Every now and then I get questioned - How do you spin from a batt?
My answer: It depends on the batt.

Is the batt completely blended like this?:

Or more of a layered type batt like this?:

There are 2 main methods I use, stripping or rolagging (yes that’s my made up word, I’ve turned the noun rolag into a verb). For the blended batts, I use the method I feel like at the moment. For layered batts I usually rolag it.

You probably know how to strip batts, it’s the same as you would for top or roving. Just strip it. For rolagging the easiest way is to place a ruler or a piece of tile (something with a straight edge) about 3-4 inches down a batt that’s been opened up. Grab it and tear:

Ok, so here I’m not using a straight edge but it was hard enough to take this photo myself let alone try to control a straight edge.

Roll into pretty little rolags.

Then you spin from the end as if it was a real little rolag that you made on a set of hand cards.

**notes - The blended batt was from my own shop which I have at the physical location but have yet to list online. The Layered batt is from Enchanted Knolls Happy Hooves Batt club. They are a joy to spin. The spindle is a Cascade Baker.

Businessy note: I’m away from the shop this weekend. Emails will be answered and packages will be shipped on Monday. Have a great weekend everyone!

There is an update today and a special little something. It will only be announced when the update is done and to the notify list. So if you’re not on the list, hop on fast.

The biggest bunch of today’s update is a new fiber I’ve been dyeing. I got 2lbs to dye a sweater for myself and realized that you needed this too. This is what I dyed for me:

I have more for you. It will be up this afternoon.

And then I have a bit of administration news. I’ve been procrastinating on it but with another postal increase coming in a month, I have to do it. I have to raise the price of club. If you’re already in club don’t worry, I’m not changing your price. Any new club members signing up after April 7th will be charged the new costs. If you cancel your club and sign up again, I can’t guarantee the old price. There will be only the sign up buttons available and none for the old price.

Speaking of price changes… There will also be new prices on the fibers starting the 7th as well. Not all fibers will change but a good number of them are. So today’s update is the last one at the old prices.

Today at 3 pm EST

Fibers mostly.
All the yarns are up that are going up.
In April I’ll have more sock, lace, silk, and cotton yarns.

The database came home. Sure a bunch of stuff has been deleted and changed but the majority of it is back. So now I’m working on putting the new spindles up again and all the missing info. I think it was all the well wishes from you guys. Thank you!

*EDIT* Crappers - I found the problem - It may be down again. *EDIT2* I know the problem. I now know the bug and am in the process of fixing it. Thank you for your patience. And a special shout out to Erin for helping me find it.

While I’m still on business, I’ve been dyeing for an update next week. I have about 8 lbs of BFL, 7 of SW corrie, and a few pounds of other fibers. There will be new sock yarns as well. I’ve also finally listed V-neck the as a free pattern with purchase of 3 or more skeins of 220 classic. Hopefully I’ll have some new summer yarns for the update too. I’ve been going cotton crazy. I have some lovely cotton/rayon, cotton lace, Cotton boucle, rayon chenille, and linen.

Now for the stuff you came here for… Knitting.
I’ve been working on Sprout.

It was pointed out to me last night that I said I was doing it in Ella Rae Classic but I was wrong. It’s Ella Rae Emity. So it’s only got 25% wool content. Silly me. I didn’t want a super warm sweater and I wanted something I could toss in the wash. This will be perfect. I know I’ll still probably forget and call this Ella Rae Classic again. Feel free to correct me.

Chesley is going to be starting up a Sprout along. I know I’m a little ahead of it all but I plan to make a second one with a longer body in some handspun yarn or longer sleeves in a cotton yarn. I thought I had decided, but typing it out, I just couldn’t actually commit. I’ll let you know more knit along details as they are given to me. I’m hoping this weekend I get a fair way along in my teal sprout so that I may get to a point where I can decide on the next one….

Fiber, friends, laughter…what could be better? It really was a fantastic weekend. I want to thank everyone for making it a great weekend for me. I thought I’d feel silly staying there since I lived only 20 minutes away but I enjoyed spending time with my friends. I don’t get to see my friends from out of state that often so it worked out well that I got to stay there and chat it up with all of them.

I didn’t bring my camera but plenty of other people did. I need to steal some pictures somewhere. Julia got a particularly lovely one of me though she did say it was only going into her “personal” collection.

I am not without any photos.
I turned in 28 hats from the contest. You guys rock.
13 from Suzanne

and 10 from Jessica

and 5 from Amy

Sorry about the lack of linkage ladies. For some reason my brain isn’t working right and remembering which blog is yours. Anyone else notice that sometimes it’s hard to place the right “real” name with a blog name? I need to get organized and then the prizes will be distributed.

I also have in new products. I have Tracy Eichem spindles.

I got in a new stock of Merlin tree spindles.

I think I have 6 left and will get them on the website as soon as I can.

Dave tried to get me to take home a Great wheel. I resisted though I fear I soon may buckle under the weight and end up with a pendulum wheel this year. Still, I did take home a couple of new Hitchikers for the shop. I particularly like this one:

It has oak, black walnut, pine, tulip wood, paduk, and cherry woods. I think it’s a charming and very original wheel. I don’t imagine Dave will make many if any more like it.

I picked up some pretty orifice hooks made by Judy of Ball and Skein:

This week I need to get out club but I’ll also be working on getting all the new goodies online. There are even more goodies than I showed here.

With all of that, I didn’t leave without a few goodies for myself.

It’s a small stack but still lovely and especially lovelier thanks to my fantastic roomies / friends.
I have a Forrester spindle, a Hello yarn mitten kit, a Split Yarn needle bag, a bit of fiber from Kim at the Woolen Rabbit, a pretty ball of Merino/angora/silk from The Spinning Bunny, a cool glass that Dagny gave me and a little Merino Alpaca bump from White Barn Meadows. It’s a nice modest size haul. Not as big as it usually is but it’s usually the fleeces that make the pile look excessive and there won’t be new fleeces for me until Cummington.

I also picked up a little order from The Irish Ewe.

I got a quill for the old Ashford Traddy. I was disappointed that I lost an Ebay auction for an antique treadled quill wheel. Then playing around I realized I could buy a quill for the Traddy I own. It took a little of the sting out of the loss. I’ll surely report back as to how I like the new attachment to the wheel.

Last but not least my new favorite pub glass which held beer on Friday and a smoothie this morning: