It’s been crazy here. I’ve been crazy. Things have been crazy. I’ve been driving the cats crazy. There’s just been a lot of crazy.
While all the crazy has been happening, the Tour de Fleece actually finished. It seemed to come and go within a blink of an eye. I credit that to the awesome team I was on. That would be Team Crankypants. I also want to credit the fabulous Cookie, our fearless leader. We couldn’t have done it without her.
As for the spinning? This is all the yarn I managed to either complete or spin from raw fiber to yarn.
Some of it you might recognize, some of it you might not. Here are some highlights of the last few days of the tour.
This is a low-twist single I spun for the “Challenge Day”.
Rainforest
219 yards
4.65 ounces
12 WPI
South African Fine from “Hungry For Handspun”
This was tricky for me because my feet like to treadletreadletreadle. I had to really make a conscious effort to slow down and just take it easy. I’m actually fairly pleased with the results.
Next up is an artsy fartsy yarn.
186 yards
approximately 6 ounces.
12 WPI
100% Superwash Merino from “Crown Mountain Farms”
I was originally going to coil the singles and add pretty flowers and what not, only I couldn’t find the right flowers. So then I was just going to coil it, but Megan and Cookie convinced me to simply thread ply it. I’m glad they did and I’m fairly pleased with the way this one came out as well.
Finally, this one was kind of a cheat. I already had the singles spun up. I just needed to ply.
208 yards
14 WPI
4.35 oz
100% 80ct Merino from “Hungry For Handspun”
I haven’t done a 3-ply in awhile and I’m glad I did do this one up that way. Even though I’d love to keep it, it’s up for sale in the shop right now. I just can’t keep everything I spin otherwise I’d be drowning in yarn. Besides, mama needs a new flyer. ;-)
Actually, I can’t decide between a wild flyer or a plying set. Indecision strikes again.
Although I can ply on the Lendrum, it’s become something of a chore. Treadling on it has become really sticky and although I’ve emailed the manufacturer, I hear he’s not too efficient when it comes to replying. I’m going to go to the Ravelry group and beg for help next. I’m also hoping someone reading this might have some suggestions.
When I say treadling has become sticky, I mean it’s hurting my knees. The treadles have way too much resistance to it. This problem has been building for awhile, but it’s gotten to the point where I’m starting to hate that wheel.
It’s just really frustrating.
Time to pet a kitty!
Happy Thursday!
July 30th, 2009 at 11:51 am
awwwww… kitty kitty. :D You did a lot! Are you sure you shared all of that on th group?
Happy Thursday!
July 30th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Wow you really got a lot of yarn done during the tour. I’m jealous! I guess seeing them one by one, I didn’t realize how much you got done!
July 30th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Wow! You got a lot done! Petting a kitty always makes everything better.
July 30th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Amazing! I knew my Opal could do it.
July 30th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Love the Evergreen. Kitties always make things better.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
That’s an awesome pile of yarn you finished up, Congratulations!
I have mucho love for both Rainforest and Evergreen and might not be able to resist it.
Good luck on getting the wheel fixed up.
Also, yay! for cute kitties.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
You spun a lot!
And it’s always time to pet a kitty. Didn’t they explain that to you?
July 30th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I like that yellowy brownish color up at the top. I wish I knew how to knit! I don’t care that its been crazy hot here :)
July 30th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Oooooooooooo…love the artsy-fartsy yarn.
Oh and the kitty — love the kitty too. He looks SO soft.
July 30th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Ooooh love the evergreen! Hope you sell them to get your flyer.
July 30th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
That really is quite a lot. I think Rainforest and Evergreen might be my favorites. The thread-ply turned out quite nicely. I am reading about the low twist single. I am borrowing a copy of Spin Control, and plan to buy for me next month. That is also the book for my grandma, as she thought it looked most helpful amongst all of the books I showed her. Also, she said that Teach Yourself Visually is available at her local library.
I just wish I could fix something for you. I’m so sad that the wheel is becoming something that is not a joy.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:07 am
Beautiful yarns!
Regarding the treadling, there are a few things you can try. Make sure the drive band isn’t too tight (or too loose, actually). Put a drop of oil on the footman connector shaft. Take off the flyer and clean the outside of the orifice tube and also clean the inside of the plastic orifice bushing, then put a drop of PTFE lubricant on the orifice tube.
July 31st, 2009 at 4:54 am
Very pretty stuff! And so’s the kitty…bitty Quincy!
Take care of those knees!
(((hugs)))
July 31st, 2009 at 5:28 am
Very pretty yarn! You got so much done – amazing!
No help on the Lendrum – I don’t spin enough to have that problem – I hope you figure it out though!
July 31st, 2009 at 10:03 am
Your yarn is intriguing and truly lovely. I especially love your pastelly low-ply singles. The colors are gorgeous.
But DON’T do anything that hurts your knees. After 14 knee operations, I know what I am talking about. Bye bye bicyle, sigh.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:55 pm
You got so much done! I feel like a slacker. I’m so glad you listened, too.
Kitty! :D
August 1st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Take care of your knees, sweetie! I love all your spinning results, you did a *fine* job based on that mountain of yarn! :D
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:31 am
I’m way behind on my blog reading so I totally missed the spinning madness — but that is an absolutiely gorgeous collection of yarns!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 am
You are such a talented spinner!
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
What a fabulous tour de fleece! My mouth dropped open in awe of all your beautiful yarn. As for your Lendrum, you have the longer band on, right? I find it to be harder to treadle when I have to increase the brake band tension as the large bobbin fills up. I hope your knees aren’t hurting too much after all your incredible spinning.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Those colors are gorgeous! Beautiful job.
August 5th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Wow – look at all that loot! You did really good girl! I especially like the low twist yarn. I’ll have to try that myself.
I am now virtually petting that beautiful kitty!!
August 6th, 2009 at 7:59 am
I know nothing about the mechanics, but can you adjust the tension/resistance so that it won’t hurt you so much? Anyway, take care of your knee … those big joints are important!
August 6th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Awesome :) You did very well!!
August 8th, 2009 at 10:02 am
I really like the “artsy farty” one. It has the interest of an art yarn, but still retains enough practicality that it could be used in a traditional way. I really like thread plied, slightly thick and thin yarns.