Tuesday 22 June 2021

Learning a New Skill

Tatting has taken a bit of a backseat lately.  That's because about three weeks ago, I was given two fleeces by a local farmer friend.  I'd always wanted to try to make my own wool and there was my chance!

We went to watch him shear his sheep and then I walked away with two giant bags of raw wool.




This is the raw fleece above and below is what it looks like after washing.
It's surprising how much whiter it is after one wash.


Next I needed to learn carding so I purchased myself two carders and started to learn how to make rolags.


And then on to spinning!  Sadly I do not own a spinning wheel (a dream for one day) so I started with a homemade drop spindle.  I won't show you version one which didn't work very well but version two, made with two CDs , a cork, a homemade hook and a stick works a treat!  It spins really well and I even got the hang of the "thigh roll" which makes continuous spinning easier.



I then spun two plies together to make my very first quantity of 2 ply knitting wool!
Here it is photographed on top of the raw fleece
so you can see the difference in colour.



And finally,
I knitted a tiny bag with my first small ball of wool.


From sheep to knitting.
I really enjoyed the whole process.

I've got loads to learn still but I now plan on spinning as much of the fleece as I can (some bits are not as good as others which is something I need to learn how to identify) with the goal of making a whole jumper with wool I've spun myself.  I have now purchased a very tiny electric spinning wheel to speed up the process - although I do enjoy the experience of spinning with a drop spindle.  It was the cheapest wheel I could find and also the smallest but it works very well although it does mean the bobbins are not huge so I can only make about 25-30 grams of 2 ply at a time.

I'm making progress!



My fourth skein is currently drying.  Now I need to figure out what size my wool is but I'm guessing something in between a DK and an Aran size.  There is also the difficulty of trying to be consistent when spinning so your wool is all approximately the same size... not easy!

So that's what's kept me busy lately.

Best wishes,
Frivole

24 comments:

  1. Gosh! You've gone at this with gusto! Your yarn looks beautiful! You'll love knitting with it. Your little bag is gorgeous too. Happy spinning, happy knitting!

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  2. You are quite amazing 😍

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    1. Thank you Muskaan! Always a lot of fun learning something new. :-)

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  3. Oh wow, super excited to see a new spinner. Your work is really good, congratulations. I do have a scarf I knitted with wool I spun on a spindle and I really like the idea of a spindle, but I do do most of my spinning on a wheel. As with knitting, I really like the simplicity of a spindle. Beautiful fleeces.

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    1. You're a spinner Jane? What type of wheel to you use? I wish I knew someone locally who spins as I have so many questions!

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  4. Good for you! My oldest daughter has my spinning wheel. I just didn't spend the time with it that was necessary for learning to spin. I do pull out one of my drop spindles every once in a while. I find them much easier to manipulate. However, I've never spun enough wool to knit a project. I look forward to seeing what else you make with your home-spun wool!

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    1. Hi Diane, is your daughter using your wheel? I do like the drop spindle very much and might eventually treat myself to a "real" one though my home-made version works well (if not pretty!).

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  5. Looks like you are learning well!! :)

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    1. Thank you Sue, there is much to learn! :-)

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  6. You are living my dream! Is there still lanolin in the wool? That would make it somewhat waterproof!

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    1. Aw thanks Steph! It's something I'd wanted to try for a long time so I'm pleased to finally get the chance. I can't really tell how much lanolin is left but I try to wash with the minimum amount of soap just to get some of the mud off.

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  7. If only you lived closer I would give you my spinning wheel. Love the work you have done.

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    1. If I lived closer, you'd "give" me your spinning wheel Bernice?? Oh my gosh, I'm moving house!! :-))

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    2. It is just collecting dust here and should go to a new home.

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    3. Well, in that case, I really do wish I lived closer as I'd happily give your wheel a new home! :-)

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  8. Toll gemacht Joelle. Vor allem deine Begeisterung für das Spinnen.
    Auch ich hatte mich mal für das Spinnen interessiert. Leider ist es dann im Sand verlaufen.
    Ich wünsche dir viel Erfolg für dein neues Hobby. Es ist schön, mal was Neues aus zu probieren

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    1. Thank you Johanna. Did you try a spinning wheel?

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  9. Lovely, One of my wish list is making something like this. Congratulations 🎉

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    1. Thank you Alejandra, I hope you get to give it a try too! :-)

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  10. Thats one skill I have not tried, although theres a spinning wheel shop in Wells and I have looked at the spinning wheels, I have not got down that road yet.
    I do admire you for having a go and so far I think you are doing a great job. well done

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    1. Thank you Margaret. Yes, spinning wheels are tempting so I'm trying to keep my eyes closed! :-)

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  11. I wondered why you had gone quiet on your blog Joelle! Well done, another string to your bow. I'm racking my brains to think whether any of the many craft friends I have met over the years has ever mentioned that they do spinning. One person who may have dabbled is Margaret Flux in Bristol, as she has tried so many different crafts. If she hasn't tried spinning herself, she may know someone who has and can help with your questions. I owe her a phone call, so I'll give her a ring.

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  12. Wow it's fascinating, from sheep to knitting! Brava! I've met ladies that follow the same journey, here in Italy, but I've never been attracted so that to try myself at it.

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