This installment of the Sheepspot Fiber Club is a lovely Shetland top and, I have been doing some sampling to see what it can do and it is interesting what I am learning, thus far.
I spun my first samples on my Schacht Matchless using the largest whorl I have (10.5:1) and I slowed my treadling way down and I increased my take up. My single ended up with about 3 TPI (twists per inch), my twist angle is 65-degrees, but I think that might be a bit too much twist. I’d like it at about 2 TPI, but I don’t think I can do that on my wheel with the whorl I have. I just am not certain I can treadle any slower! (The bottom skeinlet is the singles yarn)
I then spun up a sample that I plied. I did not change the whorl or my treadling for the singles, although I spun them a bit finer and decreased my take up significantly. I plied the yarn with a 40-degree twist angle and 3 TPI. I like this yarn very much before finishing. (The top skeinlet is the plied yarn) It is very interesting how different the two samples are in color as well.
I then sampled using spindles.
I spun the same amount of fiber on my Ann Grout Acorn Spindle – my goal was to create a low twist single. I got much better and more controlled results using a spindle – 1.5 TPI, a 25-degree twist angle, and it is a cohesive yarn. I have yet to wash and set the yarn, but I will full it a bit to help it stay together. (The skeinlet on the left is the singles yarn)
I spun a much finer single on my Jenkins Kuchulu Turkish Spindle. I wound the singles off into a plying ball and plied them on the same spindle. My twist angle was 50 degrees in the plied yarn and I got 4.5 TPI before finishing.
Now, here is the shocker – I like the yarns spun on the spindle much more than I like the yarns spun on my Matchless. I know. I am stunned!
My next step will be to finish the yarns and knit up swatches. I will be interested to see what my thoughts are once I have done that.
Stay tuned, swatches will be next Friday’s post!
Now for some linkage to usher in the weekend:
- Andrea Rangel’s new book is STUNNING! There are some things
calling to me in there. - It seems Lopapeysa’s are on everyone’s mind!
- Colorwork and Mary Jane are just perfect
- Looking for an autumn MKAL? Knit Purl Hunter has one that is FREE!
- More free socks
- Ambah brings us Alinda this week.
- Cuboid (personally, the dog was the kicker!)
- Svetlana has been busy again. Really busy.
- Grandifolia Lite
- Perhaps you need some Tardis Slippers?
- Between the Lanes is free for a limited time!
That’s all I have this week, Gentle Reader. May your weekend be much cooler than it is forecast to be here!
You spinners and your jargon! All I know is that it is pretty yarn and I’ll be looking forward to swatches next week.
Didn’t know there was so much to spinning…love the colors of your yarn and like Bonny, looking fwd to the swatches. Have fun knitting them.
Cheers~
Pretty spinning and thanks for sharing your process, too. Dale just came in and said, “good lord it’s a HOT one out there!” I’m staying inside in the AC, I ain’t no dummy.
I have an Anne Grout spindle too! It is what I learned to spin on. I was hoping to buy an acorn like yours, but I understand she’s not going to be making them anymore. 🙁
Thanks for posting the your samples, now I have a better idea what to try with mine!
beautiful spinning and I enjoyed the links 🙂