Custom Blended Merino Fibre

This is the prettiest bundle of fluff I have ever laid my little eyes on.  And it is MASSIVE :o



It's from World of Wool, which is a brilliant online store which lets you blend your own fibre choosing from different breeds, fibre types, colours and 'passes', which is how many times it is mixed through the carder.

I popped the contents of this lovely bundle up in my Ravelry Stash.

Minimum order was 500g, so I just *had* to get it...  I'm gonna try a couple of sample methods of spinning it and then perhaps attempt to make myself a little (or large) cardigan :D

Or I might just sit it beside me on the couch and pet it for the rest of the night.  Or just snuggle with it.

Plan of action:  stop staring at the massive mound of pretty fibre.  Go eat some food because it's already way past dinner time.  Spin my night away!

This is another first - spinning colourful dyed yarn!  I spun my first bobbin and dyed my first skein last week :D  see here and here.  

I did learn how to braid fibre the other day.... perhaps I'll just go braid all of this too.

Scratch that "maybe".  I did it.  I just typed about it and found the irresistible urge to go back and braid all the yarn.

It's dark so my photos are not brilliant (I shall put up more tomorrow), but look at these pretty pretty braids!

p.s. Remember you can sign up for blog-updates by following the blog on bloglovin'!

Hand Dyeing Handspun & Potting Plants

Good morning Lovelies!  Aren't you always more motivated when the sun is shining?

After reading "Start Spinning" in one sitting on Friday, I received this gem in the post yesterday and may have read it all in one go again...  It's just incredible!  Lots of lovely photos, lots of step by step instructions, personal hints, tips and stories dotted in between.

So after getting to grips with my new spinning wheel, braiding all the fibre I could find and spinning my first yarn, I tried my hand at dyeing it!

There was lots of vinegar and blue & purple food colouring involved; I may have ended up looking like I had murdered all the smurfs at once in some sort of smurphy apocalypse, the kitchen narrowly escaping the same fate.

My partner was very confused as to why all our cleaning products were hanging from yarn over the sink (in case you are confused too, this is supposed to smooth out the wiggly bits of yarn).

Anyway, this dried here overnight, and this morning I took some lovely photos on my windowsill for you :p  I love that windowsill.  I love Edinburgh to pieces, but it does kill my kitchen plants with lack of sunshine over winter :/

So we got some daffodils to brighten up my dead window garden!   And to show off my new yarn beside as a photo prop.  yey.

Look at the lovely mess I made (and have since cleaned up).  I kind of wish I could put my desk under this window, but I don't know how sensible it is to have your workspace in the kitchen :/

I'd snack all day and all my work would smell of dinner.  Disaster.   Oh,  I've uploaded the yarny photos to my stash on ravelry too :).


What are your favourite dyeing methods?  I shall have to try them!!


:D x



p.s. Remember you can follow updates on Bloglovin'!

First Spinning Project... Here we go!

Officially addicted to this spinning malarkey.  After spending last weekend happily braiding all my fibre together (why is this so addictive??),  I arrived home from my exam yesterday to this lovely spinning book waiting on my doormat for me.

(Quite literally on the doormat.  My letter box is stupidly small - see the photos in my DIY draught excluder tutorial for proof - and since I live in a nice top floor flat and have a lovely postman who I chatted to, he now leaves books under my doormat for me so I don't have to go collecting them all the time).

Anyhoo, I sat down with a cup of coffee & some biscuits and read the entire book.  Such a nice afternoon, I've not had time to just sit and read a book for so long.

Looking through the methods of spinning to see which is closest to mine, it turns out I have made up a magical way of spinning which isn't listed (though I'm sure it already exists).  Having only started last week with no teaching I just fed the fibre in whichever way felt easiest.   It works for me, and I'm happy with my first project, so I think I'll just stick to it :)

Happy is actually an understatement, I am insanely proud of my first bobbin-full of yarn -looky here!!

I wanted DK, and think I have managed! (mostly).  It does maybe go up to worsted and down to fingering in places, but not too much at all!  Very pleased.  Proud of self.  *pats self on back*

I've unwrapped the larger bobbin (75g) into a skein ready for dyeing, using my arm - no scientific measures spared here - and estimate it to be aroooouuund 230 yards (210m), this sounding like DK to you?

I'm expecting a book on dyeing the yarn to arrive today, so I shall keep you all updated!!!

UPDATE:  I've dyed this now!  See it here :)

:D



p.s. Remember you can follow updates on Bloglovin'!

How to Braid Fibre (& GIFs are fun!)

This weekend I ordered lots of yummy fibre for spinning on my new wheel, then got rather obsessed with winding it up into these yummy braids ready for dying!  

In case the video is making your eyes dizzy, here are a few little written instructions:
1. unravel your ball of fibre, and fold it into a long 'N' shape.
2. tuck the end of your 'N' around the loop beside it to serve as a tie in for the top of the braid.
3. then just braid the fibre down!  (right over, left over, etc)

I also have some raw fleece washing in a bucket in the bathtub... my better man probably ain't too happy, but it's gonna be so pretty!

Aaaaand - GIFs!  How great are these!  little picturey videos. nom.


Do you dye your own yarn?  What is your favourite technique?  I'ma gonna try them all!



G'night Lovelies!
Amanda :) x