Here's my second handspun yarn. This is a merino-tencel blend, though I don't know much else about the fiber as it was in a big bin at the only LYS in town that sells spinning fiber. I think it's from Ashland Bay, but I'm not sure.
I keep reading that merino is hard to spin, and not for beginners. Bah, I say. I just waded right in. I figure the only thing I have to lose is my dignity. It looks better than my first yarn, so I think I'll count it as a success. There are about 260 yards of that stuff, and it's roughly a bulky weight, though I haven't swatched it yet. It's just dreamily soft, and I think it will make a lovely winter scarf.
I promised a better photo of my first yarn. Here it is. This is Colonial Top, about 112 yards in all.
The wheel now has a name. Meet Seamus:
Yes, I went ahead and bought the silly wine glass holder. It just had my name on it, don't you think?
In knitting news, I'm still working on the stealth baby project. It's coming along, but I still can't show photos. Oh, OK, here's a teaser.
Big and grey, that's all I can say. It's much prettier in real life.
Last but not least, we're leaving for an Alaskan cruise in the morning. It was sort of a spontaneous thing that we signed up for just a month or so ago. It's a round trip from Seattle, so didn't require an airplane ride, and if you can book close to last minute, the deals are pretty good. What's not to like? Work has been a bit of a drag recently, and it's been somewhat of a difficult early summer around here, so a cruise seemed just the ticket. No, I'm not taking the wheel. Yes, I am taking the Bosworth spindle. I'm also taking the laptop, so hopefully there will be a post or two.
Oh, have fun on your cruise! Hee hee - thanks for answering the wheel question ahead of time. You know us so well...
Posted by: Chris | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Wow, Lorette, look at you go!!
Posted by: --Deb | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Wine glass holder....seriously???? I did not know such a think existed. :-o
I think Seamus is a marvelous name and I'm with you....merino is not hard to spin. Now silk...that turned in to a disaster. But merino...merino is so nice to spin. :-)
Posted by: Kris | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
I love the wine glass holder!!! Excellent first goes- I'm just starting spinning myself and have gotten hooked!
Posted by: Gwen | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Have a great cruise. Sometimes those last minute trips are the best!
Posted by: Marji | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 05:48 PM
Have a wonderfully relaxing time on your cruise. Nice spinning! Taking to it like water I see. :-)
Posted by: Manise | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 06:20 PM
I think that wine glass holder had my name on it too. Did you notice it there? The yarn looks great.
Posted by: Joanna | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 07:04 PM
I may have to spin, just to hold my wine glass. Totally LOL
Posted by: Debi | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Enjoy the 'bulky' yarns while you can still spin them. Once you start spinning fine, it will be very difficult to go back. Glad you are having fun.
Posted by: Laritza | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 08:26 PM
Your yarn is remarkably even! Looks great. The wheel looks much happier with a name, or perhaps it's the glow from the wine? Have a great time on your cruise!
Posted by: marissa | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 09:17 PM
I KNEW you would cave on the cup holder. (You've relaxed with the wine, and that's why the yarn looks so amazing for a second skein.)
Posted by: Laurie | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 04:54 AM
I would have been more surprised if you hadn't bought a wine glass holder ...
Posted by: Bridget | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 05:24 AM
That first yarn looks yummy! As for the cup holder, hey. Men have cup holders in their riding lawn mowers, so why not have a cup holder on a woman's spinning wheel? Cosmic balance.
Posted by: Andrea | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:04 AM
Love the cup holder! It's perfect! I'll have to look into one after my new wheel arrives next month. Mine needs to hold a beer. :)
Posted by: Karen | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Wine glass holder on your wheel. You are my kinda spinner, girl.
Posted by: Miss T | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 02:00 PM
Pretty yarn - especially the merino tencel blend. I have some hand dyed merino tencel yarn that I got in a sock club & it is sooooo soft with that slight sheen - love it. Enjoy your cruise - one of these days, I'll make it on an Alaskan cruise. My partner doesn't enjoy travel they way I do & is perfectly willing to go along, he lacks a certain enthusiasm. I've herd that you can get great deals - maybe we can go in September. Most of our travel budget now is spent on trips between Chicago & the Bay area since my DD, DSiL & 3 grands moved there a few months ago.
Posted by: mwknitter | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 02:27 PM
How could you not have bought the wine glass holder, I mean that is a no brainer!
Posted by: Rebekah | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 06:30 PM
My brother just came back from an Alaskan cruise and despite his misgivings (he thought he might be bored) , he loved it. He has a million photos and can't stop talking about how great the trip was. enjoy your self. Definitely bring the spindle. You wouldn't want the spinning vibe to waft away on the high seas.
Posted by: Linda | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Your spinning looks fabulous - are you sure that's only your second set of skeins?? wow.
Have a wonderful, restful cruise.
We look forward to pictures ;-D
Posted by: Teyani | Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 05:44 PM
I'm impressed. Your handspun looks lovely, and the stealth project is coming along nicely. Enjoy the cruise.
Posted by: marjorie | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 08:16 AM
Wonderful yarns! Looks like you are a natural.
Posted by: Jane | Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 01:04 PM