The spinner's out there can probably tell that this little skein was not made using the Andean 2-ply method. Here's the story. . . I bought this roving at MS&W:
It's a gorgeous hand dyed Bluefaced Leicester roving from FireSong Fibers. (Oh no! They don't have a website, but here's a phone# 301-854-4848.) My idea was to make a 2-ply that was a subtly verigated but somewhat solidish color. I saw Claudia ply a bit last weekend using the Andean plying method and it looked easy. Oy! Note to self, don't try a new technique with a whole spindleful of fiber. Try it out using a few yards next time!
The result, a somewhat knotted mess. Not really knotted though. I was still able to revert to my favorite method of plying -- the Navajo 3-ply. Okay, let me find some links for you:
Oooh, good things out there. I was using the Spin It!
In the end, I think the 3 ply is more subtle than I tought it would be and I'm happy with it. I believe that I'll spin up the rest and make some mittens. I leave you today with a close up of another MS&W purchase. My Golding Ring Spindle. It's a 3" Celtic Ring carved out of Cherry. This may be my favorite purchase. It spins beautifully and looks beautiful too!
I love how it turned out! I like Andean plying... I think I got lucky my first time though because aside from cutting off all circulation to my hand, the plying went okay!
It looks great! :)
Posted by: jess | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 11:31 AM
I think your yarn looks lovely. And that's a beautiful spindle!
Posted by: Wendy | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 12:08 PM
I love Golding spindles. I want to see his beautiful new spinning wheel up close and personal (not that I could afford it). Beautiful workmanship.
Tanya
Posted by: Tanya | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 12:25 PM
That is a GORGEOUS spindle.
Posted by: Anne | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 12:38 PM
Oops.
;-)
Google andean plying and you'll find a couple of good sites with pictures and diagrams. And yes, definitely do a small sample first -- and don't try it with freshly spun singles if you enjoy your sanity and wish to keep it.
Posted by: claudia | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 01:49 PM
I don't know anything about spinning, but that yarn is amazing! And the spindle is beautiful.
Posted by: Vicki | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 02:29 PM
Love the spindle!!!
Posted by: Jennifer | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 03:13 PM
i bought some firesong last year - in a blue/green colorway. pretty nice to spin right!
Posted by: carolyn | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 04:08 PM
It's not a knotty mess, it's a design feature!
Posted by: India | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 04:30 PM
I am just beginning to spin and the links you gave were very helpful! Thanks so much. Love the spindle!
Posted by: Holly | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 05:16 PM
What a beautiful spindle! It almost makes me want to spin...almost :)
Posted by: Debi | Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 09:01 PM
The yarn looks good to me..:) Spindle is lovely!
Posted by: lauray | Friday, May 13, 2005 at 03:19 AM
Such a beautiful spindle!! I'm jealous!
Posted by: Amanda | Friday, May 13, 2005 at 05:11 PM
I think I have finally found what I want my husband to get me for our anniversary. The first year gift traditionally is paper ... so it can be a note saying he got me the spindle! (That counts, right?)
Posted by: Christine | Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 05:09 PM