Welcome, fiber friends! Today, we’re embarking on a spinning adventure that I’m going to call “Floof Mountain”. Does anyone remember the 100 layer challenge from eight years ago? @simplynailogical started this challenge by layering over 100 layers of nail polish on ONE nail. People started doing 100 layers of lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, the list goes on. I decided to try this out with my fiber stash. I’m talking ALL of it: wool, sparkles, cotton, linen, vicuna, all of it. This isn’t just any spinning project; it’s a celebration of fiber diversity and a testament to the versatility of handspinning.
The Challenge: Climbing Floof Mountain
What happens when you take every fiber in your stash – from the luxurious vicuna to the humble acrylic, from downy-soft angora to sleek viscose, and everything in between – and spin them into a single, glorious yarn? That’s exactly what we’re about to find out!
A Rainbow of Fibers
In this spinning adventure, we’re working with:
- Luxury fibers: Vicuna, cashmere, and silk
- Animal fibers: Wool, alpaca, angora, and mohair
- Plant fibers: Cotton, linen, and hemp
- Manufactured fibers: Viscose, acrylic, and novelty blends
The Carding Process
Using my trusty Brother drum carder, I’m carefully blending these fibers, paying close attention to their different characteristics. Some fibers are short and slippery, while others are long and grippy. The key is making sure the longer fibers aren’t so long they wrap around the drum and make the batt impossible to remove later. I also want to sandwich the extra short fibers, like cotton, between the longer fibers so they will spin nicely into the yarn.
The Results
What emerged from this experiment is nothing short of fiber art – a unique, one-of-a-kind yarn that tells the story of every fiber in my stash. The resulting yarn has incredible texture, amazing color variations, and a personality all its own. Be sure to watch the video to see the most satisfying batt removal I have ever experienced, and of course to see the end result.
Why Try This?
This project isn’t just about creating yarn – it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in spinning, learning how different fibers interact, and creating something truly unique. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up those small bits of fiber that have been hiding in your stash!
Your Turn!
Ready to climb your own Floof Mountain? Gather your fibers, prepare your spinning tools, and join me on this amazing fiber adventure. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to do this – it’s all about experimentation, exploring your fiber stash, and having fun with fiber!
Happy spinning, everyone! Let me know in the comments if you decide to tackle your own version of Floof Mountain (I’d love to see what combinations you create!) and any ideas you have for how I should use my Floof Mountain yarn.
Watch the #FloofMountain video here.
Shop the Schacht Matchless Spinning Wheel here.
