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pixiepurls
Gabber Extraordinaire

373 Posts
Posted - 12/28/2005 :  11:50:54 AM  Show Profile  Visit pixiepurls's Homepage Send pixiepurls a Private Message
I think what I will want to spin most will be Alpaca and very soft wools.

I learned first with coopworth i think it's called and i felt it was very easy to handle. Any suggestions on what I should be purchasing?

http://www.pixiepurls.com

peskymac
Chatty Knitter

106 Posts
Posted - 12/28/2005 :  12:31:52 PM  Show Profile Send peskymac a Private Message
I just spun up some Optim, which is incredibly soft and very easy to spin -- the fibers are pretty long. It's a little slippery for a beginner and wants to be spun very finely, but you might really like it.

Here's what it looks like post-spinning and dyeing:
http://flickr.com/photos/peskymac/78256094/
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pjkite
Permanent Resident

1198 Posts
Posted - 12/28/2005 :  12:58:47 PM  Show Profile  Visit pjkite's Homepage  Send pjkite a Yahoo! Message Send pjkite a Private Message
Coopworth is a good beginner wool. I'd try something like blue-faced leicester next, or perhaps some 60's merino if you're feeling brave. But be prepared for a slight learning curve - both those fibers are shorter and smoother than coopworth! Another option might be an alpaca/wool blend, since you're interested in spinning alpaca. I bought some alpaca-finn 50-50 blend awhile back and it was both easy to spin and made fantastic yarn! It spun up quite fine, though... As I said, a learning curve is to be expected. Why not order something like one of Woodland Woolworks sampler packs and play a bit? That may give you a better idea of where you want to travel next.

Pamela Kite
East Tennessee
http://fiberlife.blogspot.com/
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Ivynforestsmom
Gabber Extraordinaire

465 Posts
Posted - 12/28/2005 :  1:04:44 PM  Show Profile Send Ivynforestsmom a Private Message
I am in the process of spinning a hemp/Merino blend that I've enjoyed spinning. I'm really pleased with the way it is turning out. I don't know where it rates on the difficulty scale, but I'm not a great spinner, so it can't be too far up there.

Yvonne
"Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been."-Mark Twain
http://ybrach.photosite.com/
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pixiepurls
Gabber Extraordinaire

373 Posts
Posted - 12/28/2005 :  1:05:01 PM  Show Profile  Visit pixiepurls's Homepage Send pixiepurls a Private Message
oh i didn't think of that, good idea. I just try not to spend to much money hehe :) but I suppose its smarter to try a tad of each so as NOT to waste future money!

http://www.pixiepurls.com
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