In Which the Pirate is Frustrated.

I am working my way through spinning this merino-silk blend from Cloverleaf Farms. Gorgeous in the braid, it’s proving to be more difficult to spin than I had expected. Because it’s my first attempt at anything with silk in it, I’m not sure if it’s the silk or this particular piece of fiber that’s being so difficult.

The top is so compacted that it’s just not drafting smoothly. I have to really pull to tear a chunk off (and yes, my hands are more than a staple’s length apart) and then I have to split that lengthwise into eights before anything will slide easily. There are lots of little lumps, neps and bumps that I have to pick out. That may be normal for silk, but I don’t think so.

I’m ending up with a slightly thick and thin (with the occasional bump) singles that will become a two-ply of around fingering weight. I’m not trying to keep any sort of color progression. The sheen is beautiful, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it finishes – mostly because I just want to be done with it already!

So now I’m debating: Do I finish the first half of the fiber and then set the second half aside until I have more spinning experience? Pro, I can spin something I enjoy more. Con, the second half won’t match up with the first half. Do I just make myself finish the whole thing, ply it, and be done with it? Pro, it will be done! Con, I feel like it’s become a chore to get through.

I’m leaning towards just getting through it and chalking it up as a learning experience.