Sheep to Shawl!

I am in heaven! 

A few months ago, my wonderful husband bought me a spinning wheel.  I thought that spinning on a spindle was fun.  Using a wheel is awesome!

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to purchase a few raw fleeces to scour, card, and spin.  I was pretty nervous doing the washing part, because it can easily turn to felt if agitated too much, or experience a big temprature change.  But so far it has turned out just fine.

I have one large bag full of romney, and two smaller bags of shetland.  Here is what I have done so far.

This is what it looks like when it is dirty and full of lanolin.  I use the mesh laundry bag, 20 min soak and rinse method.   And here is what it looks like all clean and fluffy!

 

I started carding it, and kept getting little round bumps in the fiber.  When I went to spin it, I kept getting slubs.  Then I realized..I am carding wrong!   Thankfully, You Tube has videos on how to card correctly.  Acutally, now that I think of it You Tube taught me all I know!  Now I am carding the wool the right way, and my fibers are now all smooth with a small amount of slubs.

Spinning the Romney is quite a bit different from the merino that I have been spinning.  It's more rough, and more sturdy.  It's going to make some really nice socks and hats.

 

Speaking of Merino..I finished my skein of purple Merino yarn.  It turned out beautiful!  I am starting to get the hang of  how to keep the single a uniform size.  My first yarn was UGLY! 

I hope that everyone from Homeschool Blogger is able to find me ok over here.  I know that the more I blog, and the more I tour around and let everyone know where I am, things will get better.