All tagged fiber prep

Combo Spinning

A combo spin combines several different fiber braids to create enough spun yardage for a larger project, say for a sweater. The braids are divided into chunks, spun in random color order, and then those singles are plied together.

Cashmere Dehairing

Today’s post is a follow-up to ‘Cashmere Gathering’, which I published a while back. In that article, I wrote about the history and characteristics of cashmere and about collecting cashmere from my own goats. Readers wrote asking me how I dehair and prep my harvested cashmere. So, in this post, I'll share my process.

"Shopping" My Handspun

I love handspun yarn! The rhythm of spinning is relaxing while the interplay of colors and textures equally imparts joy. Like many hand spinners, the result of my passion produces an abundant and ever growing handspun stash. Although these skeins are pleasing eye candy on their own merits, my practical side prods me to find a project that befits them.

How To Spin: Wintery Mix

Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are in the midst of winter.

Snow is rare here, but we do get the occasional “wintery mix”. Within that mix, there can be a moment of transition when ice crystals begin to form and cling to any surfaces they contact. I think my skein of handspun captures that event quite well.

Alpaca Shearing

I've been working on a number of posts that will be appearing soon as part of my mini series on Alpacas.  And what better place to start than with the animal and their fleece!

 

This past weekend was crop harvest (fleece shearing) at Carolina Pride Pastures, a local alpaca farm featuring huacaya alpacas.

Alpaca Fleece . . . Now What?

A dear friend and fellow fiber enthusiast generously gifted me about 2 1/2 pounds of raw alpaca fleece in 3 colors - black, white, and cinnamon brown.  A spinner's treasure trove!  So how do you get from this wonderful bag of fluff to . . . luxuriant alpaca top ready to spin?