Ongoing spin-along! (or fiber stash busting event!)

[k_cat]

@jexxican: 90s??? We're in the (insert calculation here) 50s. You've got summer already. Wow. 

I've done it with kool-aid, in my largest jar. However, a woman gave me these much larger glass jars (gallon, I think) recently, that I've stuck in my stash of dyeing containers, which I'm planning for sun experiments. I will be sticking to acid dyes, though.  I tried dandelion roots once, which are supposed to be purple, and all I got was a sad beige.   Maybe I didn't have enough? Either way, in my life, time is the limiting variable, and I've got commercial dyes a plenty.

With the colour that is supposed to come off dandelion roots - did you use the right mordant and/or the right modifier? The right temperature? The beige might be a sign for "not enough plant material". Was it a light beige or a strong beige? BUT: In my experience, even a not-enough/light colour should show the right tendency. Which points to the question of modifiers... Or the recipe. 

[astormorray]

it was reported that you would get purple without a mordant, which is why I tried it. 

[k_cat]

I've started the yarn that will (or will not) be plyed with beads... I like the colours and the working title is "Scarborough Fair", because it contains parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.  It's Merino + Acid dyes...

Don't know whether it's going to be 2- or 3-ply... And I didn't pre-draft it or something like that, I just picked up a new colour whenever I liked to. (In fact, I normally never pre-draft...)

[mullerslanefarm]

Nice!  I love the name too (old Simon & Garfunkle fan here).

[k_cat]

While I'm working on Scarborough Fair (and getting ready for another doctor's appointment) I thought about a proper goal for next month. I'll continue spinning as much as I can (although university starts on April 4th) and I'll probably give another skein goal, but I want to try something that I was mostly too "afraid" of to do: SINGLES. Because my shy experiments with this NEVER turned out the way I wanted (too ambitious ) and I always plyed it in the end...
I just can't seem to get the "right" consistency for a single. They either break before they reach my bobbin or they get twisted
too much so they ply back on themselves constantly. Tried this with two wheels and my spindles, but I still can't do it. Maybe I'm too impatient.
Or are there secret tips I failed to read? Do you have any advice for me?

[mullerslanefarm]

What method of drafting are you using?

After getting Paula Simmons' book Spinning for Softness & Speed, I started using a supported long draw.  This method requires well prepared roving or locks.

I believe Paula is still selling the book (it was out of print for quite a few years).  I know I've seen her advertisement in the back of Spin-Off.  I'll see if I can find it.

I didn't find her ad for the book, but she has one for the Pat Green Carders.  

She is in Chilliwack, B.C, Canada toll free phone 877.898.2273  Ms Simmons is a legend in spinning and yes, she will probably answer the phone herself.

There are also some used ones on Amazon

[Belladune]

instead of spinning dog fur last night, I spun that.^  It was so liberating to do something I wanted to, and renewed my vigor in spinning the puppy fluff.    Always good to let loose once in a while.  The twist isn't spun and one day I hope to display it like this nevermind, for some reason I can't find the pick of how Pluckyfluff displayed some yarn at that show... :/
I'll do my best to explain in words:  there was a series of nails level and evenly apart and she wrapped it across and down and across and down etc..... Hope you get the idea.

[k_cat]

@mullerslanefarm: Thank you! I'm going to look for the supported long draw... I don't really now what kind of draw I'm using - it's more of a "traditional way", whatever that is. And, to be honest, this never really mattered around here.

I mean... I learned spinning from my mother and my grandfather. My mother is amused every time I start something "new", like Navajo plying. Besides, I live in Germany, so - although I have very few problems regarding English - I sometimes have difficulties with English words for spinning stuff. And there are some things I never read in German books, only in strange translated versions of English books or in books I ordered via Amazon,  etc.. I got the impression that it was another spinning culture, and now we're gradually getting "flooded" by American trends, thanks to the internet.

Anyway, I did a test ply with the first half of my Scarborough Fair yarn. Merino + black Nylon thread + beads!

This picture is too bright, the last one is closer to the original colours...

[mullerslanefarm]

Great idea with the beads!!  I love it!  It really sets off the black thread and the colors of the yarn.

Bella, that looks so soft and cushy!  I wish I could reach into the picture and touch it!  Wow!  Beautiful!

[Belladune]

thanks MLF.  Its bamboo, so it's super di doooper soft.  And that's not even the best picture.  I'll have to figure out this resizing thing.... I have some detailed up close shots of the really pretty parts
K_cat, I love the beads