Had a lovely day yesterday - the morning was bright and sunny so I sat outside and washed more of my Polwarth. I thought that I had done it all, but a bit of maths convinced me that there was some more lurking somewhere - a good search found a washed kilo hiding in a bear factory box - just don't ask!
There is a difference between the fleece from the Scottish Isles and the one that WoofnWoolly got back in May - they are both as soft as can be and beautiful fleeces, but the Scottish one definitely has a better lustre - I should hope considering the price paid!
Yesterday's washed fleece drying - the very last of the Scottish and the start of May's kilo.
Waste is a real issue especially with something as fine as Polwarth - I have estimated that I shall be really lucky to get 35-40% of useable fleece - this is in some part due to washing it twice - believe me Ecover does not get fleece clean or remove the grease!!!!!! Power Scour and boiling water over individual locks - time consuming but worth it.
Because if you are going to put a lot of time and effort into producing a yarn then it has to be the best you can get - I am not going to settle for acceptable, only the best will do - statement of intent.
In the afternoon while Mr S watched the final stage of the Tour of Spain (cycling) I made stitch markers and buttons. Discovered that if you blend white Fimo with a colour it will mix and you can get varying shades - very satisfying, but be warned the translucent, which looks like white, doesn't have the same effect, hence the blue which should be pale, medium and dark are all the same - lesson learnt.....
