Gryphon Merino Handspun
March 30th, 2008 by 
mel
I completed the final bobbin last week and then there were three!
I’m getting better at loading my bobbins more evenly. Ironically, bobbin #3 (center in left photo, front on the right photo) has the most yardage (bobbins 2 & 1 have a bit of residual practice singles from other fiber on them that I was too lazy to remove), and is the least consistent - I was getting anxious to finish!
Yardage: @ 313 of 3ply yarn
WPI: ranges from 11-14; averaging around 12.5 (Sport to DK)
Weight: Imprecisely weighed at 3 oz. (There is a bit of bobbin #2 and #3 left for me to play with)
I’m quite pleased with the result, given that I’m out of practice. I do wish that I’d been able to make the gorgeous colors stand out a bit more though. Bobbin #2 with it’s mix of green-copper-chestnut-chocolate in particular seems lost in the mix. I do love the way the brilliant blues come out though. As mentioned in the initial post, I separated the roving into equal segments by color, then spun 1 bobbin of each and plied them together. I wonder what would have happened if I alternated strips from each section and then navajo-plied?
Spinners - any suggestions? What would you have done differently?
I am quite happy with this though, it’s very soft, and more balanced than the fire-y yarn; I think it will make some cozy socks! And I’m so pleased that the spinning mojo has returned. Almost pleased enough to dive back into the Ocean roving and finish that up - Almost!
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Now playing: Rosie Thomas - Let Myself Fall
via FoxyTunes
Posted in Uncategorized, spinning, yarn | 
March 30th, 2008 at 11:15 am
one word: wow.
this is stunning. and inspiring: i have just begun thinking seriously about acquiring a drop spindle…and learning the basics. a goal for summer?
March 30th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Absolutely beautiful colors Mel! I can’t wait to see what you create with this gorgeous handspun.
March 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Oh wow, oh wow. That is so so beautiful.
barefoot rooster, I’m with you - I have begun thinking seriously about drop spindles this summer.
March 30th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Navajo plying would probably have given you longer runs of color and given the finished yarn more of a space dyed effect rather than a marled one.
That being said, I wouldn’t change your result for the world! I like the marled yarn with the pop of blue.
March 30th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Wow! It’s lovely. I would have picked to spin it just like you described. I love how the color varies through out the skein. You
usually only see that in handspun yarn.
Very nice job!
March 30th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
These colours are beautiful. Your detailed descriptions and gorgeous photos are truly inspirational to a not-yet spinner like me!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
WOW…the brown skein is so amazing. Any project knit with it will be great too. I really admire your spinning talent and ability to play around with colours!
March 31st, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I love the dark blue that shoots through the browns. What a wonderful use of color!
April 4th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Beautiful.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Stunning!
That’s Ravenswood, right? Mind if I give the photo to Cloverhill Yarns to post for their Sheep and Wool booth, which will be carrying my stuff?