It did not take me long at all to finish up the cram-pot/mawata silk project. The entire time I was plying, knowing full well I would have more merino singles than silk, I was saying to myself “Whatever shall I do if I don’t have enough mawata silk singles? Purchase and dye more?!?!”
Then, after a time, I decided I’d be ok with having 400 yards of this yarn. So, if I was able to just get 400 yards out of the spin, I’d be satisfied and not purchase more silk. I mean, easter egg dyes are a little tough to come by this time of year.
But, once done, I counted yardage and realized I’d blown past that 400 yard goal in spades! I ended up with 545 yards of 2 ply laceweight.
It’s perfectly rustic and absolutely beautiful. I cannot WAIT to work with it, TRULY. It’ll be the next thing to be knit for sure. Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish up the two items I’ve got on the needles before I commit to this one. But, I am thinking another Lintilla shawlette may be in order. Something that will show off this gorgeous yarn, and something I adore knitting, and something I adore wearing. This is mine, ALL MINE!
But-I’ve got to get through the end of TdF first, right? I may only have a few days left, but I do intend to use them wisely. I’ve pulled out my largest fleece. It’s washed and washed well because I did the job, but it’s not processed.
It’s the one in the top bag of the picture above.
So, for this one, I need to flick card the fleece and then spin those locks. There’s some vegetable matter in these locks, but nothing too out of control. The fleece otherwise looks like it’s in great shape. It’s not the softest wool, but that I don’t mind either. I think it’s corriedale from what I remember.
I plan to spin this on spindles and on the wheel, and I am going to create a 3 ply yarn. I’ll just flick card some, get those locks spun, and get back to flick carding.
It looks like it might even be nice enough to sit outside later this week while working on the flick carding. Always a bonus when all that VM can just land outdoors instead of inside where I have to vacuum it.
I am eager to see how far I can get with the fleece before TdF ends. But, to be perfectly honest I am well aware that fleeces seem to expand on contact. I’ll flick card and flick card, filling a bag with flick carded locks, and another bag with wool that is just waste, and it won’t even look like I touched the original fleece. But, the proof will be in the singles I suppose.
And, that’s it from here for a TdF update! It’ll be pretty boring after awhile while I am working on the fleece, but hopefully, I’ll have plenty of other things to write about and take photos of.
Suzy Sells Sea Shells 
That two-ply yarn is gorgeous and will look fantastic in a Lintilla.
It’s so amazing you create your own silk yarn that is that beautiful!
OMG, it is so pretty! You have outdone yourself! And did you run short on the silk? You could just ply the remaining merino on itself and be done with it, of course, but I suspect you will be more creative than that.
I have done the crazy TDF thing. I might spin more this week, but the race is over for me. I spun on team Three Waters Farm, and I ran out! I didn’t expect to get this far this year, so I thought I had enough. I went through stash today though and found my next spinning things, so the wheel won’t feel sad.
I will love watching you process and spin the fleece, I haven’t braved that yet.
I ran short on the silk, but with 545 yards I am not feeling too upset about it. I’ll just keep the remaining singles for now and see if I need them for something else.
If you ever brave a fleece, my advice is simply one fleece at a time. Don’t ever decide you love processing fleece and then bring multiples into the home. I think this is what has really significantly destroyed my enjoyment of it. I have processed 4 total (including current project) but only two of those were fully spun. I have two more with leftover fiber in stash. And another couple of partial fleeces where I’ve done nothing but wash them. Fleeces are so easily overwhelming that it’s just better to do one at a time and that’s all I’ll ever take on from here on out.
That is good advice!!! I am a bit leery about it, it seems like it could be overwhelming. ThoughI had a dream about some combs my LYS has on sale, I think I will resist.
Beautiful yarn. Im thinking of taking a bowl spinning class again. Just for fun. Yours is so lovely. We are hoping for thunderstorms tonight. THings are getting dry again. Hmmmmmm, maybe I’ll ask for a lesson for my birthday