The Spin-to-Knit Socks project is underway and already I have learned a few things.
Sample, sample, sample. I don't usually spin with intent, i.e. a project in mind, so I don't always sample mostly I just do whatever makes me happy. This project is different - creating a fingering-weight 4-ply yarn that I can use to knit a pair of socks instead of using commercial yarn.
I started the Spin by selecting four Bosworth suspended spindles.
After only spinning a little bit of fiber (3-5 grams per spindle) I wound off onto storage bobbins and plied the singles.
3-Ply. My lazy kate can only hold three bobbins - ahem - I can only make a 3-ply yarn. Sure I could rig something up to make a 4-ply but keeping control of three thin, twisty, singles was challenging enough so I made a 3-ply sample. I skeined it, washed it, and dried it.
It was terrible: over-twisted, wiry, ropy, it did not feel nice at all.
The spindles are too delightful and special; time spinning on them needs to be savored not rushed.
I turned to the Lendrum Spinning Wheel. The singles still need to be thin - a fingering-weight 3-ply is my goal - and sock yarn needs to be sturdy and hard-wearing.
It took some figuring to find the sweet spot (and that spot is a moving target).
Planning. Weighing the fiber and splitting it up to spin on three separate bobbins. Attempting a little color management.
I think I am ready to start to Spin for reals.
Note to self: Read your new book, "Twist" by Michelle Boyd.
