Fiber Arts Friday: Tour de Fleece 2022, part 2

A few weeks later, and two Tours complete... the hommes and femmes.

I did end up playing with my regular Spinning Chien group, as well as joining the Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins Team... a former LYS in Boulder, that is still holding virtual meetups.

Week 1 

Friday, July 1

• Dorset Horn - 15 minutes
• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes

Saturday, July 2

• Dorset Horn - 15 minutes
• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes

Sunday, July 3

• Dorset Horn - 45 minutes
• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes

Monday, July 4 - Transfer Day, US Independence Day Holiday

• With a little extra time for spinning today and yesterday, I was able to finish the single for the Dorset Horn - 1 hour 22 minutes

I wound it into a cake and will be ready to begin plying tomorrow.

• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes

Tuesday, July 5

• Dorset Horn - ply 15 minutes
• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes

Wednesday, July 6

• Dorset Horn - ply 15 minutes
• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes

Thursday, July 7

• Dorset Horn - ply 15 minutes
• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes

Week 2:

Friday, July 8

• Dorset Horn - ply 15 minutes.  As the cake shrinks, my speed increases.  But I still have a ways to go.

• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes.  I got a new lamp last week and have noticed that the color is more grey when under the light of the new lamp.

Saturday, July 9

• Dorset Horn - ply 30 minutes
• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes

Sunday, July 10 - Challenge

• No spinning

Monday, July 11 - Rest

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 30 minutes

Tuesday, July 12

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes

Wednesday, July 13

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes

Thursday, July 14

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes

Friday, July 15

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes.  After growing a bit too much confidence, I broke the thread.  sigh.  So I spent some time pulling part of the batt into roving.

Week 3

Saturday, July 16

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes.  I broke the thread again.  sigh.

Sunday, July 17

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes.  It's interesting to look at this photo along side the first one in this post.  Every little bit does add up, even when it doesn't feel like progress is being made.  :-)

Monday, July 18 - Rest

Tuesday, July 19 - It was lovely to be back at my wheel today.

• Dorset Horn - ply 15 minutes

• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 15 minutes

Wednesday, July 20

Thanks to the replay option on Peacock, this is the first Tour de Fleece where I have been able to watch coverage beyond a 2-hr highlight show of the actual Tour de France.

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes

Thursday, July 21 - Challenge

• Dorset Horn - ply 15 minutes

Friday, July 22

• Dorset Horn - ply 30 minutes

Week 4

Saturday, July 23

• Dorset Horn - ply 28 minutes.  Finished Plying.

• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 30 minutes

Sunday, July 24

• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen - 45 minutes

FIN - Men's Race

Weighing before and after means that I have 30 + 24 + 5 g or 59 g of singles were spun over 3 weeks and 112 g were plied thus far.

Tour de France, Femme Begins

With the Men's race ending today and the first Women's race beginning, I decided to dedicate the next week to plying my Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen.

There are 102 g here, that hopefully will be in a finished 2-ply yarn by the end of the week.

Sunday, July 24

• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen -  ply 30 min
• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes

Monday, July 25

• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen -  ply 30 min

Tuesday, July 26

• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen -  ply 70 min.  I think I might finish this tomorrow

Wednesday, July 27

• Tibetan Mastiff, Ramen -  ply 34 min.  I smashed my hand in a door this morning and injured my primary index finger.  It's the same one I shattered a few years ago, so it's good and painful. At least I can ply with my middle finger and was able to finish making this yarn.  sigh.

Thursday, July 28

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes.  I have a lot more cashmere to go, so I've decided to dedicate the rest of the tour to making some progress here.

Friday, July 29

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 21 minutes

Week 5

Saturday, July 30

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes

Sunday, July 31

• Cashmere - drop spindle (park and draft) - 15 minutes

FIN - Women's Race

Before and After Individual Top Photos

Sometimes it's really hard to see progress, so here's a side by side of before and after the Tours.

On my Clemes&Clemes Wheel, I had Tibetan Mastiff - Ramen., 143g (bobbin+yarn) to begin and ended with 173g (bobbin+yarn), for a total of 30g of single spun and 102g/324 yards of yarn plied.

 

On my Louet, I had Dorset Horn for SE2SE, that began with 233g (bobbin+yarn) and finished with 257g (bobbin+yarn).  Meaning that 24g of Dorset Horn Single and 112g plied during the Tour de Fleece, Homme.

 

On my Ledbetter Drop Spindle, I began with Cashmere, 24g (spindle+yarn) , Ended with 32g (spindle+yarn), for a total of 8g spun.

This was not my most productive Tour de Fleece, but this was mostly just about making it happen... and both of my wheels are currently empty, which never happens.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market 2022, part 3

So with my homework having been (re)completed in March, I double-checked my supplies and tools for each class and spent a long weekend at the Estes Park Wool Market in June.

This was my first time taking a class at a Wool Festival... and I took two. :-)

I have attended talks and watched demonstrations before.... but it was really quite special to be able to focus two days on improving skills and knowledge.

Our new place is a little further away, but still extremely convenient for day trips to Estes Park.

Exploring the Drum Carder

My first class was Exploring the Drum Carder with Henry and Roy Clemes.

Prior to this class, I had only seen short demonstrations of carding in my initial Learning to Spin class.

I do have a second-hand half-sized carder that I have been using for several (11!) years, but now with this full-day class, I think my output will be much nicer to work with.

I'm looking forward to taking the next class in their series.

I also picked up a couple of tools that will help me use my old carder better.

Finishing with Excellence

This class was everything I was expecting.

Like the Carding Class, I have finished projects, but now I know a few more techniques to make those joins and weave-ins even more invisible.

We also spent some time talking about blocking techniques.

I truly enjoyed taking Paula's class.

Shopping

In addition to the tools listed above, I did buy some yarn and roving.

So while I have said that I generally don't like crazy dyed yarns, when I do buy yarn, it is often dyed.

I like that the colors at Estes were more muted than other markets I've been to in recent years (Yarn Fest, Stitches).  I especially loved the work of the Apothefaery.  Her work is very earthy.

I actually bought quite a bit of yarn this trip.... mostly because I wanted to pair against some out-of-character crazy yarn that I bought at Stitches West in 2019...

Aside from the last few SE2SE breeds (which I did not find) and the yarn to pair with the crazy above, I wasn't really looking for much.  However, I am always looking to add interesting or unusual fibers to my stash.... and per usual, Estes Park did not disappoint.... Valais Blacknose roving!

This ranch near me has possibly the first Purebred Valais Blacknose born (via embryo transfer) in the US.  This is quite exciting.

Valais Blacknose is a carpet wool, and should go nicely with some of the other stuff in my stash.  As I was leaving the shopkeeper asked what I would be making.... and I just said, "yarn."  :-)  I really don't know what it will become beyond yarn, but I am very excited to try it.

The second bag is Scottish Blackface, which is also a new breed for me.

Demonstration

Unplanned was a spinning demonstration.  Henry Clemes ask if I would be willing to spin on one of their wheels during the market over the weekend... to which I replied, "Absolutely!"

I spent about an hour on Saturday afternoon showing people how yarn works.  Really fun!!

Animals

I stopped by the Sheep and Goat Barn... One of these years I'll actually make it to the Cashmere Goat Show.  

Cashmere Goat Show Results

I spent a few minutes speaking with a Shetland Sheep Farmer who was getting ready to show.

I snapped only a couple of photos... none of which are composed well.  

Valais Blacknose

Jacob Ram

"Cashmere" Goats

There is so much more to see, such as Herding and Shearing Demonstrations, Sheep-to-Shawl Competition, Llamas, Alpacas, Paco-Vicunas, Rabbits, Food, equipment demonstrations, and talks.

I love that we are close to this excellent show and always look forward to focusing a little differently each time.  I especially love that this show is more geared toward spinners and not just knitters and crocheters.

Yes, I wore a mask the entire weekend... and will continue to do so.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Tour de Fleece 2022, part 1

This is going to be an unusual Tour de Fleece for me this year.... 

I have a significant commitment during the Tour, so I don't expect to be able to spin or post regularly.  Also all of my yarns are already in work, so measuring progress has to be based on the starting bobbin+yarn weight.

As usual, the Tour de Fleece runs parallel to the Tour de France (men's race, July 1-24).  

This year there is also a Tour de France, Femme, immediately following the men's race (July 24-31).  I am not aware if there will be a Spin-along, but I intend to continue spinning in support of the women.  So my wrap-up will be after the Women's race concludes.

On my Clemes&Clemes Modern Wheel, I have Tibetan Mastiff - Ramen., 143 g (bobbin+yarn)

On my Louet S10 DT, I have Dorset Horn for SE2SE, 233 g (bobbin+yarn)

On my Ledbetter Drop Spindle, I have Cashmere, 24 g (spindle+yarn)

My goal for 2022 is to spin 15 minutes per day.  My hope is more, but my reality is what it is.

The 2022 Tour de Fleece begins Today!  I invite you to find a team you like and play along.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Copperbranch, part 6

So, I have not ripped it out yet... or any of the other Stalled Projects, I felt like ripping out over the last few weeks.  I also have not made any forward progress.

I'm pretty sure I will attempt to fix the three sections instead of ripping out the whole thing.  At least then if the rework doesn't go well, I can rip out to the life line.... right?

This means I will need to do some planning and find a few tools.  It also means this project will likely be on pause for a while.

It's tenuous times right now... and it's Fiber Arts Friday.

Fiber Arts Friday: Copperbranch, part 5

Last week I shared the mistakes that were discovered during row 7.

So while I had planned to address the dropped and split stitches after knitting was completed, I had an overwhelming urge to rip out the entire project while working on Lace Row 8 (of 44).

So, at the moment, I have set the Copperbranch aside... I have been working on this project since May of 2019, or really since 2017, if you count that it started out as a different project.  So, someone please talk me out of frogging this one.

It is Fiber Arts Friday.  Not sure if it's happy.  ;-)

Fiber Art Friday: Copperbranch, part 4

I am continuing to work on my Copperbranch 5-10 minutes a session, zero to a few days per week.

The last time I posted about this project, back in April 2020, I was 4 rows into the Lace portion.  Today I am finished with row 7 and I have 37 rows to go out of 44 for the lace portion.

So it is going very slow, but is starting to look as if it might have something going on.... not sure it looks like lace yet.  ;-)

While working on row 7, I noticed that I dropped one stitch on the first lace row, split one stitch a couple of rows back, and lost one stitch in a section of row 6.

My thought at this point is to secure the dropped and split stitches with a bead or charm and call them design features.

I think I made up the missing stitch ok, but only time will tell for sure.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Copperbranch, part 3

I think lace can be beautiful.

My Ravelry queue and favorites list are full of projects that include lace... but I've stated (at least) a few times that I'm not a fan of making lace.  However, I do want to be competent.  So I keep trying it.  Hence, Copperbranch.

The last time I posted about this project (October 2020), the body of the wrap was finished and it was time to embark upon the lace portion.

I then took my unplanned hiatus, and only started working on this project again a few weeks ago.

I have several other projects stalled for various reasons and we are preparing to move house (and farm), so I have packed all of my in-process/stalled projects except for this one.

That's one way to make me work on lace, right?  lol

So far, I've only spent 5-10 minutes per session and am now 4 rows into the lace portion.

Yes, blazing speed, I know.  (sarcasm)

Of course, I do have two spinning projects still available... but not getting much attention right now.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!