So I finally located pictures I have been meaning to post for several months - and MAN are they poor quality!

Way back, many moons ago in Juneau, I used some of my Blue Faced Leicester fiber and dyed three lots - 4 oz. in a pink/maroon shade, another 4 oz. in an autumnal shade set, and the last 4 oz. in a green/blue/purple marble. They turned out LOVELY...

...and subsequently got shoved in a box and forgotten about.

Well, when I got my new wheel (lovely Suzie that she is!) I wanted to spin something, and rummaging through my fibers it turns out the PERFECT candidate was this green/blue/purple BFL. So I set to work METICULOUSLY spinning it, as evenly as possible and under a twist probably twice what I have always applied. The singles were GORGEOUS. And given some study I'd done on Abby's blog I decided a much tighter ply as well as good wet finishing would really suit my spinning better and improve the quality, wear, and overall ease of use.

My previous spinning was fast, but not particularly refined in terms of technique. I churned it out but it wasn't really anything more than middle of the road handspun. So I decided to try working more on my basic technique in drafting and really getting that twist in there rather than just speed spinning, and going for a nice, tight ply to prevent splitting and drifting of the fiber as well. I must say I was VERY successful, I think that this is my most beautiful skein to date in terms of overall quality. And can I shout off the rooftops the IMMENSE difference a quality wheel with tight tolerances and clean components makes to spinning? it was so much more pleasurable to spin well, not to mention EASIER to produce a much nicer skein with the same time allotted. The Ashford Traveler I had before was a good entry level machine, but I'd advise anyone to save their pennies a few months longer and start out with a good tool, because it can save LOTS of frustration. Not to mention that getting a wheel that will only suit your needs for a year or two and have lots of problems during that time isn't a very good use of funds - I must advocate waiting and getting a nicer machine.

Back to the skein at hand - it's pretty, but more important than that it is of very fine quality, a much tighter twist but still balanced to maintain the buttery softness and springy hand that Blue Face Leicester is known for. It is far and away my favorite wool to work with, and I hope it holds up for good wear.

(really, the pictures don't do it justice!)

I decided to send this and some fiber to my friend Katie for a birthday present. She is a great knitter and having turned 30 and just had I baby I figured it was a worthy gift. Now I am not sure she ever did receive it, but I never got a return package so I assume all went well. I figured she'd use it to edge a hat (or for a baby hat) or perhaps some gauntlets. But due to my general lack of time for knitting now I knew it would have a great home with her.

I really want to spin more, but Callie is FASCINATED with the wheel and when it moves she loves sticking her little hands right in the footman or grabbing at the scotch tension and messing with it. It's neither enjoyable nor safe to attempt spinning around her. While I SHOULD be in bed when everyone else is I do have a habit of staying up late. I am seriously contemplating working on some spinning when she and Peter are in bed but I have yet to really decide on that. Either way, it IS enjoyable, the wheel is a dream (and worth every penny spent on it!) and the yarn turned out great, I'd love to replicate my previous efforts.

Either way, this spinning effort needed recording and I have been meaning to do so since December! I am a procrastinator, but that's bad even by my standards! It's lovely yarn, though the pictures suck, and I was proud to give it to someone who I know will make more use of it than me.

But I do miss petting it. Soooo soft!