Podcast Episode 3 - Alpaca Visit and Figure 8s

Episode 3 of Rose "Spins a Yarn" is live.  This episode does a quick visit with the alpacas outside (the barn was too dark to get anything worthwhile to show), as well as how to tie your handspun (or any yarn) with figure 8 ties.

Podcast Episode 2 - WPI Meaning and PayItForward

Episode 2 is up.  We discuss how to measure the thickness of your handspan yarn using WPI (Wraps Per Inch) as well as the amazing, generous giveaways from the yarn and fiber community with #payitforward

As promised my WPI range. . . . I will also put this in a PDF in the upcoming week and add it to my main website along with the translations of the new US labeling system and common needle/crochet hooks and gauge for each weight of yarn:

• Bulky (less than 8)
• Aran 8-10
• Worsted 10-12
• DK 12-18
• Sport 18-24
• Fingering/Sock 24-30
• Lace 30-40 

Here is the pattern link to the hat I will be spinning for in the next coming weeks: 

Ziggy Pattern 

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @almapark or Facebook for a chance to enter our #AlmaParkpaysitforward giveaway. 

Tour de Fleece Day 1 - July 4th

Happy Birthday America !!


I am going to chronicle my TdF journey here and do one post a day.

7:23 AM- (with coffee in hand) 

I will be doing the 2nd bobbin (6.2 oz) of this Jacob wool, bamboo, faux cashmere, Angelina combo. The first bobbin was completed prior to the tour.  I will be spinning on my Hansen mS.  I am shooting for a fingering weight (24 WPI) yarn, but Jabob normally poofs up, so it may be more towards sport once washed.  We will see.  My singles on the first bobbin approx 38 WPI right now.  This is going to be several skeins once completed, for the shop. 

Here is the Ravelry link to all the info on this yarn (still in progress).

6.2 oz in rolags waiting to be spun and 6.2 oz on the bobbin prior to the tour

11:32 AM - (with interruptions from husband, child, and animals) 

My progress this morning. . . .  2 oz spun.  I will continue more this evening after today's festivities and chores are completed.  

10:54 PM 

Did about 3 oz total and will finish this on Day 2 of TdF and maybe even ply. 

And in other news  . . . . 

I also skeined this up today and it will be in the shop sometime in the next few days.  It was spun prior to the TdF, but hey looking at colorful yarn is fun .....right?!?

This is my signature All Colors™ TnT Self-Striping.  Some bobbles, coils and beehives as well :) Mix of wools, wool locks, alpaca, silk, sparkle. 

All Colors™ TnT Self-Striping

Spin a Pound, Get a Pound™ Inaugural Spin-Off March 2015

I know I am really late in posting this - but the entire month of April went by with me pretty much skirting fleece all day and finding little time for internet stuff that required any thought.

My group, Spin a Pound, Get a Pound™ had a spin-off competition in  March and the winners were chosen by group voting --- here is how I did :)

To see ALL of the yarns entered, go to the official page for the contest.

All of these yarns will be available for purchase except the "art yarn" skein.

The spinning batt is available (and in it's second batch of production), so you can click here or the link below the pic to go directly to that listing on my website.

The rest of the skeins will be available in a major Hand Spun Update on Monday May 25 (Memorial Day 2015) !!  I will post details then and most likely a coupon for ANY of the handspun in stock - so check back ....hint hint!!  There are lots of listings already on the hand spun page on my website, but there are some cool new ones coming including these.  Hope to see you there !

Entered into the "2 or 3 ply balanced" category - 6th place - this was a TOUGH category with 23 entries

Entered into the "Art Yarn" Category - 1st place - 18 entries

Entered in "Wild and Crazy Art Batt" category - 2nd place - 11 entries
I call this "A Little Birdie Told Me" 

Entered into the "Natural Colored Yarn" category - this is made from roving available in my shop - 2nd place - 15 entries

Entered into the "Navajo Ply" category - 3rd place - 14 entries 

Entered into the "Raw Fleece to Yarn" category - 18 entries --- I came in 15th :(  My worst showing ever in a competition 

Series (Installment 2 - Corriedale Wool): Spinning my way through the Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook

Corriedale Wool 

Fiber Characteristics - Corriedale wool is readily available in commercial top and normally is seen in the preparation in either white or brown.  Commercial top is typically in the micron range of 26-27 which is a spinning count of 56-58s.  For those of you unfamiliar with what spinning count actually means . . .  "It is a system that originated in the 19th century (along with mechanized spinning equipment). It is the number of hanks of yarn, each 560 yards in length, that it is possible to spin from one pound of clean wool. The finer the wool fiber, the more hanks (greater length, thinner yarn) that can be obtained from one pound." (1)  So the lower the micron, the finer the fiber and more hanks per pound (higher spinning count).  

"The Corriedale is the oldest of all the crossbred wool breeds, a Merino-Lincoln cross developed in Australia and New Zealand and first brought to the United States in 1914. Corriedales are a dual-purpose sheep with good meat and wool.

Their dense fleece is medium-fine and high yielding, with good length and softness, somewhat between medium wool and long wool. It is favored by hand spinners. Corriedale lambs produce good quality carcasses and have a high pelt value.

Breed categories: medium wool, dual-purpose" (2)

• Grades  - Like Alpaca, Corriedale fleece can have a range of micron.  This can vary from sheep to sheep, farm to farm.  It is based on genetics, environment and age, much like alpacas.  Published ranges of micron are 22 - 34 microns (1), and 25 - 31 (3).  In the commercial top market, there seems to be a consistent 26-27 microns.  

This medium wool with the  range of micron 26-27 is still next to skin soft but is also durable and can be used for almost any project.  Corriedale (like most wools) does not have to be blended to make it "workable" for a particular project.  100% Corriedale is good all by itself, retains it shape and is easy to care for.  Having said that, if you are going to make socks, I would still blend with a bit of nylon for durability.  

• Blending  - Corriedale blends well with other fibers like silk, nylon and alpaca. . . if using alpaca or another wool - make sure the micron is of a similar grade to the Corriedale to make the yarn as consistent as possible

Organic Brown NZ Corriedale blended with Tussah and Soffsilk™
Prepped from commercially prepared top -  For Sale Here

• Prep Work   - When working from raw wool, washing methods are important.  While "spinning in the grease" can be accomplished with Corriedale, but it does have a good amount of lanolin (I could not find % stats) and like any wool, not washing completely and then storing can make for a "sticky" fleece that will be difficult to comb, card or spin.  So if you are not going to work with it right away, wash out the lanolin completely before storing.  Carding a sticky fleece will produce neps and noils.  

• Spinning Ease -  when properly prepared, Corriedale is a pleasure to spin and is suitable for the beginner or experienced spinner.  Depending on prep, Corriedale can be spun woolen or worsted.   Since Corriedale is a very dense, crimpy wool, flicking locks and spinning from the lock is another method that can be employed if no blending is desired. 

• Dye Uptake : Corriedale takes dye well and can be dyed before carding/combing using a kettle method or after combing/carding spinning using a hand-paint or kettle method.  It will felt so care should be taken as with any wool. 

100% Corriedale self-striping in shades of grey - prepped from raw - carded and combed

• Setting : Wet setting is accomplished like any other wool yarn.  Submerse in hot water, no agitation and hang to dry.  

• Knitting : Corriedale is wonderful to knit with and can be used for next to skin garments for all but the most sensitive of people.  It is durable and can be used for almost any project.  

1 - http://gfwsheep.com/blood.count.html

2 - http://www.sheep101.info/breedsC.html
3 - http://www.sheepusa.org/corriedale