Monday, February 5, 2024
Breed Study #1 - Texel
I've been wanting to spend some time focusing on the different breeds available locally (Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, and South Western BC) and decided to start with a great big Texel fleece that I was gifted. The Texel is primarily a meat breed whose origin is The Netherlands. It was next in my pile of fleeces to wash so... |
| Unwashed and Washed Locks |
From Deb Robson's The Field Guide to Fleece:
The fleece typically weighs 7-12 lbs (3.25 - 5.5 kg. Mine washed weighs 4 lbs. I forgot to weigh it before washing, but it may have lost a third of it's weight, so maybe 6 pounds.
The staple length is 3"-6" (8-15 cm). I certainly don't have any 6" locks but I also don't know if it was a full year since its last shearing.
Fibre Diameters: 26-36 microns. I would say mine is on the coarser side of this range.
I prepped some of the fleece by dizzing off my drum carder and some by creating rolags.
I spun the dizzed fleece using a short forward draft, and the rolags with a supported long draw. I preferred the long draw but then again that is my default spin. The resulting yarn was softer spun long draw but there wasn't a huge difference, nor in the knitted samples.
Woollen Spun Skein
Worsted Spun Skein
 |
| Knitted Swatches |
There will be some white Texel batts in the shop this week and dyed within a couple of weeks.
What's on the Needles
I'm still working on my teal hoodie. I've finished the fronts and have started the sleeves.
What's on the Wheel
I finished spinning and plying the nylon for my knitted cushion cover. I just dyed it in variegated greens and it's still wet in this image. It's very soft and I think will be a pleasure to knit.
Enjoy your fibres!!
Monday, January 15, 2024
Welcome!
At last, the first blog for Jill’s Fibres. I intend to write two or three blog posts a month. I’m planning to cover a range of topics:
- What I’m working on
- Breed Studies
- Various ways to process fleece
- Different spinning techniques
- Dyeing – both acid and natural as well as safe projects for kids
- Ideas for kid’s projects
- Book reviews
- New products available in my shop Other ideas as they arise
- Other ideas as they arise - let me know what interests you
I'll let you in on what's going on this week.
Fibre being processed:
I have a sink full of Texel fleece in the process of being washed. It's got about a 4" staple length, nice crimp, and big bouncy locks. It's a big fleece, so I should have quite a bit available before long.
 |
| Washing Texel Fleece |
 |
| Texel Locks |
What's on the wheel:
I have two projects on bobbins. The first is nylon or faux cashmere which I'm spinning for the final project for my Master Spinner Level 5 homework. I'm spinning it very fine as in my sample, it did bloom once it was plied and the tension released. I'm planning to knit a cushion cover suitable for the deck in the summer. Nylon is resistant to sunlight, mildew and insect damage. So far, I've spun about half of what I need.
 |
| Nylon or Faux Cashmere |
 |
| Nylon Singles |
My other project is a BFL roving that I spun at the Tzouhalem Guild Distaff Day. I've got another that is similarly dyed in fall colours that I will ply with it. It spun beautifully and was very suitable for an easy spin while chatting. 😉
 |
| BFL Singles |
What's on the needles:
I'm working on sweater project with quite a bit of history. Several years ago, I dyed a whole Romney fleece teal. Then I took it and a white Romney fleece to Inca Dinca Doo and had them process it into roving. Some of you may have seen this at various fibre shows. There's still a little available in the shop (Teal Romney Roving). I'm knitting a hoody-style sweater . The back is finished and I'm about 3/4 up the first front. I'm really happy with the tweedy look to it.
 |
| 2500+ yards of 2-ply |
 |
| Romney Roving |
 |
| Sweater Front |
Hope you've enjoyed reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)