spinning natural fibres
I love to spin – anything that is fibre-y – except cat hair, after 20 minutes I can’t breathe
top is spindle spun cotton plyed with reeled silk and below is a silk/camel blend
most of my yarn is 2 ply, it is good for warp and it takes longer which slows down the production (good in my case )
also it wears well both for knitting and weaving
there are baskets, drawers and cupboards full of handspun
it even ends up in the deep freeze during moth season
due to the irregularity in the cotton and the extreme fineness of the silk the yarn has a nice texture
the silk/camel is my favorite blend – it is soft and light – easy to spin – and just plain gorgeous
the colours are difficult to capture in the winter light
this is my third year using materials from my stash – friendly people keep adding to it!
I’ve knitted this bag before, from a pattern in Interweave Press magazine FELT 2008
knit from small amounts of leftover yarns, the white is the scratchy llama
it is topped dyed and fulled (felted), then lined with something pretty
I’ll keep you posted
There must be something about the turn of the new year, spinnining is on the mind. Beautiful.
Ah, your handspun is so warm. I love the way the silk adds sparkle and shine to the cotton.
Kristin – thanks, I like that blend, too
Renee – I think it must be the weather/time of year
these look very yummy. I like the pearl-y structure of cotton-silk. Do you blend your camel-silk yourself? I never tried to spin silk – what would be the easiest form of silk fiber to start with?
Alfia – I buy the silk/camel already blended. start with a silk roving or sliver, it depends on what you are spinning it on (wheel or spindle) silk can be very slippery, some people find spinning a blend is easier.
Thank you, Jean!
i am struggling with suri alpaka on my wheel, i wonder if there is anything more slippery than that…
Alfia – oh, yes because the structure is different and individual fibres are very slippery.
i had so much stash once that i had it too long and guess who moved in and ate their way through. it was horrible. i love the texture of the cotton/silk. the bag is lovely.
Velma – I’m not big on killing creatures, but moths are an exception. If they move in on a spinner it’s their karma!
the cotton silk gets my vote
Neki – it’s the one with the looks but the silk/camel feels like a cloud.
I can’t imagine a more peaceful pursuit on a chilly night than spinning such beautiful fibres.
Lorrie – I think it might cure many of humanities ills if more folks just sat by the fire and spun.
I agree, wholeheartedly.
Kristin –