As soon as learned to spin (well, even before I learned), spinning for a shawl has been high on my list of 'to spins'. When I ran into Spun Stitches I knew it was time to get off my arse, stop fiddle-farting around and start spinning with real intent. There are several rovings in my stash that were acquired with a shawl in mind. My intention had been to ask for your help in deciding which fiber to use for this new adventure in spinning, but when I pulled out the choices in question I knew which one was my hearts desire. Sorry you didn't get to have input...maybe next time.
Kim was there to aid and abet my spinning habit even before I knew I had one! After the purchase of my first spindle (Estes 2005), she sent a care package with a bit of her beautiful bunny crack and a note saying that every new spinner needed to have a chance to play with luxury fibers. I tried and tried and tired, but never could really make a go of spinning (as you can see) until after Estes 2006, but that didn't stop my desire for fiber.
I purchased this lovely luxurious roving (20% angora 80% merino) from Kim before my spindle could do a damn thing, and over the course of a year I longingly petted it, looked at it, and dreamed of spinning it. Well the days of longing are over as all these little bunny balls will be spun over the next month (or however long it takes) with the intent of becoming a shawl.
Since you didn't get to choose the roving, my next intent was to have you help decide which shawl, however (you know what's coming, right?)...
While thumbing through Victorian Lace Today I came upon a rectangular stole called A Knitted Veil and fell for it right then and there. You can see Jeannie's version here. It's so beautiful!
The Georgia O'Keeffe roving that I dyed some time ago is still in process. The second bobbin is filling and I hope to do some plying this weekend (if I can give up spinning the 'crack' in the mean time. When seperating the the roving for spinning I kept one half darker than the other. I hope this will make a more interesting yarn. We'll see, eh?
Thank you for the suggestions on toning down the eye searing dye job. Your tips reminded me of a demonstration given at the Snake River Fiber Fair a couple of weeks ago on how to blend colored roving....no carders needed. Bits of roving, about 4" pieces were pulled off, thinned out, and set side by side to form a long rectangular base.
Then another layer/color was added on top, then another layer/color on top of that, and so forth.
The rectangle was then rolled up from the long edge, pulled slightly to moosh up the colors and to straighten the fiber a bit. It is then ready to spin.
I blended the eye searing red with some paler gold/salmon/orange from Abby and it seems to have made a rather fun, less retina damaging, textured yarn. Abby also included some silk in the shipment of fiber and I might just see if I can spin it well enough to ply it with the wool. Spinning is so fascinating, limitless in the creative was it can be handled, and I am completely hooked. (I realize I have only touch the tip of the iceberg. Do you think I should look at hand carders while at Estes?)
Since it's Friday...how about some (more) eye candy?
Have a rosy weekend!
I think that you did a great job choosing fiber and pattern with out our help. The shawl is beautiful!
And of course you should look at hand carders!
Posted by: jackie | June 01, 2007 at 04:06 AM
Oh, that is interesting, blending different coloured rovings like that.
I bought a spindle last autumn and will go to a spindle workshop for one day this summer. Have planned to mix different coloured rovings but not like this, I have to try this one too.
Posted by: Mitz | June 01, 2007 at 04:22 AM
It's good that you know what you want. That fiber must be wonderful to spin!
Posted by: Carole | June 01, 2007 at 04:26 AM
That stole (someday) is going to be stunning. I don't need to tell you to get going, because before we know it, you'll be all done!
Posted by: Norma | June 01, 2007 at 04:52 AM
I really like the stuff you are doing. Bunnycrack is a great idea for a first shawl. I'm impressed you are doing it on the dropspindle.
Nice way to blend, which I had not thought about. Another way (via Cathy of Colorado) is to simply hold the fibers together as you draft and let them wrap/twist together. She suggested that with silk and a wool, which I will try at the wheel.
Posted by: Laurie | June 01, 2007 at 04:58 AM
I would suggest that you pick up a pair of combs instead of carders.. I think you'll be much happier with them. Wool Works has some very nice Viking ones which BTW I LOVE!
Have a happy spinning & fiber full fun weekend! Hope you enjoy your first part of your surprises! heeheee
Posted by: michelle | June 01, 2007 at 05:07 AM
What beautiful fiber and pattern you chose for spun stitches. I'm still undecided about what fiber and pattern I'm going to use.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Kelly | June 01, 2007 at 06:04 AM
The eye searing fiber looks much more muted. Nice job.
Posted by: Sarah HB | June 01, 2007 at 06:17 AM
And you going to spindle spin or wheel spin for the shawl -- fantastic either way!
Posted by: Kathy | June 01, 2007 at 06:35 AM
Lots of people on Ravelry have made that stole. It looks like a perfect project for Kim's roving.
Posted by: susan | June 01, 2007 at 06:43 AM
That will make a divine shawl - Kims stuff is hopelessly addicting. Also - awesome tip on the re"carding", I don't think I would have ever thought to do that!
Posted by: PumpkinMama | June 01, 2007 at 06:48 AM
Why stop at a hand carder... go for an electric one. :)
No, I am not an enabler.
Posted by: Stacey | June 01, 2007 at 06:53 AM
Gorgeous rose!
Posted by: Andrea | June 01, 2007 at 07:00 AM
I'm all about Lace today too! Huh!
Posted by: Cara | June 01, 2007 at 07:06 AM
The shawl is a great choice for you, and the O'Keeffe roving is looking quite exciting!
Posted by: Cheryl | June 01, 2007 at 07:18 AM
Hand cards are always useful :-)
VLT is such a wonderful book. There are so many shawls I want to make from it. I think I'm about to start the Half Square in Trinity stitch with that lovely sherbet-colored laceweight you sent!
Posted by: Alison | June 01, 2007 at 07:25 AM
It will be a lovely shawl, a real heirloom. I have started knitting mine for Spun Stiches, I was lucky enoughto have just finished spinnign some laceweight for a shawl when I found the KAL :-)
Posted by: janine | June 01, 2007 at 07:51 AM
Yeah! Gorgeous choices. I'm part of Spun Stitches as well, can't wait to see how that roving spins up!
Posted by: Rebecca | June 01, 2007 at 07:57 AM
I've been eyeing that Knitted Veil, too! lol
(((hugs)))
Posted by: knitnana | June 01, 2007 at 08:04 AM
Go for the hand carders!! It's really cool putting colors together in your roving. If you want to get all fancy schmancy you could always get a drum carder. 'Cause hand carders are really just a step away. (I'm not helping here, am I?)
Posted by: Susan | June 01, 2007 at 08:08 AM
That's a fun way to blend roving!
Posted by: Tan | June 01, 2007 at 08:08 AM
Those bunny balls look like they feel divine! They will make a perfect shawl for you. Happy spinning!
Posted by: Sneaksleep | June 01, 2007 at 08:29 AM
That angora fiber and shawl were made for each other. Good choice.
Thanks for sharing the blending technique. I don't have hand carders yet, so I might try this. I really like the way it turned out.
Posted by: Wool Winder | June 01, 2007 at 08:36 AM
How pretty! That almost makes me want to spin...
Posted by: Heather Joins The Round | June 01, 2007 at 08:44 AM
I really like the knitted veil pattern. Good choice! I'm wondering, though, are you going to spindle-spin the yarn, or use Emmylou? It would take much longer with the spindle, but what an accomplishment it would be...!
That no-equipment blending technique is genius! You chose wonderful colors to blend with the red--especially that golden silk. Oh my my! Beautiful. :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | June 01, 2007 at 08:53 AM