Design A542 - Hot Pink & Dark Grey Poncho

This is the last of the current planned ponchos. Using Drops Cotton Light throughout, which is 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester, this one is made using Hot Pink and Dark Grey.

Drops Cotton Light Hot Pink

Drops Cotton Light Dark Grey

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 1st May and finished on 3rd May 2026. The overall fibre content on this one is 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester. The measurements are 14.5" across the neck, for a 29" opening and 14.5" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

I already have plans for all of the leftover yarns from all of the ponchos and I will be making things throughout the rest of this year, alongside getting on with the "non-British sheep breed project".

Design A542 - Pink Marshmallow & Grape Poncho

For this poncho I have used Drops Cotton Light in shades Pink Marshmallow and Grape. 

Drops Cotton Light Grape

Drops Cotton Light Pink Marshmallow

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 26th April and finished on 30th April 2026. The overall fibre content on this one is 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester. The measurements are 14" across the neck, for a 28" opening and 14" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

Design A542 - Blue Saturn & Deep Denim Blue Poncho

This is the fourth and final poncho made using Colinette Banyan in the multi-coloured/multi-toned Blue Saturn, which is 49% Cotton, 51% Viscose. The cotton yarn is Yarnsmiths Cotton DK, which is 100% Cotton, in the Dark Denim Blue colourway to complement the colours in the Blue Saturn colourway.

Banyan Blue Saturn

Yarnsmiths Cotton DK Dark Denim Blue

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 19th April and finished on 22nd April 2026. The overall fibre content on this one is 76% Cotton, 24% Viscose. The measurements are 16" across the neck, for a 32" opening and 15" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

Design A542 - Blue Saturn & Wild Orchid Poncho

I've made another poncho, using Colinette Banyan in the multi-coloured/multi-toned Blue Saturn colourway, which is 49% Cotton, 51% Viscose. The cotton blend yarn is Drops Cotton Light, which is 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester, and I chose the Wild Orchid colourway to complement the pink tones in the Blue Saturn colourway. This is the third poncho using Blue Saturn for the panels, and I have plans for one more after this one.

Banyan Blue Saturn

Drops Cotton Light - Wild Orchid

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 16th April and finished on 18th April 2026. The overall fibre content on this one is 49.5% Cotton, 28% Polyester and 22.5% Viscose. The measurements are 13.5" across the neck, for a 27" opening and 14" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

Design A542 - Blue Saturn & Petrol Poncho

I've been busy with a personal project these past few months, since Christmas, but that is now finished and I am back to making again. I've picked up where I left off and made another poncho, using Colinette Banyan again for the panels. It is not quite a vintage yarn, but it is no longer part of their current range. The second yarn is a new cotton blend yarn. 

So, the yarns I have put together for this poncho are the multi-coloured/multi-toned Banyan Blue Saturn, it's a cone of 500g and I had two of them, which is 49% Cotton, 51% Viscose. The cotton blend yarn is Drops Cotton Light, which is 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester, and I chose the Petrol colourway to complement the colours in the Blue Saturn colourway.

Banyan Blue Saturn

Drops Cotton Light - Petrol

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 13th April and finished on 15th April 2026. The overall fibre content on this one is 49.5% Cotton, 27.5% Polyester and 23% Viscose. The measurements are 13.5" across the neck, for a 27" opening and 14" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

Design A542 - Chamois & Taupe Poncho

I've made another poncho, again using Colinette Banyan, which is not quite a vintage yarn, but it is no longer part of their current range, along with some new 100% cotton yarn. 

So, the yarns I have put together for this poncho are the multi-coloured/multi-toned Banyan Chamois, this time it's a cone of 500g, which is 49% Cotton, 51% Viscose. The cotton yarn is Drops Muscat, which is a 100% mercerized Cotton and I chose the Taupe colourway to complement the taupe tones in the Chamois colourway. I couldn't get anything like this colour in the Drops Cotton Light that I have been using for most of these ponchos. Being a mercerized cotton, it has a sheen to it, whereas the Drops Cotton Light has a matt finish to it.

Banyan Chamois

Drops Muscat Taupe

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 6th December and finished on 8th December 2025. The overall fibre content on this one is 77% Cotton, 23% Viscose. The measurements are 13.5" across the neck, for a 27" opening and 13.5" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

Design A542 - Chamois & Rust Poncho

I've made another poncho, this time using Colinette Banyan, which is not quite a vintage yarn, but it is no longer part of their current range, along with some new cotton blend yarn. 

So, the yarns I have put together for this poncho are the multi-coloured/multi-toned Banyan Chamois, this time it's a cone of 500g (I have two of them), which is 49% Cotton, 51% Viscose. The cotton blend yarn is Drops Cotton Light, which is 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester, and I chose the Rust colourway to complement the reddish brown tones in the Chamois colourway.

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 4th November and finished on 12th November 2025. The overall fibre content on this one is 49.5% Cotton, 26.5% Polyester and 24% Viscose. The measurements are 15" across the neck, for a 30" opening and 14" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

Design A542 - Grape & Marble Poncho

I can't help myself. I've gone and made yet another poncho, once again using Colinette Banyan, which is not quite a vintage yarn, but it is no longer part of their current range, along with some new cotton blend yarn. 

The yarns I have selected for this poncho are the multi-coloured/multi-toned Banyan Marble, this time in a 500g cone (I have two of them), which is composed of 49% Cotton and 51% Viscose. The cotton blend yarn is Drops Cotton Light, which is 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester, and I chose the grape colourway to complement the pale purplish tones in the Marble colourway.

Banyan Marble

Drops Cotton Light Grape

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I made this between 25th and 30th October 2025. The overall fibre content of this one is 49.5% Cotton, 26% Polyester, and 24.5% Viscose, and varies slightly from the previous one made from the same two yarns due to slight differences in the amount of each yarn used. The measurements are 14" across the neck, for a 28" opening and 14" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

Design A542 - Apple Green & Marble Poncho

I've made yet another poncho, once again using Colinette Banyan, which is not quite a vintage yarn, but it is no longer part of their current range, along with some new cotton blend yarn. 

The yarns I have selected for this poncho are the multi-coloured/multi-toned Banyan Marble, this time in a 500g cone (I have two of them), which is composed of 49% Cotton and 51% Viscose. The cotton blend yarn is Drops Cotton Light, which is 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester, and I chose the Apple Green colourway to complement the green tones in the Marble colourway.

Banyan Marble

Drops Cotton Light Apple Green

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I began making this on 22nd October and finished on 25th October 2025. The overall fibre content of this one is 49% Cotton, 27% Viscose, and 24% Polyester, and varies slightly from the previous one made from the same two yarns due to slight differences in the amount of each yarn used. The measurements are 14" across the neck, for a 28" opening and 14" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

Design A542 - Wild Orchid & Marble Poncho

I've made another poncho, this time using Colinette Banyan, which is not quite a vintage yarn, but it is no longer part of their current range, along with some new cotton blend yarn. 

So, the yarns I have put together for this poncho are the multi-coloured/multi-toned Banyan Marble, this time it's a cone of 500g (I have two of them), which is 49% Cotton, 51% Viscose. The cotton blend yarn is Drops Cotton Light, which is 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester, and I chose the Wild Orchid colourway to complement the pink tones in the Marble colourway.

Banyan Marble

Drops Cotton Light Wild Orchid

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 6th October and finished on 10th October 2025. The overall fibre content on this one is 49.5% Cotton, 25.5% Polyester and 25% Viscose. The measurements are 15" across the neck, for a 30" opening and 14" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough yarn left over of both yarns to make more things in the future.

Design A542 - Blue Saturn & Lavender Lil Poncho

I've made another poncho, and this one uses two different colours of Colinette Banyan, which is not quite a vintage yarn, but it is no longer part of their current range. Colinette Yarns was established in the 1970s by Colinette and Geoff Sansbury, who ran it together for years, creating interesting yarns and even more interesting hand-dyed colourways. I don't know if Geoff is still around, but Colinette passed away around 2015/2016. The company is now run by their son, Sam, with a much smaller range.

So, the colourways I have put together for this poncho are the multi-coloured/multi-toned Blue Saturn, which I have two 500g cones of and the softer, but not completely solid, coloured Lavender Lil. 

Blue Saturn

Lavender Lil

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 29th September and finished on 5th October 2025. This one is 49% Cotton, 51% Viscose, and the measurements are 15" across the neck, for a 30" opening and 14" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough of the Blue Saturn left over to make quite a few more things and enough of the Lavender Lil yarn left over to make something else, but smaller, at a later date.

Design A542 - Brown & Chamois Poncho

I've made another poncho, this time using a beige mix of Colinette Banyan, which is not quite a vintage yarn, but it is no longer part of their current range, along with some not-quite-vintage but definitely discontinued Patons Orient in shade Rich. Colinette Yarns was established in the 1970s by Colinette and Geoff Sansbury, who ran it together for years, creating interesting yarns and even more interesting hand-dyed colourways. I don't know if Geoff is still around, but Colinette passed away around 2015/2016. The company is now run by their son, Sam, with a much smaller range. The Patons Orient turned out to be too thin for my liking as I started working with it, so I undid the small amount I had done and doubled it up to make it thicker.

So, the yarns I have put together for this poncho are the multi-coloured/multi-toned Banyan Chamois, this time it's a cone of 500g (I have two of them), which is 49% Cotton, 51% Viscose and the gorgeous colour and texture of Patons Orient shade Rich, which is 50% Polyamide, 30% Acrylic, 15% Mohair and 5% Wool.

Banyan Chamois

Patons Orient in shade Rich

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 25th September and finished on 28th September 2025. The overall fibre content on this one is 28% Polyamide, 22% Viscose, 21.5% Cotton, 17% Acrylic, 8.5% Mohair and 3% Wool. The measurements are 14" across the neck, for a 28" opening and 15" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have lots of both yarns left over to make other things at a later date.

Design A542 - Ischia & Elephants Daydream Poncho

I've had a couple of weeks' break from making anything, as we were busy ensuring that we had everything needed for our youngest to move into University accommodation, about 50 miles north of where we live. It's a big change for all of us, as our eldest had stayed living at home while studying for her degree at a local University.

Another poncho has been made, and this time I have chosen to use a slightly lighter-weight yarn. Actually, I have sorted out yarn to make a number of these ponchos in a lighter-weight yarn.

The first one is made using two different colours of Colinette Banyan, which is not quite a vintage yarn, but it is no longer part of their current range. Colinette Yarns was established in the 1970s by Colinette and Geoff Sansbury, who ran it together for years, creating interesting yarns and even more interesting hand-dyed colourways. I don't know if Geoff is still around, but Colinette passed away around 2015/2016. The company is now run by their son, Sam, with a much smaller range.

So, the colourways I have put together for this poncho are the multi-coloured/multi-toned Ischia and the softer, but not completely solid, coloured Elephants Daydream.

Ischia

Elephants Daydream

The design consists of six crochet panels, which are then joined together to form a cohesive piece. Additional crochet is added to both the top and bottom, and the piece is finished off with fringing/tassels.

The panels are joined in a way that creates a visible, textured line of stitches between each panel, and are an integral part of the design. The poncho is designed to be worn square, allowing a whole crochet panel to drape and cover each arm. However, it also looks good when worn in the traditional triangular poncho style, if you prefer. The construction is designed primarily for the square method. It is pretty generous in size but isn't overly long in the body length, so depending on your bust size, it may only just cover "your girls" if you're quite busty, or it may hang down to your waist if you're quite petite. It is designed for adults. Please pay attention to the measurements across the neck opening and measure around the top of the breastplate/shoulders, including the arms, to ensure it stays in place without falling straight off you or the person you are buying it for and landing on the ground.

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos. I began on 21st September and finished on 23rd September 2025. This one is 49% Cotton, 51% Viscose, and the measurements are 14" across the neck, for a 28" opening and 15" from the neck to the bottom of the crochet (not including the tassels). I have enough of the yarn left over to make something else, but smaller, at a later date.

Summer Berries Broomstick Lace Scarf

I have a couple of skeins/part used hand-wound balls of Colinette Mohair in shade Summer Berries.  I wound them into cakes, when it then became obvious that there was a lot of difference between the skeins.  This is normal and expected with Colinette yarns and there are even instructions on the band that states this fact and to alternate between two or more skeins when working with them.  One is very very light, one is dark and then the part skein is even darker than the second one!    

The pattern that I am working has a standard length of 118 rows, which is what I worked.  I worked only with the two darkest skeins and alternated between them every two pattern repeats. The yarn is 78% Mohair, 13% Wool, 9% Nylon

I didn't take any work-in-progress photos but I did hold it up against the light for an interesting stained glass effect.

Another Design A2 - Colinette Fire

Carrying on with my Design A2 roll, I have picked a single skein of Colinette Mohair in shade Fire and this yarn has been discontinued some time.  Its 78% Mohair, 13% Wool, 9% Nylon.  Again, I used all of the skein.  I made this so fast that I didn't take any progress photos, nor did I take any when I washed and blocked it.

These product photos were taken several months after I made the item.

Blue Saturn Mohair Shawl - Design A2

I knew it wouldn't be long until I am back using more of the Colinette Yarns that I have in my yarn stash.  This time I have chosen a bright blue Mohair yarn in shade Blue Saturn and it is an Aran weight yarn in 78% Mohair, 13% Wool and 9% Nylon.

I chose a simplistic pattern due to the fuzziness of the Mohair and this pattern is adaptable to the amount of yarn that you have.  I cast on on 13th January and you work the basic pattern from the top down and then you decide how many rows of eyelet lace you want to work and if you want to split it up into sections of eyelet lace and plain and how many rows of each.  This way you can use up all of your yarn and make a bigger shawl or just work the minimum if you have a partial skein, its up to you.

It appeared slightly out of shape when it came off the needles on 14th January 2015 but as always a soak and block has rectified that.   A simple, quick yet elegant shawl to make.

Hillcrescent Farm Jacob Fleece No.5

Further to my post a few months ago about buying a number of Jacob fleece from a local farm, I have selected one of the fleece at random to start preparing.  This is Fleece No.5.

This was sheared on 26th May 2013, lovely in places but very dirty and was fairly heavy in surface VM.  After I skirted it it weighs 1.1kg, photos were taken after skirting had taken place.

I separated the colours as best as I could into pile of black/brown, a pile of white and the last pile was a mixture of the colours that were too mingled to separate.  I washed and dried the colours separately and was left with 729g of clean fleece, a loss of 371g of dirt and grease, broken down as follows: 86g white, 393g black/brown and 250g mixed colour.


The White Fleece

I combed the 86g of white fleece, which gave me approx 55g of hand combed top to spin.  I decided to have a go at dyeing it with some ColourCraft All-In-One dyes that I had recently bought.  I followed the instructions using 5g of Ultra Marine dye crystals in 1.5 litres of water to dye my hand combed top.  Towards the end of the dyeing process I sprinkled 5ml of white vinegar over the top in the dye pot and left it for 15 minutes, as this is supposed to help the dye to be absorbed and I think this is what caused some areas to be darker than others.  Learning by experimenting.  Such fun!

I didn't blend the top, just spun it as it came.  The finished skein was a 2ply double-knit weight yarn, 55g/85m which was used with other yarns in a scarf.


The Mixed Colours Fleece

I then took the 250g of mixed colour fleece and combed it, blending the colours as equally as I could as I went.

This gave me 128g of hand combed top, which I spun 2ply into a lovely double-knit weight grey yarn which I have called Storm Cloud and it is 128g/258m.

The Black Fleece

I combed this and 393g of fleece was soon reduced to 225g of hand-combed top.  I then got an idea to make it colourful.  Years ago, I bought a yarn sample and colour sample set from Colinette Yarns.  These weren't any use to me any more as some of the yarns they no longer made and some of the colours had gone the same way and they had developed new yarns and colours.  Plus the fact that I rarely buy yarn in these day, not now that I can make my own.  The yarn sample wasn't really any use to me as there were only a few that were pure wool, and those were white or some other pale colour.  The colour sample, however, was a completely different kettle of fish.  Bright and colourful and most of the yarn samples on there were the pure wool ones.

I pulled off the lengths of yarn that I thought would be ideal for me to use, mostly samples of Colinette Graffiti, which is a thickish single with a finer 2ply yarn plied around it.  I took these apart, laying the 2ply aside for a later use.  I discovered that the thickish single had a thread running through the centre of it which was easy to pull on and remove and then I pre-drafted these lengths slightly.

I spun one plain black Jacob single and a second which was black Jacob with lengths of the de-constructed Colinette Graffiti inserted randomly.  These two singles were then plied together to give me a double-knit weight yarn.  One skein is 156g/280m and the other is 135g/238m and I have called this yarn "Remember, Remember the 5th of November".

So that is all of the fleece used up to make these fabulous skeins of yarn.