Sunday, May 22, 2011

Dyeing and Spinning Alpaca

Today was another dye day, along with the dreaded grocery shopping, and a trip to my favorite store The Loft at the mall to pick up some really cute outfits for this awesome warm (read hot as heck) weather we have been having.  I'm really not complaining, we have been very lucky- knock on wood- to have really low humidity so far.  Once that starts, we will probably never get out of the pool.

But anywho, this is not a post to yak about the weather.  Today I FINALLY dyed up some of the alpaca that I have been processing.  After I cleaned it, I ran batts on my drum carder and then used a diz to pull off roving.  I ended up dyeing the batch using a super diluted red, pink and yellow.  I love how they merged together to create what I like to call a watercolor effect.  I pre drafted a small amount and spun it up.  OH MY GOODNESS- it spins like a DREAM!  Alpaca is awesome!!!  :) 

Well I am off to make a brownie chocolate sundae...YUM! See ya tomorrow for the details of the BATT GIVEAWAY!  :)
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7 comments:

  1. Deb at Merciful Hearts FarmMay 22, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Just took another peek at your etsy shop - very pretty, very inspirational!
    And I'm feeling you on the weather. We're in the mid-90's with no break in sight.

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  2. KellyMay 22, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Thanks Deb, I have had fun making the batts and dyeing the wool, if they don't sell then I guess I get more to play with. I will use it for some classes this summer too. I hope we start getting some rain because we spent last weekend laying sod in the front and back yards. I am not too keen on having to water it.......

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  3. WonderWhyGalMay 22, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Alpaca is awesome! Isn't it interesting how it takes dye differently than wool? Also, do you notice how much you get on the drum carder-v-wool? I've been spinning up a bunch of my batts this weekend. I should do a better job about posting photos like you do but I tend to show of the yarn instead.

    Have fun and enjoy the Alpaca!

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  4. KellyMay 22, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Andrea- it's been really fun playing with the alpaca. It is sooo soft, I actually was really frustrated by it when I first used it on my drum carder, until I tried using the diz to pull it off. The batts seemed to explode with fluffiness when I would pull them off! The dyes seem much lighter than they do on the wool. Almost a pastel version, I like it and can see how this might help me when I want to mix fibers in a batt. My next mission is to try mini batts that are self striping, like they showed in Spin Off magazine in the last issue. Then I need to get back to wet felting, I am behind on that. There are just NOT enough hours in the day to play with all of the fluff! :)

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  5. vilterietjeMay 23, 2011 at 3:10 AM

    looks realy, realy great! love the wonderful colours:)

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  6. Norma Soulet (AZArtist)May 23, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    Kelly sweetie,
    Wow you are getting some Yummy colors!
    Love them.
    Hugs

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  7. KellyMay 23, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Thank you Riet! It has been lots of fun dyeing and mixing fibers.

    Norma- As soon as I finish one batch, I want to start a new batch- with all of the fabulous colors I see out in the yard, it is very inspiring!

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