First Handspun Project

I started spinning this fiber over a year ago, possibly more. It was the first spin that felt like I was spinning something usable. I think I had spun two previous braids that had been a disaster, but by the time I started spinning this fiber I started to feel how it should be, if that makes sense. I had gained a feel for it, even though I still didn’t quite know what I was doing. I still have a lot to learn, and feel like diving into more spinning knowledge to help me become more consistent with my spinning.

With this spin, I was just feeling it out as I went, and it turned out pretty well. It would have been even better, if I’d thought to secure my ends before soaking it (see previous posts).

This fiber is a superwash merino nylon blend from Wound Up Fiber Arts that I bought 1-2 years ago. It is lovely, soft, but slick stuff to spin. I dove into the deep end learning to spin it, but since I have quite a lot of it in stash I have plenty to learn with. Most spinners would advise learning with a natural wool instead.

I divided this braid in half. One half I split into several lengths, like 10, and the other half was split into 6 strips. I spun all the smaller strips of fiber onto one bobbin and the bigger strips onto another. I matched the colors on the ends. As I spun, if I ended with dark purple, I started the next strip with dark purple. This is not a “correct” technique or anything, just what I did as a complete novice. It seems to have worked out fine.

I plied it as a 2-ply. Being a novice, I think I over plied a bit, but blocking helped enough to make it a usable pair. The ball in the photo is what I have leftover, and that’s pretty standard for me even with commercial yarns. I could probably get another sock from it, but not a pair. I’m planning to save it to make socks with all my leftover handspun used together at some point, so I need to spin more fiber for those leftovers, right?

So another braid of superwash merino nylon from Wound Up Fiber Arts is on the wheel.

I must be getting a bit better, because the first bobbin was done in four days. I’m currently spinning the second bobbin.

I split this braid in half from one end of the braid to the other. One half I split into 12 smaller strips. These will all be spun onto the first bobbin. The other half I split into 7 bigger strips, and these will go onto the second bobbin. I have wound these strips so that I will begin with the same color each time. Because one of the bobbins will have longer sections of color, I think it will make for some nice blending of the colors.

My goal has been to spin everyday if possible for this project, and I think that has really helped me to improve my spinning.

I completed my test knit for Tamy Gore’s new shawl, Color Symphony. I love it and really enjoyed knitting it. I think everyone will love her design. I’ll share more photos and thoughts on it in the coming week.

I have just started a new sock design. I wasn’t sure if I’d write anymore patterns, but this one has just flowed so well that I think I just might. I don’t think I’d expect a flow of patterns like I used to write, but maybe one here and there as the mood strikes. I’ll share more about it soon.

Have a sweet week, friends! 💖

Sandra

“…do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31