Rainy Days and Mondays (off)

For some reason, in my mind, Labor Day weekend means bad weather. This year certainly fills the bill. It's pouring out there, with no sign of clearing up for the next few days. Granted, we can use the rain, but I was really wanting to get out there and mow the lawn this weekend. (And if you believe that, I have this bridge I'd like to sell you).

Meanwhile, I've finally finished fixing the border on the Mediterranean Shawl. I've even added a few rows. Now I'm worried that I won't have enough yarn. I tell you, it's always something.

I've also started something new. This is Bixby. Or at least his coat from last year. Bixby was a Christmas present from my parents this year. He came from Bramble Wool Farm in Luxemburg, Wisconsin. Near where I grew up and where my parents still live. His owner Julie Guilette has had her wool featured in Spin-Off magazine. Most notably those cute Estonian sheep puppets on the cover of the Summer 2006 issue.

Anyway, I have started playing with the fleece, trying to decide how I want to spin it. Since I don't seem to have very good fleece washing skills and this is a pretty clean fleece, I decided to spin it "in the grease". I've been taking a few locks, combing them into a rolag and spinning from there. At first I was getting way too many lumps and bumps but I've forced myself to treadle slower and the results have been pretty even.

It's not easy getting good photographs of dark brown yan. But here's my best shot.

I took a sample skein and washed it. Not too bad. It looks lumpier in the picture than it really is because there's still a lot of kink from the locks. I think I like it. Next I'll have to do a little plying and see how that comes out. I don't have any specific project in mind, I'm going to make the best yarn I can and let that drive the choice of project.

In the mean time, I've got a nice long weekend to play and I'm enjoying the process. This might be my best spinning yet. Which isn't saying much, but there has been progress!