There was serious stress busting moves happening here at Casa de Stress Reaction this past weekend. Stress busting, of course, of the fiber related kind. Spin, spin, spin!!!
Corridale Pencil Roving in the Watermelon colorway. Also (drum roll please)! Navajo plying!! Hee, hee!! I love it! There is something so rhythmic and soothing about the over and under and through the loop motions involved in Navajo plying. Makes me think that I would really, really, really like weaving (but we won't go there right now, shall we? Look away, look away!!!!!)
My singles are getting better! Still a bit over spun, but I am pleased with the improvement. I'm playing with the Scotch tension to find the perfect balance between uptake and twist. I have a tendency to hold the fiber a long time (linked to some control issues, I'm sure), and build up a lot of twist; so if my tension is too loose, I end up with even more twist, but more tension leads to hand fatigue. But it's getting better.
This is a comparison between the two-ply Tourmaline and the three-ply Watermelon Corridale.
See? Better!!
And next on the wheel? Alpaca! And a surprise!
Say it with me Becky! Alpaaaaaaaaca!!
Meet Martha!
She is a workhorse, this girl. I anticipate that we will be very happy together!
Comments (13)
Beautiful! The spinning AND the wheel. Congratulations!
Posted by --Deb | September 27, 2006 12:35 PM
Posted on September 27, 2006 12:35
Oooo! Congratulations on the new wheel. She is beautiful! Beautiful x 100. No, make that beautiful x 1,000,000.
Your spinning looks really nice Leah. Have fun with the new wheel.. .. I am so jealous. :)
Posted by Karen | September 27, 2006 1:05 PM
Posted on September 27, 2006 13:05
Your Navajo plying looks great. I enjoy that technique, too. And congratulations on the new wheel. That's such a thrill!
Posted by Carole | September 27, 2006 1:12 PM
Posted on September 27, 2006 13:12
A new wheel! How cool is that? Live long and happily together;-)
Posted by margene | September 27, 2006 1:48 PM
Posted on September 27, 2006 13:48
Oh Leah the Navajo plying is the perfect solution for me if I can figure it out and get it accomplished with my drop spindle. The singles I've been spinning are just a teeny bit too thin for a 2-ply sock yarn (for my preference) but I bet if I Navajo ply it'll come out the perfect weight! Thanks for the idea!
Your yarn is looking very beautiful and the watermelon is looking really really even with those thin little singles!!
Posted by Laura | September 27, 2006 3:24 PM
Posted on September 27, 2006 15:24
Beautiful new wheel!! I love all of the spun fiber - the watermellon is fabulous!
Posted by Gracie | September 27, 2006 3:31 PM
Posted on September 27, 2006 15:31
You got a new wheel! A Matchless!! Good choice, girl! You'll love it. I'm so excited for you!
Posted by Cheryl | September 27, 2006 5:17 PM
Posted on September 27, 2006 17:17
congrats on martha! may she be a happy resident chez stress reaction! great pics with this post :o)
Posted by amanda | September 27, 2006 7:44 PM
Posted on September 27, 2006 19:44
Wow, stunning! Both the spinning and the wheel. I love the colors of the watermelon yarn, and how the Navajo plying kept them together.
Posted by Rachel | September 28, 2006 1:16 AM
Posted on September 28, 2006 01:16
Very nice! I really like navajo plyed yarn too!
Posted by Mia | September 28, 2006 6:09 AM
Posted on September 28, 2006 06:09
rock on girlfriend! May Martha spend many many decades spinning circles around the world with you :-) She's a beauty. Great photos of your new wheel - and that yarn!! woo hoo - love it.
I haven't yet learned how to Navajo ply - I am totally impressed with you!! wow.
Posted by Teyani | September 28, 2006 8:40 AM
Posted on September 28, 2006 08:40
I love your new wheel. I'm been "test driving" wheels and love the Schact. You have another wheel, right?
Posted by Kathy | September 29, 2006 7:48 PM
Posted on September 29, 2006 19:48
Excellent Navajo plying (like I'd know!). I'm envious. And your singles are improving. That corriedale looks wonderful!
Posted by Julia | October 2, 2006 5:57 PM
Posted on October 2, 2006 17:57