The one in progress on the table is an absolutely lovely batch of California Variegated Mutant (CVM). So soft, just long enough to comb, and much of the combing leftovers will end up on the handcards.
I brought the start of my sampler book to the recent Blacksheep Handweaver's Guild meeting, and it was a raging success. That is, I had the gumption to show it to a single person, and she liked it, and so I was happy. Then the program started and went waaaay past my bedtime, and, well, at least one person got to see it! (Thanks for the kind words, Ruth!)
So, perhaps you're wondering, what does a wool sampler book look like, anyway? For me, it is a three-ring binder with a bunch of photo-holder sheets and a bunch of wool in it. A completed sample includes an unwashed lock, a worsted-spun 10 yard, 2-ply skein, a woolen spun 10 yard, 2-ply skein, and some of the wool turned in to a swatch. I chose to knit the swatch, but it could be woven or crocheted if either of those is your fancy.
The point of the exercise, of course, is to determine for myself how the different types of wool look and feel under different preparations and techniques. Here's another example, still a work-in-progress:
That's black Border Leicester, with a raw lock, worsted, and woolen skeins (top right to bottom left). I've still got to set the twist on the yarns and do some thwacking on the woolen one, but it's a great example of how different yarn can be as a result of the preparation and spinning technique. I'll never get bored with this.
All of this started for the Master Spinners program, but I couldn't limit myself to just 10 types, which is all they require. I'm going to see about getting small bits of commercially prepped roving and/or top for some of the wools, just to compare to how well I'm processing my fibers for different techniques.
There is more, of course. I've got samples of S spun and Z spun singles, and next weekend I'll work on the fiber samples from all major areas of a single fleece to show how even on a single sheep, the fiber is different depending on where you get it (britches versus back versus shoulder and so on). I know it's different - I've read about it plenty of times. But by working it for myself, I'll have a better understanding of HOW different, which is pretty darn cool.
Of course, I'll do that after the massive feast planned on Thursday. I think I'll take a day off from the Master Spinners homework that day and just bring my wheel and some merino to my friends' house, and enjoy.
