Working on the Galway Fleece and a little Texel

Have it in mind to use some of the Galway fleece for a soft rug I fancy. Base color would be Sandstone, a golden yellow. I Combed out the tips and placed the locks on the drum carder, making batts. The batts were shaped into strips and dyed on top of the stove using Landscape dye. I tried painting it with a view to microwaving it to set the dye but it got too messy - it was just easier to put it in the pot especially as there is no color blending on the sliver.

It was spun worsted - ratio 9:1 over 1 1/3 inches. Started it at 8 - 9 wraps/inch ( as the fibers crimps at about 8 waves/inch) but that was too tight so reduceded it to about 7 wpi. Plied at the same.

It is very strong as it should be for a rug but still soft. Unfortunately it has lost its semi-luster during the dying (I've noted this with this dye color before - don't know if it's the method or the dye) .

I'm preparing more batts using the little dog comb to separate out the shorter fibers. After removing any noyles and neps, the short fiber is being made into rolags. I'm spinning the rolags at 24: 1 and light fingering weight. This yarn will probabaly be dyed a dark color when I have enough.

In between spinning my rougher fleece, its nice to spin some of the soft tops I have in store from my trip to the UK - supferfine Alpaca and Texel. Very nice to spin from the fold (keeps the hairiness down) - but I have to admit, I get a bit bored with it after a time. Seem to be addicted to wrestling with the raw stuff :).

The little Texel (wool that is, not a mini-maa)

Texel spun 9:1 over 1", 2-ply worsted spun, light fingerweight or 17 wpi. Soft and very springy.

Next some Border Leicester - oh I need more bobbins!
Waiting to receive wool combs - should make separating the short from the long easier. My dog brush is beginning to loose its teeth !

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