More sorting

Today, I finally completed the sorting process. I have some interesting observations:
1. I was able to use the wool grading examples I created when I took the judges seminar at the Maryland Wool and Sheep festival. It was neat to trust my hands and eyes. I think I have enough of fine, medium and coarse to complete the study.
2. Although Aurora is single coated, there were some places (see just behind her neck in photo and near her britch area) that had much longer locks along with the shorter ones. (dual coated?). She is 7 years old and i know fleeces change with age. It is still a beautiful fleece and I love working with it.
3. The is a great variety of length, crimp and color. I hope I can use the natural colors for the jumper pattern and the weaving.

Moving Forward

Well, it's been a while since I've visited here. Saturday we sheared the Shetlands and I have the fleece I am going to use for the IDS. The ewe's name is Can Too Aurora and there is a story about her that I will tell at a later time. I AM very excited about her fleece and know that it will work for this study.

October 31, 2011

I wish I knew what I were doing.
I decided to review spinning so that I can spin nice yarns. I started with some Shetland roving and have been working on medium-fine grist and a soft hand. As I was spinning, I thought about everything else I need to do for this study. I am going to make a list and start working through it even as I continue to work on my spinning. It feels good to be back working towards a goal again.

Spun today: brown Shetland roving commercially prepared, divided, etenuated and spun modified long draw to a 12 count at 21 wpi, but I think I'll want a bit finer, maybe 26ish.

Pause

Well, as fate would have it, I broke my leg in August and haven't been able to spin. Boot is off and I am beginning to walk, run, and get into all sorts of trouble. :-)
The good news is that I will be back at the wheel again. HOORAY!!!!

Organizing

Spent the last two day thinking; sometimes a good thing sometimes not. I have come up with a plan; using a fleece that is similar to the one I will use for the project, I will practice the preparation and spinning to see which I like best. I am starting with the finest; preparation to be determined after trial and error. The goal is to produce a yarn that will be sucessful for very fine lace; not too fuzzy and smoothe. Neck fleece from two ewes washed for the first attempts.

Day 1 IDS

WOW! I really am going to do this. OKay, first i need to work on improving my spinning so that it is more consistent for each method.
1. scarf: Worsted preparation? or woolen?  spin Very fine- not too much bounce
2. Jumper: woolen preparation and spun worsted?  worsted preparation and spun woolen? Experiment
3. Weaving: worsted preparation and spinning. (easiest- save for last.)

Find a fleece that is similar to the one i want to use and practice with it.  Save chosen fleece for samples and projects.