Lincoln Longwool Runner

This project is one of two that I did for the Australian Sheep & Wool Show to focus on the heritage breeds of Australia.

Breed: Lincoln Longwool
Wool prep: worsted, combed with dog comb, tips cut – too dirty
Wool spun: worsted, 2-ply
WPI: 12
Dye: eucalyptus (E. cinerea), walnut (Juglans regia)
Details: on Ravelry

I had some trouble cleaning this fleece and ended up slighting felting it. I would like to work with it again for a weaving project.

Combed Lincoln Longwool

Scoured Lincoln Longwool

Straight off the sheep Lincoln Longwool

Coffee & Cream Caplet

This project is one of two that I did for the Australian Sheep & Wool Show to focus on the heritage breeds of Australia.

Breed: Cheviot
Wool preparation: worsted, combed with English wool combs, tips cut
Wool spun: worsted, Andean 3-ply
WPI: 9
Dye: coffee
Pattern: my own
Details: on Ravelry

I was given a small bag of raw Cheviot fleece, I wish I had weighed it first. I scoured and combed it (tips cut) with Indigo Hound English wool combs. Then I spun a single bobbin of worsted yarn and Andean plied for a rounder 3-ply yarn, 9 WPI. I still wasn’t sure what I was going to make but I knew I wanted something with greater stitch definition. After spinning, I felt that I had two much white so I dyed half of it with used coffee grounds.

The pattern is my own but was heavily influenced by “Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch” by Nancy Marchant. I am particularly happy with the neckline. The entire piece was worked in the round with two strands of yarn at all times. To compensate for the stretch in the neckline I used a two-color reversible increase (p. 87) and then a braided bind off (p. 83).

Handspun Cheviot dyed with coffee

Combed with Indigo Hound Wool combs, tips cut

Scoured Cheviot fleece

Straight off the sheep Cheviot fleece

Float Stole

Pattern: Float Stole by Melinda C. Hunt
Details: on Ravelry

Suri Alpaca Blend: 65% Suri alpaca/20% Merino wool/15% Tussah silk
Autumn Silk: 60% wool/40% silk

While the Suri Alpaca Blend was an absolute delight to spin, I could not match the fineness of the Suri Elegance. To get the same openness, I decreased the pattern by 50 sts and used a US 5 needle. I cast off with US 9.

I would have liked one more pleat but I had a bobbin disaster when I lost an end while spinning. Tried all the tricks (tape, toothbrush and wet fingers) but they were to no avail. I was going to take a photo, but it’s better not to look. It was a dreadful matted mess by the end.

The finished multicolour edge is my second attempt. The first version had similar colours but was 100% wool and didn’t have enough sheen to coordinate with the Suri Alpaca Blend. I am much happier with the final version, even if it did require stash acquisition!

 

Quiet Steps

Pattern: Non-felted Slippers by Yuko Nakamura
Details: on Ravelry

I used some early handspun yarn doubled and a very rustic blend of Merino, N.Z. Romney and Alpaca, guard hairs and all.