Scarf update and more

I am more than halfway through the weaving of the second scarf. I love the different subtle color variations of the homespun. I should be finishing this scarf soon.

So of course the next project is ready for the warping board. Yes, another set of scarves. The warp is black Deerfield Valley yarn (80% alpaca; 20% silk). The weft is more handspun – a green blue variated. I think I’ll weave plain weave again. Can’t have too many scarves, right?

(Added note: I had considerable loom waste with this set of scarves so I am shortening the warp length for the next set!)

I am spinning right along with the wool from the Fair. It has some alpaca in it because of the luster and softness. I have to admit, I love the Louet’s ease in treadling and speed. It took me a bit to get reacquainted after the slow measured treadling of the Beauty.

I may not be posting a lot these days but I am still deep into fiber! My sister and I are waiting very impatiently for our alpaca fleece from the Fiber Revival to be returned to us cleaned and ready to spin. I’m not sure what or why the delay but we’re going on almost 2 months.

And I can’t believe it’s November!

Finishing the cleaning of the fleece

This morning, I am washing the last of the fleece. This has taken quite a while!

I have carded a bunch into rolags. My rolags are short and squat. I am rolling them with the short length of what I have carded.

I spun up a bobbin of the fiber and last night, I plied with another fiber. I’ll wash that today and see how it looks. Plying on the Beauty went easily actually. She is still slow and she peddles harder than the Louet. It takes more effort.

I have a few days off and my attention will turn toward my weaving. I have finished 4 facecloths. I think I may have two more to go.

I also need to think about what goes on the loom next! It would be easy to do another set of scarves. But maybe I want to do something a little different. I have to work on that in the next couple of days.

So hurrah for time off!

Spinning the fiber

I sat down just now to see how spinning the fiber was. This is the fiber from the fleece which we bought at the Commonground Fair. I have cleaned, washed, and carded it. Now spun it and it was fine! I was a little nervous – would it be a total disaster? But it spins nice, a touch of luster. So I think I will be spinning up a bunch and then carding the next bunch.

I’m really not sure I want to spend this kind of time. A friend and I talked today and she wisely said you have to choose what you do want to spend your time on because you probably don’t have time for everything!

Fleece update

I am still washing the fleece – I have one more bunch to do and then at least it will clean and ready.

I’m going to spin some up today to see how it is.

And I haven’t forgotten my face cloths on the loom!

How did the days get so busy suddenly?

Washing the fleece

We did get instruction at the Fair on how to do this but I thought I would google this as well. Oh my! There are many different approaches – every person seemed to have a different method! One thing is for sure, don’t agitate! don’t let the water run on the fleece!

I have done two bunches – they are air-drying upstairs. They don’t seem to have felted! and the really sheepy smell is gone.

I think I have done maybe a fourth or a third of the fleece.