Knitting
Jumpers/cardigans
I did quite a bit of knitting on my Turtle Dove this week, especially on Thursday when I watched all 8 episodes of Marie Antoinette. I think I’ll have it finished soon so I won’t share a picture yet.
Spinning
Not as much spinning done this week. I spun ~25g each of Texel and Cheviot. Not the softest of fibres but better than Herdwick.
The farm near us often has a Texel tup and he is a big brute of a sheep. If we head north the most common sheep we see, in the Northern Highlands, are Cheviots. Considering the weather they have to deal with I thought the fibres would be much rougher. Its not soft but it surprised me. Of the two I prefer the Texel to spin and the feel.
I also helped a new member make a start on her spinning journey. Teaching isn’t something I’m very good at, but I’m happy to give some free advice and she turned some fibre to yarn š
Some of my bobbins were a bit dried out and shrivelled so I gave them some walnut oil…then I decided to wipe it all over my Ashford Traditional wheel and lazy Kate and now they’re all looking good as new. Some of the bobbins will need some more “drinks” of the oil but they are already looking healthier. I’ll do my other wheel and remaining bobbins next week.
Other News
This week has flown by, with spring cleaning jobs, knitting and a touch of spinning I’m not sure where else my time went. January has been a long month but this was a quick week, strange.
I attended the felting group AGM and did my final report as Treasurer, handed over all the bits and I’m no longer a member.
This is a Year of Projects post. Officially the Group is in its 12th year, but this is my 5th year participating. If you would like to find more about the Year of Projects Group on Ravelry.
HighlandHeffalump 
Sounds like a nice, gentle week.
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8 episodes of Marie Antoinette might have something to do with it flying by!
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Good point š
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Looking forward to seeing your finished project! And really enjoying vicariously revisiting breeds with your spinning study. I found Cheviot varies WILDLY. The US ones tend to be really coarse, but I’ve spun some from the UK that are softer and fluffier.
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It just said Cheviot on the packet so I do wonder whether itās from the breed of Cheviots near the Borders (bottom of Scotland), whereas the North Country Cheviots are the ones we see north of us so they may well be more coarse. I had a look in the fleece and fibre book and it does seem they vary.
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The Texel looks so much softer and has a lovely twist to it. You have had such a great variety of fleece to work with. Fun for this non-spinner to see.
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The Texel was easier to spin and enabled a neater finished yarn. Iām glad none spinners are finding it interesting or fun to see the different breeds.
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Hope the departure from AGM was a happy one. I often have to remind myself that “just because I can doesn’t mean I should” when accepting/rejecting things people want me to do. I’ve let go of a number of “leading” responsibilities at my church. Instead my energy is focused on trying to get a knitting group going and finding new knitting groups I like. I had no idea there were so many wools but it does make sense. I still have a lot to learn.
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Yes itās all amicable, I stopped going in February and have been trying to get someone to take over as treasurer so I could officially leave. Finally someone agreed. Iām not volunteering for any more committees from now on. You just get stuck in the role, it was the same at the camera club where I was secretary for years and the Guild where Iām in my 4th year as treasurer. š
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Sorry I’m so late commenting….we have had terrible weather here and I was without power. I’m curious about the oil you use. Do you have to do anything to ensure it doesn’t mar your fibers that you spin on it? I’m in the mood to clean too. Enjoy working on your Turtle Dove.
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Most of the oil soaked in and I left for a week and then have wiped any excess off.
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Sounds like a lovely week with Marie Antoinette and spinning! Hope this week was just as good!
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That sounds like a pretty great week! Your spinning is lovely as always š
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