March 30, 2012

Friday Fiber Arts ~ A New Plying Technique

Happy Friday! I hope you've all had a great week.

Today I want to introduce you to our new blog hop. What better way to share your fiber projects with others! Feel free to link your fiber arts blog posts below so others can stop by and enjoy them.

This week I thought I'd share something new I tried. I've seen this plying technique done by others and I've been thinking about it for awhile, but last week I finally decided to jump in and try it. Of course that may be because I just received this awesome lot of inspiration from the UK. Aren't those colors gorgeous!

If you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about, I'm spinning some alpaca fiber into a single ply yarn and then plying it with this machine embroidery thread to make the finished 2-ply yarn. It really was a lot of fun.

The one thing I did find though was that I had to keep tension on the thread at all times or it would fly all over the place and wrap around anything in it's reach. These thread bobbins don't have end covers to keep the thread from coming off. I may have to improvise something. It would save a lot of headaches.

The whole process was easier than I thought it'd be and was a real pleasure to spin. In fact, I completed 2 yarns in less than 48 hours. This is a record for me! I now have a third yarn using this technique waiting to be plyed. This has become my new favorite way to make yarn!

Here is the first yarn I spun: It's brown alpaca blended with some bamboo and soysilk. I plyed it with gold thread.


And here is the second: I used white alpaca blended with some hot pink merino, bamboo and sparkly angelina. This one I plyed with bright pink thread. I love all this pink!


What do you think? Have you ever spun yarn or used yarn plyed with a thread like this?








Do you have something to share? Let us know what you’re working on this week! It can be photos of a project, instructions, an experience or anything else you feel fits Friday Fiber Arts. If you have something to share with us on your blog, add your link to the current week's party. Just please be sure to:
  1. Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address in the linky form below.
  2. Include in your blog entry a link back to the party post on this blog so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is working on today and have an opportunity to contribute! You can use the code below to add the button to your posts or blog if you'd like.
  3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what makes a party fun!! You don't want to come to a party and have no one talk to you!

If you want to play along don't forget to grab a button to place at the top or bottom of your post to show you are participating in Friday Fiber Arts!
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Home Sweet Farm


March 28, 2012

Wordless Wednesday ~ Pink!


March 26, 2012

Spring Has Sprung Early!

Were you part of the March heat wave? 9 straight days of recording breaking heat here in Michigan. Who would ever have imagined that?! We actually had several days in the 80s and the night time lows were only around 60. Perfect, perfect weather!!

Beyond the beautiful days, we were given tons of green stuff sprouting all around. This is far earlier than normal. Most of these flowers and plants aren't seen in my yard for another 4 weeks or so. Even the grass has turned a bright spring green.








Today it's only 45* and I am missing those warm temperatures even though I know they'll be back eventually. Also there is a freeze watch for tonight so all the farmers in the area will be worrying about those early buds and flowers. The crops may be in trouble if they freeze.

Lets keep our thoughts warm tonight.

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