Alpaca scarf weaving

I decided to 'un-weave' the sample I had done and re-adjust the tension before starting to weave again.  The process was relatively straight forward, although the 'hairiness' of the Alpaca meant that the weft tended to catch as it was drawn through the warp, which made it slower.

Once back to warp I retied some of the warp threads to even it up and used cardboard spacers before weaving just a small tabby header.

Weaving commenced for real

 And the dyed pillow cases have now been washed and ironed - they came out well - using only the blues and grey from the original colours of Ireland selection.

Tie dyed pillow cases

Craft day

The morning started out with an effort to use up the left over liquid dye (from the linen dyeing). We had bought a couple of plain cotton pillow cases and decided to tie dye/paint them with the left over colours from the placemat project.  The dye has been in the fridge and this will be the test to see if it survived.  I started by soaking the pillow cases in water then in the solution needed to 'set' the dye.  Anne and Rachel then tied/knotted and painted them.

Painting on the dye

The craft (dining) table

Once they were finished and the pillow cases were wrapped and set aside (for 24 hours), I was able to clean up the table and start dressing the loom (Dorothy).  It all went pretty smoothly (with help).  I've found out Alpaca is a little more slippery than the wool or other yarn I've been using, but I've just about got the right tension going now and have woven a couple of test inches.

The first couple of inches 

This will be first of three scarves in this yarn/design and shouldn't take too long once I am back in the table loom rythm.

Alpaca Warp

With a little help* I warped up the Alpaca yesterday and today I hope to get it onto Dorothy to start weaving.  It's enough for 3 scarves - and will be a twill, herringbone patter with the warp using 'Cairo' and the weft using Chocolate.  There's a dark/Chocolate band down each side of the scarf, and each scarf will have 2 inch fringes that I'll sew in like the CF/Indigo scarves.

Alpaca warp ready for the loom

* I didn't make balls from the skeins then warp, but rather asked Anne to sit patiently with skeins on her hands and I warped directly from that.  I have the plans to build a swift - that will need to be done for any larger projects - luckily this one was only 3 skeins.

Spinning again

After a week long trip down through Tennessee then up to Ohio for two weddings (the placemats were a huge hit), we're back and I'm back spinning again.  We spent some time visiting areas where we are considering eventually relocating to, and found some great places, saw some nice homes/land and connected in a small way with the fibre community  All in all: successful.

I decided to do a small trial of the Tennessee Tweed fine 3 ply.  It has come out pretty well and while it will certainly take a while to spin all the wool, it will be worth it to weave into cloth for a couple of waistcoats.  To re-cap, it will be half like this (Lincoln Longwool with flecks of coloured Clun Forest) and half Lincoln Longwool and CF blend with flecks of coloured CF) and the two shades woven into a point twill/herringbone cloth.

The first real sample of TT

21 wraps per inch - Fine

The CF spinning for the Right Side of the Bed Rug is going well and I'm back doing that now.  About half way or so...

2 skeins 320 yards