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Unboxing the Cricket Quartet

12/28/2022

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This summer, Schacht Spindle released the Cricket Quartet, an attachment that converts their Cricket rigid heddle loom into a 4-shaft table loom.  The claim is that the Quartet allows you to switch back and forth at will between a rigid heddle loom and a 4-shaft loom. At $450, this is pretty expensive, considering you also need to have the Cricket, which is currently running around $240. So all in, this would cost $700, which is a lot for a table loom. (For comparison, a used 4-shaft table loom in working condition should be around $400).

However, I already had a 15" Cricket rigid heddle loom that I used to use for teaching and demonstrations. I enjoy using it, but I knew I would use a 4-shaft table loom more. We recently moved, and my weaving space is much smaller than it used to be, so space is at a premium. Gone are my days of acquiring looms just for fun! After looking at used table looms on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Ravelry, I realized that I had already had some experience with a lot of the looms out there, and found them to be too big, too loud, or too flimsy. So I decided to give the Cricket Quartet a try.

As always, Schacht does a really nice job of packaging with minimal waste, while still protecting everything inside. 

Soon I will be putting the loom together and using it - I'll be sure to report back!
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Spinner's Multitool Tutorial

2/16/2021

 
There are as many ways to spin a gorgeous yarn as there are people who spin. Sometimes, getting a consistent yarn is really important - especially if we're spinning lots of yarn for a big project.

There are lots of ways to make sure you're spinning a consistent yarn. One of my favorite ways is to use the Spinner's Multitool. It helps me prepare fiber, and then check my yarn as I'm spinning to make sure I'm getting the yarn I want. 
The Spinner's Multitool functions as a diz, WPI (wraps per inch) tool, and twist angle. The Ultimate Multitool also has a small 2" ruler that can help you determine twists per inch. These are all factors that can help you spin a consistent yarn. They're also helpful if you're trying to replicate another yarn in your stash. 

In this post, I'll walk you through all the ways you can use the Spinner's Multitool. In this video, I'm using the Ultimate Multitool. but if you're into something a little different, we also have a Sheep Shaped Spinner's Multitool, an Alpaca, a Bunny, and the Original. If you still have questions after watching the video, I've added some more information and closeup images to help.

Using The Spinner's Multitool as a Diz
Each Spinner's Multitool has several different holes. These are designed so you can diz fiber from a drumcarder, hand cards, a blending board, or hand combs. 

In this video, I share how to diz fiber from hand combs. Remember, the bigger the hole you use, the thicker your top will be (or roving, if using a carded prep). But you might be surprised - even though those holes seem pretty small, a lot of fiber fits through them!

Dizzing fiber is a great way to prepare fiber for spinning. I find that hand-dizzed fiber is a real pleasure to spin. It is light and fluffy and fun to work with!

Learning to diz fiber can take some practice. The key is to not try to get too much fiber through the diz at one time, or else you'll get stuck and frustrated. When this happens, back off a little bit, draft the fiber gently, and then keep going. And remember to be patient with yourself! The results are well worth it.
Checking the WPI (Wraps Per Inch)
Picture
To check the WPI, or wraps per inch, simply lay the yarn along the grooves, and move it around until you find a good match. Here, I've determined that the yarn is about 18 wraps per inch. Remember to not pull tightly, as this can distort your reading.
Checking Your Twist Angle
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In the first image, you will see some unspun fiber. It literally has no twist! So I've laid it parallel to the "zero" angle.
Picture
Here you can see a yarn that is Z twist, at a 30 degree angle. I've added a red dash to show how the angle of the twist lines up with the 30 degree angle. ​
Checking TPI (Twists Per Inch)
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TPI, or twists per inch, is a term used by the textile industry, but not as often by handspinners. Sometimes spinners might also talk about "bumps per inch." It refers to how tightly a yarn is spun or plied. This impacts durability, drape, and how your yarn behaves overall. 

To calculate TPI, count the number of visible "bumps" in an inch of your yarn, then divide by the number of plies. The Ultimate Multitool has 2 inches to measure over, so if you use that full area, you will need to divide by two again to get your average.

In the sample above, I  marked above a bump with a red curve. I counted 10 bumps across 2 inches. I'll divide that by 2 to get 5, then divide by 2 again for the number of plies, to come up with 2.5 bumps per inch.

It's easiest to see TPI in plied yarn, so that's what I've shared here. Jill Wolcott has an excellent tutorial with a deep dive on TPI.
Helpful Hints
Here are some key things to remember when you're using your Spinner's Multitool:
  • Don't pull the yarn too tight - this will distort your reading, making the yarn look thinner than it really is. It can also distort the twist angle.
  • Remember that most handspun yarns bloom and lose twist after they are washed - so your readings will be different at your wheel and in the same yarn after it's finished. 
  • The best way to account for these differences is to sample, sample, sample! Record your measurements before and after washing your sample. Knit, weave, or crochet a swatch with your finished sample to make sure you like the yarn. Sample as many times as you need to before diving in to your project.
  • Always be as consistent as possible with yourself. If you always measure in a certain way, then keep measuring that way. If you alter your measurement methods halfway through a project, you might end up with different results at the beginning of your bobbin and at the end!

​Happy Spinning!

Fiber Sprite Podcast Episode 005

11/6/2019

 
Here is the fourth episode of the Fiber Sprite Podcast! On this show, I'll talk about projects I've been working on and my visit to the Taos Wool Festival.

Knitting:

  • Sock blocker
  • 2BEwe (the yarn I'm using for my sweater)

Designing:

  • My initial sweater plans are here and here and also here
  • Fashionary journal. On the podcast, I complained about the size, but you can buy larger templates.
  • Head counts: fashion drawing versus reality
  • MyBodyModel
  • Using a schematic to create a pattern
  • Knitter's graph paper (this is great for working out stitch patterns, but when I'm designing to scale, I use regular old graph paper)
  • Knitting Without Tears
  • Elizabeth's Percentage System
  • The Opinionated Knitter
  • Sweater I'm wearing in the podcast, which is based on the Brooks Sweater in the Opinionated Knitter
  • Sally Melville's Knitting Pattern Essentials
  • Amy Herzog's Ultimate Sweater Book

Spinning:

  • The Woolly Lizard
    • Chain ply vs. Three Ply Yarn
  • Galaxy
  • Glacier Sunrise
  • Manx Loaghtan
  • Using the Spinner's Multitool to spin a consistent yarn

Weaving:

  • The seam I used is a French seam that I then flat felled. More on seam finishes here.
  • Jacket Band Yarns
    • Malabrigo Silkpaca (warp yarn)
    • Yampa Valley Fiberworks (weft yarn)
  • Gingerbread Cottage

Books:

  • Vanishing Fleece
  • Making a Life

Fiber Sprite Podcast Episode 2

8/26/2019

 
Here is the second episode of the Fiber Sprite Podcast! On this show, I'll talk about projects I've been working on, sources of inspiration, share tutorials, and more. 

Knitting:

  • Here's how to do a tubular bind-off.
  • Sock Blockers 
  • Camaro
  • Needle Gauge
  • Yarn trackers - circular and flower-shaped

Spinning:

  • Marine Bloom
  • Galaxy
  • Glacier Sunrise
  • Sheepy Multitool
  • Where I bought the Cormo. (Purchased as pin-drafted roving)
  • Where I bought my first fleece.

Weaving:
  • RedFish Dye Works
  • American Maid Cotton. 
  • More information about color-grown cotton.

Books:

  • Master Your Craft
  • Finding Your Artistic Voice​

Introducing the Fiber Sprite Podcast! Episode One

8/13/2019

 
Here is the first episode of the Fiber Sprite Podcast! On this show, I'll talk about projects I've been working on, sources of inspiration, share tutorials, and more. 
Knitting:

  • Sock Blockers 
  • Camaro
  • Yarn trackers - circular and flower-shaped
  • One Sweater

Spinning:

  • Golden Hour
  • Colorado Canyons
  • Marine Bloom
  • Spinner's Multitool
  • Sheepy Multitool

Weaving:
  • For my jacket project, I used lots of yarns, including Simpli Natural, Plymouth's Arequipa Aventura, Lamana Modena, and Merino Lace Light. There were also some handspun yarns, and stash yarns whose labels have been lost to time.
  • Here's an example of one of the woven bands I've made in the past. 
  • How to repair a broken warp end.
  • American Maid Cotton. 
  • More information about color-grown cotton.

Basketry:
  • The class I took was at the Intermountain Weaver's Conference.
  • My teacher was Linda Lugenbill.
  • Sarah Swett's blog (and Instagram) are fascinating places - she spins, weaves, knits, gardens, and sometimes makes her own shoes. Her iris cordage might be to blame for my interest in basketry. 


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