Monday, April 5, 2010

FLEECE PROCESSING MACHINE!

The system worked like a machine.   Here is what I mean:
Pre-soak

Wash

Rinse 

Spin

Dryer

Card into batts

Batts into Roving

Spin into yarn!

Lest you think I worked on this 24 hours a day all weekend, this is the tally.   All the fiber has been washed from Thursday through tonight.   The last batch of 3 mesh bags is drying outside overnight and a total of 9 bags altogether..    About 3-4 oz. has been carded into batts and 1 1/2 oz.  has been spun into single ply yarn.   Believe me, I have a long way to go to finish this fleece, but at least I have a record and sampling of how long it took me and what the yarn is like.    It is not really as soft as it may look, so it will be suitable to outerwear, felting and accessories.   I may even give dying a try since there will be so much of it and it is such a neutral color.   My plan at this point is to 2-ply it to a worsted weight and then measure and weigh the final product before deciding what it will become.

With the three day weekend, I even managed two walks, 2 loads of laundry, a couple of movies, some reading, and more general relaxing.   I guess what they say is true: you get more done when you have lots to do.  Or something like that.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The salad spinner? Seriously? Gross. -Ali

lizzzknits said...

Ali, Trust me, it is a dedicated fiber tool, now, since I only buy the prewashed salad!!!!

Iron Needles said...

Good thing you got to keep the drum carder! Good effort at getting alot of work done. I know exactly how much that takes.

Now for the spinning...then the knitting....

Beth said...

That looks just gorgeous when it's all clean and carded. I am experiencing fiber envy!

Maybe I'll get out my wheel...

Unknown said...

Love the in progress action pictures! And man you've been busy!!

Ria said...

You had quite the productive weekend - I mostly nursed my sinus infection. I have a bright orange XL salad spinner that lives under the bathroom sink so I can spin out the water when I wash my knitted things, so they don't take forever to dry! I have a small green one in the kitchen for actual salad.

CeltChick said...

My goodness, what a lot of fiber that is! I hope someday to be able to invest in a spindle, but any crafty purchases will have to wait 'till one of my roomies finds a job. I'm spinning vicariously, as I'm following your blog!

Andi said...

Whoa. You processed that fast. I can't wait to see what you do with it!