Spinners (and newbies!): What ya' spinnin'? - Page 2

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

I just got a nice big wad of 75% merino/25% mohair that I'm going to start playing with. I have various natural dye stuff I'm going to play around with and then spin all the colours together.

[simplehome]

Hi guys! Just found the spinning folk here recently and participated in my first spinning fibers swap. Wa-hoo!

Here's what I've spun up from the swap so far: the ball, the yarn, the hat it will become

Here's a batt that a fun friend gave me last night: Crazy Batt!

I spun it up today, but the pictures are muddy because it is now after midnight. I'll take new ones in the morning. It came out really pretty! It's only the third thing I've spun, and I feel like I'm getting the hang of things pretty quickly. I don't know what to do with yarn that has chunks in it (weaving? felted bowl?) but it was fun to spin, and it was FREE! I think it made about 80 yards of 2-ply.

[Marlet]

Man you spin fast!

I have yet to figure out what I'm going to use my last skein for. I thought of making Thorpe with it but I don't think I have enough (plus I have better yarn for it ).

I'm working on the carmely color flapjack sent me in the swap. It is spinning up SO nicely. Much different than I expected for some reason. Here it is before spinning I sure wish she'd see that I got it so she can tell me what the fiber is. I'm dying not knowing.

[simplehome]

Here's the yarn that crazy batt made.....what do you do with something like this?!?! I'm thinking maybe weave a basket out of it, or perhaps knit it into felted bowl. Any other ideas? I'm more of a soft-and-smooth yarn person, so this is new to me. Fun to spin, though!

I actually started knitting up the kool-aid dyed stuff. I love the yarn, but not sure I love how it is looking knitted. Oh well, the girl's head will be soft and warm, at least!

[Marlet]

Sweet! flapjack came and told me the stuff I was spinning is alpaca and tussah silk. It's FINISHED!!! And the desired thickness!!! I can spin super thin singles but for some reason whenever I ply the resulting yarn is anything but thin. I almost always end up bulky and that's never the weight I'm going for. This is a two ply. I originally was going to navajo ply it but decided against. I'm glad too. This is 20 wpi so a lace/baby weight. My MIL was questioning me about it last time she was here so I think I might make her something out of it. I am headed to the post office here shortly to weigh it since I have no clue how much is here.

All skeined up
Plop.
Up close
Another up close

This turned out so differently than I expected. At first I wasn't sure I liked it. Then I did. Then I didn't. Now I"m pretty sure I do.

Anyone have any tips on reducing extra twist? I apparently am fond of adding lots of twist which makes plying a hellish job. It ends up kinking back on itself so much that it will knot. I had to cut out a large chunk yesterday because of it. It irritates me to no end. I don't like loose twist though so I'm not sure how to remedy this.

[flapjack]

It's about 2oz It does look yummy- did you have fun spinning it?
You can remove some twist by winding into a centre pull ball from your spindle or bobbin and plying from there, but I reckon if you wet-finish yarn brutally, that often solves a multitude of problems.

[Marlet]

The amount of handling I give the yarn from the removal off the spindle to the center pull to the plying should remove a good amount but it doesn't. It's a good thing I soak and whack it.

I did enjoy spinning it. The alpaca sheds a bit which sucks. I'm still picking up random fluffs of it.

[Marlet]

Where did everyone go? Sheesh!

I'm working on this right now. It's not that bright in person. I started spinning it for a monthly challenge over on Ravelry but ummm....I suck and have barely made a dent in it. Maybe half of the 4 oz. I have decided to start spinning at least 10 mins. a day. When I get a chance I always grab my knitting so my spinning tends to get neglected. I hope I am able to finish the rest of this though for the challenge. Really, I should be able to get through 4 oz in a month! I was going to ply it with some brown llama but I'm not sure. I keep thinking it'll be gorgeous and then I think about all the extra work and think maybe it wouldn't be so gorgeous.

What's everyone working on? Anyone up for a small holiday fiber swap? I know the holidays are a busy time so if no one is interested it makes perfect sense.

[flapjack]

I'm spinning up some brown alpaca I'm up for a swap, though- I have some pretties in my stash, but could always use a bit more.

[Sasha_girl]

As always, I'm spinning Shetland wool. Thank goodness we've decided to splurge and buy a drum carder, as nobody likes to actually card the wool.

I'm up for a swap! It would be a treat to spin something different (although I dearly love my sheep). I have white (perfect for handdying), black, and moorit.

[shellynnrn]

Hi everyone,
I'm not a spinner, but I would LOVE to try it one day. I have really enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your raw fiber turn into yarn. I am a new knitter and would love to have yarn like the pictures you all have posted. Can anyone recommend a fellow MDC'er that sells handspun yarn. Something easy to work with for scarves for a newbie. Any recommendations?
TIA

[Onemagicmummy]

i just started spinning yesterday. there are pics on my blog

http://yarnspaghettifortea.blogspot.com/

so far tis going OK. ravelry folks said my first is good for a first and that i will get better.

i like it. its fun, and very relaxing, adn will work out great cost wise for me as i have a line on raw, organic, fleece not an hour bus ride away from me.

anyway HI to all the Mothering.com spinners

Kiz