Elizenery🔻
Having fun sampling the Schwarznase lamb fleece. Quite a different beast than the Border Leicester I'm also working on. High micron but very silky and super long staple. Easy to comb except when there's wind, so I moved inside after one pass. Still think it may work for socks. Perhaps too prickly.
#WIPWednesday #HandSpinning #FiberPrep
3:33pmWeb
Show threadElizenery🔻6h ago
Decided to first do at least one sleeve before continuing on the body of the waffle sweater. Main reason is that this forces me to put the sleeves in my spreadsheet with stitch counts. Did that. Estimated 15850 stitches per sleeve excluding ribbing. That equals 250 grams of hand spun yarn. Plus another about 50 grams needed for the body. If I do contrasting ribbing and collar I'll have more than enough. Pfew.
#WIPWednesday #knitting
Show threadSibylle5h ago

@lisettedeboer Schwarznase was often used for socks, it was said to be almost unbreakable. The older folks here complain about the itchy socks they were wearing as kids.

Valais Blacknose Wool has a beautiful shine, and drape, when spun short draw. Did you wash the locks? They are so nice and untangled.

I feel a bit of comb envy, I'm still not sure if I should buy some or make my own. I have not found any decent ones in Switzerland...

Show threadElizenery🔻4h ago
@sibylle I washed the fleece. The base of the locks is a bit felted, which helps to keep the lock structure in the wash. It does indeed feel like a very strong fiber. I will spin a sample and show it here.
I really love the combing station. I recommend a setup where you can attach one comb firmly to a table or a combing station. And the combs must be very sturdy to not bend or break. Mine are of Wingham in the UK, but I bought them second hand in the Netherlands.
https://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/wingham-wool-comb.html
Wingham English Wool Comb

Supplying wool tops, fibres and equipment to the world of spinning, felting and weaving for over 40 years.

winghamwoolwork.co.uk