Touring

In an effort to spin up some of the gorgeous fiber that resides in my too large fiber stash, I joined the Tour de Fleece. (As an aside: If spinning up the stash was the goal you'd think I'd have had the sense to pick more than 2 oz. of fiber as my Tour goal. Oh well.) Also, in the effort to spin for the Ravelry groups, A Spinners Study (tussah silk) and Spinners Central (monochrome) monthly challenges AND in the effort to spin with the TdF Climbers (spinners who want a challenge), my chosen fiber is a baby camel/tussah from Foxfire Fibers (a gift from BethS.)  This soft, elegant, exquisite fluff is called Daybreak and it is aptly and beautifully named.  The baby camel fiber is downy fluff and only because it is mixed with silk can I hope to spin it into anything resembling yarn.  The plan is for a two ply lace weight and so far the samples show I'm doing well.  It's a devil to work with, but so worthy of the effort. Look at that halo!

It may take every minute of my tour spinning time, right up to the finish line, for this fiber to become yarn.  It is incredibly slow going as the needs to be tightly and  finely spun (yes the coin is a dime).  Two ounces should be enough for a nice shawl at this grist, but it will take forever to spin and ply.  The challenge may become sticking with it 'til the end. The picture below shows the results after one day....I've got a long way to go.

My wheel, Emmylou, was moved to the main floor as the upstairs rooms are very warm during the summer months. The living room is a good place to spin as there is good light from the big window (and a good view, too). The audience, Max and Moxie stay close by doing what they do best.  They make good company and entertain as they keep constant guard. I feel safe from every predator as they watch all doors and windows while pretending to sleep.

What more could a grrl ask for?

Comments

[Teyani]

Oh my- your spinning is fabulous.

[Julie]

That is going to be some gorgeous yarn!

[Lucia]

That is amazing. And I thought my spinning was fine. Yours would make angels weep.

[Carole]

How about a friend spinning next to you?

[CindyCindy]

That is going to be an absolutely exquisite shawl. It will be worth the extra effort. Seriously, grrrl. That is stunning. Now, I'm all excited for you! And, your guards? Buff and ready to go;-)

[Wool Winder]

Beautifully spun!

[Chris]

Is that Max/Moxie in the background in a frog pose?! :)

Spin spin spin...

[Kristin]

Your fiber sounds absolutely yummy! As a recent convert to handspun laceweight, I sympathize with the amount of work that goes into it, but I know how rewarding it will be. Happy Spinning!

[Dianne]

As always I am in awe..but I do have the patience to wait for the finished product..and a lovely shawl it will be!..Happy Spinning~

[Laurie]

You are doing beautiful justice to that fluff. What amazing singles to make that 2 ply. Wow.
Yes, it is time consuming, but SO worth it when you have fiber like that.

[P-la]

Looks pretty idyllic to me!

[Tammy]

Not only do my furfriends do a good job feigning sleep, but if I hold a treat near my bobbin, they can show great interest in my spinning as well. Which is a far sight better than my kids who require somewhere between prompting and prodding with a stick to get the merest "ooohhh, aaahhh!". So just in case Max & Moxie don't give you the appropriate response to you spinning, let me just say, "oooohhhh! aaaaaah!! Beautiful!" from Ohio. :-)

[marianne]

Talk about some gorgeous colours! and such a fine spin to your yarn, wow.

[Jewel]

Your spinning is looks so nice and even. I love the pink and purple it should make a lovely scarf.
I love dogs and how they feel they need to guard our home from anything that comes along. You should feel very safe!!

[jackie]

I think that 2 oz for your tour de fleece is plenty when spun up like that! It looks so lovely, I'm sure that it will be a stunning shawl.

[Siew]

Wow - I can't believe how fine that is- and so beautiful. I've just started spinning and have no clue what I'm doing. Whorl? Ratio? What's all that. I'm just whining it (and probably making all sorts of bad habits) and making rope right now but I love it! Can't wait to see your progress on this beautiful yarn.

[Marcia]

I love the pooch shots! The hum of the wheel must mesmerize them! Probably too late for this gorgeous yarn, but are you using the Fast Flier? It does make spinning laceweight faster. And easier. Just saying. (In fact, you can even get a "Very Fast Flier" with a thick core bobbin for future reference.)

[Cheryl S.]

So clever of Max and Moxie to pretend to be so nonchalant. It would certainly fool any would-be attacker until it was too late.

[Kim]

The boys are just too cute! I am working on spinning some laceweight as well. I am envious of the finished skeins out there, but I know this is going to be worth it even if it does take all summer...:)

[deb]

Wow - I have SOOOOO much to learn (or maybe practice?) Cute toes too!

[Kristy]

Your spinning is lovely, and that fiber -- luscious!!!

[elizabeth]

I applaud you for putting the time and effort into spinning the fiber the way it should and needs to be spun! You will definitely be rewarded. I start out with great intentions, but then I get in a hurry or distracted and the yarn reflects that.

[Cookie]

It will be more than worth the time served when you're done. And what better way to hide from the smoky air than to hang out with the boyz while spinning?

xo

[Anne B.]

Protect the fibre guys!

[rebecca]

wow! how incredibly beautiful!
you are an amazing spinner!! wasn't that long ago that you started.
simply amazing

[Jan]

Beautiful! What a goal!

What are the silvery bits dangling from the purple thread/yarn on your wheel?

They look like bells to make music while you spin!

[Rachel]

This yarn looks amazing! so worth all the work it will take, I know you are going to make it! Go Margene Go!!!

[Doris]

That will be some beautiful yarn and a gorgeous shawl. I like to knit in my living room because that is where Petey, my protector from all predators, likes to pretend to nap. He is wonderful company just as I am sure that Max and Moxie are.

[Opal]

Oh that fiber is divine and your spinning is perfection!

[Anne]

I've visited with Moxie while he "pretends" to sleep. I like how he feigns snoring to lull would-be attackers into a false sense of security. :)

Lovely to see you tonight!

[Sarah]

So lovely!

[Beth S.]

Is this the finest 2-ply you've ever done? Surely it must be... the dime looks like a half-dollar next to those gossamer strands!

[Hillary]

Wow! That is some extremely fine yarn you're spinning. I always get freaked out when it gets too thin.

[Knitnana]

Those dogs. They're adorable! And I love the shot of your painted toes and plain fingers...reminds me of mine!
(((hugs)))

[Birdsong]

That cloud of fluff is so beautiful and will be well worth the effort! I am so relieved to know that while your attention is on spinning a difficult fiber into a laceweight yarn, those boyz are hard at work keeping you safe:)

[Abby Franquemont]

Ohhhh that camel/silk is positively sinful! Mmmmmm.

[Sylvia]

Gorgeous twist angle. If spinning were a computer game all the kids on the block would be talking about that Margene who made it to Level 24!!! Excellent!