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BessH
Permanent Resident
2986 Posts |
 Posted - 09/01/2002 : 06:23:14 AM
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I have just spun 3 yards of boucle yarn from a lovely grey wensleydale roving and I can't believe how easy it was to create this extremely lavish looking yarn. I have always loved boucle fabric anyway, whether woven or knitted and am constantly attracted to it in yarn shops where it comes at a premium price. I am so excited that I can make my own now, I can barely stand it! 
I learned how from watching Patsy Zavastowski's video on spinning novelty yarns. It is spun with sewing thread as the core and the binder - as she says, it is basicaly a two ply yarn made of sewing thread with thinly spun fibers trapped between. I had noticed how much the wensleydale yarn has in common with mohair and thought it would make a beautiful boucle. this grey color looks like it will knit up to resemble astrikan fur. I am just so excited I had to share this with my fellow enthusiasts.
One of my knitting buddies and I have had a difficult time pronouncing boucle properly - boo clay - although we checked with the dictionary and know we are wrong, we have agreed that when it is just the two of us we will pronounce it boo kl! I cant wait to show her my boo-kl yarn. 
as an aside - It was wanting to spin boucle yarn that finally pushed me into buying a spinning wheel - so today's production is the summit of a long climb.
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Janine
Chatty Knitter
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 10:55:06 PM
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Bess, I'm amazed! You actually made boucle yarn?!? How totally cool!
I'm reading all the old messages in the spinning section trying to learn about making "regular" yarn and now I know that "deluxe" is possible too. I don't even have a spindle yet but already I'm hooked!
BTW, when I think the word boucle it comes out "book-lee" in my mind's voice. Goodness only knows what will come out of my mouth next time I have to say it out loud!
Janine
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Janine
Chatty Knitter
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 10:55:06 PM
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Bess, I'm amazed! You actually made boucle yarn?!? How totally cool!
I'm reading all the old messages in the spinning section trying to learn about making "regular" yarn and now I know that "deluxe" is possible too. I don't even have a spindle yet but already I'm hooked!
BTW, when I think the word boucle it comes out "book-lee" in my mind's voice. Goodness only knows what will come out of my mouth next time I have to say it out loud!
Janine
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BessH
Permanent Resident
2986 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 03:34:10 AM
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Janine, it's amazing the things you can do with handspinning - Imagine spinning feathers into a yarn - and yet, I read about it in an issue of SpinOff.
Since I made that post I have only made one garment out of a novelty yarn. I took colored mohair locks and carded them lightly into a fluffy mass, with fibers going in all directions, but not tangled. Then I took a spool of sewing thread, attached it to the bobbin of my wheel, and began spinning very tightly (lots of treadles). While the thread was tightly spinning I pressed these fluffly colored locks up against it and the twist in the thread caught the fibers. Then I'd pull back along the thread with the mohair and the twist would bind it down in clumps. Afterwards I spun another piece of thread against these puffs of color tangled in the black thread. It made the prettiest novelty yarn. I knitted it with some handspun merino into the brim of a hat and felted it. The hat would be perfect except  it's just a little too small for me. As soon as I find someone with a slightly smaller head I will give it to her - and I'll make myself another one that fits. It was such a fun project to do.
I think I'll go back and read all those posts again too. Lots of us have become spinners in the last year and it'll be fun to read about our journies again. I hope you get the opportunity to jump into the spinning "whorld"...[ ]
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com |
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BessH
Permanent Resident
2986 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 03:34:10 AM
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Janine, it's amazing the things you can do with handspinning - Imagine spinning feathers into a yarn - and yet, I read about it in an issue of SpinOff.
Since I made that post I have only made one garment out of a novelty yarn. I took colored mohair locks and carded them lightly into a fluffy mass, with fibers going in all directions, but not tangled. Then I took a spool of sewing thread, attached it to the bobbin of my wheel, and began spinning very tightly (lots of treadles). While the thread was tightly spinning I pressed these fluffly colored locks up against it and the twist in the thread caught the fibers. Then I'd pull back along the thread with the mohair and the twist would bind it down in clumps. Afterwards I spun another piece of thread against these puffs of color tangled in the black thread. It made the prettiest novelty yarn. I knitted it with some handspun merino into the brim of a hat and felted it. The hat would be perfect except it's just a little too small for me. As soon as I find someone with a slightly smaller head I will give it to her - and I'll make myself another one that fits. It was such a fun project to do.
I think I'll go back and read all those posts again too. Lots of us have become spinners in the last year and it'll be fun to read about our journies again. I hope you get the opportunity to jump into the spinning "whorld"...[]
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com |
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Marjorie
Gabber Extraordinaire
New Zealand
591 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 4:16:33 PM
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Congratulations on your Latest accomplishment Bess.I can remember when you first bought your spinning wheel and it hasn't taken you long to get to this stage.After DH getting my wheel out of the garage roof do you know that I haven't done anything with it as yet.The wheel looks slightly buckled to me and there is rust on it as well.I'm really keen on saving and getting a portable one that is easier to get in and out of the car so that I could take it to work to show the children.I'll have to do a refresher course as well.I go along to two spinning groups now but just take my knitting along.However I don't get alot done as it is lovely to just sit and watch all the wheels in action and all that lovely wool being spun. 
Marjorie
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Marjorie
Gabber Extraordinaire
New Zealand
591 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 4:16:33 PM
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Congratulations on your Latest accomplishment Bess.I can remember when you first bought your spinning wheel and it hasn't taken you long to get to this stage.After DH getting my wheel out of the garage roof do you know that I haven't done anything with it as yet.The wheel looks slightly buckled to me and there is rust on it as well.I'm really keen on saving and getting a portable one that is easier to get in and out of the car so that I could take it to work to show the children.I'll have to do a refresher course as well.I go along to two spinning groups now but just take my knitting along.However I don't get alot done as it is lovely to just sit and watch all the wheels in action and all that lovely wool being spun.
Marjorie
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BessH
Permanent Resident
2986 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 4:36:01 PM
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Oh Marjorie - I'm sorry to hear your wheel is not in working shape. Hope you can get it going again when you are ready to spin.
I don't like trying to travel with HeyBaby because she's fairly bulky. I've taken her out in the car once but it made me nervous that she'd get twisted or banged up. I'd like a portable wheel too, sometime, or else a very narrow castle type, like the small Kromski's. for going places with.
It has been such fun exploring novelty yarns - or any other sort of yarn. I have a 1 lb bag of mohair locks I plan to spin and knit into a short cropped jacket. But they are extremely full of VegetableMatter so I haven't gotten around to them yet.
another thing I've found is that I am either spinning and hardly knitting, or knitting a lot and hardly spinning. I've just come off 3 knitting classes and I'm sliding into heavy duty spinning. Working on my first fine spun merino now. I'll probably spin pretty heavily till May when we are going on vacation, then come summer I am teaching a Ram-to-Rug class. I'm offering a class to the 4H girls (our agricultural program in the schools) who have raised sheep this spring. They raised Suffolk so the wool will make nice rugs and this will be a good project for their first steps into spinning and for some, into knitting or crocheting. The class will run all summer so they can have something to enter in the State Fair in September if they want to. I'm really excited about it.
but i live in a hot hot summertime climate and spinning is a lot cooler than knitting in summertime. so I forsee summer spinning and winter knitting.
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com |
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BessH
Permanent Resident
2986 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 4:36:01 PM
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Oh Marjorie - I'm sorry to hear your wheel is not in working shape. Hope you can get it going again when you are ready to spin.
I don't like trying to travel with HeyBaby because she's fairly bulky. I've taken her out in the car once but it made me nervous that she'd get twisted or banged up. I'd like a portable wheel too, sometime, or else a very narrow castle type, like the small Kromski's. for going places with.
It has been such fun exploring novelty yarns - or any other sort of yarn. I have a 1 lb bag of mohair locks I plan to spin and knit into a short cropped jacket. But they are extremely full of VegetableMatter so I haven't gotten around to them yet.
another thing I've found is that I am either spinning and hardly knitting, or knitting a lot and hardly spinning. I've just come off 3 knitting classes and I'm sliding into heavy duty spinning. Working on my first fine spun merino now. I'll probably spin pretty heavily till May when we are going on vacation, then come summer I am teaching a Ram-to-Rug class. I'm offering a class to the 4H girls (our agricultural program in the schools) who have raised sheep this spring. They raised Suffolk so the wool will make nice rugs and this will be a good project for their first steps into spinning and for some, into knitting or crocheting. The class will run all summer so they can have something to enter in the State Fair in September if they want to. I'm really excited about it.
but i live in a hot hot summertime climate and spinning is a lot cooler than knitting in summertime. so I forsee summer spinning and winter knitting.
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com |
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2862 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 4:52:10 PM
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Bess, you are doing so well! I hope that you are suitably proud!
Marjorie, I didn't know that you could spin! Once you get back in front of your wheel I am sure that it will all come back to you. Rather like riding a bike! Why not take your wheel to the spinning proup next time you go. I am sure that one or two of those ladies will have some advice as to what you can do about its condition. In my experience they are usually pretty knowledgeable. Must be the "Kiwi Ingenuity" thing!
KathyR |
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2862 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 4:52:10 PM
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Bess, you are doing so well! I hope that you are suitably proud!
Marjorie, I didn't know that you could spin! Once you get back in front of your wheel I am sure that it will all come back to you. Rather like riding a bike! Why not take your wheel to the spinning proup next time you go. I am sure that one or two of those ladies will have some advice as to what you can do about its condition. In my experience they are usually pretty knowledgeable. Must be the "Kiwi Ingenuity" thing!
KathyR |
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Marjorie
Gabber Extraordinaire
New Zealand
591 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 04:18:08 AM
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Yes Kathy I used to spin but was never up to the standard of you or Bess.When I left work to have my first child their farewell gift to me was a standard Ashford wheel which just blew me away.I can remember that weekend DH putting it together and me out on the lawn staining it.I joined spinners and weavers and between them and books managed to spin some pretty nice wool but put the wheel aside when my family started arriving and getting into mischief. Now with empty nest syndrom rapidly approaching I really would like to get back to it again.One of the lovely ladies at one of the groups did suggest bringing the wheel along as she knew someone who was a bit of a whizz at fixing up wheels and he might be able to salvage mine.I just haven't got around to it as yet.I'm hopelessly disorganised at the moment.
Bess I saw a lovely little spinning wheel at Spinners and Weavers which I fell in love with.It was very small,maintenance free(no oiling)and folded up into a silver travelling case.He told me the name of it which I can't remember now but what I can remember is that it cost over 600 NZ dollars.I think you just about double it for American money.It was such a pretty little thing 
Marjorie
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Marjorie
Gabber Extraordinaire
New Zealand
591 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 04:18:08 AM
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Yes Kathy I used to spin but was never up to the standard of you or Bess.When I left work to have my first child their farewell gift to me was a standard Ashford wheel which just blew me away.I can remember that weekend DH putting it together and me out on the lawn staining it.I joined spinners and weavers and between them and books managed to spin some pretty nice wool but put the wheel aside when my family started arriving and getting into mischief. Now with empty nest syndrom rapidly approaching I really would like to get back to it again.One of the lovely ladies at one of the groups did suggest bringing the wheel along as she knew someone who was a bit of a whizz at fixing up wheels and he might be able to salvage mine.I just haven't got around to it as yet.I'm hopelessly disorganised at the moment.
Bess I saw a lovely little spinning wheel at Spinners and Weavers which I fell in love with.It was very small,maintenance free(no oiling)and folded up into a silver travelling case.He told me the name of it which I can't remember now but what I can remember is that it cost over 600 NZ dollars.I think you just about double it for American money.It was such a pretty little thing
Marjorie
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Shelia
Permanent Resident
USA
2231 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 08:27:44 AM
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Marjorie, you may have seen the Majacraft Gem - it is very small, has sealed bearings, and comes with a silver carrying bag. When I bought my Suzie, I tried one and really liked it, and loved the portability, but thought that I should go with a more full-sized wheel for a first one. Now of course I am still looking at the Gem, but have no reason to buy one as I don't really travel around and spin too often. Maybe in the future! I think that it sells for about $500 here in the US.
Shelia
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Shelia
Permanent Resident
USA
2231 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 08:27:44 AM
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Marjorie, you may have seen the Majacraft Gem - it is very small, has sealed bearings, and comes with a silver carrying bag. When I bought my Suzie, I tried one and really liked it, and loved the portability, but thought that I should go with a more full-sized wheel for a first one. Now of course I am still looking at the Gem, but have no reason to buy one as I don't really travel around and spin too often. Maybe in the future! I think that it sells for about $500 here in the US.
Shelia
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kdcrowley
Permanent Resident
USA
4773 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 11:42:32 AM
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BessH congrats on your boo-kl. I got Patsy's video and it is great, but I seemed to have gotten a bunch of stuff all at once and wound up feeling overwhelmed.
I have discovered that I can spin with 2yo DS in my lap.
I am also spinning or knitting alternately. My biggest problem is that I am reluctant to knit with my handspun. Not that I don't like it, just that it feels so precious and I kind of don't know what to do with it.
Kelley
Everywhere you go, there you are! Imagine that.... |
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kdcrowley
Permanent Resident
USA
4773 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 11:42:32 AM
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BessH congrats on your boo-kl. I got Patsy's video and it is great, but I seemed to have gotten a bunch of stuff all at once and wound up feeling overwhelmed.
I have discovered that I can spin with 2yo DS in my lap.
I am also spinning or knitting alternately. My biggest problem is that I am reluctant to knit with my handspun. Not that I don't like it, just that it feels so precious and I kind of don't know what to do with it.
Kelley
Everywhere you go, there you are! Imagine that.... |
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Phaedra28
Gabber Extraordinaire
485 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 2:17:16 PM
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Hey, Kelley, I've been in the same state over the handspun -- although in two weeks I have a heck of a lot less than you probably do! Here's what I've come up with in my mind:
Intarsia pullover for me, using the handspun with some ancient Ballybrae I have in my stash that really never seemed to work with much else. (Or not using the Ballybrae, but spinning some neutral wool to go with the colored wool.) The design is jigsaw puzzle pieces that I charted an eon ago for some other wool that didn't respond well to intarsia. Since each puzzle piece takes a fairly miniscule length of wool, I can use all my little samples of various fibers, and it'll just be richer for the variety.
And isn't Domino knitting just MADE for smallish amounts of handspun? Again the variety of fiber and color, with the variation of thickness just adds depth to the finished piece. Ditto Patchwork knitting.
What's that? Why do I have such a variety of fibers? Because I bought a little bit of several different types at Carolina Homespun, where Morgaine was very kind and helpful. You know, 2 ounces of this, 4 ounces of that, a pound of the other, and another 2 ounces of the one over there. The 4 ounce bit was the wool/nylon, which is on the spindle (you know, the new one I bought there, since the bulky Ashford is such a beast...) and will soon be on the needles to become socks...
Hope the ideas help inspire you to knit something with the handspun!
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Phaedra28
Gabber Extraordinaire
485 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 2:17:16 PM
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Hey, Kelley, I've been in the same state over the handspun -- although in two weeks I have a heck of a lot less than you probably do! Here's what I've come up with in my mind:
Intarsia pullover for me, using the handspun with some ancient Ballybrae I have in my stash that really never seemed to work with much else. (Or not using the Ballybrae, but spinning some neutral wool to go with the colored wool.) The design is jigsaw puzzle pieces that I charted an eon ago for some other wool that didn't respond well to intarsia. Since each puzzle piece takes a fairly miniscule length of wool, I can use all my little samples of various fibers, and it'll just be richer for the variety.
And isn't Domino knitting just MADE for smallish amounts of handspun? Again the variety of fiber and color, with the variation of thickness just adds depth to the finished piece. Ditto Patchwork knitting.
What's that? Why do I have such a variety of fibers? Because I bought a little bit of several different types at Carolina Homespun, where Morgaine was very kind and helpful. You know, 2 ounces of this, 4 ounces of that, a pound of the other, and another 2 ounces of the one over there. The 4 ounce bit was the wool/nylon, which is on the spindle (you know, the new one I bought there, since the bulky Ashford is such a beast...) and will soon be on the needles to become socks...
Hope the ideas help inspire you to knit something with the handspun!
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
Republic of Korea
6548 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 5:08:53 PM
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I'm sure I slaughter it, but I say "boo-" or like the "bou" of "boutique" and "clay" or "clé" like a long a.
Amanda
Mindy to Heidi: Did I tell you she knits in class? She knits away and two weeks later she comes in wearing a new sweater! |
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
Republic of Korea
6548 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 5:08:53 PM
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I'm sure I slaughter it, but I say "boo-" or like the "bou" of "boutique" and "clay" or "clé" like a long a.
Amanda
Mindy to Heidi: Did I tell you she knits in class? She knits away and two weeks later she comes in wearing a new sweater! |
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