September 30, 2007
From Fleece to Finished Object!
It's taken me some time to do it, but I'm finally finished with my sheep to sweater project. You might remember that it started out as this fleece that I won at our local spinning guild auction (a really good bargain at $10 for the whole beast - sorry for the somewhat blurry photo:
After scouring as much as was prudent, I moved onto the hand carding. This:
became this:
Next, I spun and plied:
and finally got to the finished yarn:
The skein on the left is unwashed and unset, and the one on the right, finished and set. I'm always amazed at how much dirt can still come out of a fleece, right up through the last stage of processing.
So, what to do with all that yarn? How about Alice Starmore's Flying Geese Gansey. Again, I apologize for the too-dark photos, but autumn has come to the NorthWet, and I live in a north-facing Bat Cave:
I believe that it's a good pairing of fleece to project as this Dorset lamb is very soft and yet, as a down breed, will be quite resistant to felting - a good trait for a working sweater.
It's going to keep me warm this winter!
Posted by Sam at September 30, 2007 04:38 PMAbsolutely stunning! I love the photo of you in front of the kitchen sink, it is a great workhorse sweater.
Posted by: Jen on September 30, 2007 05:51 PMHow absolutely wonderful. I love seeing the whole thing from start to finish. I'm so impressed!
Posted by: Suzanne on September 30, 2007 06:12 PMOh, wow, amazing!!!!! You should be so proud of yourself.
Posted by: toni on September 30, 2007 06:42 PMRaw fleece to finished garments always impress the hell out of me. Wonderful work! And handcarding a sweater's worth of wool - you must have bionic wrists. :D
Posted by: June on September 30, 2007 06:46 PMWhat a wonderful post, Sam! Your spinning is amazing (just look at those perfectly consistant singles for heaven's sake) and the final sweater is stunning!
I really enjoy a nice Dorset fleece. Though I haven't seen many myself lately and those that I have are somewhat less than memorable.
Your rolags look just perfect. I'll have to remember to bring my handcards the next time I see you so you can show me your carding techniques! I never use my handcards because I just make a mess with them.
I think I'll have to put that sweater on my 'to do' list too.
Posted by: Denise on September 30, 2007 06:56 PMWow, I have been waiting a long time to see that! It looks GREAT.
Posted by: Caroline on September 30, 2007 07:05 PMGreat work, Sam. I love seeing all the steps. It's fun to see the true nature of the fleece brought out in every step. Your rolags are charming. I do like the dark pictures because the stitch patterns show up so well.Your sweater is a keeper. May the two of you travel many roads together.
Posted by: Jan on September 30, 2007 07:48 PMWow! That's my dream...to be able to spin the wool and knit the sweater. You did most everything else as well. Impressive:)
Ang
Posted by: angelarae on September 30, 2007 09:56 PMGorgeous work! Your hanspun, as always, is an inspiration. I love the perfect rolags. The gansey is just awesome with wonderful stitch definition, and it looks just great on you.
Posted by: Melanie on September 30, 2007 11:56 PMHmmm, don't know which process I am more impressed with. The whole processing of the fleece, the beautiful spinning, or the knitting of a tricky and lovely sweater. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Donyale Grant on October 1, 2007 05:03 AMCongrats on your persistence and dedication on such an amazing outcome. I love to spin to knit, but nothing more than a shawl or sock. To work on enough wool for sweater (handcarding at that), spin, and knit is truly an artist.
Posted by: Rosa on October 1, 2007 08:34 AMWow. That is an absolutely amazingly detailed sweater. The patterns are so perfect!
Posted by: Katina on October 1, 2007 08:37 AMThat is a gorgeous sweater! I really love the whole project concept. Absolutely Beautiful!
Posted by: Kelly on October 1, 2007 09:36 AMI am in awe. It simply amazing the steps from fleece to knitted sweater and that you did them all is outstanding!!! The sweater is so beautiful!
Posted by: Connie on October 1, 2007 09:37 AMBeautiful Sam! It feels so nice too. It's really a treasure.
Posted by: Barb on October 1, 2007 09:41 AMCompletely awesome! Every step is well thought out and beautifully done. I hope you get a happy feeling each and every time you wear it!
Posted by: Karen on October 1, 2007 11:02 AMSam, I'm speechless! That sweater is definitely a Forever Keepsake. You're amazing!
Posted by: Ryan on October 1, 2007 11:47 AMWow! Beautiful job, Sam. Really gorgeous--and I just want to reach out and touch those rolags, that yarn and the texture of the sweater. Thank you for giving us all something exquisite to admire and aspire too!
Posted by: Joanne on October 1, 2007 12:46 PMOh Sam! I'm speechless!!!!!!!
Posted by: elizabeth on October 1, 2007 01:54 PMwow sam, that is beyond stunning! well done!
Posted by: marti on October 1, 2007 03:39 PMI love seeing the process from fiber to finished product. Thank you for the progress photos!
Posted by: Kristin on October 1, 2007 03:57 PMWOW! I am in absolute awe. What a gorgeous piece of work! Brava! :)
Posted by: Rosemary on October 1, 2007 04:31 PMWow, wow, wow, wowee! I am in awe. It is gorgeous!
Posted by: Laura on October 1, 2007 04:38 PMWow. That is amazing and gorgeous. Excellent work.
Posted by: LisaK on October 1, 2007 04:43 PMmerveilleux travail! félicitations, j'ai des moutons mais je n'ai jamais réussi une telle transformation de la toison au pull!
Posted by: florence on October 1, 2007 05:45 PMOh, Sam, what an accomplishment!
Posted by: annmarie on October 1, 2007 05:59 PMWowee, Sam - a truly beautiful job from true scratch. I think I have fiber ADD! Do you really handcard straight from the washed locks? I always pick up my fleece before carding, unless it's unusually loose & open after washing.
Posted by: Melissa on October 1, 2007 07:32 PMWow! I'm in awe!! Amazing!
Posted by: Chrissy on October 1, 2007 08:54 PMWow - thank you, everyone! I had a blast with this project from start to finish. Melissa, I've gotten much more ADD about picking myself - don't know why I didn't pick this one as much, but there you have it. I started this whole thing a couple of years ago without too much of a project in mind, just the fact that I wouldn't dye the yarn. It developed as it went and probably turned out better than it had a right to, so I really am pleased. Thanks again to all for the very kind comments. It's fun to share the process! :-)
Posted by: Sam on October 1, 2007 10:05 PMEverything about that sweater is perfect. You did an amazing job, which is no surprise! Congratulaions on finishing just in time for sweater weather!
Posted by: Kerry on October 1, 2007 11:56 PMFantastic! Gorgeous sweater made from gorgeous spinning. It's just beautiful.
Posted by: Jessica on October 2, 2007 01:21 AMI don't speak english very well, but your Blog it's wonderfull!!!!!!!
Posted by: moune on October 2, 2007 07:02 AMWow-Za! Sam, it is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations on a job very well done!
Posted by: June on October 2, 2007 07:31 AMExquisite! The knitting, the spinning, the photos and the finished garment all are beautiful. I especially love that shot with the 2 skeins.
Posted by: Vicki on October 2, 2007 07:43 AMOh my word that is awe-inspiring. A gorgeous sweater, then to know that you didn't just spin the yarn, you prepped a raw fleece. I bow down in awe. Plus for the fleece to have cost $10!
Posted by: Mary in VA on October 2, 2007 08:46 AMOh Sam! Life is but a dream...especially in a dreamy sweater.
Posted by: Zeila on October 2, 2007 02:48 PMAwesome work, Sam! I am so impressed I am utterly speechless. Some day I want to grow up to be great spinner just like you.
Tina in Houston
Beaucoup de travail pour un r�sultat magnifique. Tr�s joli pull.
Posted by: isa on October 3, 2007 05:40 AMYou are an inspiration. The sweater is beautiful. Thanks for sharing this journey with us.
Posted by: K2Karen on October 3, 2007 07:02 PMI am truly awed!!!! What exquisite work!!!!
Posted by: Kay on October 4, 2007 10:43 AMStunning! You must be so pleased. I hope the world sees it and you glow with well deserved pride.
Posted by: Naomi on October 4, 2007 01:13 PMThat is a gorgeous sweater, beautifully rendered in handspun.
Brava!
Posted by: Angela on October 4, 2007 01:54 PMNow THAT is a work of art that you can be proud of!
Posted by: Janine on October 5, 2007 02:48 PMThat is amazing. And it fits you wonderfully.
Posted by: Seanna Lea on October 5, 2007 05:44 PMHoly wow! That's fantastic, and amazing, and jaw droppingly fabulous. Congrats on creating such an amazing piece of functional art from scratch!
Posted by: moiraeknittoo on October 5, 2007 10:04 PMWow. Drop dead gorgeous sweater. From fleece??? I am in awe. And mostly sputtering speechless. Congratulations!
Posted by: Bullwinkle on October 6, 2007 05:06 AMI'm not even worthy to look at the pictures. My stars. Gorgeous. And wow!!
Posted by: AlisonH on October 7, 2007 01:56 AMOh, my! That is absolutely stunning. It is wonderful to have the documenting photos for the entire process. You sure have done yourself proud!
Posted by: Felicia on October 7, 2007 12:46 PMVery very impressive. The recap was wonderful, and the sweater is stupendous. Congratulations!
Posted by: Laurie on October 8, 2007 09:46 AMadd me to the speechless contingent!
wow wow wow wow wow!
Wowee Zowee!! How impressed am I...as some other wise soul said....I bow at your feet, Oh Amazing Goddess!
That is sure something to be Proud of!!
Damn straight that will keep you warm!
Oh, if only....I had YOUR Talent!!
Amazing! How gorgeous, and how talented you are!
Posted by: Rachael on October 9, 2007 05:10 PMWow, stunning! And impressive. Fabulous.
Posted by: Monica on October 10, 2007 02:07 AMWow! I'm so impressed! A gorgeous fine three-ply all the way from locks to fancy gansey! Are you for hire? How inspiring you are!
Posted by: Kathy on October 11, 2007 06:29 AM