Ragamuffin Skeins All in a Row

Ragamuffin Handspun Cotton Rag Yarn (2), originally uploaded by stelladanza's confections.

I took advantage of the recent hot Santa Ana weather in San Diego and set the twist of several dozen skeins of handspun Ragamuffin yarn. I'm using some of it to make wreaths for a local craft show in a few weeks.

"Setting the twist" of a handspun yarn can be accomplished by steaming, but more commonly it is done by washing and drying the newly spun yarn once it has been secured with ties into a loose skein form.

I wash the Ragamuffin yarn by hand in a small wash tub like the ones my grandmothers and great-grandmothers used. Next I feed each skein through a hand-wringer to remove the rinse water.

One of my dearest friends (who loves hand-laundering) encouraged me to buy the hand-wringer from the Lehman's catalog a few years ago. It has been an indispensable tool in the making of my Ragamuffin yarn.

I had experimented with washing and drying the skeins in a conventional washer and dryer. The result: too many tangles. The old way, in this case, is the better way.

The whole process of handwashing, wringing, and hanging the yarn out on the clothesline to dry is meditative. I find myself slowing down and reflecting on my foremothers and their graceful dance of daily tasks.

Ragamuffin Yarn

Ragamuffin Yarn, originally uploaded by confections.

I've been busy lately dyeing and spinning fiber, as well as my signature premium cotton rag yarn, Ragamuffin. Spring always seems to open up new possibilities, and to my mind, is the real beginning of the new year. Cheers to the joys of spring!

Ragamuffin of the Day

 

I've been preparing and spinning lots of Ragamuffin yarn this week, some of it from my new "Chiffon" line of true rag yarn with knots and tails and all. More on that later this week.

I love the soft hand of this "Allspice Tapestry" print by Joanna Figueroa; it knits up beautifully on size 11 to 13 needles (or larger if you want a looser look). One skein would make a great coffee cozy or protective iPod case.

New Stash Fabrics (2)

New Stash Fabrics (2), originally uploaded by confections.

Here are the latest additions to my ever-growing stash of quilt fabrics, purchased at the San Diego Quilt Show which took place from September 17 - 19th, 2009.

Most of these are one-yard pieces or fat quarters. They are destined to be incorporated into some new projects, including quilts, handspun Ragamuffin yarn, and yo-yo's. Fall projects aplenty!