Just before I went off to France my birthday present to myself arrived:

It is a Classic Carder.

After playing with Jill’s drum carders up in Stourbridge earlier in the year, I went to Wonderwool Wales with the mission to look at and try different carders and ask lots of questions. It was lovely to be able to chat to Paul who makes the Classic Carders and ask his opinions. I have gone for a jumbo carder with the fine carding cloth, and have an extra long removable table. It required nearly a day of thinking to decide which combination to go for!

It has that lovely wood smell (all the jumbo carders are made of Ash), and I am really looking forward to having a go with it.

Also talking of spinning things in the run up to the start of this year’s Tour de Fleece (spin along while watching the Tour de France in case you haven’t come across it yet) which starts tomorrow, I have indulged in some lovely dyed fibre which arrived at the weekend.

I have 100g of each and they were from Picperfic, she says she is going through a bright phase, and I for one am definitely enjoying it!

Polwarth:

Coast, 75% superwash merino, 25% seacell. I haven’t spun seacell yet so I am looking forward to this.

Merisil, 75% organic fine merino, 25% mulberry silk.

I think the Coast is going to be socks. The other two I think might be the contrast for a circular yoked jumper, or rather two separate jumpers, perhaps with millspun yarn as the background. I am still thinking on that one.