#handspinning — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #handspinning, aggregated by home.social.
-
This year I didn’t manage to spin every day of the Tour de Fleece, due to other obligations. But I managed to spin everything in the spinbox from @Spinspul, so now I’ve got 420 grams of Shetland/tussah silk yarn. And besides that also 300 grams of Veluws heideschaap. So all in all it’s been pretty good. #TourDeFleece2026 #HandSpinning #SpinningWheel
-
This year I didn’t manage to spin every day of the Tour de Fleece, due to other obligations. But I managed to spin everything in the spinbox from @Spinspul, so now I’ve got 420 grams of Shetland/tussah silk yarn. And besides that also 300 grams of Veluws heideschaap. So all in all it’s been pretty good. #TourDeFleece2026 #HandSpinning #SpinningWheel
-
And in less data-related activities this weekend, I finished this lovely yarn! About 4 ounces of black and gold from an art batt plus with black merino roving. Plus a bonus skein of 1.75 oz of the merino plied on itself.
I call it Golden Knights, after our local hockey team.
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 21: FIN
Busy finishing up a work project over the weekend, so I didn't take time to spin yesterday, but I did transfer the heritage sampler wool I'd spun from bobbins to balls (cakes). I also pulled the Tibetan Mastiff blends out of the freezer, hypothetical moth eggs now theoretically killed!
Here's the result of three weeks of spinning. It's an accomplishment! But also looking at all those singles waiting to be plied, so much more to do. Those cakes got pretty snarly on the inside, so I may take MORE time to split them out onto cones for plying, rather than attempting the center-pull trick.
Winding was also an opportunity to calculate yardage. From 90 and 96 for Swaledale and Jacob stripe to 128 and 163 for Black Welsh and Exmoor Horn, respectively. All from 50g samples.
I'm happy to have a bit of a break until Tour de France Femmes starts up this weekend! I'm going to keep the momentum going, though perhaps not quite as consistently as the last 3 weeks.
[Edit: I should mention that I still have 2 more white heritage breeds to spin: Wensleydale and Devon. Something else for TDFF.]
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 21: FIN
Busy finishing up a work project over the weekend, so I didn't take time to spin yesterday, but I did transfer the heritage sampler wool I'd spun from bobbins to balls (cakes). I also pulled the Tibetan Mastiff blends out of the freezer, hypothetical moth eggs now theoretically killed!
Here's the result of three weeks of spinning. It's an accomplishment! But also looking at all those singles waiting to be plied, so much more to do. Those cakes got pretty snarly on the inside, so I may take MORE time to split them out onto cones for plying, rather than attempting the center-pull trick.
Winding was also an opportunity to calculate yardage. From 90 and 96 for Swaledale and Jacob stripe to 128 and 163 for Black Welsh and Exmoor Horn, respectively. All from 50g samples.
I'm happy to have a bit of a break until Tour de France Femmes starts up this weekend! I'm going to keep the momentum going, though perhaps not quite as consistently as the last 3 weeks.
[Edit: I should mention that I still have 2 more white heritage breeds to spin: Wensleydale and Devon. Something else for TDFF.]
-
Tour de Fleece has officially ended, but I'm still in the mood for spinning, so I searched through my fiber stash and found another two of the the tops, that I've spun up here https://troet.cafe/@FanCityKnits/116764717447654787
This time I'm going to ply the two layers of each top together.
-
Tour de Fleece has officially ended, but I'm still in the mood for spinning, so I searched through my fiber stash and found another two of the the tops, that I've spun up here https://troet.cafe/@FanCityKnits/116764717447654787
This time I'm going to ply the two layers of each top together.
-
The last bobbin was Rust. Although, I think oxidised copper would be more accurate! Pure merino, lovely spin.
Final tour tally is lots ☺️ all little bobbins full - I joked at the start it would be spinning for the Tour, and plying for the Femmes, but looks like that was a good guess.
The malachite ply to free up my last two little bobbins was 200g, the sock wool on the e-wheel was 100g (started on the next 100g, but haven’t got far), and all the little bobbins were 50g samples or thereabouts.
I didn’t get through the advent samples though - I reckon I can fill those little bobbins once more as there are a couple of 100g braids in there. So it’ll be Christmas in August too.
I’ll only know distances when I get to washing all the plied ones.
-
The last bobbin was Rust. Although, I think oxidised copper would be more accurate! Pure merino, lovely spin.
Final tour tally is lots ☺️ all little bobbins full - I joked at the start it would be spinning for the Tour, and plying for the Femmes, but looks like that was a good guess.
The malachite ply to free up my last two little bobbins was 200g, the sock wool on the e-wheel was 100g (started on the next 100g, but haven’t got far), and all the little bobbins were 50g samples or thereabouts.
I didn’t get through the advent samples though - I reckon I can fill those little bobbins once more as there are a couple of 100g braids in there. So it’ll be Christmas in August too.
I’ll only know distances when I get to washing all the plied ones.
-
Filés et retordus
Les écheveaux mouillés
Dansent dans le vent#handspinning #handspun #laine #poesie #petitsbonheurs #couleurs #poesie
-
Filés et retordus
Les écheveaux mouillés
Dansent dans le vent#handspinning #handspun #laine #poesie #petitsbonheurs #couleurs #poesie
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 20
What a finish! (To the bike race, that is.) Stayed up late to watch the whole thing (recorded).
Today's spin was Black Welsh top, again 50g, on the new Fold spinner. This was a nice soft wool to spin, and behaved nicely for drafting. Again, it wanted to spin thin with a long-draw, so I slowed down (literally, about 400 rpm on the Fold) and drafted shorter lengths with more focus, albeit with mostly woolen drafting.
Fleece & Fiber emphasizes this being a rare true black, though with possible sun-bleached reddish tips, and mentions that the early name, gwlân cochddu, means red-black wool. Mine definitely had a reddish brown tint overall, but was very, very dark.
Except for stray white hairs in my top, which F&F doesn't mention, and which don't appear in the book's photos. It makes me wonder if this is variation in sheep lines or just stray fiber cross contamination during prep.
Overall, this should be a nice yarn, and a great pairing for Freya's fur (@Mehndi_tgr 's Bernese Mt. Dog), that I hope to turn to soon after finishing my heritage sheep breed sampler!
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 20
What a finish! (To the bike race, that is.) Stayed up late to watch the whole thing (recorded).
Today's spin was Black Welsh top, again 50g, on the new Fold spinner. This was a nice soft wool to spin, and behaved nicely for drafting. Again, it wanted to spin thin with a long-draw, so I slowed down (literally, about 400 rpm on the Fold) and drafted shorter lengths with more focus, albeit with mostly woolen drafting.
Fleece & Fiber emphasizes this being a rare true black, though with possible sun-bleached reddish tips, and mentions that the early name, gwlân cochddu, means red-black wool. Mine definitely had a reddish brown tint overall, but was very, very dark.
Except for stray white hairs in my top, which F&F doesn't mention, and which don't appear in the book's photos. It makes me wonder if this is variation in sheep lines or just stray fiber cross contamination during prep.
Overall, this should be a nice yarn, and a great pairing for Freya's fur (@Mehndi_tgr 's Bernese Mt. Dog), that I hope to turn to soon after finishing my heritage sheep breed sampler!
-
All three braids are spun and I plied the first two. I didn't spin as consistently as I thought, the first one is about 165 m pre washing, the other one is about 195 m - if I did my counting correctly.
And now I need a way how to chain ply without cutting into my finger. My left pointer finger has a tiny cut from pulling the loop back against the tension on lazy Kate and wheel.
-
All three braids are spun and I plied the first two. I didn't spin as consistently as I thought, the first one is about 165 m pre washing, the other one is about 195 m - if I did my counting correctly.
And now I need a way how to chain ply without cutting into my finger. My left pointer finger has a tiny cut from pulling the loop back against the tension on lazy Kate and wheel.
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 19 🧵 2/2
The Fold came just in time! I'm running out of 2 oz Nano bobbins for my heritage breed samplers!
For my first spin on the Fold I chose the Swaledale. I figured it's the fiber that I would care least about if it was a problematic learning experience. 😂 As noted in an earlier post, this is a very messy fiber, full of dark guard hairs and kemp; itchy even as top.
It actually spun up quite readily. Good grip with enough glide to take well to a woolen long-draw resulting in a relatively even gauge. But boy did it create a mess! All the kemp and short stiff bits coming out, and loose stiff ends everywhere along the yarn. I could tame things with more careful worsted drafting, but ultimately, it's not worth the effort! You spin this because you want a rustic yarn with character, not something refined and easy against the skin.
I'd previously considered combing the top to remove as much kemp as possible and create a nicer yarn, but now that I've had my hands on it, I don't think it's worth the effort! Yes, you could do this, but why? There are so many better fibers available for much less effort! If I were trapped on an island with nothing but Swaledale sheep and some combs, I might put in the effort to create a nice soft yarn for clothing, but that's about the only scenario where I could imagine doing so!
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 19 🧵 2/2
The Fold came just in time! I'm running out of 2 oz Nano bobbins for my heritage breed samplers!
For my first spin on the Fold I chose the Swaledale. I figured it's the fiber that I would care least about if it was a problematic learning experience. 😂 As noted in an earlier post, this is a very messy fiber, full of dark guard hairs and kemp; itchy even as top.
It actually spun up quite readily. Good grip with enough glide to take well to a woolen long-draw resulting in a relatively even gauge. But boy did it create a mess! All the kemp and short stiff bits coming out, and loose stiff ends everywhere along the yarn. I could tame things with more careful worsted drafting, but ultimately, it's not worth the effort! You spin this because you want a rustic yarn with character, not something refined and easy against the skin.
I'd previously considered combing the top to remove as much kemp as possible and create a nicer yarn, but now that I've had my hands on it, I don't think it's worth the effort! Yes, you could do this, but why? There are so many better fibers available for much less effort! If I were trapped on an island with nothing but Swaledale sheep and some combs, I might put in the effort to create a nice soft yarn for clothing, but that's about the only scenario where I could imagine doing so!
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 19
Belated birthday for me! The EEW Fold that I supported via Kickstarter over a year ago came in today! While the ability to fold up into a smaller package for transport is the main selling point, I'm actually interested more in the size and the mechanical improvements, including an RPM gauge. This one comes with 4 oz bobbins, which is perfect for my smaller spinning experiments, while it's a bit more robust and less finicky than the Nano.Also, the canvas bag is nice and sturdy, with an inner pocket perfect for keeping reading glasses of various strengths handy! I don't often spin on the go, but this will be perfect for a new roadtrip knitting bag!
🧵 1/2
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 19
Belated birthday for me! The EEW Fold that I supported via Kickstarter over a year ago came in today! While the ability to fold up into a smaller package for transport is the main selling point, I'm actually interested more in the size and the mechanical improvements, including an RPM gauge. This one comes with 4 oz bobbins, which is perfect for my smaller spinning experiments, while it's a bit more robust and less finicky than the Nano.Also, the canvas bag is nice and sturdy, with an inner pocket perfect for keeping reading glasses of various strengths handy! I don't often spin on the go, but this will be perfect for a new roadtrip knitting bag!
🧵 1/2
-
today's spinning for #TourDeFleece is tiny and fluffy. not going to fill up the bobbin today, or tomorrow, maybe it'll be done by the end of the month. maybe. my thighs are tired.
-
today's spinning for #TourDeFleece is tiny and fluffy. not going to fill up the bobbin today, or tomorrow, maybe it'll be done by the end of the month. maybe. my thighs are tired.
-
#TourDeFleece Stages 17 & 18
Wednesday was a wonderfully cool day, so I took the pups across the border to Wisconsin for a nice long hike, with a waterfall to splash in:
https://mountains.social/@Paws2Trail/116975338313498279I didn't do any spinning but I did give my Tibetan Mastiff blend yarns a light bake in the toaster oven (150F for 10 minutes) and then a cold plunge into the chest freezer, where they'll stay for a few days to kill off any moth eggs that might have been laid in them when I forgot them outside after dark.
Yesterday was busy with work, but I did manage to spin up 50g of Jacob "natural stripe" top from my heritage sampler set. This was also a fun, friendly wool to spin! Jacob are a spotted breed, and the top came with nice variegated stripes in it.
Initially I thought I'd draft out separate sections of black and white as I came to them, but that wasn't as easy as I'd thought. Instead, I just let the fiber come out as it wanted to, creating naturally striped singles without extra effort. Occasionally, I might pinch or twist the fiber as it came out to preserve a uniform dark or light bit on one side or the other, which helped define the stripes.
This spin seemed to go quickly compared to the previous ones. I think that because of the stripes, and my extra care in drafting (a bit more worsted than before) the singles ended up a little thicker.
-
#TourDeFleece Stages 17 & 18
Wednesday was a wonderfully cool day, so I took the pups across the border to Wisconsin for a nice long hike, with a waterfall to splash in:
https://mountains.social/@Paws2Trail/116975338313498279I didn't do any spinning but I did give my Tibetan Mastiff blend yarns a light bake in the toaster oven (150F for 10 minutes) and then a cold plunge into the chest freezer, where they'll stay for a few days to kill off any moth eggs that might have been laid in them when I forgot them outside after dark.
Yesterday was busy with work, but I did manage to spin up 50g of Jacob "natural stripe" top from my heritage sampler set. This was also a fun, friendly wool to spin! Jacob are a spotted breed, and the top came with nice variegated stripes in it.
Initially I thought I'd draft out separate sections of black and white as I came to them, but that wasn't as easy as I'd thought. Instead, I just let the fiber come out as it wanted to, creating naturally striped singles without extra effort. Occasionally, I might pinch or twist the fiber as it came out to preserve a uniform dark or light bit on one side or the other, which helped define the stripes.
This spin seemed to go quickly compared to the previous ones. I think that because of the stripes, and my extra care in drafting (a bit more worsted than before) the singles ended up a little thicker.
-
this is black welsh mountain and it's delightful. so sheepy! (it came from a sheep named Teryn in fact)
I have about 8 oz, I think if I ply it with something else I'll have enough for a vest maybe.
if I had more it would be a good rug. hmmmm. 🤔 -
this is black welsh mountain and it's delightful. so sheepy! (it came from a sheep named Teryn in fact)
I have about 8 oz, I think if I ply it with something else I'll have enough for a vest maybe.
if I had more it would be a good rug. hmmmm. 🤔 -
the argument started when some dumb muppet on reddit decided that my lovely bouclé skein from a couple days ago was actually "picture perfect bubble crepe" when no. it isn't. I didn't learn to corespin and spiral ply for people to go around calling my shit "bubble crepe"
-
the argument started when some dumb muppet on reddit decided that my lovely bouclé skein from a couple days ago was actually "picture perfect bubble crepe" when no. it isn't. I didn't learn to corespin and spiral ply for people to go around calling my shit "bubble crepe"
-
today's #TourDeFleece is powered entirely by spite and a desire to win an argument on the internet. this is Bubble Crepe (not to be confused with Bouclé)
-
today's #TourDeFleece is powered entirely by spite and a desire to win an argument on the internet. this is Bubble Crepe (not to be confused with Bouclé)
-
Two more this morning. Both on one day as I’ve spun them before. Mardi Gras and Malachite.
Both without labels in their sample bags though (I must have lost them when I packed them up into the advent calendar).Merino, bamboo silk mixes, with the green Malachite having some extra slippery tencel or the like.
-
#TourDeFleece another skein finished. they go so fast when they're big and chunky like this!
When I was spinning it, there was a lot of purple throughout the fiber even though the overall color is blue-green. I had the exact same purple in my weaving stash and everything just kind of came together like magic. ✨
-
#TourDeFleece another skein finished. they go so fast when they're big and chunky like this!
When I was spinning it, there was a lot of purple throughout the fiber even though the overall color is blue-green. I had the exact same purple in my weaving stash and everything just kind of came together like magic. ✨
-
First bobbin of singles filled, first braid spun up.
It's surprising how much faster a bobbin fills when you don't try to spin as done as possible (which is my default most of the time).
The fiber drafts like a dream - BFL is a great breed.
-
First bobbin of singles filled, first braid spun up.
It's surprising how much faster a bobbin fills when you don't try to spin as done as possible (which is my default most of the time).
The fiber drafts like a dream - BFL is a great breed.
-
RE: https://sunny.garden/@Paws2Spindle/116961470705350878
Question for fiber folks about moths:
Last night, I forgot I had these skeins out drying until after dark. When I went to bring them in, a moth flew up from one of the skeins. These are a blend of wool and dog fur.
Should I be worried that the moth might have laid eggs in the yarn? Should I throw them in the freezer or do something more drastic? I'm keeping them well separate from the rest of my stash for now.
-
RE: https://sunny.garden/@Paws2Spindle/116961470705350878
Question for fiber folks about moths:
Last night, I forgot I had these skeins out drying until after dark. When I went to bring them in, a moth flew up from one of the skeins. These are a blend of wool and dog fur.
Should I be worried that the moth might have laid eggs in the yarn? Should I throw them in the freezer or do something more drastic? I'm keeping them well separate from the rest of my stash for now.
-
not going to spin into the wee hours today, because it's Hot. and I'm Tired. so I'll finish this bobbin tomorrow and then I'll decide how to ply it - right now I'm thinking maybe a bubble crepe.
this colorway is called Abalone and it's very pretty.
-
not going to spin into the wee hours today, because it's Hot. and I'm Tired. so I'll finish this bobbin tomorrow and then I'll decide how to ply it - right now I'm thinking maybe a bubble crepe.
this colorway is called Abalone and it's very pretty.
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 16
Gave the Tibetan Mastiff/merino blends a wash in doggy shampoo. Forgot to give them a thwack! I usually don't with fur, but wonder if it might be good to do with the blends.
Tonight's heritage blend: 50g of Manx Loaghtan top, a breed from the Isle of Man that almost went extinct. According to Fleece & Fiber, originally, brown was a rare color, but was selected for during its recovery and is the predominant color now. It's mostly a meat breed, but has a soft fleece (which I can confirm! It was light and soft!), "a relatively soft fiber with an exceptional amount of bounce, a quality that can be maximized through woolen-style preparation and spinning."
I enjoyed spinning it woolen long-draw style. My camera doesn't quite capture the sandy/mousy brown correctly. I can see why F&F concludes, "Unusual color and softness. Should be better known than it is, because of its resilience and all-around appealing character."
-
#TourDeFleece Stage 16
Gave the Tibetan Mastiff/merino blends a wash in doggy shampoo. Forgot to give them a thwack! I usually don't with fur, but wonder if it might be good to do with the blends.
Tonight's heritage blend: 50g of Manx Loaghtan top, a breed from the Isle of Man that almost went extinct. According to Fleece & Fiber, originally, brown was a rare color, but was selected for during its recovery and is the predominant color now. It's mostly a meat breed, but has a soft fleece (which I can confirm! It was light and soft!), "a relatively soft fiber with an exceptional amount of bounce, a quality that can be maximized through woolen-style preparation and spinning."
I enjoyed spinning it woolen long-draw style. My camera doesn't quite capture the sandy/mousy brown correctly. I can see why F&F concludes, "Unusual color and softness. Should be better known than it is, because of its resilience and all-around appealing character."
-
Tour de fleece part 3
3 braids of Bluefaced Leicester, I'm spinning it a bit thicker than usual and then chain ply to keep the color sequences.
At least that's the plan.
@fiberarts @handspinning #tourDeFleece2026 #handspinning #fiberarts