Sprite64
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Today's effort!With the arrival of my new spindle from Claire, I couldn't resist the merino pencil roving any longer. I read the posting on n's blog about how to use it and have just had my first play with it. I have NO clue if I'm doing this right  but at least I didn't get really annoyed with it this evening. I just did 2 'lengths' of about 5 ft. It did break once - got much too thin. I had OH spinning the spindle for me at one point  I think it turned out a bit 'fluffy' - wondering if that's normal or if it's something I'm doing wrong?
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Auntie Noo
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Well no idea if you're doing it right (is there a right or wrong way - I don't think there really is as it's a creative process) but it looks great! If I were doing it on a wheel I'd draw it out thinner, but having said that I always draw out thin and just can't do thick, which annoys me a bit 'cos I like thick yarn. So I think you've done great!!!!
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Sprite64
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Thanks! I think it is a bit thick (erm, apart from where it's too thin haha!) but I did find it easier using the pencil roving than the other 'lumps' of roving I've got. I might go back to doing 'park and draft' again for a bit - probably got more control that way. I found it quite tricky to join a new length - it was untwisted but didnt' seem to want to 'take'. Anyway - I'm probably being very impatient- I always want to master these things immediately and I get annoyed if I can't do it first time!
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Auntie Noo
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It took me a long while to start new lengths on a wheel and that has (presumably) more momentum so I think you are going to be patient with your learning curve there. I don't know how the spindle works so can't really help with that. Shame i can't pack my wheel in a backpack for the 17th!!!!  but the spindles will be fun!
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franney
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Oooooh, looks lovely Sprite, you've done more than me! I'm too scared to pick mine up now cos i know i'll fail miserably at it
I'll make sure i have my spindle next week though, i am looking forward to having help!
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n
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It's looking good.
You could probably draft it a bit more before you start, and that would make it thinner... but that comes with practice.
You could try a bit of the BFL and see how you get on with that, it's even easier to draft IMHO.
The thing to do really is play. don't worry about how it comes out, just play with it.
n
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Sprite64
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Thanks n  I really like the pencil roving so I'll probably be back for some more of that when I've used it up! I'll have another go later and try drafting it a bit more first.
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n
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Would you like a bit of Nude roving  to practice with? That way you wouldn't feel you were "wasting" the hand dyed. I have been wondering about offering 50g or 100g lots of this in the shop if anyone was interested...
n
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Sprite64
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| n wrote: | Would you like a bit of Nude roving to practice with? That way you wouldn't feel you were "wasting" the hand dyed. I have been wondering about offering 50g or 100g lots of this in the shop if anyone was interested...
n |
You just want to have lots of naked stuff on your website - shocking!!!!!!
I think offering 50g lots would be great for beginners - would the 'nude' be a bit cheaper too? It doesn't bother me too much but beginners might not want to spend ££'s on lovely roving and then be scared to mess it up! Maybe you could include a note pointing people to the instructions on your blog- they were very helpful. I wouldn't have known what to do with it otherwise (well, apart from look at it. OH says I should just knit it up as it is coz it's nice - I know Claire has done that)
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n
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Yes definitely cheaper, I still have to do all the shoppy things which have to be factored into the price, ordering, carriage, loading onto the shelves, splitting my 200g skeins into 50's, wrapping, posting etc, but it would be cheaper, and I think it might make t feel "safer" to try it first, either bought at the same time or as a taster in the hope that people would come back for more.... I'm going out in a moment but I'll work out a price and let you know later.
n
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Sprite64
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Cool n, I think selling it as a 'taster' is a great idea, although, I'm also wondering, if 'one' wanted to purchase 200g of the naked stuff how much would that be?!
Might go and do 15 mins. spinning now. I've just stuck my booga bag in the wash - hope it turns out ok! First time I've tried felting.
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