Day 21 Tour De Fleece 2011 - Challenge Day

Today I was in the saddle early, I have had great fun spinning 200g  lumpy bumpy 'Art Style' Batts from YummyYarnsUK.  I purchased these batts to take part in a 'Spin Along' with the 'Yummy Yarns Group'.  I have really enjoyed spinning them today and they are really bringing me much joy seeing them dangling on the washing line to set the twist in these low twist singles.  These really are my kind of yarn!  I have four skeins out of 200g with about 30m, 20y of yarn in each skein.  I love very chunky crochet and I can see chunky 'Freeform' crochet hats on the horizon.  It has been a liberating experience after trying to spin fine, even yarns to embrace each lump and bump.  I practiced slubs and shoved more through my Orifice than I thought my little wheel could cope with.  (Yes Orifice is an official spinning term!  I will let you have a little snigger though.)  I also emptied four bobbins by Navajo plying all my left over yarns, that has been good practice.  I may chill out tonight with a bit more crochet on the 'Saggy Bottomed Bag'.

Day 20 Tour De Fleece 2011 - Navajo plied Yak Yarn

I did it, I did it!  I managed to Navajo ply.  I have managed this new to me method, by no means have I mastered it but I have managed to Navajo ply.  I understand the principal, it would be great when I have practiced more and can manage a nice even ply.  Navajo is a method of ply from a single bobbin.  You make a large, long slip knot and work a kind of extended finger knit chain with spin to ply, if you google it or search Youtube you can easily find tutorials explaining far more succinctly than I can manage.  The resulting yarn is a three ply.  I love Yak yarn and would really like to make a big project in this fibre or just buy a Yak hair cardigan.    

Tour De Fleece Day 18 - Yak

Today I have spun my first ever Yak hair, courtesy of handspinner.co.uk.  Tomorrow I will probably go out to work covered in dark brown fluff.  I think I may be slightly allergic to yak!  I mean how would you ever know?  My nose is tickling, itchy and hot and my eyes are itchy but I love Yak fibre.  It is a treat to spin and makes a lovely soft, smooth yarn.  It feels like very soft, silky wool.

  I think knitted Yak knickers may catch on!  Mind you could be problematic with an allergy!  Bed socks would be luxurious.

Camel - Tour de Fleece 2011 Day 15

I have to own up to having a 'Tour de Fleece' Puncture on Friday.  I think Birthday's and a busy week caught up with me.  Henry had a good last day of work experience for his birthday and then he requested a Barbecue at my parents.  Henry is somewhat of a food connoisseur and likes to try new (to him) foods Oysters, Octopus, Lobster, Rabbit etc.  He has quite adventurous taste.  He had requested 'T Bone Steak - Rare'.  My Dad bought him a whopping 'Black Welsh' beef steak.  Henry really enjoyed it.  So all the frivolities meant I got a bit off track.   Never mind I am back in the saddle and ready to attempt to spin everyday again until the 22nd July.

Day 15's attempt was something new to me.  Camel!  I never used to be a Yarn snob.  However I can see myself getting that way if I'm not careful.  Shiela at Handspinner.co.uk had a very generous offer in June, for subscribers to her Newsletter.  She sent out a Fibre Selection.  The fibres were Camel - Natural 'White' Tops, Angora Rabbit - Natural white, Cashmere Tops - Natural white, Baby Alpaca - Natural white, Kid Mohair 'Super Grade' - Natural white and 'Fine Dehaired Yak wool.  The subtle nuances is fascinating.  I have worked mostly with wool.  I have spun a little silk and some 'Dog hair' in the past.  This was a fantastic opportunity to try something new. 

Camel is something else!  It is so soft and silky and I really wouldn't call the colour white.  I would call it 'Caramel Camel'.  It is beautiful.  I am however very allergic to Angora Rabbit and also cat hair.  I have a feeling I am a little sensitive to camel.  It could be that it has shared space with the Angora though!  My eyes swell and my nose itches when I come in to contact with Angora or some cats.  I used to have a lovely Tom Cat called Buddy, I loved him very much and put up with the sneezes and sniffles, which only got bad if he brushed himself on my face.  I love cats.  I am still going to attempt to spin a little angora though. As I type it is sitting next to me and I can feel a huge sneeze coming on.  The Camel spins into a beautiful soft yarn and feels very warm in my hand as I spin.  I would love a jumper or cardigan made in fine Camel, Oooh Bless Me! I have just had a huge sneeze!  No good wearing a jumper that feels great but makes you sneeze and gives you Hives!  I am going to knit swatches with these fibres and sew them together for a Display.  I may add fine 'Lacey Hair' to the collection - 'Natural Black!'

I am looking forward to spinning Yak the most. 

I was reading last night about Qiviut - which is the fine undercoat of the Musk-Ox.  It is reputably the finest 'wool' in the world.

The wool is stronger than sheep's wool and eight times warmer but finer than Cashmere.  22g of Qiviut Yarn sells for about $42 dollars!  That is a price not to be sniffed at!  Achoo!  Oh Bless Me again!  Hope you are all having a good weekend.  

Day 6 'The Tour De Peas' 2011

The 'Tour De Peas'...well it makes a change from the 'Tour De Fleece'.  I do love fresh peas.  I don't have many but the ones I do have are very tasty.  I love them raw but am very wary of grubs.  I always inspect my peas and it gives me a shudder to see grubs in the pod!  These were steamed for about a minute and added to a simple pasta salad.  It is important that I sustain myself with 'Carbo loading' as all athletes need to pay attention to their diet.  Day six of the 'Tour De Fleece',  I sneaked in a bit of crochet today!  Before continuing with my 'Rainbow Bobbin'.  I think it is getting fatter.

I must admit my right knee is feeling a bit creaky but nothing too bad.  I am sure the rest day on Monday will help.  It is a good job I am not in 'The Tour de France'!  I am too much of a hypochondriac.

Day 4 'Tour De Fleece' 5 July 2011

 My Ashford Standard Niddy Noddy is 15" (380mm) long to make a 60" (1524mm) skein. 60 winds is 100 
yards.
Yeah it turned up!  Well my Mom must have found it while she tidied my house when I was at work!  I know I am very spoiled!

I got 110 winds round.  I only work in Metric so will need to go and do some maths.  I am happy to work in approximates so over 150 metres of yarn.

It made a nice 70g skein.  That I will have to wash and set the twist.  I also have another slightly larger skein.  I have not decided what to make yet so these skeins will join my stash.  It is good to be reunited with my Niddy Noddy though.  (I like typing it as much as I like saying it!)  For Day 4 of 'The Tour Fleece' I    will carry on with the 'Rainbow' spinning when all is calm.

Last night I felt very smug picking peas, broad beans and parsley from the garden.  I made a delicious looking rice salad for my lunch at work with a splash of lemon juice, some seasoning and olive oil.  I also added chopped gammon.  I was really looking forward to it at lunchtime.  Guess what?  I forgot to take it!  It has been one of those days, I hope I remember to take it tomorrow.