Seabreeze Spinners » Techniques

Dying Hand Spun Yarn

Tropical Twister — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:45:17 +0000

(click on images for larger view)
Used Gaywool Dye to dye hand spun 2 ply wool. Dyed natural wool hand spun yellow & pumpkin but then over-dyed grey hand spun for rich tones of chocolate , blue and cinnamon. Attempted to hand paint grey roving but didn’t like the results. Colors didn’t work. Over-dyed hand painted roving with purple and magenta with less success; it matted. But after going through the hand carder several times and adding a little bling … the roving was lovely and spun up beautifully.

Tropical Twister

Recycled Thrift Store Yarn

Tropical Twister — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:14:11 +0000

(double click on photos for larger image) I took Spin-In magazine’s challenge to recycle outdated knitted items from your closet or thrift store finds. The sweater I choose was a closet find … “What was I thinking” … shoulder pads and all. The sweater was a wool, mohair, nylon blend. I’m thinking sock yarn. First, look for a sweater that has chain stitch holding the seams; the type seams that seal potato sacks and dog food bags. Once the seams were separated, I unraveled the knit and balled up the yarn. You’ll notice in the photo a mix of beads. I threaded one stand of fiber with mixed beads which would later be spun into the yarn. I’m thinking a little bit a beads on the sock tops. Then I spun a two ply yarn on my Timbertops chair wheel. The first yarn was skeined onto a sample niddy noddy. The first spun will be mailed off to Spin-In in answer to the challenge, the rest, socks ….

Found a detailed tutorial on-line HERE at craftsylish blog.

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Newly Stocked Etsy site

Tropical Twister — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:41:32 +0000

I’ve had inquires regarding my homespun yarn so I’ve begun listing it on Etsy HERE along with Rick Reeves orifice hooks/threaders.

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Launching Ravelry Seabreeze Spinners Group

Tropical Twister — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:59:22 +0000

This is the logo for the new Ravelry Group, Seabreeze Spinners.

The new group takes a fresh look at spinning, knitting and weaving with a tropical twist. We’ll explore exotic and classic fibers which lend themselves to warmer climes . . . bamboo, silk, llama, linen, and cotton. Our focus is hand spinning, and hand knitting and weaving on small looms. (You need to do something with all that yarn.) Novice and experienced spinner alike are welcome whether planning to buy a wheel or looking for ideas for your next project.

Individuals who wish to sell off any of their personal stash or yarn, needles, magazines, books are encouraged to list it here. This is not a group for business owners to sell same or for selling stuff you make, but for individuals to sell their used stuff. You may post links to Ebay if you are selling your stash stuff there.

All who have an interest in fiber are welcome to join. This is a drama free zone. No adult content. “Disagree” is for “I disgree with someone’s stated opinion”. “Disagree” is not for expressing “I think they’re asking too much for their item”. Advice and suggestions are always welcome, but please, keep it positive and helpful. Please stay on topic. This is a place to chat and share with others who share your obsession with fiber.

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How to create the look of hand painted yarns:

Tropical Twister — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:14:08 +0000

“Marmalade” is 100% wool, spun from “printed” Louet rooving. The printing process for “northern lights” rooving very closely resembles hand painted rooving. The finger rooving is easy to spin and plying two singles, creates beautiful, complex yarn.

The second skein was handspun from hand painted fiber purchased at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair, SAFF. The locks were sewn in after the yarn was spun and before it was fulled. The finished yarn was soaked in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes without stirring which caused the locks to be felted permanently into place.

On this blog, there are other examples of faux hand painted yarns.

Visit us again here at Seabreezespinners.com We’ll be posting a demo of various ways to add locks to handspun yarn.

Tropical Twister

Mountain spun yarn ….

Tropical Twister — Mon, 30 May 2011 20:14:19 +0000

This yarn was inspired by the Smoky Mountains … blue skies, brush stokes of white clouds and leaves every color of green. I spun Louet Karaoke Angelfish (50% wool / 50% soysilk) spun with a pinch of Angelina (Peacock Green).

Tropical Twister

Rick Reeves signed, unfinished oak threaders

Tropical Twister — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:38:50 +0000

I am about to list the last of the signed, unfinished oak threaders on Etsy.

Tropical Twister

Rick Reeves oak, SIGNED, unfinished spinning wheel threaders

Tropical Twister — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:49:57 +0000

These two photos display oak, SIGNED, unfinished spinning wheel threaders I am planning to list for sale on my Etsy site. I am no longer accepting direct sales but will make all future sales through Etsy.

I have a very few people who previously contacted me directly through Ravelry that I am working with before listing the spinning wheel threaders on Etsy. I expect to complete those sales before weeks end when I again will be listing these unfinished threaders for sale. (The threaders can be purchased unfinished or finished.)

Currently, Rick Reeves is engaged in another project and is not turning threaders. He will be away from the lathe over the summer but promises more threaders in the fall. He may even be able to send a few before his summer hiatus. Will keep you posted on this site.

Tropical Twister

Rick Reeves hand turned Spinning Wheel Threading Hooks

Tropical Twister — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:09:25 +0000

SOLD out 3/19/2011 More will be posted next week.

I’m selling newly hand turned oak and brass threading hooks on Etsy. The hooks were turned by Rick Reeves, Spinning Wheel builder, master craftsman.

Tropical Twister

Gale’s Art beautiful fiber for spinning

Tropical Twister — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:17:50 +0000

I’ve been enjoying the most delightful fiber, Gale’s Art Blueface Swirl. I discovered this “Limited Edition” fiber at the Ashville Fiber Festival last October and only now have begun spinning. It is a luscious hand dyed blue face leicester fiber in blues, greens and purple swirled with undyed natural brown. The brown provides depth to this scrumptious mix. I have 4 oz to spin and it’s spinning up like a dream. (Very well processed and dyed.) Spinning lace weight with a lacey shawl in mind.

I met Gale at the Festival and enjoyed our brief conversation. (In addition to the fiber, I also bought two Trindals.) She’s knowedgeable and enthusiatic about fiber. You can contact Gale Evans and/or purchase her fiber HERE

That’s my “Timertop Suitcase” I have on vacation with me.

Tropical Twister