Practice skein

Marchwind · #1 07/30/12, 03:14 PM

I spun up a bobbin of the Shetland DIL's sweater. I wasn't sure how to proceed colorwise so I just grabbed and spun. I needed something about a worsted/aran weight. I'm not sure what I think. It's hairy/fuzzy and I don't think this is supposed to be or intended to be a next to the skin sweater. It isn't harsh, I can hold it under my arm and it feels soft. But I know I have a lot more tolerance than some. Here is what the skein looks like as a 2-ply

Untitled by mymerripu, on Flickr

And for GAM, as close up and I can get with my iPad

Untitled by mymerripu, on Flickr

It's chunky and uneven. I'm just not sure how I feel about it in general. I think I like the way the colors turned out. I should knit a swatch

frazzlehead · #2 07/30/12, 04:12 PM

Knit, then wash the swatch, then you'll know.

I'd say that's just a nice, lofty squooshy yarn ... I like a bit of thick and thin as the knitted item gets texture to it. The variegated colours plus the variations in texture will make for a beautiful fabric, I suspect.

Interested to see the knitted swatch! Is the pattern mostly stockinette? I think this yarn will 'speak for itself' and look great in stockinette.

mamajohnson · #3 07/30/12, 04:34 PM

I love that! I think it turned out very very pretty!

vicki in NW OH · #4 07/30/12, 05:57 PM

I love the color.

Pearl B · #5 07/30/12, 06:20 PM

I just think its beautiful and you have any amazing skill!!

**gone-a-milkin** · #6 07/30/12, 08:01 PM

Ooh, pretty!
Those colors came out so nice.

What do you mean that you dont know about it 'in general'?
It looks wonderful from here.

That is going to knit up beautifully.

Marchwind · #7 07/31/12, 03:22 AM

Thanks everyone!
It isn't as smooshey as I had hoped, I was looking to thinking more lofty. I tried to spin it to be lofty but I think the long guard hairs are too much.

I started spinning some of the wool from my ewe lamb I used to have, Ophelia. It is her wool that was the spindle spun yarn I plied. This time I spun it up on my wheel and tried to go thicker and long draw. I spun about 3/4 of a bobbin last night before bed. I may buy some dyes (at MFF) and see how this would be.

I think my DIL wants something with texture, as in textured stitches. I'm not sure the pink Shetland will work well for that. I do agree with Frazzle this speaks of either stockenett or maybe even a garter stitch. I love a nice garter stitch.

**gone-a-milkin** · #8 07/31/12, 07:32 AM

Marchwind,

I think I get what you mean.
Sometimes when I go from spinning a bouncy smooshy fiber for a long time
over to something else that is smoother, I get sort of disconcerted.
Not so much because the yarn 'isn't good', but just because I am used to the way the first one had been turning out.

Like going from Cormo to Wensleydale. That is a big difference in finished yarns.

I still remember when I first got my wheel.
I had been been spinning Targhee on the spindle (a whole fleece of it),
then I worked Shetland on the wheel and got completely different results.

I wondered where was my smooshy and elastic yarn? LOL

Since then I have learned a lot more about controling when the twist enters the fiber
and can better figure out why the yarns are different.
The miracle of attenuation in the singles, etc.

I know that you know all this (you helped me figure it out!) but I am just rambling.

Your pink yarn still looks like cotton candy to me. It is going to tell you what it wants to become and it will be sweet.

Forerunner · #9 07/31/12, 08:48 AM

That is a pretty special color combo.....

Knitted up about three strands thick, with a couple kid mohair strands thrown in, on #17s..............seed stitch for texture....................

frazzlehead · #10 07/31/12, 11:11 AM

March, that would look nice in a basketweave or seed stitch, too, I think. Panels of seed stitch, then twisted rib for a bit ... ?

That could work.

Marchwind · #11 08/01/12, 03:48 AM

I started knitting a garter stitch swatch. I like it! I'll see how much I get done today and post a picture later if I'm able

Wind in Her Hair · #12 08/01/12, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marchwind

It's chunky and uneven.

I LOVE chunky and uneven - those two words describe me perfectly!

Seriously, I think its beautiful!

Marchwind · #13 08/01/12, 08:09 AM

oh WIHH you do make me laugh.