Blue Dorset

I have added spinning to my skill set, although at this stage in the process using the word "skill" is a bit of an overstatement. As with any endeavor, however, I improve the more I engage in it.

Kathy who, among other things, processes and sells fiber and related products (here is a link to her etsy store, Katrina's Wool World) , responded to a post I put on Ravelry. Out of the kindness of her heart she sent me for free! some beautiful Dorset batts. They were two different but similar shades of blue so I borrowed the drum carder from the Greater Los Angeles Spinning Guild (see sidebar) and combined them.

First I tore color A in half lengthwise and ran it through the carder to fluff it up. It had become slightly compacted during shipping. I ended up with two batts totaling about 40 grams:

Next I divided color B into three sections and formed three batts totaling about 60 grams.

I then created a 5 layer high sandwich with alternating colors.


I divided the sandwich into four lengthwise strips and ran each strip through the drum carder once. I did not want to over process the fiber because I wanted to keep the beauty of the variegated blues. I pulled the finished fiber directly off the drum carder using a spice jar cap as a diz. The final photo shows the bumps of fiber ready for spinning.

I intend to make this into a three ply sock yarn. With 100 grams of fiber I should have exactly what I need if I spin it fine enough. Thanks again Kathy, the fiber is beautiful and wonderfully sproing-y!