What I’ve been working on…

“Dreamy” — Fiber: 2/3 merino, 1/3 colonial from CJ Kopec Creations

“Feelin’ Peachy” — Fiber: 2/3 merino, 1/3 tencel from CJ Kopec Creations

“Bad Robot” — Fiber: 100% corriedale from Sakina Needles

“Rose Garden” — Fiber: 100% black BFL from Gale’s Art (via The Loopy Ewe)

I just started spinning some more Sakina Needles (BFL in “Algae”) on Monday night.  I’ve been putting too much twist on my singles, so I’m trying to concentrate on treadling a little slower and drafting a bit faster.  I also spent a little more time pre-drafting the fiber than I have in the past.  At the same time, I’m trying to focus on spinning a more even single.

Eventually I also want to work toward thinner singles.  The two 2-ply yarns in the photos above are somewhere around bulky/super-bulky weight, I believe.  I’d like to be able to produce some 2-ply worsted weight, so I need to spin thinner singles.

There are so many variables in spinning.  I think that’s part of what makes it so fun and challenging.  When you’ve mastered one thing, there’s always some other aspect to improve upon.  However, with every ounce of fiber spun, I can see overall improvement.  It’s very gratifying.

I’m starting to get excited at the idea of actually knitting with some of my handspun.  There’s something about that moment after you’ve washed the hank, waited for it to dry, and then twisted it up into a skein — suddenly it’s yarn.  Real yarn, but made with my very own hands.  It’s a really, really neat feeling.