Sunday, March 23, 2008

Sucky Spinner Endeavors to Improve

Two weeks ago I got two bumps of wool in the shop (about 20 pounds each) One was Blue Faced Leicester in white and the other was Masham. A wool I had actually never seen before but it was described as a Wensleydale type long wool.
Here's what the Sheep 101 website has to say about it:

Masham sheep have been bred for over a centry on the hill farms in the Northern Counties of England. They are produced by crossing a Teeswater ram onto either a Dalesbred or Swaledale ewe, both hardy hill breeds. It is from these parent breeds that the Masham gains its hardiness, longevity, heavy milking qualities, strong moterhing insticts and high prolificacy. The Masham ewe is medium sized and hornless. Her fleece is long staples, 8-10 inches on a yearling and 6 to 7 inches on a ewe, with a good degree of lustre.

The photo there is of the unspun top. It is lovely. It has a nice weight. It is not soft like BFL but has a lovely luster and drape.
I've spun one skein. 534 yards. About 17-18 wpi. It will be used for the Vine Lace Cardigan in Gathering of Lace. I need 3 more skeins of that yardage. I forgot to weigh it. I'll do that tomorrow. I spun it on the Majacraft Little Gem on the 10.5 to 1 ratio using a short forward draw throughout much of the skein. I know it's not a good idea to switch drafting methods mid bobbin but...I got board with it sometimes. I filled the bobbin almost full and plied it from a center pull ball using the Schacht Matchless.

I'm somewhat happy with this skein but I'm still working on getting better consistency throughout my skeins. Changing drafting methods on and off throughout the spinning isn't helping with that goal. I know.
Here's Maggie's latest progress. She's working on thicker yarns and also consistency:-) Like Mother like Daughter.

This week Abby will come and teach me to be a better spinner. Well, other people are coming too but in the end it's all about me, right? I'm nervous and excited and also nervous. At the shop I am the queen of the spinning but...it's Abby. What if she doesn't like my shop? What if my spinning is actually as sucky as I make it out to be in my head? What if....

And she knows I feel this way cause I told her, so don't be going all tattle-tale on me and emailing herHere are the two little darlings before we left for church this morning. Aren't they sweet. I just happened to catch this non fighting moment.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice spinning, darling! And, she will love your shop. Stop already!! And, anyways - if she doesn't, I sure as heck do! After all, it's all about me (and you, I suppose!)

I am way geeked to try that wheel and I am way way geeked for Abby's class and I am way way way geeked to find a drop spindle.

Think you are ready for me????

Lisa said...

Lol! Of course she will love your shop. I figure we can spin forever and still learn things so just enjoy it as ya go, right? I am hoping to soak in all I can from Abby too, if you and Kat will let me haha! Have a great week! See ya Sat! Woo hoo!

Alpaca Granny said...

Love the picture of your "darlings" in their darling moment.
BTW - everyone loves you AND your shop.
Maple

Anonymous said...

Maggy and Ryan are beautiful and handsome. Maggy takes after her MOM. She reminds me of my daughter at that age, she had red hair and blue eyes. Your yarn is equally as beautiful. You are a super fantastic spinner and my mentor. I brag about you all the time. I'm sure Abby is a Goddess, but you are still the Queen. I will see you Tuesday for the unoffficial spinning free-for-all. Did you get a new Matchless? How about a Lady Bug? KnitSib

Kate A. said...

I seriously don't think it's possibly not to love your shop. I mean - really.

The masham looks fabulous, edibly fabulous.

Obsidian Kitten said...

is that anything like masham potatoes?

those kids sure look innocent. hah!

see you tomorrow night! YAAAAAY!

Alpaca Granny said...

Beth, please come visit my blog. I mentioned you today (Friday).
Maple