tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388623297510187244.post3302866112243440112..comments2024-02-23T03:26:11.779+00:00Comments on Growing Things and Making Things: Second attempt at spinningRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16619866897155085499noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388623297510187244.post-42746926365743459732015-07-21T23:07:38.553+01:002015-07-21T23:07:38.553+01:00OK, I'll let you know :-)OK, I'll let you know :-)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16619866897155085499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388623297510187244.post-8468910683761408862015-07-21T22:06:05.367+01:002015-07-21T22:06:05.367+01:00I'd have thought something made from unprocess...I'd have thought something made from unprocessed wool would be unlikely to shrink if you hand washed it...I think it's definitely worth spinning some up and seeing what happens- perhaps knit/crochet a little square of fabric to see what washing does to it.<br />I look forward to seeing how your spinning experiment turns out!NicolaBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542310810409358114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388623297510187244.post-55895425922327532772015-07-21T12:52:08.491+01:002015-07-21T12:52:08.491+01:00and nice to see you too, Nicola :-)
That's in...and nice to see you too, Nicola :-)<br /><br />That's interesting about spinning unprocessed fleece. That could save a lot of work (as well as expense) if the result is OK. Presumably you could wash it when it's all knitted up, I guess. If it felted a bit, that would matter much less once it was in the shape you wanted it (unless it shrank really badly, of course).<br /><br />I do have a couple of fairly clean fleeces that a friend gave me. I haven't even tried taking bits out of the bags, yet, but I was warned that wool is in quite short pieces, having been inexpertly shorn. Maybe I should just give it a go and see what happens. Thanks!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16619866897155085499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388623297510187244.post-34378745863235405792015-07-21T12:46:58.538+01:002015-07-21T12:46:58.538+01:00Hey, Lousia, good to hear from you :-)
It's h...Hey, Lousia, good to hear from you :-)<br /><br />It's hard to imagine that spinning too finely and too evenly could be my biggest problems. When I reach that point, I'll come back here and eat my words.<br /><br />Yes, I have dreams of plant-based yarn, too. I'm eyeing up nettle. It may not be the easiest stuff to process, but it sure is easy to grow!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16619866897155085499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388623297510187244.post-20320212680221032632015-07-21T05:37:46.909+01:002015-07-21T05:37:46.909+01:00I've never tried spinning on a wheel- I wanted...I've never tried spinning on a wheel- I wanted to try spinning and bought a drop spindle. I've spun some wool that I bought ready processed, but I also bought a completely unprocessed Jacob fleece. I washed it a bit to discourage moths, but generally I just grab a bit and spin it, without combing it etc. I find I prefer spinning wool that is a bit greasy to the processed stuff.<br />Not actually spun enough to knit anything from it, however, so there might be a huge flaw in my disregard for the 'rules' of processing fleece that I have not yet discovered...possibly that any garment will make me smell like a sheep..NicolaBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542310810409358114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388623297510187244.post-7947898232396520262015-07-20T23:22:54.550+01:002015-07-20T23:22:54.550+01:00Ooh, that looks a nice purple - love the little .....Ooh, that looks a nice purple - love the little ... sc-awl? sh-arf? :) I've heard quite a few people say that your first yarns will be some of the most beautiful you make - once you start spinning evenly, it's hard to get good natural slubs so relish them while you can ;)<br /><br />I had a similar adventure - I bought a second hand wheel that needed various tweaks before I could start and once I'd started. I spent a lot of time not knowing whether I was to blame for difficulties or the wheel, and I almost lost patience with it, but I'd glad I stuck to it. It's such a relaxing, pleasurable activity.<br /><br />I can spin pretty evenly now but my problem is that I always spin too finely, which even plyed is hard to crochet (it's why I started weaving). I hope to conquer even, consistent singles one day! <br /><br />Processing a raw fleece is on my to-do list too. A bigger to-do is to grow, process and spin my own flax/linen -- one day, one day!Louisa Parryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05834928608516761974noreply@blogger.com