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wensleydale

I have some wensleydale locks, what do I do with them?

It’s a longwool, so will have sheen, like a lower twist angle, have a halo. Too much twist and it will be really ropey. Convention will say you can’t wear longwools next to skin. Fine spun can knit into nice lace outerwear with a halo.

Longwools might be nice weaving yarns? I guess that’s a nice way to make use of the lustre in a wrap or scarf or something.

Felts well? but that feels like a waste of such gorgeous fibre.

Save a lock sample! measure the staple length

General ideas for what do to with longwools - comb the stuff! definitely don’t put it on a drum carder, because the really long locks are hard to get off. - tailspinning if you want art yarn - they probably like dye, because of the lustre

https://spinoffmagazine.com/library/55694585/

go read the fleece and fibre sourcebook on it!

  • people on youtube doing breed studies:
    • Wool n’ Spinning
      • Don’t hold too much in your hand at once, consider pre-drafting a bit and also add a little bit of twist at this stage.
      • maybe it likes being singles? Definitely happier as 2 than 3-ply
    • Lisa My Eclectic Life
      • they have loads of info about the breed and history.
      • comb it, but there’s a lot of waste. You could card the waste maybe, but its long and a bit awkward.
      • Maybe shorter locks aren’t so bad to drum card?
      • Worsted draw is fine, but might feel unexpected because your hands are so far apart.
      • might be good as embroidery/sewing thread because of the lustre and how well it takes dye
      • interesting that they spin and ply to a EEW off to the side, I’d not thought to sit like that, maybe it’s more comfortable? Should definitely give it a try
    • Fiber Love Diary
      • similar to teeswater in numbers, so advice for teeswater should also be applicable.
      • can cut in half to card.
      • drape, clear stitch definition, no stretch/spring. Very good for lace - they have some other stuff with beads in for lace - that’s neat!
      • good for a warp yarn even