The Projects-Handspun At Work

I’ve been writing and making samples for a while now.  And I’ve mentioned my projects from time to time, but nothing real in depth.  I’d like to present a bit more of my planning and progress using different fibers and blends of fibers.  If you follow me on Ravelry, you will see I make a lot of quick projects, but also have some projects that take me a long time.  I’m going to present a mix of projects, my plans, and how I executed them and what challenges they presented.

A short while ago I opened my mouth on Ravelry and cast my hat in on the Enchanted Knoll Farm group and joined the EKF Sock Spin/Knit Along.  Well, my original plans was to finish the socks I am knitting for my rally obedience instructor  and  start on a Tsarina of Tsocks kit Cookies Garden.  I am sorely behind on my club spinning.  Currently I’m in two fiber clubs, committed to a third AND considering a fiber CSA from a farm out in Iowa!   Yeah, right…I need more fiber like a hole in the head…ANYWAY!  I pulled the sparkling Snow Moon Batts out of my stash.

The Snow Moon Batts from Enchanted Knoll Farm are a blend of superwash merino, sari silk, and glitz.  Layered, but not stark clear layers.  It’s hard to describe her batts, they are lovely that’s all I can say.   I got the merino singles off the wheel that I tested for a different project and spun these with a supported long draw.

Did I mention I really love my Will Taylor Lazy Kate?  I thank Abby every time I use it.  I tightly three plied it and once I get the current pair of socks done I can start on these.  I have over 300 yards so I’m in good shape for most socks that will fit me.  I’m still searching Ravelry for a pattern.  Wish me luck.

By next installment I plan to have close ups of the yarn and a pattern chosen.   I hope you will enjoy this information as I try an expand upon the building blocks laid so far.

On the dog front, Daisy did very well at her last rally obedience trial!  I’ve decided to go ahead and try for the RAE and her APDT ARCH.  I am also introducing her to the APDT Level Three so let’s see what happens.  Roo, bless his fuzzy little heart, finally qualified for his third Level Three to finish his title.  It has taken him over a year to finish thanks to him not really understanding both the directed jumping and signals signs.  I’m sure he can earn his ARCHEX, but until he can figure out that even though he cannot see the jump, it is out there.

Daisy is a very special girl.  At one point early in her life she reacted to everything.  We’ve been down a long road together and she has improved sooo much over years.  She’s a very cool dog, but very intense with a high prey drive but also very fearful of some of the strangest things.  Gotta love shelties!

Romney-The Staple Of New Zealand

Romney sheep

Originally uploaded by Peter Nijenhuis

The other day I bought some lamb chops. Since it was just listed as New Zealand lamb I cannot say for sure, but likely the breed was Romney. The estimates I was able to locate are over 10 years old, but I would venture that it is safe to say that over 50% of the sheep in New Zealand today are Romney.

The Romney breed originates in the Romney Marshes of Kent, England. The breed is noted in its resistance to hoof rot, liver flukes, and having a fleece that is not damaged by wet weather. Traditionally it is a dual purpose breed producing one of the finer and shorter longwools as well as having a good carcass. The wool is a major player in the New Zealand carpet industry as well as many household fabrics. New Zealand lamb has been exported since the late nineteenth century and has a long history of shipping both fresh chilled and frozen meat worldwide.

The first Romney was first brought into the US in 1904 and the American Romney Breeders Association was established in 1912. It never gained the popularity other breeds did as much of the best range-land is in the dry western US, but it had one thing that made it very popular and continues to be important for handspinners, naturally colored individuals. Romney has proved to be popular to cross breed to introduce both the good meat traits and the natural colored wool. Genopalette is one farm that has done just this crossing Merinos and Romney’s to produce a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors. In addition, this wool is very kind to beginning spinners. Not too slick and not too fine it is grabby enough to hold together but not so grabby that it is difficult to draft. It is also easy to process. The fleece does not have a high amount of lanolin. Add to this all the gorgeous colors it comes in and it becomes attractive to the handspinner to not only start out their spinning career, but to continue spinning it time and time again.

Wow!

The new Spindlicity is out and I have not one, but two articles in it.  One on sampling and a second on Cheviot sheep.  I’m very excited about it as you can tell.

And as long as I’m bragging, Danny held a 3 minute out of sight sit stay the first in several years. Now he’s been on some new medication for arthritis he’s developed (thanks to his bout of lyme disease) and I know that helped.  I’m now hopeful that he can earn his CDX this year.