Jacob, the continuing story of a fleece.......

A lot has happened since I last wrote.... Jacob is now ready to knit or crochet with and is complete!
I have really enjoyed using something so natural and in its organic form to work with. The shades of the fleece are beautiful, browns and creamy whites, the texture, soft and bubbly, the spinning has been a dream!
My spinning has also become finer! This is a welcome change, as I can now use my fibres and fleeces to their optimum yardage.... all in all Jacob has given me the experience required to move on, create more and spin like mad!

a full bobbin

 

my young apprentice





The spinning goes on... and on..... and on....... I make two bobbins of yarn and spin these together. The labour is long winded, and at the moment quite slow, but I am making a hand made product. Time and love and care goes in to everything, although a machine can make it quick and fast....... there is nothing that compares to wearing a hand spun item of clothing.. this, I can assure you.

Spinning has many myths... one being that it is difficult. Pah!.... not on my watch!.. My 10yr old son can do it and do it well..... I think he enjoys the wheel going faster and faster.... and faster.. more than the actual yarn making, this I conclude is 'boys with toys', and I smile at his fun.

Niddy Noddy! (yes.. how cool is that name.... love it!), a final wash and drip dry..
Jacob is nearly there.

 

 

 

 

All spun and ready to use. This is an Aran weight yarn, suitable for a lovely thick jumper, or coat or jacket. The colours are naturally stripey. Part of the surprise will be seeing how the colours knit up.

 

This is just one skein of yarn, I still have a bag full of Jacob's fleece. I will spin and treat it all and see how much my fleece will make. Who knows what I will create from it.. but knit with it I shall. It is my first and so stays with me.

 

As you can see, hand spun yarn has many stages from fleece to skein and then to garnment. How satisfying and delicious to make something from its own natural state. A product that is totally original, even spinning the next skein will be slightly differnet, as the colours merge in other ways.

 

How splendid is the randomness and freedom of spinning a fleece........ the first of mine, of many, I'm sure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 - Jacob

Jacob is spinning quite nicely. This is the first fleece I have spun and I am enjoying it.
Its quite greasy.... (the lanolin), and I can still smell the animal smell as I am spinning. I quite like the animal smell, it is reminding me where the fleece has come from, I like the naturalness of what I am producing.
Jacob is a breed that has its own  natural shades, normally black and white or brown and white. The origin of its breed is unclear, maybe America...  Jacob sheep have very distinctive horns, most breeds have 4, and they have the image of the traditional Ram. Jacob's are bred in Britain the one pictured below is from Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

As I am spinning I am thinking about the field this fleece has come from, and wanting to shear every sheep I say 'hi' to when I am out and about!
The texture is quite bubbly, and because of this my yarn will be have natural nooks and crannies as part of its structure. I can imagine maybe a big winter woolly coat or hand knitted jacket being made from this yarn.
The natural colouring of the breed makes the yarn spin into stripes, Oooooo I can see a brown Starsky and Hutch cardi on the horizon........ for those who are too young to remember Starsky and Hutch, see pic.....

 I am finding spinning from a fleece is slower than from natural fibre.
I am also starting to spin more finely.... I am told this happens as you get more experienced..... and even though I can maybe get more from my fleece in yards.... it is taking longer to spin.
My mind drifts and wanders..... I find spinning very relaxing and therapeutic, and I can loose my self in the music I am listening to at the time.

I wonder if this will reflect on my yarn??????? Today on day 2, I am listening to Beautiful Ballet Classics....... maybe this is why its taking longer, as the more I relax to the sounds from my ipod........

 

 

 

My new baby.....

This is my new baby, some TLC is required for her to be merry, to make and do.... but I am so lucky to have her in my workshop. A very warm welcome to  'Layla, La Loom' xxxxx

Layla , La Loom

Jacob, my first fleece.

Jacob is my first fleece... how exciting!!!!
Day 1
The fleece has already been carded and is ready to spin........... it is covered in hay, and a natural oil, lanolin... good for the skin.
I am having a go at preparing it for easier spinning  and have washed it to give it a bit of a scrub up... also the natural colours of the Jacob breed will show through................

Jacob having a wash

drip dry