Confetti Polworth Tweed

I found some confetti-like fluff at an op shop and could not resist. I used some Polworth seconds that I had recently combed. Even though the fleece was long and lovely, I don’t try to get every single fibre off the combs and the seconds were still quite nice. I used a drum carder for blending and spun at a high twist ratio in the hopes that it would lock in the confetti. I have some left over and I think that I will use hand cards to see if I can get the fleece a little more blended prior to spinning.

Breed: Polworth
Wool prep: woollen, carded on drum carder
Wool spun: semi-woollen

Breed: Polworth
Wool prep: worsted, combed with English wool combs, tips cut

Rustic Tweed

I finally got around to spinning the tweed batts that I carded on the drum carder. I’m very happy with the results.

Breed: N.Z. Romney and commercial wool blend
Wool prep: woollen
Wool spun: semi-woollen

Maybe Merino?

After my last experience with Merino, I thought I would try again but this time combing the wool. The bag of fleece wasn’t labeled, but I am pretty sure it’s Merino. I also separated all the colours so that I can create a skein that transitions from light to dark.

Breed: Merino?
Wool preparation: worsted, combed with English wool combs, tips cut

S.A. Merino

This was my first attempt at working with raw Merino fleece. I definitely prefer combed fleece to flicked fleece. There were just too many joins and it was hard to keep an even rhythm going. It was also the first time that I had dyed grey fleece and I am loving the results.

Breed: S.A. Merino
Wool prep: worsted, flicked, tips cut
Wool spun: worsted, 2-ply
WPI: 14
Light blue: 27 yards
Blue: 99 yards
Grey: 199 yards
Dye: natural Indigo, dyed in the skein

scoured fleece

raw fleece

Leaves, Roots and Fronds

Naturally dyed top
L to R: carrot tops, Bracken fern, carrot root, carrot root with washing soda after bath and Eucalyptus

After getting great results with Eucalyptus dyeing, I thought I would try a few more starting with purple carrots. Since I had a large quantity of carrot tops, over 2 kg, I made a large batch of alum mordanted wool using the hot method. The carrot tops were less than exciting, but it was nice to at least get some color. The roots were equally disappointing, but more interesting after a washing soda after bath, which resulted in a nice green.

The Bracken fern was by far the most interesting. It was actually over dyed carrot top with a washing soda after bath. I forgot to take photos of the source, but there is plenty more where that came from. But be warned, they are also very strong smelling.

On the other side of the spectrum the Eucalyptus smelled wonderful, but only resulted in a colour that wasn’t very exciting. The colour improved slightly with a washing soda after bath.

Hand spun yarn dyed with carrot top

Eucalyptus tree (species unknown)

Eucalyptus leaves (species unknown)

Top dyed with Eucalyptus with end dipped in washing soda after bath

N.Z. Romney Tweed

Using the drum carder and more of the N.Z. Romney and Wilton’s food colouring dyed wool, I made some batts. I found that large apple boxes work great for storage.

Sari Singles

I was able to borrow a drum carder for a few weeks and took the opportunity to play around with some N.Z. Romney wool, Sari silk and Eucalyptus over-dyed commercial top. The silk had to be cut into shorter lengths and it made a mess on the drum carder. I received a tip about covering the drum carder with an open weave cloth so that it’s easier to clean, which I will eventually try.

Just another Calorimetry

Pattern: Calorimetry by Kathryn Schoendorf
Details: on Ravelry

I wanted to do some experimenting with handspun singles and this project fit the bill. The wool blend is dyed with Wilton’s food colouring.

Tree in the pot, sort of

I finally got a pot large enough to try dyeing with Eucalyptus. The Cormo fleece was slightly felted from scouring several years ago. My technique has gotten better, but it was a bit of a struggle to comb it out. Overall, I am happy with the results, especially because no mordant was required.

Breed: Cormo
Wool prep: worsted, combed with dog comb
Wool spun: worsted, 2-ply
Dye: Eucalyptus

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