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Monday, May 25, 2009

That Explains It

You may remember me mentioning that I've been spinning up some merino/silk fiber and how long it was taking. By my account, it took me nearly a month to spin two bobbins of singles and ply them, which is really a lot of time considering that I've spun some three-ply yarns in much less time.

To refresh your memory, here's what the fiber looked like originally (4.1 oz. of 80% merino/20% silk from my favorite fiber pusher):

I'd been saving it until I felt I was worthy of it, because the silk content made this bump of fiber just a little more precious than my usual superwash merino. When the spring 2009 issue of Interweave Knits arrived at my door, I saw the Fountain Pen Shawl and knew that it was what this fiber was meant to be.

I knew the singles would take a long time, as I was spinning for a two-ply laceweight, but I didn't have any idea that the plying would take as long as it did -- nearly a full week. I joked with The Mister that I had some magical bobbins that never ran out (and, in fact, I did finish plying before they were completely empty because the singles on one kept breaking and I was ready to be done). After about 40 minutes of skeining onto my niddy noddy, I realized just why the whole process had taken so long.

I finished with approximately 875 yards of two-ply laceweight. That's plenty for my shawl, and, more importantly, it's a yarn that I feel truly does justice to Kristin's amazing color sense.

I can't wait to cast on -- just as soon as my sweater is finished!

7 comments:

  1. It turned out quite beautiful!

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  2. that will be a gorgeous shawl!! gorgeous color and all. I started that pattern about a week ago. can't wait to see it.

    your spinning is what i dream towards!

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  3. It's astounding, colour, weight, yardage, all of it, just astounding. Well done!! That's going to be one gorgeous shawl.

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  4. Anonymous8:12 AM

    I can't wait to see the shawl! The yarn is absolutely gorgeous.

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  5. My gosh, that's beautiful! I can't wait to see your shawl, too. I have that one in my queue, but I don't think I'll ever be using my own handspun for it! :)

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  6. Anonymous5:40 PM

    Beautiful. That is going to make one gorgeous shawl!

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  7. Very pretty yarn, and it's going to look great as that shawl!

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