For Your Review: Merino/Tussah Silk to Spin

From Ashland Bay's website:

"The 70/30 Merino/Tussah Silk dyed fiber blend is a perfect ratio of wool to silk for a spinner’s first introduction to spinning with silk. The blend is also great for felting. We offer over a dozen bright and vibrant colors of our Merino Silk dyed fiber blend, including seasonally inspired color ways."

All I can say is, AMEN! I decided to treat myself for the Tour de Fleece, and, man, is this a treat.

This top is so beautiful, and spins so well, I almost can't believe it. I tried over-the-fold, at first, because I heard that was a good way to control silk, but it didn't really work. So, just a simple, relaxed, worsted-spun yarn was born. Plied into a two-ply, it is drapey, smooth, and beautiful. 

If you want to spin silk, or even a silk blend, go for it! Just, maybe, get a manicure first. Every snag or rough spot on your hands will catch at the silk, and it's rather annoying.

Are you doing anything special for the Tour de Fleece? I know I'm going to be spinning the rest of this. Come grab some spinning fiber at the shop before I use it all up!

For Your Review: Merino Roving, Spun Thicker

I got my hands on another bunch of beautiful Ashland Bay Fibers Merino top, in a lovely dark green. Unlike the last time I spun it, I wanted to make a yarn that was as fluffy, soft, and cozy as possible.

So, I tore off chunks of roving and spun my singles from the fold.

After the singles were finished, I plied the yarn so that it would be nice and bouncy.

And, boy, is it!

I would call it a heavy worsted or maybe even bulky-weight. It is VERY soft, and it won't stand up to hard wear, at all, so I'll have to plan the project for it carefully. A hat, maybe? Probably more than one!

If you haven't tried spinning from the fold, you should. It's easy and a nice way to get a good handle on your fiber. Come get your hands on some of this top before I spin it all!