How fine are you?

Spindle spinning.
Blue comparison thread is a standard sewing machine thread.

After I got the basics of spinning sorted my natural tendencies said: "You want to spin thin". So spinning thin has never been difficult, especially once I got my lovely lace flyer for my Majacraft wheels. Recently I noted there was a competition in Tasmania Australia where you try and spin the longest amount of 2ply yarn from 10grams (0.353oz) of clean fiber. So to do this one must straddle that delicate line of thin, yet strong enough to stay together. One of the rules says you get disqualified if it breaks while judging. So even though I might not have enough time thanks to uni I decided to at least attempt an entry.

So how thin can I spin? 

Wheel spinning 

 So for the competition, you have to use straight fleece - no tops/batts etc. So I used some merino I had already flicked for other reasons. This fleece is still raw as I felt it would give a bit more grip (and I was too lazy to clean and eager to start). I do not know the micron count of the fleece though though. I do have some lovely 13micron that is clean I was tempted to use, but it seemed a waste for such a project. I didn't find I have any difficulties qith my lace flyer and spinning on the smallest whorl with very light tension. Though I found it was a fine line with tension and I ended up a couple of times winding it on the bobbin manually. I know I am going to lose some of the weight when I wash it so I am doing to do one bobbin of singles about 7grams then wash and assess. That way I can spin up about the same weight on another bobbin. You are allowed to enter more than 10g, they just correct the length for the weight. So while I wont go over the top I aim for more.

I also started spinning on my spindle. While this competitions top prize ($400 Ashford voucher) is for the wheel spun wool there are other categories for juniors, alpaca, e-spinner and spindle spinning. So I also started on my spindle. I will be away from home quite a bit this month and the entries have to be in by the end of the month. Sadly this month I will be going to two back to back medical conferences and I can't take my wheel with me. So spindle ahoy!

On a side note I was looking at some Facebook groups and noticed someone mention they were going to a conference this month in the same city asking for fiber store recommendations. I replied asking if they were going to thus particular one and lo and behold another spinner in such a small area of science I am in. So we are going to meet up and I am going to teach some spindle spinning. I was tempted to bring my spindle to the welcome drinks and when I get bored (as I will very quickly) I can alert her to my presence by sitting in the corner spindling. I hope I have the courage lol!

So I feel if I put it in by Thursday 27th with next day shipping it should be there by Friday. However, seeing I have recieved packages from Poland quicker than interstate shipping it will give an extra day just in case.

A total of 2 hours spinning and 1 gram of spun 

 One thing I am finding, which is obvious, is oh this is time consuming. This amount above was weight out to be one grams (only 10 or more to go lol). So long slog that might cut into this weeks Spinzilla spinning!

I will keep updated with how I go. If I don't make it I will post how much I end up achieving and compare to winners outcomes. The actual compeition wont be till next year, but the judes have a lot to examine, measure and weigh. So entries are super early. If things go well I might even attend this!

So as always I like attempting more than one thing so I would like to try wheel, spindle and alpaca. As this event is International and going on for awhile you can go through previous results and see people who have achieved personal bests and results from within Australia and positions world wide.

In the Wool the World standings (I think it is in meters)
Naoko T. Japan 1,442.982 Spindle 2005
Ernest J. Australia 1,210.922 Wheel 2003
Naoko T. Japan 1,131.457 Spindle 2003
Carol R. Australia 1,103.577 Wheel 2005
Sue M. UK 1,037.284 Wheel 2001

Alpaca World standings
Andrea R. Australia 182.088 Spindle 2015
Cheryl F. Australia 169.045 Wheel 2015
Joan D. Australia 140.734 Wheel 2015
Margaretha L. Denmark 117.586 Wheel 2015
Linda S. UK 102.033 Wheel 2015

The 2015 Winners (it competition seems to be every 2nd year)

Wool
Amanda H. 677.064 UK
Ann F. 300.370 UK
Andrea R. 279.356 Australia

Alpaca
Cheryl Fletcher 169.045 Australia Joan Dicker 140.734 Australia Margaretha Liebmann 117.586 Denmark

Spindle Wool
Wendy C. 126.193 USA
Cheryl F.111.375 Australia
Mary S.67.242 Ireland

Spindle Alpaca
Andrea R. 182.088 Australia

E-Spinner
Sandra D. 196.794 UK
Dean R. 117.533 Australia
Beth H. 110.544 USA

There are even more breakdowsn in the results to investigate.

So how fine and long can you spin?
Keep an eye on my Instagram page for my frequent updates.

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The Spinning Pen

You can't see it here but the top I was spinning matched my shirt

So today (and tomorrow) I was a demo spinner at a country show. It was an interesting setup. In the middle of the building we were in with all the arts and crafts, there is a section that had a pen areas with a gate and everything where we spinners and other crafters were corraled for patrons to walk about and check us out like the other livestock. I had a good time ad even went to say hi to the alpacas and asked them who wanted to be a sweater. I am hoping on the last day tomorrow some breeders will be wanting to sell off their fleeces.








At these shows, I seem to have the knack of sniffing out the one small basket of fibre available in an entire show. Last time I got the kid mohair. This time, I managed two small bags of cashmere! I grabbed the white and natural brown. While I am not anywhere skilled enough to spin it, cashmere is not easy to find so I am storing it aside. I also showed another few spinners the hidden treasure. I also picked up a skein of spun and dyed 100% cashmere. This skein came with a scarf pattern that could be made with the one skein. It was a hard job deciding which colours as it is not cheap!


While there were many spinners in the craft pen there were a few other crafts including lace making and wet felting. I made friend with the lace maker and mentioned this craft was on my list and I had some cheap bobbins at home from eBay to get ready.  She actually had some starter kits available so I nabbed that too.

Finally, I got the results for the entries I put into the craft competition. I put in 4 skeins (one that placed in the previous show) and 3 crochet items. Never being to this show and believing it was probably smaller compared to the city show I didn't realise I was competing against many people with more experience than I have years to my name. So I got a Highly commended in the novice section (kinda like an example of me almost graduating from being a novice. The others didn't place (even the one that took second before and won a special category).

Mix of alpaca, Corriedale and silk.

I did much better than I anticipated in the crochet section. With my shawl (Virus Shawl) taking out first place in crocheted shawls and a doll (Lalylala Kira Pattern) getting second place. My crocheted jacket didn't place. So not a bad effort seeing I took up crochet when I moved to this city barely a year ago. This show gives feedback, so this will be immensely helpful. There is at least two more shows interstate I will be aiming to send items to.

I spent ages sewing in that Joey so it wouldn't get lost. 

Using Moda Vera Fayette 

I didn't get many other photos but here are two more! 

Yes! That is a syringe filled with Nutella. 

Cool wet felted shoulder thing with lots of feathers off it

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The Show!

As I mentioned in my previous post I actually got placed in the state agricultural show I entered on a whim for practice. I actually found out a few days later that I had won more than I was told, my friend wanted me to find out the extra myself so I could enjoy seeing the win. Alas someone else beat me as I was phoned by the show committee to let me know I had also won a prize for the most textured yarn and if they could pass on my info to any local newsgroups that ask. So I said yes and did a little dance! I must admit I had the only entry that could fill this entry, but I have been assured that if they didn't like it they wouldn't have given the prize at all this year. So hint to enter as much as possible!

3rd Prize for 11-17WPI

2nd Prize for 21st Century Fibre Class

The 21st Century also won the most textured yarn - list of elements.

I didn't find the show that interesting beyond the craft competition section, I did find some kid mohair to buy that I was after for part of the CCHS.

Cleaned as well!!! 20.5microns

Apart from that, I felt a little disappointed as there was very little craft wise to buy compared to other state fairs where I have been introduced to and purchased certain art/craft. It was also very cold, very wet and easy to get lost. When I eventually found what I thought was my exit I found I was on the entire other side of the fair and had to walk all around it to get to the bus. Thankfully there were shuttle buses to the parking areas or else I would be missing right now. Thanks to my health my legs/joints really suffered. Next time I will only just attend the craft exhibition after the judging.

The crafts was really interesting and I discovered some sections I would like to enter next year, now that I have a year to prepare. I also got to see what I can live up to!

21st Century Competition

Mixture of competitions, the 3 at the back didn't get placed.

Now onto general craft I found interesting!

This one first prize and also Best in Show

A Large crochet version of a pattern I have completed myself.

Needle Felting - glad I didn't enter if this just got Highly Commended

Some Embroidery work 

Cross Stitch, I have heaps I could have entered!

Hardanger, something I am interested in learning

Lace work I think...

Tatting - another I want to learn!

Cool tatting!

More cross stitch, most of my work is framed and ineligible :(

Even more! Glad to know I can use kit designs 

Some of the winners on cross stitch - I'll have to post some of mine as I have heaps of completed work

Crochet Tartan, will do one of my clan Gordon!

Embroidery and some bear

lace knitting that was insanely cool in person

Very cool patchwork with one of my favourite topics

The winning cross stitch - I wonder what they judge it on?

Pillow with hardanger

Another winning cross stitch category (frames don't have glass)

Won the best use of Fibre in the spinning comp, person also won many other skeins

Best of weaving!

Not an actual entry, but the award for the above weaving. How cool is this!!

Finally the best part of the show!

Nutella Donut!! Eating Nutella out of a syringe is the best way!

Next year I am aiming to enter more spinning categories and hopefully, some items from handspun yarn, weaving, crochet, tatting, crochet and knitting if I can. Now a year to prepare and entering other regional shows as I can. 

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