10 September 2012

Cotton Candy Handspun

You've all had to put up with me moaning about my failed attempt to dye this poorly processed fiber.  But finally I forced myself to sit down and finish spinning this icky fiber.  I'm surprisingly happy with how it turned out, just look at that texture!


I'm really not a fan of pastel colors or of wool that resists spinning up softly, but honestly, it could have been much worse.  Also, according to the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, Cheviot fiber is "chalky" and doesn't dye very brightly, which is exactly how I would describe my experience.


- Finished: September 2, 2012
- Fiber: 100% Cheviot wool (The Woolery)
- Spindle: Schacht 3" Hi-Lo drop spindle (2.2 oz.)
- Other Information: 1 skein, 1-ply, ~225 yards, 2 oz., fingering weight


The fiber I spun was fairly short staple and very tangled (do I wish I had a comb), which was frustrating.  However, it looks lovely spun into singles, that may have to be what I do with the rest of the fiber I have stashed away. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!  Happy crafting!

20 comments:

  1. I think it's lovely! I know you had frustrations, but I still like it a lot. I may have to pick up my spindle again and get back to work on the merino for my headbands now.

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  2. It's so pretty! I hope the final beautiful result took some of the sting out of your less-than-optimal spinning experience!

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  3. looks ok to me, but then what do I know I don't spin..... at the moment

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  4. I've wondered about Cheviot - never tried it yet. This looks beautiful to me. I also don't have much experience knitting with singles. Would love to hear your thoughts. Would you find yourself battling a skewed/slanted fabric knitting with singles?

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  5. Your yarn is gorgeous!! I think it was totally worth all the "learning" it put you though.

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  6. Despite all the troubles you had with it, I think it will look great knit up into something fun!

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  7. I love the colors! It turned out very pretty & unsaturated.

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  8. I tend to shy away from pastels, too, but your new hand-spun has so many lovely variations of subtle hues that I think it would be perfect knit up into a cozy autumn accessory!

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  9. I'm not a fan of cheviot in general, since I tend to knit and crochet mostly next-to-the-skin items and I have sensitive skin, but I think yours came out beautiful! I can't wait to see how it knits up. I gravitate toward pastels, but I just bought lots of brights at a fiber festival for after I finish the 5 oz. of pastel blue and purple merino on my wheel right now. It's lace-weight! It's taking forever! :P

    xo Julie

    ♥Julie Rose Sews♥

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  10. never seen a colorway quite like that before, i wonder what kind of knitted thing this would want to be!

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  11. I still love those colors. :) Haven't handled Cheviot yet. "Chalky" is an interesting description.

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  12. Great-looking yarn and colors. Your photos show the texture and the subtle colors well. I hope you find the perfect project to make this yarn really shine.

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  13. Ohh I quite like it!! Well done getting it finished!

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  14. Congratulations on a job well done! It turned out very pretty!

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  15. I love how this yarn turned out, it makes me think of really early spring. You just as everything starts coming alive but the sky is still all dreary and wintery.

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  16. I'm so glad that you persevered and finished with this yarn! It's not nearly as pastel as it had threatened to be. I think you'll be able to make something with it...Yesterday I brought home a copy of the Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook (from your recommendation) and although I've only flipped through it, I'm blown away by all of the information it contains. I honestly had no idea there were so many different kinds of wooly animals!! It's definitely a great coffee table book (at least at our house!) Thanks for the tip!

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  17. The yarn came out looking great. Although I would agree with pastels not being a favorite. Thank goodness for over dying.

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  18. You're so good at spinning, I wish that I could turn out yarn so pretty. I really really love the color of this.

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  19. Oh man, that's gorgeous! I'm glad you've come to terms with it. Well...kind of. I was thinking about coming to steal it from you.... :)

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  20. Beautiful yarn. Ethereal colors. I need to get back to my spinning wheel.

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