Tag: spinning

Shave ‘Em Two Save ‘Em Circle Vest

On By CarynIn Craft

I crocheted several more rows onto LazyTCrochet’s circle vest pattern, past the “plus size” listed in the instructions. I followed the general feel of the pattern up to that point, and crocheted until I ran out of my hand-spun Teeswater yarn. It was still feeling small and tight.

Photo description: Circle vest crocheted from hand-spun Jacob and Teeswater wool showing three color variations, dilute calico cat photo bomb

I do have more Teeswater roving, but need to spin it up. I decided to tie off the row and weave in the ends, then give the vest a good soak with some gentle fabric wash. I laid it out to dry on a homemade PVC and nylon mesh drying rack.

Photo description: same vest laid out to dry

The stitches relaxed and the vest increased in size.

Photo description: same vest after blocking

It is now a wearable garment. The wool feels softer after blocking and has a beautiful drape. I call this my “Shave ‘Em Two Save ‘Em” vest because both Jacob and Teeswater sheep are on the Livestock Conservancy list of Heritage Sheep. Jacob is Threatened and Teeswater is considered Critical.

Photo description: same vest hanging on a cedar hanger to show the drape

I’m rather excited that I have created something I will actually wear and supports farmers raising endangered heritage breeds.

Spinning dog hair

On By CarynIn Craft

My friend brought me a bag of dog hair! For a spinner, this is an exciting thing, especially when the dog has an undercoat.

Photo description: white and fawn colored dog hair in a gallon plastic bag
Photo description: Baxter as a puppy. He is 30% Great Pyrenees, 30% Cattle Dog, 20% Boxer, and 20% Belgian Malinois according to a DNA test.

I chose to separate out the white and fawn colored hair, because it didn’t seem right to blend it when Baxter the dog is spotted. The hair was clean with only a slight doggy smell, so I did not wash it. I did card it with a fine toothed set of carders.

Photo description: the white portion of dog hair loaded on one carder
Photo description: Missy the dog is very interested in the smell of the carded fiber. (Her hair smooth and is very, very difficult to spin.)

I chose to spin Baxter’s fur with a spindle shaft without a whorl, so I could have absolute control over the twist. It was a moderately difficult spin, not as easy as Samoyed, but still spin able.

Photo description: single spun dog hair on a shaft with cup hook

I chain plied the singles to make a three ply yarn. I like chain plying potentially delicate singles because if I do get a break, I can ply it together relatively easily.

Photo description: three ply yarn on a spindle shaft wrapped in a crisscross style

Because Baxter is a beloved pet, I decided to make a small keepsake with this yarn. I crocheted the white yarn in a circle, then used the fawn colored yarn to crochet a heart shape.

Photo description: heart crocheted from two colors of hand spun 100% dog hair

I believe scent is an important link in memories, so I did not block or wash the heart, but instead placed it in a plastic bag to preserve the scent so it will be a comfort when my friend pulls it out in the future.

Spindle case

On By CarynIn Craft

I wanted a travel case for my tiny Turkish style spindle, so went digging through my cupboards. I found a stainless steel can cozy that was just the right size, but didn’t have a lid.

Photo description: metal can cozy with open lid, curious dog in the background

I measured the space and used my laser cutter to cut and engrave a piece of thin birch plywood. I sealed the wood with modge podge (white glue), which also holds the circle in place.

Photo description: same can cozy with a wood insert graved with my logo of a tree and roots

The can fits nicely in the bottle pocket on the side of my purse and fits a handful of wool and the spindle inside.

Photo description: Femto spindle by Turtle Made inside the repurposed can cozy

And yes, I really did pull it out and do some spinning waiting in the line at grocery store!

Photo description: spindle with in progress spinning with a grocery cart in the background

Tiny spindle

On By CarynIn Craft

Squee! I ordered a femto spindle from Turtle Made on Etsy, which is a 3D printed Turkish style spindle that is teeny tiny!

Photo description: 3D printed spindle with dark green shaft and neon green arms sitting on my hand

With a spindle this tiny, the obvious choice is to spin as thin as possible. I have some green dyed Corridale mix wool from AnnieWhere that I used to get started.

Photo description: same spindle, wrapped with single spun green wool thread

The spindle works amazingly well for something so small. I plan on finding a case for it and have it be my emergency spinning kit. The emergency would be if I am out and about without a project! Or need to meditatively spin anytime, anywhere.

Yarn turtle #4

On By CarynIn Craft

Here is my fourth yarn turtle spun on my 3D printed Turkish style spindle using Southdown wool.

Photo description: thin single spun yarn wrapped around the arms of a Turkish style spindle, asphalt background as I was walking

I was hoping to make a three ply yarn from the Southdown wool, but I think I have enough roving for one more turtle, which will give me 5 turtles, which is not easily divisible by 3. I could chain ply, but I find that difficult with turtles, especially toward the end. I could two-ply, then cable ply by plying the two-ply together to make a four ply, which gives an interesting texture and results in very little waste. I could weigh the yarn and rewind it all into three even amounts. So many choices.

I think, when the spinning is done, I shall do some small lengths of each type of plying, to help me decide what to do over all.