Spinning Talk

I picked up some black Ashland Bay alpaca a while ago. There was a pound of it at a very good price. I now know why it was so cheap.

It is terrible! It is rough and really prickly. I tried spinning it this morning. Uuuuggghhh!

The original plan was to ply it with the heavenly dark chocolate brown fiber I got from northstaralpacas. It is luscious stuff and spins like a dream. So soft and cuddly. But I couldn't possibly let such beautiful alpaca touch the horrible Ashland Bay alpaca!

I have actually tried some merino/silk Ashland Bay fiber and liked it. I was so stunned to see the difference with what should have been a lovely fiber. I don't know what they did to it but YUCK! Don't know what I am going to do with a pound of this stuff other than maybe pillow stuffing. Though even that might be too itchy! *shakes head*

I am not sure what I will decide to ply with the alpaca now. I *could* spin it with 2 oz of either fawn or more of the dark chocolate color. The dark chocolate might be the best. But I really wanted some of the chocolate for me!! *grumblechuckle* I suspect the fawn is lighter than my friend would like ideally. Might order some more alpaca from northstaralpacas after the holidays. I can't really do it before then. But I won't see my friend until after the new year. So it could work out.

The wonderful thing is that my custom order from winderwoodfarm showed up today. So I have some delicious fiber to spin. In Lime & Violet speak, it is truly lickable fiber. *grin* It is cashmere/merino/silk. It feels like a cloud. *sigh* I can't wait to spin it.

I have never spun cashmere before. But my friend loves it in clothing and such. So I figured I can make something nice out of it. *crosses fingers*

I really love it and want to keep it for myself! *evil grin* But this is the time for giving, right? *chuckle* I am working on a purse for the same friend as her birthday was in Nov.. So the grey in the batt will compliment it really well I think.

I wish work weren't being a beast! I had better get back to it. Whee!