Shetland vs Shetland
UK Shetland on the left, American Shetland on the right.
There is a big difference in the roving, however it is important to keep in mind that the UK stuff is actually combed top so it's going to be denser and more even. The American stuff has a lot of VM, a kind of gray/blue tone to it and it has lots of I think you call them, tiny noils and nubs. It was much harder to get an even yarn out of this even if what i spun looked even at first, when plied it looked less even.
I think Scotland was careful not to send the best Shetland Sheep over to the US many years ago when they first got imported. Heh.
It came off the bobbin all balanced and straight like this;
I adore it, and want to melt into it, it's so lofty and soft. Both of these samples are my testers and a little uneven because I spin a little too fast just to get through it, but even with a little bit of thick/think it evens out wonderfuly when plied.
Last night we went to see "Fearless" which btw way was extremly good and we stopped at B&N and I picked up a copy of "Knitting" a magazine from England. It has a lot of main stream yarns and often patterns from current books.
I had to get it when they had this pattern I have wanted but never bought the book for. "Driftwood" in "Natural Silk Aran" (RYC).
I think it's time to get back to some knitting!
Comments
Mouse says;
your spinning looks gorgeous! I've always wondered whether there was a difference in various Shetland sheep or Jacob, or whatever depending on location, diet.. very interesting.
Sasha says;
Hey pixie!
I've just gotta say again, I -so- enjoy reading your blog chica! It's the one I check most often for new posts - love your style, love your work, super mint! :)
In anycase it's been BRILL to have seen you spinning so much lately, as I've been thinking more and more about getting a spinning wheel myself.. I think pretty soon I'll be taking the plunge! First i've gotta find a place here in Oz where I can try out a few wheels to pick the best one for me. Any hot tips on picking a wheel?
Cheers!!
Claudia says;
Awe - great spinning. How intersting - I need to get a copy of the "Knitting" - great hoodie pattern!
Lizzy says;
I'm knitting that hoody at the moment! The yarn is gorgeous to knit with although it makes quite a heavy garment and I'm only a third of the way up the back so far. Also, the pattern calls for 27 balls of the stuff (all that cabling uses it up really quickly). That's expensive enough but should be nothing to you after paying for all that Tilli Thomas yarn! I hope you do knit it and if so, I recommend enlarging the chart to make it actually visible!
BTW, talking of TThomas, there seems to be one heck of a controversy over at Sarah's Yarns blog which I am interested to hear your views about on your next podcast.
Lisa says;
The yarn looks beautiful. I didn't realize there is a difference between UK and American Shetland. I really like the hoodie pattern, and will probably go to B&N to look through the magazine to see if I want it.
Betty says;
I bought the magazine at Joann this past weekend for that pattern.
Monica says;
I can definitely tell you like your Joy better. Your spinning's improving and you're doing a lot more of it!