Happy Birthday America !! I am going to chronicle my TdF journey here and do one post a day. 7:23 AM- (with coffee in hand) I will be doing the 2nd bobbin (6.2 oz) of this Jacob wool, bamboo, faux cashmere, Angelina combo. The first bobbin was completed prior to the tour. I will be … More Tour de Fleece Day 1 – July 4th
It is rare when a “fiber artist” actually takes time out from making things for sale to make something for him/herself or the house. Well, I took time out last week to make a table runner for my bookcase in the 3rd floor guest bath. The reveal of the total bathroom remodel will be post … More Weaving Cloth and the wet finishing (fulling)
Chapter 1 – Fiber Prep As a long time spinner and fiber producer (alpaca), wool and other fibers buyer and working with many mills and working with and selling commercial yarns over the past 12 years, I get many questions on terms commonly used in the fiber world. I can see why they are confusing … More FIBER FAQs —- Fiber Prep – What does it all mean ? top, roving, rolags, clouds
Corriedale Wool Fiber Characteristics – Corriedale wool is readily available in commercial top and normally is seen in the preparation in either white or brown. Commercial top is typically in the micron range of 26-27 which is a spinning count of 56-58s. For those of you unfamiliar with what spinning count actually means . . . “It is a … More Series (Installment 2 – Corriedale Wool): Spinning my way through the Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook
Introduction to the Series: If you are a fiber fanatic (like me), then owning the “Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook” by Carol Ekarius and Deborah Robson is not a “nice to have”, but rather an essential guide to the wonderful world of fiber animals!! It is one of my favorite books in my crafting library. It not only … More Series (Installment 1 – Huacaya Alpaca): Spinning my way through the Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook
I have a signature yarn color-way called “All Colors Self-Striping™” that self-stripes. Here is an example of that yarn knitted up by Michele from Easy123 on Etsy. If you want yarn like this – visit my shop or email me. This cowl was made from 120 yards of my handspun on size US#13. You can bump … More Self-Striping Hand Spun Art Yarn
Here are some pics of the finished cowl. I think it came out great!! Heather (my client) loved it! I am modifying the pattern for publication and it will be up soon. If you would like a cowl – feel free to contact me – I would love to make one for you.
Here is some pics of the finished yarn. Brandy was spun thin and even. Rosalita was spun thick and thin and with some bumps. Together it makes quite an interested finished product. I love the way it turned out! Next time . . . the finished cowl
Step 7 – Prepping the fleece (continued) Now onto prepping Rosalita’s fleece. After the fleece has dried thoroughly (fiber tools don’t like wet fleece), we start the real work 🙂 Washed Fleece (Rosalita) before combing Rosalia’s fleece needed to be combed to remove as much VM as possible. Any of those of you that spin know … More Alpaca Cowl – Part 3 (Still in the fiber studio)
Now back to our series on an alpaca cowl . . . the Noro virus had me out for a few days, and a customer of mine joked that it must be because we knit with too much Noro yarn since she also was ill. (If you didn’t get that joke, you must not be … More Alpaca Cowl – Part 2 (moving to the fiber studio)
The Yarn Shop at Alma Park 