a lazy kate from Alexandra's Crafts, an Oregon business. I'd seen it before and liked it, but didn't spring for it until it was 40% off at Woodland Woolworks. I always to two-plies from a centerpull ball, but really like the round yarn results of a three-ply.

Theresa said...

Well the yarn looks fabulous as do the girls!