Happy July!

Hi again everyone:

Just a quick update to remind those of you who are pay-as-you-go'ers to check your in-boxes (and/or spam box) for the invoice I sent out this weekend for installment kit #2.

The next spinning fiber is going to be Cormo and I've got the fiber bagged up and ready to ship out on the 15th as soon as I finish up the information/tips/pattern sheet.

If you think you should have gotten an invoice and didn't, please email me and I can resend it.

Thanks!
Anne

Late June/Early July Update

Hi everyone:

Sounds like y'all have been enjoying the rambouillet. I've enjoyed seeing the finished spinning pictures, and reading about your likes and dislikes of this fiber.

Next up is cormo wool from my friend, Sue's, farm in California. For those of you who are on the pay-as-you-go plan, please look for your invoice from me this weekend. Shipments of the roving with accompanying information, pattern, contact info, etc., will go out the weekend of July 14th/15th. (Anyone else just realize we have a Friday the 13th in July?)

As always, please give me a shout if you have any questions, problems, queries.

Happy spinning!
Anne

Phew!!

I have to admit...I had my doubts! After spinning the singles of rambouillet, I worried that they might be a bit inconsistent. But, I am now a fiber convert! Ignoring the fact that I didn't skein it all that well, the yarn came out very nicely.





It is super-soft, springy and, with the magic of plying, came out quite even. I'm really pleased! Thanks for introducing me to my new love, Anne! I see a long and happy future for us. I'm not sure if I'll take the name of Rambouillet, though.

I may hyphenate or something...

Sheepish Annie

Spinning rambouillet

I am part-way into the second ball of roving. I am really enjoying spinning this and am happy to read such great reports from others! It was a rough start for me though! I almost threw everything, wheel included, out the window when I first started spinning it. My wheel just dragged terribly and the yarn kept breaking. I oiled everything to no avail. Just when I was ready to trash it all, I noticed I had not snapped the spindle down into the uprights! (sheepish grin) Once I stopped being stuck on stupid, I have greatly enjoyed spinning this. Thanks so much Anne! Kate/Massachusetts

Finished Skein

So, I finished plying up the rambouillet and I must say I am very pleased with the results. While the singles weren't all that even, the plyed yarn appears to be quite uniform and produces nice, even stitches. If you'd like to see some pictures just head on over to my blog!

Lacy Rib Swatch

Hi All,
Some of you already know me as a pretty new spinner. I decided, with some encouragement from Margene and Anne, to just jump in with both feet and give the exotic fibers a try. Here's my first attempt with the Rambouillet.

I spun up just a little bit, maybe a quarter ounce, aiming for the 13wpi 2-ply noted in the pattern, gave it a bath and swatched the Lacy Rib. Here's my result.

Rambo first swatch

I neglected to note my yardage after plying, and sure wish I'd taken a photo, but I did end up with a very puffy soft 13wpi, knit it up, and am getting a nice fabric at the 5spi gauge.

The last two fibers I've spun were BFL and Corriedale, so the difference in fiber texture and shorter staple length were quite noticeable to me. At first I found it challenging to get going without breaking the single, but finally settled into a shorter draw that worked better. Anne's notes were absolutely correct it's easier to spin it thinner than thicker if you want to avoid lumps and bumps.

Spun and plied with a moderate twist, the yarn was a little uneven in the skein, though a lot of that could be my newbie spinning [vbg]. I finally understand the description I've read about fiber being chalky, and would describe the plied yarn as soft though not smooth. Knit up the fabric is bouncy and squooshy, and again soft but not smooth, with slightly blurred stitch definition.

So, my question for the experienced spinners is, can the rambouillet be spun smoother, or is it in the nature of the fiber to keep its peach-fuzz feel?

I've been spinnin'

As soon as I got home from my interview on Tuesday I set to spinning up that gorgeous new fiber! It sure spins up like a dream! I've been using a worsted/woolen spinning technique. I really tried to get worsted to work for me but I kept having trouble getting enough fibers out from between my pinched fingers and the yarn would snap. Anyway, I've already spun up quite a bit and you can bet your sheep I'll be spinning up some more! I've got a little more information on my blog if you want to wander over and take a peek.