Last night was the start of Britspin – although you don’t have to be British, be located in Britain, or even spin British wool to participate. It’s a spinning competition open to all, and I thought it would be fun to join in and see how much I can spin when I focus on speed.
My normal spinning style up until now has been to use the largest whorl and treadle so slowly that the wheel is just on the brink of stalling. In fact, I have had it stall on occasion. The slow treadling gives me lots of time to focus on drafting as close to perfect as I can. I like fine yarns, for a chain-plied yarn I tend to aim for fingering to sport-weight after plying, so need a fine singles.
This weekend, though, I’m focusing on working a lot faster and still trying to draft more or less evenly for a fine singles. I’m using a 4-ounce braid I bought ages ago from Woolgatherings, in 15.5 micron merino, and spinning straight through the braid without separating colors. When I’ve spun up the whole braid, I’ll chain-ply it, to try and reduce the barber-poling as much as I can. What will I do with it? no idea! I don’t think it’ll work for a shawl or anything lacy, but maybe 2-color brioche? Not sure what color I’d use with it, I’ll have to see it spun first.
Here’s the braid unbraided, the empty bobbin, and my first day’s progress from Wednesday night.
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