So, it is time to reveal the scarf that I made. Yes! I received words this morning that it had arrived safely at Katherine’s. Phew! When you mail something one-of-a-kind, good or bad, there’s a fear that it might get lost somewhere along the way. Now I can relax a little. As for how she likes it, you gonna have to read it on her blog. 
Here’s the story. (Did you read Ted’s Fiber to Scarf post?) Katherine sent Ted about 8 oz of dyed Polwarth fiber. (Sorry, I lost the post draft when I moved my blog to the current address. Trying my best to recollect details.) Randomly, Ted picked me to spin and knit a scarf for her. I was only given the info of the fiber (which she bought in New Hamburg, Ontario), and the person’s gender that the scarf will be for. So I thought I wanted something lacy for a lady. But I don’t want it too airy with too many holes, either. So I picked Liesel and started spinning the yarn with this pattern in mind. I aimed for a Worsted weight so that the scarf would feel more substantial. I also wanted it to be more woolen than worsted. I used a drafting style that I would call semi-worsted. The yarn turned out quite soft and bouncy. It’s about 12-13 wpi, DK weight. Over 800 yards I think. Lost that bit of info in that post draft.
After a few inches into knitting Liesel, I found it still too lacy to my liking. So I looked through the backup plans and decided on Brooke’s Column of Leaves. I chose to work on a pair of Clover bamboo straight needles, US size 7. I quite like the finished scarf. Still soft and bouncy, and it drapes really well. I stopped knitting at about 74″. It blocked out to be about 88″ or 89″. (Lucky numbers!) I didn’t use pins because I didn’t want it to stretch out too much and become… too lacy. I spread the scarf out on the blocking tiles and just let it bounce back a little when drying.
Polwarth is super luxurious. It has a micron count of 26-21. According to the book In Sheep’s Clothing, Polwarth fiber is suitable for use in baby clothing. Now that is soft! Does anyone have a good source for Polwarth? I really want some for myself. The book also says that the yarn is best spun worsted or worsted-type technique for durability. Does semi-worsted count? Oh, what do I know. I am really only a beginning spinner. This is actually my first knitted project with something I spun. I think a lot of luck was involved.
I took some progress photos along the way. Here are some of them:
Well, that’s pretty much what I did in the last few months with all that family and work issues. What’s next?
I think it’s just great.
The worst thing for me about this exchange has been that while I’ve seen (and fondled) all the raw fiber, I’ve only seen (and fondled) 2 of the scarves. I wish I’d been able to handle the all.
Oooh, Jason! Dude, that fibre, your spun yarn, the scarf.. beyond beautiful. I’ve had that Brook’s Columns pattern for awhile now, (I also love the hat).. it’s SO pretty!
Good going, congrats to you and Katherine!
Your scarf turned out amazing! Even though I hardly ever see you spin and you say you’re a beginner, your yarn always looks incredible! Really beautiful work.
What an amazing scarf! The spun fiber looks incredible! I love the cable pattern — it makes the fiber look all the more amazing.
dude! you rock. i’ll email you details about the polwarth (nancy ortmann in montana).
fabulous job, both the spinning and the knitting! hope you are beaming with pride. (on many levels…)
i don’t know if it’s the day (2007-2008) or due to technology, but i think that beginning spinners seem to be further advanced or catching on quicker than 20 years ago when i learned. maybe it’s the spreading of news/tips/technology via groups, both spinning guilds and e-groups…think about how hard it was to share this stuff in the ’60 and ’70s, or even in the 1800s!
lov ya dude!
chris aka vtknitboy (vtknitboy.blogspot.com)
i’ll just post the polwarth stuff here in case others are interested. i bought several fleeces from nancy over 12 years ago! nice to know she’s still in business.
nancy ortmann 406-392-5356. i’d recommend washing and preparing some yourself. she also offers roving..
for a really good hand’s-on approach to washing and preparing hand carded superfine fiber, i’d highly recommend “Handspinning, Dyeing and Working With Merino and Superfine Wools” by Margaret Stove.
most spinners spin with a semi-worsted or -woolen, or what i call a “modified” spinning technique. i choose not to get too wrapped up in being technical about it, or certainly not worrying about it, but it’s helpful to know the differences and the type of yarn you get from each type of spinning. the worsted will keep it smoother and tighter, and a lot of the ends of fiber will not come out. a woolen spun yarn will be lighter, bouncier, fluffier, and hairier. general comments, i know there are exceptions!
well, Chris, you pretty much rock too :^)
Does Nancy Ortmann have a website? thanks for the polwarth info!