Better Drafting

August 5th, 2007

A lot of spinning better involves lots of practice, and just doing it over and over. Your hands, eyes, and arms get a good feel for the rhythm and what they’re supposed to do. Every once in a while (if you’re teaching yourself like me) you’ll happen upon a particular technique, or way of doing things that you hadn’t thought of before.

I’ve done some more spinning on that purple merino I showed a few posts ago, and I’m probably 1/2 to 2/3 done what I can fit on this spindle. I’m really happy with my progress, and the overall evenness of my yarn. Generally when I’m spinning, I have this problem with a tuft of fiber not getting pulled into the drafting zone. After spinning and winding on several lengths, I end up with a larger tuft that is inching its way upwards, never entering the drafting zone.

While I was spinning tonight, I finally figured out why that was happening. I tend to keep tight control of my drafting (very short draw), and how much twist enters the drafting zone if at all. There is usually very minimal twist that will creep past my drafting hand. This was probably due to my need for control. Tonight I noticed that when I let a bit more twist build up, and leave one or two twists between my drafting hand and the drafting zone while drafting, it pulls in more of the fibers. My spinning goes more smoothly, and I don’t have that build up of fiber that I have to force into my spinning.

I’m in another one of those fits of spinning. I spin almost every night for a week, and suddenly get an urge to spin while not at home. Then I’ll go for a while with little interest, then with the obsession again.

2 Comments | Categories: Spinning |

Faroese Shawls

August 4th, 2007

I recently bought “Folk Shawls” by Cheryl Oberle, and it’s a nice little book with basic shawl ideas in it. It’s nothing exciting, and the connection to history and culture is a bit loose, but I’m glad to have it. There is a style of shawl as shown in two shawl patterns called a Faroese shawl (from the Faroe Islands) It seems these shawls are known for fitting well over the shoulders, being comfortable to wear, and not falling off all the time. In my impatience to start my shawlette, I didn’t even think to consult “Folk Shawls” for ideas.

It wasn’t until I was looking at some shawls on Ravelry, that I saw some beautifully designed lace shawls using the unique shaping of Faroese shawls. Duh!! __That’s__ the kind of shawl I wanted to knit. Thanks to the help of Adrian on the Ravelry forums, I had a link to a formula of sorts to knit one of these shawls. The formula is for a bottom up (cast-on a ton of stitches and decrease) instead of a top down (cast-on a couple of stitches then increase) which is what I wanted. I don’t relish the thought of casting on hundreds of stitches. Plus, I don’t know how far my yarn will go.

I’m _pretty_ sure I figured it out properly, and it’s not so terribly hard once you wrap your mind around it. I also used photos of some of the beautiful lace yarns in the book “Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves” (thanks Francesca!) knit by Ravellers, and that helped understand exactly _where_ to increase for the shoulder shaping.

I think I’m finally happy with this project!! It’s fairly easy too. I may write up how I did it top down later.

1 Comment | Categories: Knitting |

Shawlette

August 2nd, 2007

Alright that’s it. I’m ready to start taking [this project](http://www.crafty.greenkri.com/no-more-project-spinning) seriously. I’ve pulled out the needles, now I just need to frog it and wind up the yarn. I’m going to take more time deciding exactly how I’m going to knit this shawlette so it comes out perfectly (or near perfect at least!). I know I’ll have enough yarn to knit a shawlette, and I know it’s going to be soft and comfortable. Now I just need to make sure it __looks good__.

Take your last look at this lump of knitting, because very soon it will be no more. All I need is the motivation and distraction to wind that all up. I didn’t even bother to take the time to brighten the photo, as it’s not worth my time. The next time you see this yarn, hopefully it will be much more good looking than this.

I’m so positive I’m committed to this, I even finally put it into [Ravelry](http://www.ravelry.com) as a project. A frogged project, but hopefully soon that will no longer be true. Wish me luck.

2 Comments | Categories: Knitting |

Spinning a Sample

August 1st, 2007

I have read a lot of spinning bloggers mention something about spinning up a sample. This is a small length of test yarn that many people spin before starting to spin a whole bunch of fiber. Doing this is a good way of determining the right way to spin a particular fiber, as well as finding the right thickness that you want. You can experiment with making it a single, two-ply, three-ply, or more. Once you’ve spun a yarn that you like, you have a length separate from your yarn-in-progress that you can refer to as you’re spinning to ensure that you get the same thickness throughout.

In the beginning of my attempts at spinning, I had no hope of getting a very even yarn, so I didn’t ever bother to spin a sample. I have also been known to be an impatient person, and jumping into projects without doing a lot of the recommended prep-work (gauge-swatch smauge-swatch).  My [Emelia Lace Choker](http://www.crafty.greenkri.com/emelia-choker), or [disaster of a handspun shawl](http://www.crafty.greenkri.com/no-more-project-spinning) are good examples of this. Some result in success (the former), while others generally need to be ripped out (the latter).

The first sample I ever spun was actually from the fiber that I knit the above-mentioned handspun shawl. It was more due to impatience and wanting to get the fiber on a spindle (you would too if you felt it, just heaven!) and feel it run through my fingers than a wish for preparation. However, I did have something in my mind that I wanted that fiber to be something special. I spun up a yard length and plied it, which has been a great way to ensure I don’t shift thickness as I go. Eight ounces of fiber is a lot to spin without some sort of reference to be sure the first several yards are as close in thickness to the last several yards.

I’m writing about these handspun samples today, as I just started with a new fiber on the spindle. I finished a skein of yarn today which freed up one of my spindles. Instead of finishing the fiber that goes with that skein, I decided to start another fiber for something different. I’m becoming a more skilled spinner, so doing something like spinning a sample is more appealing to me now. I spun up about four feet, plied it in half, and am sooo glad I did. It’s like the fiber is telling me “Yesss”. My sample hangs perfectly balanced, the yarn looks fluffy yet sturdy, and I find I like the resulting yarn of this subtlely blended fiber (which doesn’t look quite as nice in roving form).

1 Comment | Categories: Spinning |