Spinning

Truman’s Fleece

stargrace June 5, 2020 No Comments

I bought a 3.7lb sheep fleece from a vendor not too long ago, and when it arrived, I was SO excited. I created a grand plan of cleaning this fleece and preparing it from start to finish, including spinning it, and then knitting it into a cardigan.

So far I cleaned the fleece (scoured, it’s called) and it’s ready for some flicking (opening up the locks) and then I’m going to drum card it to prepare it for spinning. The Tour De Fleece starts up at the end of this month and I’m hoping to have it ready for that. Once it’s all spun up I’ve even picked out the cardigan pattern I plan on knitting.

Honestly the entire process just speaks to me. I have loved every single second, from removing vm (vegetable matter) and lanolin, to drying the fleece. It’s so soft, so much work, and it just makes me croon with contentment.

Spinning Yarn

Processing Fleece

stargrace June 2, 2020 No Comments

I recently came into a 3.7lb fleece, from a leicester longwool sheep named Truman. While Truman was not a coated sheep, his best friend was – so the fleece came with minimal vm and cleaning it was pretty easy. What I didn’t realize is just how much floof 3.7lbs of wool is! I processed a tiny portion of the darker fleece to begin with, just to get the hang of things. Then a few weeks later I did the remaining fleece. I wanted to get it all cleaned and ready for storage.

My goal is to use my new drum carder (on the way) to create roving – and to spin it for the Tour de Fleece that’s happening at the end of this month. It will be the first fleece I’ve taken from start to finish, and I have plans on knitting a cardigan with it once it’s all spun and plied.

I’m incredibly excited! So far the entire process has been a learning experience, and it really speaks to my soul.

Spinning Yarn

Some RL Guilds

stargrace April 28, 2020 No Comments

Yep. There’s a circular sock knitting machine society, and I decided to join it. Membership is for three years, and it doesn’t exactly provide a whole bunch, but I still think it’s pretty cool. You can find out more about them here.

I also decided to join the Saskatchewan weavers and spinners guild. Everything is on hold lately as far as get togethers due to covid, but it’s still a sense of community in these trying times.

My sock machine is put together and working fine, but there’s some learning curves to overcome. I ordered new needles, I need to order mineral oil, and it still needs a good cleaning. I could also use a better basket for it as mine is quite rusted. Once I get these issues taken care of we’ll see how she runs! I know it will take some practice.

Spinning Yarn

A Little Spinning Action

stargrace April 18, 2020 No Comments

It looks so much nicer all spread out! I can’t wait to knit with it. No idea WHAT I’ll knit yet, but I’ll think of something.

Spinning Yarn

All done Up! Yarn Completed

stargrace April 10, 2020 No Comments

It’s hard to tell all of the awesome colours I have here, but it’s all spun up, I’ve plied it into a 3ply and it’s pretty lovely. It will rest like this for a day and then I’ll give it a good bath and a thwack to even out the twist and set it.

I’m not sure what I’ll knit with it yet, but I’m sure it will come to me in time. For now it can just join the collection of pretty yarn I have.

Truman’s Fleece

Processing Fleece

Some RL Guilds

A Little Spinning Action

All done Up! Yarn Completed

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