Margaret Miller

Really can't remember when I finished this - quite a few weeks ago because it's been sitting around reminding me to finish it for a long time. Thinking about a pattern at the moment. The yarn is 11 or 12 wpi which is supposed to be 8 to 10 ply. There's 266m. I still think it might irritate a sensitive neck so I'm still opting for a shawl (small), but it has to be something to knit watching TV as that is the only time I can devote to it. This is it  as a pattern This is it  on Ravelry Might start knitting tonight.

I did it on the machine rather than by hand! It took about an hour. I split the two batches into 8 pieces and put four of each into each batt - ie 2 batts. Then I split each batt in half and re-carded a half from each into a new batt - still 2 batts. It has come out a lot softer than the original - quite fly-away, too. Again, pictures to follow once the Exhibition has opened if I can wait that long!.

I received my package some time ago but had to put it aside because of all the other stuff happening "right now".  Why did I ever agree to do this? There was some wool tops which looked and felt very compacted and some  silk which was ever so lovely. What to do with it? Have to aerate the tops so I decided to card it all as even a predraft felt rough to my skin. Then the silk - I contemplated spinning it separately and the using it as an autowrap as I spun the wool. I sat on this thought for some weeks but nothing happened. Decision time came today and I'm not feeling all that well so I've decided to simply card the two together in the hope that the silk will mask the (to my hands) the harsh feel of the wool. Hopefully, too, the wool will soften with a wash - sometimes I think that whatever the mills put into these tops to assist the machining really makes them feel awful. Photos of the process steps will be added after the date due in July The...

I have been asked to compare and obtain a commercial equivalents to the handspun (based on wpi). The only one I have which is close is Opal sock wool. The recommended needle size for this yarn is 2.5. On the assumption that socks are normally knitted tighter than other garments I am choosing to do the three swatch sizes in 2.25, 2.75 and 3.25. Using a fine X-breed from Ringrove, handcarded and spun longdraw.

I have been watching Abby Franquemont's Drafting: The long and Short of it  DVD as well as Mabel Ross's  Handspinning: Advanced Techniques  video to try to get a grip on the subtle variations in ways of doing long draw. It seems to me that a true woollen long draw has to be done one-handed as this would have been how wool was spun on Great or Wool Wheels. The use of the second hand may have come about when rolags/rovings were spun on flyer/flax wheels. Possibly because spinners were so used to using both hands that they couldn't help themselves or that the support hand added extra stability for the yarn when the fibre hand draws back. (Why doesn't a Wool Wheel need this? Is it something to do with the direct drive spindle mechanism?) I think I will also dig out a variety of reference books (old and new) to see if they can help clarify things.

We went geocaching today down the Channel way today, trying to find a spot to place our own very first cache. This photo was taken at a small marine reserve lots of kelp apparently and lots of red things if the information signs are right. Two snorkelers emerged while we were there.

Hand dyed, handspun Superfine Tasmanian merino wool(15microns!) this means it is very soft and snuggly next to the skin. A thick and thin yarn plied with the Navajo Technique to emphasise the texture. 7 wpi or approx 12 ply/bulky yarn There are two skeins for sale - so thick and soft I filled two bobbins on my Majacraft Rose Spinning Wheel. If bought separately there is enough to complement another yarn as a highlight. If bought together you could make a cowl or even a cloche. Skein 1: 90gms and 53m for $15 + pp Skein 2: 63gms and 36m for $10 + pp Of course, if you buy both then the postage will be combined. As usual contact me through email or Ravelry.