10 Mar 2015

Spinning up Some Batts!

posted in: Online Shop, Spinning, Spinning Fiber, Uncategorized | 0

 

Carded Cormo Batts
Carded Cormo Batts

I have been busy spinning some super-soft Cormo batts.  The fleece is washed (to remove all lanolin!), hand-dyed, and then carded.  The batts are about 90% Cormo with 10% Wensleydale, other wools, silk, Angelina.  I have listed some in my shop.  These batts are next-to-skin soft!!  I love them!

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The photo above is my spinning progress so far.  I have 2 batts (about 8 ounces) in this colorway.  I plan on knitting a Venetian Blind shawl with the yarn. If you are a member of Ravelry here is a link to the pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/venetian-blind .  I am not sure if the link will work for a non-member. Ravelry membership is free.  It is a great resource for everything fiber (knit, crochet, spin, weave).

I am spinning on my Mach III wheel by Spinolution. The bobbin is the 8 ounce bobbin. They also have a 32 ounce bobbin and yes, they are huge!  I love my Mach III.  I have had it for several years.  It is the perfect wheel for spinning Aran and heavier yarns.

27 Jan 2015

Pixie Lock Picker

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Pixie Lock Picker
Pixie Lock Picker

What is a Pixie Lock Picker?  You may have seen it featured in Ply Magazine.  The Pixie Lock Picker is a tool which helps to easily open locks while you are prepping fiber.  When I prep fiber for combing, I always open the tips of the locks before combing.  This is a must for long wool locks and lamb locks.

I use to use a flick carder but I have replaced my flick carder with the Pixie Lock Picker.  My flick carder works good but the Pixie Lock makes opening up the tips so much quicker!    In the photo below, I have photographed the locks prior to flicking (top) and after (bottom).  I only flicked open the tips.

flicking locks
Locks before (top) and after (bottom) flicking with the Pixie Lock Picker

The Pixie Lock Picker fastens on my wrist.   It is easy to pull the lock tips through the tines to quickly open them up.

Lock picker

The Lock Picker has an adjustable velcro closure so it can connect to something other than your wrist.  I regularly attach mine to the side of my drum carder so I can quickly flick locks while carding.

The craftsmanship on this tool is top notch.  The wood is red cedar and the tines are rust proof stainless steel.  The Pixie Lock Picker is available online from Two Twisted.  The shop also makes combs, niddy noddies, and other beautifully handcrafted fiber art tools.

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The velcro is adjustable.  I have mine adjusted to a very small size because my wrists are skinny!  😉

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