I have been finishing up what is left of the Border Leicester Fleece that I brought from Betty Levin at the MSW this past spring. Every morning, I wash up another batch of locks for that evenings spinning. I sort the locks as carefully as possible, arranging them neatly, and then floating them on the hot soapy water. When the water cools, I gently lift them out and place them on terry. They are rolled, and then placed on the screen to dry. This fleece has wonderful luster.
When I am ready to spin, I take a handful of the locks...
I use a dog slicker to flick the ends out. I start with the butt end, grasping the middle, and then turn the locks over and do the same to the tips. These locks are the prettiest shade of pewter at the butt, and they turn golden blonde at the tips.
While spinning, I do a long draw, starting from the butt end (always) and the bottom of the fanned lock, and working my way up to the top right corner of the fan. This process is very systematic...but has lately become part of my daily (and nightly) routine. I am trying to stick with it until I have finished the fleece.
7 comments:
Hey spinner gal-
these locks ARE dreamy to spin...a bit methodical (what with all the stopping to flick now and again)...but i love the longwools. I have been plying it, and plan to weave a 2/2 twill on the triloom when finished.
I feel as if I am spinning these locks and I don't spin--it is your description spinning me along. From the washing to color description to spinning...and how much yarn do you estimate you will have in the end?
A very good question Judith
and one we spinners love to answer!
Also, a very big reason to keep records...
When I purchased the fleece, I split it with someone...so I only took home 2 & 1/4 lbs. ....so the easy answer would be in weight...I estimate I will have approximately as much yarn (2 & 1/4lbs.) as I have fleece (2 & 1/4lbs). This was a beautiful fleece, very clean, so I expect little waste.
Enter the variables...such as yarn diameter, single or double ply, cabled yarn...etc..etc...etc..and the resulting yardage will vary...so here's how I figured...
My sample skein was a double ply, approx. 14wpi...that measured approx. 258 yards, and weighed 5.2 oz. ..so round off...and figure 250 yards at 5oz. Then, the 2 & 1/4 lbs. become 36oz....I would need at least 7- 5oz skeins (rounding off again) ...and 7 x 250 = 1750 yards...of which I have spun about 951!
I'm so glad you posted this! I love crocheting and have become curious about spinning. I had absolutely no clue how it was done!
Hi M-
Glad I could shine some light on the "how to"...I strongly recommend learning how to spin! You can pick up a hand spindle and roving for very little $$...and the rest is practice ;-)
The locks are lovely; I spun the first fleece I ever tackled this way. It was a beautiful Coopworth with beautiful color. Looking forward to seeing more of the process, and the results!
I'm looking forward to seeing what the skeins look like.
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