Handspun Textured Yarn

Alba Ranch Changes

Posted on May 21, 2021August 9, 2021 by Melisa

I have had a break from most yarn spinning due to goat kid season. Although I have still got a little spinning in between all the Ranch goings on.

This time of year brings bottle babies, training new goats to the milk stand, getting used to milking numerous goats again and than the fun times of weaning the goat kids.

We have also been doing some tree felling, getting the trails back into shape, and some much needed clean up around the property.

Of course it has to look worse before it can look better. But here are a few shots during this summer to catch you up with changes here at Alba Ranch.

Woolee Ann E Spinner

Posted on April 1, 2021August 9, 2021 by Melisa

My Woolee Ann e spinner has arrived. It can spin up to 2000 rpm which is four times the maximum of my last e spinner. I am a bit odd because I enjoy spinning art yarn at high speeds.

Most art yarn Bulky e spinners can not keep up with me. They just are not fast enough and do not have a strong enough take up. Let’s see what we can do with this machine.

All the white on the right half and the mini blue skein in the middle is my FIRST spin on my new WooleeAnn e spinner.

All the mohair yarn on the left side is my second and third spins on the Woolee Ann when I first spun my signature lockspinning textured yarn.

Pippa’s Mohair Yarn spun on Woolee Ann E spinner

So far so good spinning with the Woolee Ann. I need more time to try other yarns and ply structures. I have managed to ply an entire bobbin in about 15 minutes. That is bulky art yarn spinning while still manipulating some of the locks to leave tails hanging out. I think I like it a lot.

My Mohair Art Yarn Project

Posted on March 10, 2021August 9, 2021 by Melisa

My Mohair Project. Sheep vs Goat.

I wanted to know: Can I lockspin mohair yarn like I do sheep longwool?

2 months, 10+ fleeces washed, processed and in various stages of spinning….I am nearing an answer.

Each label is a separate fleece except top right. It is a combination of 2 fleeces from 2 different goats. And bottom 2 right are the same goat but 2 separate fleeces from said goat.

10 separate angora goats covering 11 different fleeces.

Some bulky art yarn skeins have already sold…note the skinnier amount in the label. Large amounts in one label is mutiple skeins of a larger yardage. I have found a style of handspinning Bulky art yarn that is pure mohair and I LOVE it.

I just wanted a bit of a visual record.

Whew have I been busy!!

My Phoebe Mohair Art Yarn Hat

Posted on February 28, 2021August 9, 2021 by Melisa

I just finished my new hat. All lockspun bulky textured yarn. Pure yummy textile art.

Phoebe donated her mohair from her last hair clip.

I used Tunisian crochet and some pure mohair textured yarn. The handspun mohair art yarn was spun by me. This hat is a wide headband with fringe.

It is so warm. I think if it was all the way closed on the top, I might melt. It is a good thing it is open at the top because mohair is very fuzzy and warm.

I had so many yards and skeins that I had to use 2 rails. Much closer to my total yardage now for some fabulous weaving to come.

I really enjoyed spinning the entire yearling fleece from Phoebe. I enjoyed it so much that she has come to live here at Alba Ranch.

She has stunning pretty fleece and is such pretty angora goat.

Alba Ranch

…..where Handmade Treasures and Artful Healing Intertwine

Category: Handspun Textured Yarn

Alba Ranch Changes

Woolee Ann E Spinner

My Mohair Art Yarn Project

My Phoebe Mohair Art Yarn Hat