Fireworks

 

I've started a new spinning project and this one is a big one.  This is also being spun for a specific sweater, so I actually sampled before I started!  The fiber (above) is Fireworks from BeesyBee.  It's 65% Merino and 35% Recycled Sari Silk.  If I understand correctly, Recycled Sari Silk isn't recycled from old saris, it's the loom waste from weaving the sari fabric.  The silk is chunkier than the wool and it makes a textured, neppy yarn.  I'm spinning a three ply which will help balance out the thick and thin somewhat, but for the most part, you just have to accept thick and thin with the sari silk.  On the other hand, you get these amazing pops of color!

I'm spinning it on my Schacht Flatiron using the 12.4 : 1 ratio at 50 wpi, using Scotch Tension (singles Z, plying S).  I should say 50 wpi is my goal.  As I mentioned the sari silk adds a lot of texture.  I will spin six bobbins of singles before I begin plying.  Since this is going to be a big project, I won't bore you with weekly progress photos of half full bobbins - I'll just show you when I finish a bobbin.  (Which could theoretically be weekly, but I have a feeling it's going to take me more time than that to fill each bobbin.)

The sweater plan?  I want to knit another Ambiente with the finished yarn.  The simple, oversized, stockinette will be perfect for showing off the little pops of color against the black.  When I sampled, I knit up a swatch to check gauge, so you can see above how fun it looks knitted!

Have a great weekend!  I've got some spinning to do!