I never cease to be amazed at how very spinable the Cotswold is that I bought from Nistock Farms. Cotswold is not a very soft fiber. It's certainly not as rough as some wools, but I wouldn't make a bikini out of it, that's for sure. But there's something about it that really appeals to me. It's got a soft halo with just a bit of sheen and the way they dyed it (the color way is called, Autumn Spice) is simply spectacular. I love this yarn. Spinability wise, I think it bears a bit of resemblance to the A type Pygora, though, of course, the Pygora is much softer.
Much like Julia felt while spinning her first skein on her gorgeous Rose, I wasn't so sure this skein would live up to my expectations. It seemed a little flat and blah and perhaps a bit too thick and thin, while plying up. Then when Laura (alas, no blog) pointed out that in my complete newbie haze I'd used my bobbin backwards, I though for sure I'd blown it. But beginners luck shined down upon me and this is what I pulled off the niddy noddy.
I don't know if it counts as "balanced" since it doesn't twist as a whole, but it does have little kinky bits in there. I would guess it'd be considered unbalanced in its constituent parts yet oddly balanced overall. But man, this is 152 yards of lofty goodness. At this unwashed state, it is just a big poof of orange yumminess. Do you see that other mini skein in back? That's the leftover Cotswold and the leftover BFL/Alpaca, plied together to clear off the two bobbins. There was more of the brown than the orange, so after I exhausted the Cotswold, I Andean plied the remaining BFL/Alpaca into the same skein. It's a pretty unattractive little skein but I just couldn't bring myself to simply toss the leftovers.
The big skein though? She is one sexy mama. I'll let the images do the talking. Just try not to love these.
Thank goodness I have an extensive stock of unspun fiber right now because if I didn’t I’d be buying up a whole bunch more of this roving.
Share this post
Comments (14)
Absolutely gorgeous!!
Posted by Lis | September 21, 2006 7:15 PM
Posted on September 21, 2006 19:15
Georgeous! Go ahead, buy yourself some more!
Posted by Carol | September 20, 2006 10:31 AM
Posted on September 20, 2006 10:31
is this what you call yarn porn?
Posted by kat | September 20, 2006 9:26 AM
Posted on September 20, 2006 09:26
You're right, I did fall in love with it, it's a beautiful skein!
I'm always putting the damn bobbins on backwards on my Schacht, I keep forgetting which way is for doubledrive and which way is for Scotch tension. It hasn't caused any problems though.
Posted by Cheryl | September 20, 2006 4:39 AM
Posted on September 20, 2006 04:39
You're right, I did fall in love with it, it's a beautiful skein!
I'm always putting the damn bobbins on backwards on my Schacht, I keep forgetting which way is for doubledrive and which way is for Scotch tension. It hasn't caused any problems though.
Posted by Cheryl | September 20, 2006 4:38 AM
Posted on September 20, 2006 04:38
It looks balanced to me! Must return to drooling over it now...
Posted by Anne | September 19, 2006 4:26 PM
Posted on September 19, 2006 16:26
Mmmmm, that looks absolutely YUMMY! Well done!
Posted by Janice in GA | September 19, 2006 2:28 PM
Posted on September 19, 2006 14:28
Wow - you have been busy! I am very impressed! All your yarns look beautiful. The Cotswold is especially enticing.
Posted by Delica | September 19, 2006 12:50 PM
Posted on September 19, 2006 12:50
i wish i had read your blog before i bought Cotswolds! i don't know what to do with mine yet. Love yours!! Miss you in poopy California....
Posted by angelique | September 19, 2006 11:29 AM
Posted on September 19, 2006 11:29
Marnie, your orange skein is absolutely gorgeous - coquettish, even... makes me more determined than ever to get the hang of this spinning thing... thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by Deirdre | September 19, 2006 11:21 AM
Posted on September 19, 2006 11:21
Hey Marnie, That skein looks beautiful! I love the color. It looks quite balanced if you ask me. And check out that coy "cheesecake" photo posing on the rock, very tempting!
Posted by janel | September 19, 2006 9:09 AM
Posted on September 19, 2006 09:09
I have a rubbermaid tub full of fiber but that won't stop me from buying more this weekend! I'm so excited, and due to a fluke of a past employer even have guilt-free money to spend on Saturday. I love the Cotswold, that color has a lot of life and depth.
Posted by TheBon | September 19, 2006 8:20 AM
Posted on September 19, 2006 08:20
Very, very nice. If our skeins mated, they would have stunning children. And I think it counts as balanced. My skein has quite a bit of overspun going on despite its final balance.
I love the photo in the backyard. It makes your place look like a horse ranch.
P.S. I'm on a roll - I posted some Crater Lake pictures today.
Posted by Julia | September 19, 2006 7:50 AM
Posted on September 19, 2006 07:50
wow that looks beutiful. is it soft as shetland? Could you wear it against the skin or would it itch?
How did you use the bobbins backwards? I didn't know that was possible lol.
I think it looks perfect.
Posted by pixiepurls | September 19, 2006 7:35 AM
Posted on September 19, 2006 07:35