Dec
27
Deyaneria on December 27th, 2013
Spun Yarn Before Setting The Twist
A question I get often with new spinners is “why do I need to set the twist on my yarn?”
Giving handspun a bath after spinning is important for a couple of reasons.
1. It keeps the yarn from untwisting.
2. It improves the appearance of the yarn.
3. It can help even out over twisted yarn.
4. Worsted yarns look great when slightly fulled and it increases the strength and stability.
The only times you may not want to finish the yarn this way is if you are weaving or wanting to use energized singles for a specific project. You finish the object when you are done knitting instead.
Finishing Angora Yarn
Hanging out with the Yarn
Here is my usual method of finishing yarn.
After the yarn is on the kniddy knoddy and tied in a few places I fill a basin with hot water and wool wash. I also fill another one with cool water for rinsing. I put the yarn into the hot basin letting it get thoroughly soaked. Then I use my hands or a plunger ( a kitchen one works great for this) and agitate the yarn in the water for a few minutes. Then I move it to the cool water and agitate some more. I work back and forth about 3 times for regular yarns. If I want to full something I will work back and forth about 6 times. A way to agitate the yarn easier is with sink plunger. I have one for this purpose alone.
Gorgeous and Set!!!
Tags: finishing yarn, how to spin yarn, spinning fiber, spinning yarn
I have a head full of ideas and busy knitting fingers. Enjoying the creative process of making and writing new patterns for the yarn clubs. So here is your sneak peek.
Pattern 1 ( sock yarn club)
New pattern close-up
Pattern 2 (sock yarn club)
Pattern 3 (luxury yarn club)
Pattern 4 (luxury yarn club)
Pattern 5 ( vegan yarn club)
Pattern 6 (vegan yarn club)
Pattern 7 (vegan yarn club)
I have a dear friend who wanted to contribute to the clubs with a crochet pattern and I have to work on one more pattern for the sock yarn club. These patterns are amazing in texture. I hope you like them. Full Pattern pics will be available in January.
You can check out our yarn and fiber clubs Here.
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Tags: knitting, knitting blog, knitting patterns, knitting projects, knitting yarn, vegan spinning fiber, yarn
I have been knitting my fingers off lately. I’ve had a myriad of ninja projects going on that I can’t share right now. However, there are a few projects that I can share and here they are!!!!!
New Pattern: Maine Morning Headwarmer
I took some of our hand dyed chunky alpaca and created this wonderful head warmer.
My lovely friend Laurie Byrne modeled it for me.
Pattern is available at: http://www.thefiberofmybeing.bigcartel.com/product/maine-morning-headwarmer
I also created a really cute hat for my grandson Julian(he loves trains).
The pattern is called Choo-choo toque by L Gordon-Norman it can be found on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/choo-choo-toque
I’ve also created a new headband for my Sleep Phones…If you haven’t heard of Sleep Phones they are these amazing headphones that are flat and comfortable for sleeping with (great when you have a spouse who snores). I use them for everything. The headband they come with is nice but I wanted something a bit warmer for when I go cross country skiing this winter. I’m tempted to try a hat as well!!!
A gorgeous hand dyed cowl in chunky loopy mohair and chunky angora!!!! I love how the same color takes uniquely on different fibers. I was going to share this pattern but I can’t seem to find the file where I wrote it down…..bummer.
Tags: knitting, knitting blog, knitting patterns, knitting projects, knitting yarn
[madmimi id=3]
Tags: finishing a project, knitting, knitting blog, knitting patterns, knitting projects, knitting yarn, yarn
Nov
18
Deyaneria on November 18th, 2013
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Tags: animal rescue, fiber animal products, fiber animals, fiber processing, spinning fiber, spinning fiber roving, spinning fleece, wool processing
I’ve been doing a lot of spinning lately. I’ve been spinning at my Spinning Classes that I teach.
Navajo Plied, not quite navy colorways
Finally finished the last 6 oz of Holly Berry!!!!!!
I’ve had this fiber for awhile and had previously spun up another 6 oz. The hard part was making like my beginning spinning.
One finished hand-dyed silk blank…..thinking about making this single a cool art yarn!!!!
I had spun these singles for the Plying 2,3,4 and more class. My students did the plying. I think they did a great job….even plying the bit of white I had left on the bobbin!!! In addition to that they spun up to a 4-ply and as the singles ran out they kept SPINNING!!!!
I had to test…ahem… a gorgeous Matchless Spinning Wheel for a student. Actually the wheel just needed a bit of TLC and some elbow grease. She spun just great!!!!!
That there is some great spinning!!!!!
About 1 pd 6 oz there.
Tags: animal rescue, fiber animal products, fiber animals, fiber processing, spinning fiber roving, spinning fleece, spinning wool by hand, wool for spinning yarn, wool processing, yarn
