Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Priciest Drier Lint Ever!

I'm on a tear - somebody stop me! I started and completed another spinning project. Granted it was only an ounce of fiber but I spun it pretty fine. Not the finest I could have, but I got 200 yards out of one ounce of...

Quiviut! Doesn't it look like drier lint?

I bought it at Stitches 2008. Windy Valley Musk Ox sells absolutely gorgeous Quiviut yarn in one-ounce balls, claiming that you can make a small scarf or neck warmer from one skein. Cheap broad that I am, I decided that I could spin as fine as they did, and therefore make myself the same thing buying their un-spun fiber instead of the yarn. And by doing so, I could save some pretty major $$ (though don't get too excited - it was still super expensive - Cashmere is cheap in comparison). I am not by the way, slamming them for the price; there are valid reasons for the premium one pays for Quiviut; I'm just saying that no matter what the form, it's not inexpensive fiber.

I spun the yarn nearly as fine as they did, but clearly their fiber goes through a bit more processing along the way - there was a fair amount of VM (vegetable matter) and it could have been combed out more smoothly. But rather than stressing about it I decided to spin a more of a rustic yarn. Double-click for a better look. What do you think?

Up close and personal:

Final product:

This is the lightest, fluffiest skein I've ever created. I do wonder if I'd liked it more had it been more thoroughly de-tangled. I also have to admit I like the finished product better than the process on this one. Maybe it was the resemblance to drier lint, or having to stop often to pull out the bits of hay. But no matter; I love this yarn! It's going to become a little, lacy, worn-close-to-the-neck item for yours truly. It'll be nice to have something warm for those brutal, frigid California winters...(?)

7 comments:

Toni said...

Yep, you'll need something to keep you warm on those nippy 70-degree winter days.....:)

Bogie said...

Beautiful!

Mrs.Q said...

So...if we were neighbours, and that quiviut went missing? It, umm, wouldn't have been me. Just so you know. Lalalalalala.

(Can you imagine the trouble the husbands would get up to, if they had each other for encouragement? And how hilarious that would be?)

Danielle said...

Too funny! It does look like dryer lint, but the spun yarn is pretty.

Anonymous said...

Really beautiful yarn - but I'll agree that the drier lint comparison has some merit!!

Cookie said...

I love it. It will make a wonderful little something to keep you warm this winter.

Unknown said...

oooohhhhh!!!!!!! lovely. lovely. lovely!