Carding, Again

I started blending the different types of wools from Monday's post and look at what I'm getting! The colors remind me of water.

This is two passes through the drum carder and while it's not perfectly and completely blended (there are parts that are slightly darker, lighter, bluer, whiter - one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish - sorry, I got distracted there), I really like the way the batts are looking and I think the slight variation in colors will make for a more interesting spun yarn. Remember how I was thinking these wools would be pretty drapey? When I take the batts off the drum carder, they just flop over my hand, draping perfectly, but they also have a good "puff" to them - that's the finewools doing their thing in the blend. I think the spun yarn will have some nice loft as well as nice drape and while I won't officially decide what pattern to use for this finished yarn until the yarn is finished and I know exact yardage and weight, I've pulled out my Knit Kimonos book and I've been thinking about using one of those designs with this yarn. If the finished yarn has the kind of drape that the batts are showing, it should be beautiful for a kimono shaped jacket.

Oh, and if anyone is curious, my drum carder is a Strauch Petite with the brush attachment. It's reasonably priced and easy to use, works with a wide variety of fibers and makes a nice batt size. I got it about a year ago and I'm very happy with it. Don't just think that you can only card washed, unprocessed fleece on a carder - this project is all about blending already processed and dyed rovings. Having a carder gives you the option of making up your own color blends and fiber blends to really make the EXACT yarn you want in the EXACT quantities you need. Also, seven year old boys think they're fun and will turn the crank for you.