Meep! Is the sound made by something really small and painfully cute.
Here are five yards of the silver 50/50 yak/silk that I overdyed in bronze in Judith MacKenzie’s class at Madrona. I couldn’t help myself.
The sample is spun worsted, which means with a short, forward draw, or inchworm style. As the yarn is moved up towards the orifice, you slide your fingers down it, towards your fiber-holding hand, pressing the air out of it. This makes the yarn denser, sleeker, and more durable. It also maintains the incredible shimmer of the silk.
I have tried spinning this fiber long draw, or woolen, and the result looked like straw, so I knocked off that noise pretty fast.
(My boyfriend calls the first picture “Slab o’bacon.” Mmmmmm….)
curvylou 
February 18, 2015 at 8:32 am
Hi Lou,
I have always wondered why ” worsted” yarn is called “worsted”?
BTW what are you going to do with this yarn ?
I am learning crocheting myself and so am interested in any blog even vaguely connected to yarn.
Thanks for sharing !
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February 18, 2015 at 8:45 am
Hi! You know, I don’t know why they call it worsted. It’s a good question! I’ll have to snoop about and see if I can find an answer.
I plan to spin up the rest of the fiber and I’ll likely use it in a weaving project—possibly my final project in my weaving class, if there’s enough of it.
I know a little bit of crochet, too, and I love it! I’ve knitted lots of things, but my favorite project ever is a crocheted granny square blanket. Nice to meet another textile junkie/nutjob. Have fun!
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February 18, 2015 at 8:57 am
Not a textile junkie, yet but a crocheter, for sure.
Nice to meet you too !
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February 18, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Ha! Agree on the slab of bacon analogy. Wonderful to see people hold on to this beautiful crafts. Handmade = heirloom.
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February 18, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Yes, I agree, Faraday. We’ve lost so much lore over the past two hundred years of industrialization, dyeing lore in particular comes to mind, and we are in the process of re-exploring and re-discovering what we already had. It’s crucial to reach a younger generation with this stuff, if it is to survive.
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February 18, 2015 at 6:09 pm
“Teach the child so it will not be necessary to teach the adult” Abraham Lincoln.
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February 19, 2015 at 2:48 am
Wasn’t that what the Roadrunner said – meep, meep!
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February 19, 2015 at 6:12 am
LOL! You’re totally right, I never thought of that!
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February 20, 2015 at 8:04 am
I have been spinning for a year or so (and have too much yarn!) and have wanted to start overdying but as of right now I haven’t. I look forward to watching your process (plus super jealous you went to Madrona Fiber).
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February 20, 2015 at 8:32 am
If you have too much yarn, I recommend weaving. You’re welcome. (: Yes, I was so happy to be able to go to Madrona this year (for the first time!) and hope I have many more adventures to report.
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February 20, 2015 at 9:01 am
I really want to get a loom (I did try making a Navajo loom last year on the back of a chair but… well there’s probably a reason that people use frames that are bigger than a chair) but currently we live in 152 square feet (two adults and two indoor only cats) so I’m not allowed to get even a little loom. I’m hoping when the weather gets better to make a Navajo loom outside (on the proper scale).
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February 20, 2015 at 6:20 pm
Och, a loom, how heavenly that would be. I don’t have the room for one either, and I do have a larger footprint than you (migod, two people and two cats in 152 square feet; how do you do it?) Good luck on the outdoor loom; would be fantastic!
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February 22, 2015 at 10:05 am
It’s a little stressful at times, and we really spend a lot of time outside (43 acres).
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February 20, 2015 at 9:02 am
Oh and the worst part is that I don’t knit or crochet, truly a fiber fan.
Although my fiber mill guy only like the milling/dyeing part so I guess I’m not alone in being a part process fiber person.
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February 20, 2015 at 6:22 pm
That’s really funny! And interesting. I’m such a textile junkie though, that I’m relieved to hear you at least want a loom. I pretty much think everyone should love and make textiles, and don’t understand why not everybody wants to. Short-sighted and close-minded of me, I know. (:
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February 25, 2015 at 5:57 pm
Well, see, you need to start weaving. That’s what everyone told me when I started to feel knee deep in hand spun. Never! I said. I have too many textile interests! Yeah, well. I’m lucky I don’t have a bigger house or there’d be a loom in here too.
Thanks for sharing that you’re interested in the over-dyeing. I’ll try to get more of it on the blog before long!
curvy
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