Fiber Sampler – Welsh

I was in the sampler spinning mood, so I decided to keep going.  I grabbed another of the one ounce bundles of fiber from the Woolgatherings sampler pack.  These are quick little spinning adventures designed to help me learn about the different sheep breeds and their fiber characteristics.

The bundle was labeled as “Welsh,” though there are several Welsh types listed in the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook.  Since this fiber is black, I’m assuming it’s one of the Welsh Mountain varieties (Badger Face, Balwen, or Black).  All are described as having coarse fiber, typically spun for use in outerwear or household goods.  My little bundle was a dark brown/charcoal (definitely not deep black) and I agreed with the coarse assessment.  The staple length was 4-5″, which is an inch or two longer than I’m used to spinning.

I decided to split the fiber and spin it onto two bobbins.  I tried to use the longer staple length to practice lengthening my draft a bit, and was mostly successful.  It’s hard to get out of a particular drafting habit!  I plied the two singles together, making a nice drapey yarn that is definitely on the rustic side of the softness scale.

IMG_20150510_144228_clr_smThis would make a good weaver’s yarn.  Maybe when one of the knit girls takes up weaving I’ll spin this fiber type again.

For the fiber folk:

  • Fiber:  Woolgatherings 28 Breed Fiber Sampler Pack, Welsh
  • Ravelry spinning project page here
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