Tour de Fleece Finish Line

Here's my Tour de Fleece yarn...

I finished it up yesterday...on the final day of the tour.

It's 100% Merino and it's super soft and fairly even in thickness.

It's somewhere between a fingering and DK.  The color is Sandalwood.

I had hoped to spin up and ply at least 600 yards and get started on a project during the tour.

But, life got busy and I only spun and plied four ounces for a total of 213 yards.

But, for me and how little I usually spin...this is an accomplishment to be proud of.

I was even more proud when I took it off of my niddy noddy and held it up...

there was not even the slightest bit of twist in the skein!  Wow!

I've been told that is a good thing.  I guess it means my yarn is well balanced?

I'm so excited about it that I plan to spin up at least eight ounces more.

I can't wait to get started on a project with it!  

I've already started searching for the perfect pattern.

 Woo hooo...handspun yarn by me! 

Here's a question for other hand spinners...

When you're finished spinning and plying yarn do you wash it?

Do you let it sit for a while?  Do you just start right into a project with it?

Or....I just heard of this a few years ago and I don't quite get it...

do you wash it and beat it and how?  I'd love to hear what you do and why.

I was told years ago that it's best to wash it and hang it to dry to set the twist.

So, that's what I've always done.  I'm wondering if that's necessary or the best way.

Your stories, experiences and advice would be great to hear.  Please share.  :-)

Tour de Fleece 2013

I've been hearing about "Tour de Fleece" for years but not until it's already underway.

By the next year, I forget until I hear about it half way through the event...again.

But...this year...I heard about it in time and got started today...the very first day.  Yay!

Here's the roving I decided to spin.  It's from my stash and the color is "Sandalwood".

I love all the pretty colors in it...

I'm trying hard to keep my spinning even and thin so I can use this to crochet a lacy shawl.

It's going pretty well so far.  Although, I know that what I spin a few days from now will 

be much nicer than what I spun today.  Practice should make a big difference.

Especially since I've done so little spinning over the past few years.

It's exciting to spin with an actual project in mind.

Up until now, I've only spun just to make yarn or hats.  That was rewarding.

I can only imagine how great it will feel to spin the yarn and make a beautiful, lacy shawl with it.

If you haven't heard of Tour de Fleece...it coincides with the Tour de France and 

participants choose fiber to spin or a project to work on over the three weeks

that has some sort of challenge for them.  There are groups on Ravelry and other 

places online to participate with others.  It's fun to participate in and a great way to de-stash!

Are you participating in Tour de Fleece?  Are you spinning yarn?

Or did you choose to knit or crochet a project that challenges you?

I'd love to hear about it!