Spinning Gillian

Armando's beautiful Texel, Gillian, that won BOB at the 2008 Cavy National.

Gillian's winning coat now harvested.

Gillian's coat has perfect locks.

The fur is spun in locks.

The weight of Gillian's coat is 1-1/2 oz, and filled about 1/6 of the 8-oz bobbin.

One ply of Gillian's fur and one ply of white English Angora wool make a beautiful skein of yarn.

Betty says,

"Armando's beautiful Texel cavy Gillian finally is off the show table. Her coat has been harvested by Armando who generously gave it to me.

I had a fun spinning it; the texture and feel are closer to Mohair than to Angora wool. The best method to spin the cavy fur, after some trial and error, is the "inch-worm" method. I tried long draw but it did not work too well.

I plied the ply of Gillian's fur with a ply of my own English Angora single and the skein turned out nice. The total yardage is about 50; it's enough for a small scarf or for a hat by combining with about 20 yards of Angora yarn. I have not yet decided how to use the yarn."