Plied Bamboo

"Skeined" (the niddy noddy arrived today) the 2-ply bamboo tonight, and got 2 skeins of about 65 yards each.  I still haven't decided what I'll do with it.

I plied the leftover bamboo with some leftover pink-ish merino (just a few yards) and it reminds me of old-fashioned peppermint sticks.

Plying Bamboo

I've been spinning singles from bamboo fiber, which has been interesting.  The fiber I'm using is really a "stuffing" fiber and, if combed or carded, might make for more even singles, but that wouldn't be nearly as much fun!  I have learned some things as I've spun it.

And now I'm plying it (2 ply) and I'm liking it--it's funky and soft!

I'm about to run out of bobins.  Crisis.   A new niddy-noddy is on its way, however.  And next weekend I should be able to warp the loom and use some of my handspun yarn as weft in a small piece--just to weave some of the yarn I've been spinning and plying.  Should be fun!!

Helpful video

Downloaded a spinning video, and found it very helpful for understanding different fibers and how to spin, woolen vs. worsted spinning, long drafting, and more.  I expect to watch it more than once:  Start Spinning, with Maggie Casey.

Stretches of "pretty good"

I'm beginning to see stretches of "pretty good" in my yarn--hopefully, there will be longer and more frequent stretches of such...  :-) 

This is a stretch from handpainted merino that I just plied; not yet washed or whacked.

Third weaving

I tried a few different techniques on the third weaving, some more successful than others.

Spindle vs. Wheel

I've started spinning some merino on my wheel, and will be interested to compare it to the singles spun on my spindle, using the same fiber...

First 2 weaving projects

I'll soon have my 3rd weaving piece finished, and it will be time to warp the loom again for the next piece!  (I don't know yet what it will be, but half the fun is thinking about that...)

I use an Ashford 24" rigid heddle loom and I'm still learning all things weaving...as you can see from my first 2 pieces, with the draw-in on the edges, etc, etc.

This first piece used a cotton crochet thread for the warp and a multi-colored cotton sock yarn for the weft:

It looks a little like a purple zebra, doesn't it??

The second piece used the same weft, but the warp was a cotton/linen:

And I did a bit better controlling the draw-in on the edges.

And on the third piece I've been trying some fun techniques; I'll post the finished piece--soon.