Of Wonderwool and other spinning things

Last Sunday the girls and I went to Wonderwool - that's it really because if you have been then you know what a fantastic day we had, and it you haven't then GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO next year and get a truly memorable fibre fix.

I probably spent too much, well OK I spent too much but I had a great time, talked to loads of people, put faces to names and finally discovered what is so special about the Scotch Egg man!  When I wrote out exactly what I had bought it did seem to be rather a lot especially as my list was so small.  But the important things were a WooLee Winder for my Matchless, (but that doesn't count as I had pre-order and paid for it) and some extra bobbins and a fast whorl as I am determine that Demelza will spin my finest lace yarn ever.

For not only have I discovered the pleasure of woollen spinning from my punis I have also been experimenting with the concept of cross lacing having recently watch 'Three Bags Full' and 'Spinning Luxury Yarns' with Judith Mackenzie.

This is my Black Sparkle spun from punis - 55grams and 230yards, woollen spun and 2 plied..

In fact I liked this so much that I have blended another bigger batch this time using Amethyst in both merino and silk - but there is still more black than any other colour (is black a colour??).

And some more batts this time blending Oatmeal BFL, White Shetland, Turquoise Merino and Ramie - Bluebirds over White Cliffs..

I am particularly pleased with these especially as I have finally worked out how to roll them like in the shops - well I did need some help, but that's what friends are for aren't they - thanks Fibrefrog!

This is pure luxury - cashmere, superfine merino and white tussah silk - a special blend from World of Wool  which I spun cross laced, spun worsted and 2 plied 493yards.

This is some Camel and Silk that I am spinning using Scotch tension and crossing the yarn back and across to reduce the take up and increase the twist.  Pretty happy so far with the results of this technique.....

 

Better than Gold Dust!

Its been a busy weekend, Saturday was the SpinDyeWeavers monthly meeting and Sunday was Unravel - so a fibre full weekend of joy!

This was my second visit to Unravel and it is well worth the journey and certainly lights up an otherwise dreary month.  Also in the week I was lucky enough to get two balls of the St Kilda Laceweight Yarn a special blend of Boreray and Soay!  I must admit that I did gulp a bit at the price, but when you considered that the Boreray had been collected from the shepherds and sorted by one person and then de-haired mostly by hand, an absolute bargain at £20 a ball!!  See the full story here.

This is purest Boreray lace yarn available at the present.  The next batch included Shetland in the blend to make the rare Boreray go further.  Boreray is on the critical list, which means that there are less than 300 breeding ewes in exsistence so anything that makes the keeping of this ancient breed going should be supported IMO.  Apparently the fleeces had been thought worthless and burnt - sacrilege!

 

At Unravel I was able to obtain two more balls of the next batch of St Kilda Lace avec Shetland

 



Liz Lovick (Northernlace on Ravelry) has designed a shawl and a scarf particularly for this yarn based loosely on the shawls worn by the women on St Kilda.  I waiting not very patiently for the pattern to be released which should be any day soon! It requires three balls, so I have the choice of dark centre and light edge or vice versus but which that is the question.

My other purchases at Unravel were fairly modest, some other rare breed yarns for the SDW stand and more natural British wool for my soon to be revealed sheep wreath.  Plus some Jamieson 2ply sweater yarn and some T-shirt yarn for baskets.

I did have a spin on a Schacht Matchless and I have to say that I would sell some of my wheels to get my hands on one of these beauties, pure spinning heaven.  I am seriously considering the single treadle version - I could pick it up at Wonderwool if I ordered it next month..................

Yesterday, I went to a certain large out of town craft store in search of stick on eyes for my felted sheep key rings (another on going project yet to be revealed) and while there I happened to notice an expensive fibre, not the mind boggling £817 a kilo vicuna! 

But a very basic felting fibre, probably Corriedale, sold in 10 gram packs at £1.29 or £129.00 a kilo - not a bad mark up when you consider that you can buy a kilo of Corriedale for £16 or dyed Merino tops at £27 a kilo!  This fibre is more expensive than the elusive gold dust, which can be purchased on the black market at £28 a kilo - and no before you ask I didn't indulge myself!