[jaykay]

Just finished 2000yds of purple silk and merino, 4-5 ply. It's a richer purple than the flash photo shows.

Have fixed the twist by steaming it, then I've just remembered I spilled machine oil on some of it, so I need to  wash it after all 

Have just won a jumbo ball winder off eBay. I've wound all the skeins by hand onto a niddy noddy, but I couldn't face doing 2000yds on a nostepinne to make balls for knitting.

It's very uneven but I shall choose a plain-ish jumper pattern and it'll make it textured 

Better stop playing and get some laundry done or I shall have no clean clothes for work tomorrow 

[Dans]

Wow, looks excellent! Can't wait to see the jumper. 

Dans

[Mammyshaz]

It must have taken an age to spin all of that, wow 
Love the colour. It sounds a very elegant knit   

 I so much would like to spin. Myself and oh regularly went camping at hoddam castle where a spinner was found every day  sitting in the bar with her wheel. I was mesmerised by it and longed to try it myself since then ( 20 yrs ago  )

Sallyupnorth had one for sale recently and oh tried to persuade me to take the offer but I wouldn't know where to start or where to fit in the time.

Look forward to seeing the final jumper, get those needles clicking    

[Brucklay]

Well impressed 

[jaykay]

Thank you 

MammyShaz, get an Ashford traditional from Sally (cos she's made sure they're in working order) or from Ravelry (same reason) and you can come over here or I'll come to you and teach you to spin. It takes accepting it'll take practice, plus a couple of inputs from someone to see what you're doing usually, and then after that it's just practice and you improve.

I'm no expert and have got loads to learn still (spinning silk and extended draw are the next two things) but I could help you get going if you want.

[SallyintNorth]

well done jk! Looking fwd to seeing the finished yarn & how it knits up. 

[SallyintNorth]

ms, i can vouch for jk's tutoring skills !  And i would be very happy to help you too.   On wheels. i will often (usually) have an ashford traditional available - i really enjoy seeking them out, bringing them back to life and finding them new, working homes!  Or join your local Guild - ours can loan wheels to new starters, as well as there being lots of lovely, friendly, helpful folks to help you get going. But be warned - it's totally addictive!  I'm on holiday at the mo, travelling with homespun knitting, fibre & drop spindle...

[Fleecewife]

Hi Jaykay.  I love the colour of your yarn - it will make a very elegant jumper      How long did it take to complete it?
 
Mammyshaz - it's worth taking Jaykay up on her offer to show you how to spin.  It might not be the right time for you to take up a hobby just now, but once you have learned you can always come back to it later.  Knowing what is involved will make it easier to take it up again.   I think more and more people are learning to spin - which can only be good 
 
"I'm on holiday at the mo, travelling with homespun knitting, fibre & drop spindle..."  Sally, that sounds wonderfully romantic, like heading west across the States in a covered wagon 

[Bionic]

Jaykay the yarn looks fantastic and I love the colour. What did you use to dye it with?
Sally

[Lesley Silvester]

Love it. 

[jaykay]

Thank you all 

Sally, I didn't dye it myself, I spun it from bought tops.

I've decided I actively dislike carding and don't particularly need to dye things myself. Though when I've had my coloured Shetlands fleeces prepared, I might over-dye some of that, as I saw it done at Woolfest and liked it.

[Bionic]

I haven't seen the over dyeing so would be interested to see what it looks like.  I washed some Ryeland fleece at the weekend and if its completely dry tomorrow will start carding it. 
Sally

[jaykay]

Here is a link to a photo of the sort of effect I like
over dyed wool - the very bottom, dark photo

[Mammyshaz]

Spinning is one thing but dying as well  the photos look very complicated.

Jaykay I might just take you up on the offer. I'll do some homework and try to Suss out whats I need then SallyIN I will be knocking at your door for a wheel  .

There is a guild in Durham somewhere will look it up too.

This could be a new hobby for this winter, now I'm  just after a little penny or two from OH   

[Bionic]

Jaykay, Thanks for the link. I like the overdyed effect  .  I am not ready for dyeing yet but when I am I will certainly give it a go with the dark fleece.
Sally