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EEW Nano 2 E-spinner
After years of deliberating about an e-spinner, I finally decided to buy one from Dreaming Robots–mostly because their EEW Nano 2 is the least expensive e-spinner on the market and I have a few friends who have one. After the e-spinner arrived, I set it up exactly how the video said to (though it was… Read more
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New Year, New Fibers & 2022 Projects
Read full post on my Substack site: Loom & Spindle Read full post on my Substack site: Loom & Spindle
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New to the flock: Timmy
A week or so before my surgery at the end of July, my GCN-cross ewe Mocha died suddenly. This left us with Tilley and Mocha’s lamb, Sean (now a wether), so I decided that we needed another sheep to round out the backyard flock. My friend and nearby GCN sheep farmer had several wether lambs… Read more
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Raw Fleece to Finished Objects: Babydoll Southdown Beanie Projects
For the last several weeks, I’ve been working on a raw fleece project for a local sheep farmer who raises Babydoll Southdown sheep. She needed three beanies for Christmas gifts, so I got to work as soon as I got the fleece from her. I’ve worked with her sheep fleeces before, so I was pretty… Read more
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A little Targhee spinning
I got back on my wheel a few days ago, trying to get my mojo back after surgery. Now that I can physically spin and do other fiber-related activities again, I’m having trouble deciding what to do. I’ve had a bit of brain fog since I came home–which probably explains some of the indecisiveness. I… Read more
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Tour de Fleece 2022, Surgery, and more
I only made it through about ten days of this year’s Tour de Fleece–mostly because I was prepping for major abdominal surgery on July 20th and there was a lot to take care of before my hospital stay (3 days, 2 nights) and 6-8 week recovery. Here are the yarns that I did spin during… Read more
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2022 Tour de Fleece: Days 1-3
Tour de Fleece update for days 1-3: Total yield: Approx. 192 yds of 2-ply worsted weight yarn (111g/ 3.90 oz) Day 1: Spun 55.5g of White Eider wool singles (combed top from Camaj Fibers) Day 2: Spun 55.5g of White Eider wool singles Day 3: Plied 111g of White Eider wool singles
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Tour de Fleece 2022: Day before prep
I debated whether to participate in this year’s Tour de Fleece–mostly because I spin so much on a weekly basis as it is. Also, I’m having a major surgery on July 20th, so I can only participate from July 1-19th. I did, however, decide that I will participate as much as I can during the… Read more
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Handspun Swaledale Wool Coaster
Last April, I spun Swaledale wool for the first time and after weaving a table runner with most of the yarn, I put the remaining bit away until this week. I knew I would have to make home decor or the like out of this breed because of the high micron count (and super high… Read more
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Raw Fleece to Finished Yarn: Navajo Churro/GCN lamb fleece sample + more
This time of the year, I hate being outside–mostly because of the 90+ degree weather mixed with 50% or higher humidity here in Alabama. The only good thing about the heat is its ability to dry wet fiber quickly when set out in direct sunlight. So, I’ve tried to get through some of last year’s… Read more
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Icelandic Raw Fleece to Woven Rug
This project had been on my to-do list for a while–after seeing several similar raw fleece projects woven on peg looms. While I have a peg loom, I decided to use my 32″ Kromski Harp loom for this project since I wasn’t sure if the fleece would draft sufficiently enough. The fleece came from an… Read more
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Off the loom: Organic merino wool multi-patterned scarf
So, this project was born from a mistake. I warped my loom according to a weaving sett for a two-harness loom, but it didn’t go as planned. Rather than scrap the project (which I almost never do), I experimented and ended up with the scarf pictured below. Not my favorite scarf–but certainly not the worst… Read more
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Off the Needles: American Tunis beanie (from raw fleece)
This knitted beanie was finished a few weeks ago–a project from one of my Tour de Fleece 2021 spinning samples from an American Tunis raw fleece bought from Solace Farmstead in Coalmont, TN. Although I don’t remember the fiber being exceptional when I was spinning it, the finished beanie turned out wonderfully soft and lofty.… Read more
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Off the Loom: Spaced Warp/Weft Summer Scarf
I don’t often work with plant fibers unless they’re blended with wool, but I had some cellulose fiber yarns in my stash that I thought would be good for a summer scarf, so I warped my loom and wove a spaced warp/weft scarf. This project took one ball of Plymouth Nettle Grove yarn (45% cotton,… Read more
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Off the Wheel: Handpainted Polworth roving from Happy Fuzzy Yarns
For LYS day this year, I visited a yarn shop in Huntsville, AL and bought 3 braids of wool roving, the first of which is Polworth wool, handpainted from Happy Fuzzy Yarns. 4 ounces yielded 230 yds of Worsted weight (2-ply) yarn. The two other braids are handdyed Bluefaced Leicester from Mountain Colors, Inc.
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Raw Fleece to Finished Yarn Sample: “Freesia” Shetland lamb fleece from Ballyhoo Farms
Sample of “Freesia” Shetland ram lamb raw fleece from Ballyhoo Farms (Kentucky) yielded 114 yards of 2-ply sport weight (40g). Fiber was scoured with Unicorn Power Scour and hand carded before being spun semi-worsted. I believe this was a 2021 fleece, so the tips were a bit fragile from temperature changes with the lanolin–and I… Read more
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New Fleeces from Ballyhoo Fiber Emporium: Shetland & Icelandic-cross Lamb
Other than the two fleeces from my own sheep, I hadn’t bought any other raw fleeces this year. Then, Ballyhoo Fiber Emporium had a fleece sale–but even then, I was good. I only bought two: a Shetland fleece and an Icelandic cross lamb fleece. I started processing the Icelandic cross lamb fleece today, and processed… Read more
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Raw Fleece to Finished Object: Gulf Coast Native Table Runner
Yesterday, I was looking through some of my handspun yarn from last year’s Tour de Fleece and I found a skein of GCN yarn (raw fleece from Alchemy Farms, Gurley, AL) that I had slightly felted during the dyeing process. (Yarn had been naturally dyed with crushed annatto seeds). Knowing I couldn’t use it for… Read more
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Raw Fleece to Finished Object: “Olwen” (Icelandic/Balwen Welsh Mtn) Scarf
I sampled one of Olwen’s fleeces back several months ago (I have two shearings from her) and knitted a small cowl/neck warmer with it, but I wanted to weave some of her yarn, which required me to process more of her fleece. (When I initially sample a fleece, I only process and spin enough for… Read more
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Raw Fleece Sampling: “Fiona” from Brush Prairie Farms (Washington)
During my trip to Washington last October, I visited Brush Prairie Farms— just up the road from the friends I was visiting in Brush Prairie Washington. I contacted the farmer, Tara, a month or so before my trip to see if she had any fleeces available for me to look at when I arrived and… Read more
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Spinning Miniature Poodle Fur
I met a new friend when I was on a retreat in Tennessee this March who breeds Labradoodles in upstate NY (Adirondack Labradoodles). We got to talking about fiber arts and she kindly sent me some of her miniature poodle’s fur to see if I could spin in. Because I’m always up for a challenge… Read more
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Shetland Raw Fleece Knitting Project
Macchiato’s fleece was one of two Shetland fleeces I purchased from Ballyhoo Fiber Emporium at the Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival in 2019. These Shetland are raised in Bagdad, KY, along with Gotland, Icelandic, Finn, and other breeds. I spun a sample of Macchiato’s fleece last year during the Tour de Fleece, but this is the… Read more
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Raw Fleece samples & Radnor roving
Life has been chaotic over the past couple of months, but I’ve still managed to get some raw fleece sampling done. I processed some of my Gulf Coast Native sheep’s fleece (Tillie) after finishing a sample from Mocha. I also spun some commercially processed Radnor top from Hearthside Fibers that I bought last spring/summer. The… Read more
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Sheep are sheared…and I’ve got work to do
My friend up the road (who also raises Gulf Coast Native sheep) came to shear my sheep on Saturday morning, so now I have two bags of fleeces from my own sheep to work with in the upcoming months. This was Mocha and Tillie’s first shearing, so I’m excited to see how their fiber turns… Read more
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“Surprise” Lamb from Mocha
I got a little shock this morning when I walked outside to feed Mocha and Tillie. Inside the shed was a little lamb…and I had to do a double take. My first thought was “who has dropped this lamb off in my shed” and then it dawned on me that it had to have come… Read more
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Off the loom: Another Kennedy Scottish Tartan Scarf
Weaving Scottish tartans is one of my favorite things to do, but there are some tartan designs I like more than others. Many years ago, a grad school friend of mine asked for a Kennedy tartan for her father (who is from Scotland), so I readily agreed to weave a scarf for his upcoming birthday.… Read more
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Peeping Sheep + Dental Work
While I have been processing more raw fleece (slowly), spinning some yarn, and teaching private weaving classes, my workload has slowed down a bit, mostly because of my dental situation that started when I broke a molar last week. I knew it was coming–after having it fixed over a decade ago, it was getting fragile.… Read more
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Wensleydale-X Lamb Raw Fleece Sample & Hog Island Knitted Beanie (from Raw Fleece)
Yesterday, I started sampling a Wensleydale cross lamb fleece that I bought from Cactus Hill Farm (Colorado) several months ago. The fleece is 8.5 lbs, so I washed/scoured about 80 grams of it and I’ve spun 24 grams (appox 59 yds) in a 2-ply sport/dk weight yarn. The yarn is as soft as it looks… Read more
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2022 Raw Fleece to Finished Object: “Weatherwax” Icelandic wool beanie
“Weatherwax” the Icelandic ram (from Ballyhoo Farms, KY) handspun from raw fleece–using Lopi Braided Hat pattern from Halldora J (free pattern on Ravelry). I originally spun a sample of Weatherwax’s fleece during the 2021 Tour de Fleece, but I didn’t have quite enough to knit the beanie until I spun about 33g more that I… Read more
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2022 Weaving: Merino/Brushed Alpaca Scarf
Yesterday I wove a scarf using some of the yarn I bought during the 2021 North Alabama Yarn Skip. I used Queensland Perth (a yarn I had woven with before) for the weft and a brushed alpaca yarn from my stash for the warp, doubled with the Perth. This was the first time I had… Read more
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2022: Knitted Shetland beanie & Woven Finn Wool Scarf projects
This weekend, I started and completed two (small) projects, so I’m hoping that I’m back in the groove. This gets me back on track for my 52 projects a year goal now that I have three projects under my belt for 2022. First weekend project: Handspun Finn wool leno lace scarf (woven on rigid heddle… Read more
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Weaving 2022: Almost there with Kakaw Designs Backstrap Loom
As I suspected, the backstrap loom from Kakaw Designs has been much easier to work on than the one from Trama Textiles. I should say the warp has been easier…as the actual loom pieces have nothing to do with it. After a few hours, I’ve almost completed the warp that came on it. I’m looking… Read more
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(Another) Mayan Backstrap Loom arrived! (Kakaw Designs)
My second backstrap loom arrived (pre-warped) from Kakaw Designs (Guatemala). This loom is just a little smaller than the other backstrap loom I ordered from Trama Textiles. I feel like the warp threads are better quality too. Kakaw Designs also has a blog page that has instructional videos available to anyone, so I liked that… Read more
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1st Project of 2022: Handspun Icelandic/Balwen Welsh Mtn yarn from Raw Fleece Neck Warmer
First project of 2022: Handspun yarn from raw fleece knitted neck warmer sample from “Olwen” Icelandic/Balwen Welsh Mountain cross from Ballyhoo Fiber Emporium (Kentucky). I finally got up the energy to knit a small project from some of the raw fleece yarn samples I spun during last year’s Tour de Fleece. I had about 82… Read more
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2022: Slow Start and Mayan Backstrap Weaving
The day after New Year’s, I fell ill with covid. A few days later, my husband followed. So, any plans I had of starting 2022 off with a bang (fiber arts-wise) was dashed. We were lucky to only have a mild case of it, so I’m grateful, but it has thrown me into a funk,… Read more
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Merry Christmas (and Happy New Year)
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! This year has been a fiber adventure for myself to say the least. I spun 20+ new breeds of wool this year, bought over 300 pounds of raw fleece from various farms all over the United States, & knitted, spun, and wove more… Read more
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Pop-Up Shop Last Weekend & Knitted Beanie
Last Saturday, I held a pop-up shop at Artisan’s Cove in Owens Cross Roads, AL (where I also teach classes). It was a first alert weather day–meaning tornado watches and thunderstorm warnings, but most of the bad weather had cleared out by the time I opened at 11am. I had a handful of people stop… Read more
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Another Handwoven Wallace Hunting Scarf & Handspun Wool/Alpaca blend Scarf
After a crazy weekend selling at the Hartselle Holiday Market* (Hartselle, AL), I got a custom tartan scarf order for another Wallace Hunting Scarf (after just finishing one a few days before). Because I ran out of the yarn, I couldn’t begin weaving the second one until the yarn arrived yesterday. Normally, I give myself… Read more
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2021 Weaving/Knitting Projects (as of November 25)
Every year, I attempt to finish at least 52 projects (one project a week on average). This year, I’ve exceeded that goal by a small number as of November 25th. I’m not sure how many more projects I’ll squeeze into 2021, but I’m happy to have surpassed my goal with time to spare. (Many of… Read more
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Finished Objects: GCN knitted beanie & Wallace Hunting Tartan Scarf
I finished the Gulf Coast Native handspun yarn (from raw fleece) knitted beanie over Thanksgiving. This is the second hat I’ve knitted from Freddie’s fleece and I absolutely love his wool. (Freddie is a GCN ram from a local farm in Arab, AL). Freddie’s fleece ranges from pure black to a silvery gray color. I… Read more
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Fleece arrival from Brush Prairie Farms, Three Creeks Farm (NH), & Cactus Hill Farm
Nine fleeces arrived from Brush Prairie Farms (Brush Prairie, WA)–a farm I visited when I was in Washington/Oregon in late October. These fleeces are a mix of Gotland, Finn, BFL, + more. Since I knew I would be visiting the area, I contacted Tara, the owner of Brush Prairie Farms, a month before I visited… Read more
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More knitted things, GCN handspun yarn and raw fleeces from Ballyhoo Fiber Emporium
In two weeks time, I’ll be setting up shop at the Hartselle Holiday Market (Hartselle, AL) and the week after that, I have a pop-up shop at Artisan’s Cove in Owens Cross Roads, AL–so I’ve been knitting beanies like crazy to have something else to sell to those who don’t wear scarves (which is 85%… Read more
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I finally have my own sheep! Meet Tillie & Mocha
Ever since my family moved out to the country (two years ago), I decided that I would eventually have at least a few sheep of my own. Our fenced-in backyard is just under an acre and we have to mow it constantly during the warm months (most of the year in Alabama). After meeting the… Read more
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Gulf Coast Native X Fleeces from Summer Fields Farm (Monteagle, TN)
I totally forgot to mention the nine fleeces I picked up from Summer Fields Farm in Monteagle, TN on October 20th. I had originally purchased three fleeces from this farm on Etsy, but after messaging the seller, I arranged to pick them up in person, since Monteagle, TN is less than two hours away from… Read more
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Duncan Scottish Tartan Woven Scarf & Several Knitted Beanies, and Misc.
Before I left for my trip to the pacific northwest, I wove a pickup stick pattern scarf–more to just experiment with new patterns than anything else. The scarf below is the result of that project. After I returned from my trip, I wove a Duncan Scottish tartan scarf for my friend from Washington, who happens… Read more
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Trip to Oregon/Washington State
I finally got to visit the pacific northwest from October 27-30th…on a trip to meet my son’s girlfriend’s family. While I was there, I visited Brush Prairie Farms (Brush Prairie, Washington) where I checked out her raw fleeces (and am having several shipped to me since I couldn’t bring them on the plane)… and found… Read more
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Finished Objects: Handwoven Pinwheel Scarf & “Finlandia” knitted hat using GCN (From Raw Fleece)
A few days ago, I decided to try the pinwheel pattern on my rigid heddle loom. A weaver on YouTube converted the 8-shaft weaving draft into a pickup stick pattern for rigid heddle, so luckily, I didn’t have to work that part out for myself. I used the merino/cashmere/silk blend yarns I’ve been using recently… Read more
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Honey Festival, Outdoor Market, & North Alabama Yarn Skip
Sunday, October 3rd was the 3rd annual Alabama Honey Festival at Artisan’s Cove in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama. Since I teach fiber arts classes at Artisan’s Cove, I decided to become a vendor at this year’s festival. The forecast predicted 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms, but luckily, it only drizzled off and on throughout… Read more
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Off the Loom & Wheel: Autumn Plaid Scarf + Custom Dyed Roving Handspun Yarn
This week has been filled with dyeing, spinning, and weaving–as well as preparing for tomorrow’s Alabama Honey Festival in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, where I’ll have a tent set up if it doesn’t rain us out. Off the loom: Merino/Silk/Cashmere Autumn Plaid Scarf. Off the wheel: “Carpo’s Sunset” custom colorway I’ve dyed for the upcoming… Read more
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Raw Fleece Arrival: Scottish Blackface, (more) Dorset Horn, & Shetland
On September 16th, I received a Scottish Blackface lamb fleece from McKinney Sheep Ranch that I ordered from a FB raw wool group. I’ve wanted to try Scottish Blackface wool for a while now, but had trouble finding it in the U.S. Ashley McKinney also sent me a handmade soy candle and a bar of… Read more
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Diary of a Yarnophile 