I actually spun this bison fiber before I started my fiber book. I used a tahkli spindle and spun fast and fine, then made a two ply yarn. I experimented with singles spun in both the S and Z directions, then nålbound wrist warmers (blog post here). The second, tighter wrist warmer continued to get tighter as the fibers felted together, until it was uncomfortable to wear. Then the kitten found it and had a hay day. So I dedicated the first piece to the book. I had some leftover yarn so did up a knit swatch and a crocheted lace round. I didn’t save any single spun yarn, so had to deconstruct some plied yarn for the page.
Photo description: Clockwise from top left: “Bison Spinning Fibers” card; single ply yarn; two ply yarn on a paper bobbin; one nålbound wrist warmer; crocheted lace round; knit square; loose bison fiber
Bison down fiber really is a luxury fiber. It feels like spinning clouds and the yarn is so soft and so very, very warm. It is definitely one of my favorite fibers. (And yes, this is an absolutely shameless plug for my neighbors, The Buffalo Wool Company. Fantastic people, even more fabulous dedication to the preservation of the American Bison.)
I’ve been quite frustrated with options for expanding my fiber book. The longest binding post screws I could find were not long enough, and the “extenders” had multiple reviews that that the threads didn’t fit, and I couldn’t find extenders that came with the caps. Bah. Time for a trip to the hardware store, specialty fasteners to the rescue. I found 5 inch threaded rods and some acorn nuts. They aren’t as fancy as a binding post, but they get the job done and I can probably fit another 10 pages in my book. I did have to adjust the cover to accommodate the acorn nuts, but it worked just fine to unfold the edge. A photo book this size would be very heavy and unwieldy, but my fiber pages are light and have thick spacers, so it works. I suppose I could separate up the pages into different books (shocking, right?), but right now I’d rather spend my money on fiber than book covers.
Photo description: Acorn nut on a threaded rod going through the edge of a photo book, sticking up about one inch over the cover, colored pages are spaced with white foam.
It is in my plan to eventually have an elegant external presentation, but I’m still cogitating on how I want that to look. This does the job for now.
I finished my Rambouillet wool fiber page. I had samples of three preparations of wool given to me: raw fleece, scoured (but not combed), and roving. I love this wool. I enjoyed scouring and combing it, and I love how the finished pieces feel. When I’m ready to buy a new raw fleece this is the kind I’m going to get. It cleans well, and spins beautifully. I love the woven sample with my first plaid pattern. I understand why this sheep is so popular.
Rambouillet fiber pagePage with swatch descriptions showing
Although my fiber page design isn’t terribly thick, the quarter inch drawer causes the pages to bow when the book is flat. The spacers provided with the photo album are too thin, so I made new ones out of quarter inch thick foam sheet from the craft store.
Old cardboard spacer (right) used as a guide to make a new foam spacer (left)
I cut the foam to match the old spacer using a large paper cutter, then matched the holes with a paper punch. The foam was remarkably easy to punch. Assembling my fiber pages in the book went much, much easier using these spacers and three inch posts.
Spacer installed between pagesSpine of album with spacers, without coverTop of album showing better page separation with the spacers
As I spin through as many different fibers as I can get my hands on, I am creating a scrapbook page for each to build a reference book. This is how I build my pages.
Materials:
Two 12”x12” sheets of card stock
One 8.5”x11” sheet of card stock
One 2.5”x12” rectangle of end paper (fancy printed paper with some strength)
One 8 3/4” x 11 1/4” heat-sealed laminating pouch (sealed empty)
One 3”x5” index card
Two 3/16” inside diameter metal grommets
Paper brads
Hot glue
Thread
I use a Cricut electric cutter to score and cut my cardstock, but similar preparations can be done by hand with a craft knife. I make a 1/4” drawer, three “spools” from coordinating cardstock, a drawer sleeve from heat-sealed laminate, and cut one sheet of cardstock with slots to hold each element. Paper brads will hold the swatches onto the page. The Cricut project is available here: https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/630799ca21506d2c4716a4c2
Cut, scored, and folded pieces ready for assemblyI use paper clips to align and hold the two large pieces of card stock and the folded end paper together with a 1/4” overlap. The back uncut sheet acts to protect the following page, and the end paper forms a spine to make the page large enough to fit in a standard photo book. Sewing, rather than gluing, provides a secure attachment for a longer length of time.Using a straight stitch I sew the three layers of paper together.I use a seam ripper to pull the threads to the inside of the layers.I knot the ends of the threads, then use a long piece of twisted wire to run the threads back inside the spine.Finished seam.A page from the scrap books works well to mark where the holes should go on the spine.I use a hole punch to cut the holes for the posts of my photo book.Two part metal grommets help reinforce the holes. These are easy to add with the right tools.Set grommet.A heat sealed laminate sheet is remarkably easy to fold. The drawer sleeve needs four creases to create a 1/4” high sleeve, then the tabs on the back fit into the slits on the card stock.The folded card stock drawer benefits from the ridged hot glue to reinforce the sides. The drawer works without the adhesive, but is studier with it.Assembled fiber study page. The spools are held with long tabs that can slide under the yarn once wrapped. Each spool has two slits one inch apart so the yarn’s wraps per inch is easy to see.A second page with a different color scheme for a lighter colored yarn.
Descriptions of the yarn can go on the index card, unspun fiber can go in the drawer, spun yarn of different plies go on the spools, and knit, crochet, nålbinding, or weaving swatches can be attached with paper brads to the open areas.
Back of a finished page showing the connections and the protective sheet.Finished page with alpaca yarn installed in a scrapbook.
Critters and Craft 