This was a surprise gift I received in my mailbox from a sweet customer in December 2019. I wanted to spin this and preserve the beautiful turquoise, light blue, and coral shades in the combed top. After doing some reading, I settled on long draw from the fold, in order to keep the colors separate and to practice long draw. I broke off "staple" length pieces and spun from the fold, off the tip of my finger. The colors did remain separate, so I will definitely use this technique again. As expected, I need more practice with long draw to improve uniformity. I may need to go to a lower ratio on plying, but I'll wait to knit a sample first before I decide.

Details

Finished 1/1/2021

Fiber: "Ponyo", merino combed top by Paradise Fibers

7.2 oz, 204g, ~560 yds

16:1 ratio, long draw from the fold, off the tip, high take up

16:1 two ply, six treadles, two take up

I was moderately happy with this spin. The process was so fun, spinning a mini batt every day through the month of December. I'm surprised at the amount of twist the superwash merino can sustain for sock-type yarn. I would have liked to spin this at a higher ratio, but perhaps stayed at the 16:1 for plying.

Details

Finished 1/1/2021

Fiber: Scrappy Sock Bundles from Wound Up Fiber Arts

3.9 oz, 110g, ~654 yds

16:1 ratio, continuous back draft with smoothing, low to medium take up

One draft per treadle (left/right treadle), four drafts back, one let in

16:1 chain ply, medium to high take up