MG: next?

my Ashford Joy rental time is over again, but i spun up more bluefaced leicester and jacob sheep while the wheel was visiting. i have some thin bluefaced singles and some thick-and-thin jacob sheep, also singles.


i also have some 100% hemp, which i found hard to draft. it felt both slick and sticky. either a bunch of fibers pulled out of my hands or the yarn fell apart. i think it probably needs a lot more twist than i expect. it took a while to get a feel for the hemp, and even then the singles were full of weak spots.

the fibers are straight and rigid in comparison to wool, and i didn't like the way the ends protruded from the singles. it looked messy rather than comfily fuzzy. after najavo-plying though, the yarn dramatically improved. here is my itty-bitty hank.


my yarns are looking pretty boring, aren't they? i need to start dyeing. knitting is at a lull. i started a sheer cardigan with KnitPicks' Alpaca Cloud in Iris. this is a sleeve (140 rows!):


i love this yarn. it's really soft, and the color has a lovely depth. but i'm now in ohio, where the weather is a bit warm for me; so, i left the cardigan behind and am looking for more summery projects.

i have lovely cotton yarns but haven't been able to decide on a project. lacy top? or this Phildar wrap tank that Knitalicious is about to start? or the sundress in this summer's interweave? or a cap-sleeve raglan?

added later: my heart and thoughts are with those of you in London. Yarn Harlot posted quotations in which i found hope and comfort on a day like this.

MG: more spinning

in the midst of my spinning fervor, i neglected to say what i was actually spinning. it's bluefaced leicester (pronounced like lester... esther; pester; tester) wool. Claudia starts her beginners on this fiber. it's soft and easy to draft; i love it. i have singles and more 2-ply to show you:


remember Stumpy the Jacob Sheep? Kitty Kitty fell in love with him at Maryland Sheep and Wool, brought home roving as a memento, and generously sent some to me. i spun up some singles--between fingering and lace weight, i think. the yarn looks funny and kinked and curly even after a wash (sets the twist), but it seems to knit up fine:


there is more swatching around here. in response to my last post, Andrea and someone who wished to remain anonymous gave me great inputs on using these first yarns i'm spinning. thank you! thanks to their suggestions, i'm now pondering designs for a chunky sweater with dropped stitches. here is my bluefaced leicester yarn in 1x1 ribbing, stocking stitch, and garter stitch with a column of dropped stitches:


i had to give the wheel back this past week, so this ends my spinning adventures for a little while. :(