Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Spin Spin


Hi, Knitters,
Last fall after one of my hikes I came home and saw this beautiful fall-inspired Shetland roving from Dyeabolical. I had to start spinning it right away. Being short for time I wanted to spin a heavier weight yarn which is much quicker from start to finish. I went for my trusted double-marl technique which for me usually produces a thicker yarn.


The 4 ounces of Shetland wool roving spun up so fast. I split it in half and did a simple 2-ply. The colors are beautifully blended with the double marl technique. See how the singles look like plied yarn (photo above) using this technique? Taking two strands of the roving to create the singles distributes the colors so well throughout the yarn.


I got 110 yards of a bulky weight yarn. It is rustic and wonderful. The colors are just gorgeous. Shetland isn't the softest of wools but it is one of my favorites. I Navajo plied the singles left on one of the bobbins and got another 20 yards or so.


I love the way the teal blue pops out of the purples, browns and oranges. What a dreamy combination. It is such a great use of color by Dyeabolical.


What do you think... a hat or fingerless mitts or something else?


I have this skein sitting next to me as I work on, well, work. It makes me happy.

Now I have moved onto this.....


...a fantastic 4 oz. roving by Sunshine Yarns in a stunning array of purple that is irresistible.  I am spinning this one much, much thinner to make a 3-ply. I have the roving divided into three even parts for this plan. This roving is smooth and silky to spin. This super fluffy roving is a nice switch from the rougher Shetland. It's good to change it up.

Oh, dear spinning... how did I live without you for so long?

I have my eye on this wheel now. It's just a dream.
best, susie

13 comments:

Renee Anne said...

The wheel is gorgeous and, of course, the yarn is gorgeous.

Now, for a "typical" Wisconsin winter, I would think a hat would be more useful than fingerless mittens but, you know, winter is never typical in Wisconsin.

I still think a hat is the best bet :)

Unknown said...

I got a spinning wheel back in May but was moving and haven't had time/opportunity to set it up and use it. See your yarn makes me want to get moving and hopefully be able to make something cool soon.

I think you NEED that new wheel, it is beautiful!!!

Suze said...

One can never have too many hats, if you ask me!

chmurka said...

I love the colours

Reneelynn said...

I have to vote for the HAT. I really like the purple yarn and would love to see that one when your finished!!!

linda said...

your yarn is gorgeous. perhaps santa will be good to you this year. that is one beautiful wheel.

Zenitude said...

Love that handspun, the colours are wonderful.
And that wheel is a piece of art! I love bulky yarns, especially handspuned! With 110 yrds you have enough to knit yourself a Winter Bliss Cowl. (But the yarn has to be soft enough to be worn against the skin.)

Barb said...

I think you've been very good this year - at least all of your blog followers think so! So...perhaps Santa will bring you that wheel. It is truly beautiful.

Spinner said...

Oh they are both lovely. I vote for fingerless gloves. Then you can look at your hands and enjoy your pretty yarn :)

Unknown said...

Love the colors in the first roving and yarn! What a delight! I would make a cowl out of it or a hat.

http://www.knittingwitholof.com/

Brandi Schoch said...

I've been doing a bunch of spinning myself lately. The artisan wheel is gorgous. Although I have to admit I'm partial to my Sequioa. I too am unsure what I'm going to make with the 8oz of one color, 2oz of another and ,1 oz of another....I guess we'll see:)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip about double marled yarns. I have been spinning painted rovings, and no matter how I try to manipulate the colors, the striping is usually a hot mess when I am through! I want to try this marling technique to get the colors balanced more evenly through the yarn. That wheel is gorgeous---if I could, I would own a whole house full of wheels.

Stefanie said...

It's so fun to read about your spinning. Now only if you could go pick out the sheep yourself and shear it yeah :O). I told my husband for my 40th I want a spinning wheel.