Spindlitis

I’d written earlier about “butterflying” the roving. I am almost done with my first braid, Emily in Border Leicester. I have another braid of it in merino. I am going to order the same colorway in Polworth and do a three ply yarn of those different breeds. The problem is that I won’t know what this looks like, until I get the next two braids spun up. Then I can ply. I’m already considering a larger project, maybe a sweater or the Easy Folded Poncho for this yarn. It was odd to go for two weeks without spinning.

Spinning has been on hold a couple of weeks. I’ve done some of the Churchmouse Yarns patterns. First was the Ferryboat mitts. Then I did the Easy Folded Poncho. Now I’m working on the Go To Cardigan. I’m using commercial yarns, mostly Rowan Felted Tweed. I like the yarn and the patterns.

It’s supposed to turn colder next week. Most of my sweaters are cold weather stuff. I’ve needed some lighter weight things. I think these will work out well.

I’ve invented a new term! I have no idea how this will look, so we’ll see if it’s a useful technique. I like to break up the colors in multi-colored roving. In my project from the last update, I pull off a chunk of roving, split it, and spin one half on one Midge and the other half on my other Midge. I combine this with another turtle for a three ply.

This project is BFL from Greenwood Fibers in the colorway Emily. I’m trying what I will call “butterflying”. It’s a technique people use on things like tenderloin steaks. You cut it in two, so that it splits but leaves the steak joined. I am taking a chunk of roving, splitting it, then spinning from one end. When I run out, I attach the other piece from the end with the same color. Then I spin to the end of that. I’m thinking this will be two ply, but I may decide to go with three ply. I think this may give me some longer stretches of a single color. We wll see. I am spinning this on my new Enid Ashcroft Mini, which will have a separate post.

Showing how the second strip will be attached.

I’m still working on the same things. I’ve finished another hank of the East Friesian. I am working on the last of the wine and silver Falklands from Wintry Flower by Design. It looks like this:

It’s hard to get a good picture of it. I’m on the last bit of this. I picked up another 4 ounces of similar colored Falklands. I can’t really tell you why I like this so much, other than to say that I like grapey colors. I had a little extra money this month, so I picked up a few new braids of fiber for the winter. I don’t know if I’m going to bother with Oregon Flock and Fiber. I have one new spindle that should get here soon. I think I am going to buy a few more of the Enid Ashcroft spindles. I really like my Midges. I am starting to think I need one of each size. And maybe one more Midge.

The East Friesian project continues:

I am working through a pound of this and will likely order one more pound. I am thinking of making Pumpkin Ale (pattern available on Ravelry). I typically spin three turtles, ply together, then repeat.

These are my two Enid Ashcroft Midges. I had a few ounces of this braid left, so am working up some three ply sock yarn.

The Pau Amarillo/Yew midge was pickup on destash. The tulipwood/pink Ivory is one that I’ve had awhile. I like them both.

This is finally done!

It turned out nicely. Still need a project for this one. I ordered a pound of the East Freisian roving. I think I’ll need one more pound for the project I have in mind. It’s three ply yarn and it does take awhile to work through that much fiber. Here’s the latest shot of the plied yarn:

I’ve picked up a few more Tom Bihn yarn stuff sacks and travel stuff sacks for projects. And I have another Swift. I would love to have one of their travel bags, but the fact is that we don’t really travel that much. We usually aren’t gone for more than one day. I am planning to pick up some cotton string bags for processed fiber. I think it will be a good way to comb fiber, then spin enough for a project.

I also bought some commercial yarn (Knit Picks Shine) for Decimal. I found I’d bookmarked this link some years ago. The note read “I really should make myself some nice sweaters like this.” Since Lon has said something similar, I thought maybe I should do just that. I haven’t started on this yet. I am trying to finish Howard’s socks (the smaller version).

It’s a new yarn bowl! Howard made it for me. It’s unfinished and the yarn slot needs to be sanded. It’s a lovely bowl.

Of course not! I had about a month of no crafts. I was a little burned out by the sock projects. I have to revisit those as one pair was just too big for the recipient. Those will fit Lon, so I will do a new smaller pair. The socks for my stepson are too long. So I will cut off the toes, then re knit them about an inch shorter. It’s so easy to do this with short row toes.

I am also back to working on the same two spinning projects. The first is the Inglenook Fibers Falkland:

I do love the color. In fact, I ordered a second braid of this for about 8 ounces total. This is two ply and I’m not that far away from finishing this.

The second project is the East Frisian:

It’s my favorite spindle on its favorite bag. This is such a nice preparation. It draws so smoothly. It’s not all that soft but I really do like it. I would love a sweater out of this. And I’m considering buying some of these sheep. They are milk sheep too.