Collage of Handblended Wool Fiber

Collage of Handblended Wool Fiber, originally uploaded by confections.

Here is some of the harvest of my hackle-blending of wool fiber over the last week or so. I've only spun up a few sample skeins so far, but will post them as they materialize.

I had issues with my computer browser for several days this week; it's not completely fixed--I've switched from Firefox to Internet Explorer temporarily until it is all sorted out. I have concluded that I am addicted to my internet connection.... And that's a good thing, right?

Handblended Fiber & Handspun Yarn

Handblended Fiber & Handspun Yarn, originally uploaded by confections.

I've been custom blending wool on my hackle for spinning this week. The original seller of the hackle I purchased on Etsy has none available at this time, but CatskillMtnFibers has a beautiful hackle in stock now in her shop.

Pictured here is some yarn I handspun from the handblended roving in the background. The twist has not been set on this skein, so it's still a bit wiry, but it will relax once it has been washed and allowed to air dry.

I used hand-dyed Targhee and Romney wools, a bit of mohair, and quite a bit of Angelina fiber for flash. Once the fibers were loaded onto the hackle, they were pulled off using a diz to create a roving ready to spin.

Over the weekend, I visited one of my favorite fabric stores which has a good supply of crimped Angelina. I've added some new colors to my stash and look forward to blending additional rovings.

Seascape Roving Hand-Blended with My New Hackle

Seascape Roving (Four), originally uploaded by confections.

Here is my first roving hand-blended with my new hackle from fiberwish/punkie doodle do of Etsy.com.

I used some of the fiber and flash included in my order and added in the hand-dyed turquoise Blue Face Leicester from my stash.

This was a great exercise in instant gratification. I still do plan to own a drumcarder one day, but in the meantime, my hackle and handcards will keep me busy creating new blends of fiber and color.

Needlefelted Daisy Collage

Needlefelted Daisy Collage, originally uploaded by confections.

I needlefelted this daisy using a Clover applique mold. The fiber is hand-dyed Targhee wool by Susan's Spinning Bunny--the green leaves from her Clematis colorway, the flower from her Fruit Salad colorway. I hand-blended the colors using my new Indigo Hound Round-II-It hackle.

Pink Polka Dot Latte Ragamuffin Handspun Yarn

Pink Polka Dot Latte Ragamuffin Handspun Yarn, originally uploaded by confections.

I have had a little "away time" from my blog, but I've been busy in my fiberarts studio, organizing and spinning and dreaming.

Ten pounds of wool and mohair fiber arrived on my doorstep earlier this week and I have been gearing up to dye and spin much of it this month.

My new Indigo Hound Round-II-It hackle is here, too, and I can't wait to color blend some roving with it. I was inspired by Deb Menz's book Color in Spinning to purchase the hackle and experiment with this new tool.

I will have family visiting this month and next, so there will be lots of excursions to out-of-the-way places that we only seem to explore when visitors come to town. More on those adventures as they occur!