Stage One Progress

So, a few notes on what I did yesterday morning.

First, I took the fibre pictured in Friday's post, and I started drafting it.  First I split it in two,

then in four,

and then I split the quarters again.  Then I started to draft the fibres to make them easier to sping

For the beginners who want to know a little more about this process (I didn't know to do this when I first started, and it's no surprise I quit in frustration and didn't pick up a spindle for about ten years afterwards), I found this neat little video on YouTube:

And the neat thing?  I was searching this out because I figure it's easier to see this through video than through pictures, and I learned something about staple length. 

I don't draft out all the fibre at once -- I like to spin a bit, then take a break and draft -- I figure it's good to break it up like that, so as to prevent overdoing things.

In the end, this is how much I got done yesterday:

BTW, I've changed the project name slightly.  I was thinking popsicles, but after turning it over in my head, I realized that what this *really* reminded me of was the Lola (now called the Lola Iceberge, apparently).  Lolas are a peculiarly Canadian treat -- in fact, they were only sold in Southwestern Ontario (where I grew up), and parts of Quebec.  They were a pyramid shaped ice, came in grape, cherry and orange flavours (just like this fibre), and it was really great on a summer's evening to be given a dime and be allowed to go over to the "Smoke Shop" (that's what we called small corner stores that sold little bits of this and that in those days) and get a Lola.

You'd open the package carefully and try to squeeze the Lola out a bit at a time, trying not to make a mess all over yourself as it melted faster than you could eat it.

So that's it -- I'm making a Lola Scarf!

(anyone else out there remember Lolas???)

Comments

[Mel]

You can still find Lola's in some of those fancy candy stores like Sugar Mountain in Toronto.

[katherine]

Oh, yeah -- those are the New Ones, that were re-introduced in 1997. I remember going to buy one at Sugar Mountain, it took me right back to the 60s....

[Heather]

WOw - what a cool video! I learned a lot! I can't believe she drafts all that at one time. I usually break a bit off to spin, but I may have to try that trick - at least once, right? I'm off to watch her spin now!

:O)

[Morgen]

I'd like to join this year. I'm a brand new spinner (since February) and would like to spin up all of my cashmere/merino sliver I bought.
Thank you so much for sponsering this! It will be just the kick-in-the-pants I need!

[cedar]

My goal is to spin the cochineal silk roving, and ply it spinning a thread like plyed silk..spinning every day til the 27t h