Posted under spinning
Some friends are steadfast and reliable. Other friends are fickle and you never quite know what kind of reception you’ll receive when you see them. My relationship with spinning is a lot like the latter. Sometimes I just can’t get enough and other times when I sit at the wheel nothing goes right. I end up spinning much too thin or I can’t seem to get enough twist into the yarn, so it keeps breaking.
This past week, my wheel has reentered my life and boy have I had a blast with it. I think that my lack of enthusiasm for the whole act of spinning has centered on the fact that I’ve been working on a huge project. In an effort to live up to my resolution to knit with what I spin, I decided to spin up some laceweight to fingering weight yarn for a shawl.
I chose some Colonial Blue that I’ve had in my stash for years. Unfortunately I acquired this wool early in my spinning career and did not realize that unspun wool needs to breathe. Storing them in plastic bags within plastic bins is a strict no-no.
You know what happens next.The wool became slightly felted and I had to do a lot of preconditioning to loosen up the fibres. The first two bobbins has taken me months to complete. When I finally had them done, I knew I deserved a treat. I chose some roving from the Yarn Wench.
It’s called Roots and it’s a Falkland wool roving. You can see more pictures of this gorgeous roving here. Using the method I learned from Kristi, I split the roving into 3 parts lengthwise. My plan is to spin enough up for a 3-ply yarn for socks.
Once I started I could. Not. Stop. I got 1/3 of the roving done the very day I started it. When I was done, I mourned the fact that I did not have any empty bobbins to continue.
Now at least, I have better incentive to finish plying the Colonial Blue.
Dee on 25 May 2007 at 1:07 pm #
What beautiful, even spinning! I have looked and looked at the Yarn Wench rovings. I might have to give in to temptation soon…
Kristi on 25 May 2007 at 1:19 pm #
Love that roving, love the singles! Looks awesome. Now to start worrying about how I’m storing my fiber …
Jane on 25 May 2007 at 1:34 pm #
Dear Opal,
I know what you are talking about. I took up spinning in the ’80’s, stopped for years and only resumed when I discovered Lisa Sousa’s roving a few years ago. Your singles look wonderful! I had no idea that the fiber would felt if not allowed to breathe! I guess my stored fiber could breathe fine as I have no felting. I will wait with great interest to see how the things you spun knit up. I too have resolved to knit what I spin. Not hard since I spin so slow! Great work!
Karen B. on 25 May 2007 at 1:37 pm #
I’m not a spinner, but if I ever do take up the wheel, it’s good to know about the need for the wool to breathe. It’s so pretty. I’m glad you decided to salvage it.
Kat on 25 May 2007 at 2:10 pm #
Wow, that looks wonderful!!
I just started spinning up some roving with angelina that I got at the Snake River Fiber Fair last weekend, and it’s such a joy! Other recent spinning hasn’t gone as well, so I know what you mean about some rovings being a reward. :-)
Hopefully someday I’ll be as good at spinning as you are.
Shelly on 25 May 2007 at 5:16 pm #
I knew you would get it spun— and just wait till you get the new stuff too! Thanks for enabling me to join that knit along too! I spun some more on the Golding spindle of the shetland I am using for the shawl– still need to decide which shawl. LOL.
The singles look great!
Jeanne on 26 May 2007 at 1:22 am #
Very pretty! I haven’t spun in weeks, and I feel it calling to me….I’ll have to check out Yarn Wench - the roving is beautiful!
margene on 26 May 2007 at 2:52 am #
I have my wool in bags but they aren’t closed up tight. It might be a good idea to spin some of my older wool first! Your spinning looks wonderful!
Dee on 26 May 2007 at 2:57 am #
That roving is going to make some BEAUTIFUL socks.
Roseann on 26 May 2007 at 4:25 am #
Your spinning is beautiful! I can’t wait to see it plied. Are you familiar with the “twizzle” way of loosening up roving? You hold the roving with your hands spaced about 2″-3″ apart, on hand stays put and the other rotates the roving clockwise then counterclockwise, you then move up to the next bit to twizzle. I find I can predraft better after I do this with some less than cooperative rovings.
Lisa on 26 May 2007 at 1:45 pm #
Ok, do you have to keep challenging me hehe? Now I guess my wheel will be crying for some action too. I will try to get some done this weekend. Stop being so productive dang it! Haha jk, gorgeous stuff girl!
Meredith on 26 May 2007 at 4:26 pm #
Opal, once again you inspire me…I spent much of the afternoon sitting outdoors with my wheel whirring…spinning a huge gray CVM fleece I want to get finished so I can spin some brightly colored roving. (I have this thing about raw fleece.)
hugggggggggggssssssssss
mm
Aim on 26 May 2007 at 5:00 pm #
Opal,
I am so impressed! I am getting roving in the mail monthly to spin, and I also bought my first drop spindle. Have I spun anything yet?! Do I know how?! No. Now I see you cranking out the ripple blankets, and spinning too!!! I’ve gotta get a move on and learn to spin…. You are inspiring!!!
spinjenny on 27 May 2007 at 3:43 am #
It’s great to see you spinning happily again .. and such lovely singles!
Laughingrat on 27 May 2007 at 5:10 am #
Oh, that’s beautiful! They both turned out really well. I can see why the experience with the Colonial Blue would put you off spinning a little–it must have felt like drudgery! Your end result will be worth it, I hope.
Recently I found out that I can get a really sweet deal on a kit for a Louet wheel, but told myself very sternly that I would have to wait. This post is not helping my resolve. ;)
chris on 27 May 2007 at 11:23 am #
Found you through my friend Jeanne (jeanneknits) - wonderful blog and I love the spinning. I’ve had moments like that too, but since I bought my woolee winder, things are spinning so smoothly, it’s really been the best thing I’ve gotten for my wheel.
Asaknitter on 29 May 2007 at 10:04 am #
Wow - it’s beautiful! I hear you on the feast or famine when it comes to spinning.