Spinning FO: Antigua BFL v1.0

I’m still working my way down to laceweight, though not there yet!



This is the first project spun with my new Lendrum DT. The first bobbin was spun on the regular flyer on the smallest whorl at 10:1. The fast flyer arrived in time to spin the second bobbin on it’s middle whorl at 15:1. I’m still working on increasing my spinning speed by learning to draft faster to keep up with a faster whorl.



The BFL fiber is so easy to spin, and makes a lovely bouncy yarn, even worsted spun. Sakina’s hand-dyed fiber handled nicely, with no felted sections, and nice long color runs. I have another batch of this same roving. So, I decided to 2-ply this one and 3-ply the next. I got a little preview with the leftover singles. I was rushing it a bit, so this isn’t the most even 3-ply, but still it’s a nice look with the colors separated.



So far, I’m finding the Lendrum a little smoother and more comfortable than the Louet. I’m still considering the very fast flyer. Though I don’t plan to spin much pure silk, I would like to spin some laceweight wools, and wool/silk or tencel blends.




Details:
Fiber/Starting Weight: BFL combed top / 4.8oz

Purchased from: Sakina Needles

Spun with: Lendrum DT

Whorl / Tension: Worsted-spun
First Bobbin – regular flyer, Small 10:1 / medium tension
Second Bobbin – fast flyer, Medium xx:1, medium tension

Plies/Method: 2-ply / standard

WPI/Gauge/TPI: 18-20wpi / Fingering / 8tpi

Yardage/Finished Wt: 516yds / 4.6oz / 130g, Leftover singles chain-plied for approx 28yds/10g
Started: 8/11/2007
Completed: 8/27/2007

ETA: I gave this slightly rough handling in its soak to set the twist. No plungers or anything, but several dunks in very warm water, a cool rinse, and a dozen thwacks on the shower tile before hanging to dry. It really helps to round out the yarn, even up the plies, and give the yarn a nice finished feel without felting it at all.

It’s cloudy, and gloomy again today, so forgive my photos. But, I’ll leave you with a sunny shot of what this yarn reminds me of.


Gingerland, Nevis looking toward Antigua