Preparing to Weave (Wrapped Yarns)

Preparing to Weave (Wrapped Yarns), originally uploaded by confections.

A group of yarns--some handpainted, a number handspun--wrapped and up on my inspiration board. I'm about to warp one of my looms for a late fall project.

Handspun Yarn on the Lendrum Bobbin

Handspun Yarn on the Lendrum Bobbin, originally uploaded by confections.

I had two small batts (1.75 oz. total) from terrabellaspun in my stash that were begging to be spun. Here is the result.

The skein will be plied with a thread to become a balanced two-ply yarn. I'm not sure yet if I will knit it up, but I'm considering a small amulet bag.

My Very First Skein of Wheel-Spun Wool

My Very First Skein of Wheel-Spun Wool, originally uploaded by confections.

This skein was spun on a Louet S-10 spinning wheel at a class at the Black Sheep in Encinitas, California, circa 1989. For a number of years I had been spinning with a hand spindle. In 1995 I traded a Bond Knitting Frame for a Lendrum spinning wheel, my faithful Rapunzel.

At about the same time, I took up quilting in earnest, so Rapunzel languished near the fireplace for many moons. Eventually I joined local guilds and enrolled in a series of spinning and weaving classes and haven't stopped spinning since. It's a constant joy in my life.

Still Life with Handspun Yarn Skein

Still Life with Handspun Yarn Skein, originally uploaded by confections.

One of the last bouquets of autumn sunflowers reminded me of this Navajo-plied handspun, hand-dyed skein of merino wool and I had to photograph the still life.

The merino wool was Ball jar-dyed a few weeks ago as part of my ongoing experiments in handpainting and hand-dyeing fiber and yarn.

I'm busy packing for a getaway with family, so my posts may be sparse over the next few days. Happy Autumn (and Happy Spring to those in the Southern Hemisphere)!

Handspun Blue Face Leicester Wool Yarn with Angelina Fiber and Cotton

Handspun Blue Face Leicester Wool Yarn with Angelina Fiber and Cotton Binding Thread, originally uploaded by confections.

I spun this yarn from roving handpainted by Lori Lawson a few years back and gave it to my mother-in-law who took a shine to it. She suffers from a form of senile dementia and is in a nursing home. Periodically, I would take my spinning wheel to the private home where she was living and spin some fiber. The tactile quality of the wool and the colors and sparkle of the angelina delighted my mother-in-law. I hope in some small way it brings her comfort.

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.