Spinning Tuesdays: Cashmere for my Birthday!

My birthday is this week (June 10, 48) and to start my party week I spun cashmere from Deb Robson’s Must Spin list.

Cashmere fluff, yarn and a knitted swatch

Wow, just wow! I loved spinning this. I was intimidated at first, but I did some research and watched the cashmere part of Judith MacKenzie’s Luxury Fibers DVD set. The key is enough twist for short fiber, but not as much as slippery short fiber twist. The cashmere clings quite nicely to itself, and the top preparation helps by organizing the fibers and culling the super short fibers for you.

Fluffy cashmere yarn, light as a feather

I spun supported long draw and the yarn and swatch were soft and so light. Yes, I could cover my entire body in cashmere and be happy.

Two fun facts about Cashmere from The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook:

  1. Cashmere is not a type of goat but the downy undercoat that most goats produce.
  2. How short is short? Staple length ranges in the 1.25-1.75 inch range.

 

Birthday Giveaway

In honor of my birthday week, I have a gift pack for one of you lucky spinners!

Fabulous fiber book! 

A  copy of Deb Robson’s new book, The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, retail $35.  Thank you to Storey Publishing for the donation.

38 rare and endangered sheep

 

A copy of Deb Robson’s DVD set, Handspinning Rare Wools, retail $34.95. Thank you to Interweave Press for the donation.

Spinning Loft fiber sampler 

And a raw fiber, Fleece and Fiber Soucebook sampler from The Spinning Loft, similar to the one I’m spinning over these 10 weeks. Big thanks to Beth for providing the sampler.

Retail $85

The usual rules apply. Leave a comment before midnight on Wednesday June 8,2011. A comment will be chosen at random to answer a skill testing question. If he or she answers correctly they will our prize package.

(542 Posts)

Jillian is the​ author of the best-selling spinning book Yarnitecture. She is the editor​ of Knittyspin and Developmental Editor for PLY and PLY Books. She kinda loves this spinning thing and wants everyone who spins to love it too, so she teaches and writes a lot. She knits, weaves, and stitches and tries to do as much of it as she can with handspun yarn. She's always cooking up all kinds of exciting and creative things combining fiber arts. She likes her mysteries British, her walks woodsy, and to spend as much time as she can laughing. Spy on her on her website jillianmoreno.com

334 thoughts on “Spinning Tuesdays: Cashmere for my Birthday!”

  3. Pat

    Happy happy birthday! I hope you have an awesome birthday! Thanks so much for running a contest in honor of your birthday. You and your sponsors are so generous!

  7. penny

    What an awesome birthday present, must remember to give myself the gift of spinning something delightful on my birthday.

    Happy Birthday Jillian!

  8. JoAnna Spring

    What a fantastic giveaway! I think you should have a birthday at least monthly.

    Happy day! I’ve really enjoyed reading about your study of wool.

  13. Alexandra

    Oooh, what a lovely birthday gift for yourself. Definitely count me in for the giveaway!

  14. Autumn

    I spun a tiny, tiny sample of cashmere someone gave me once, and I carried that mini-skein around with me for a week, petting it.

    I love the practice of giving other people things in honour of your birthday! And I’d be thrilled with any of these, as they’re all on my own birthday wishlist.

    Have a wonderful birthday, and I wish you a year full of wonderful fibrey goodness, discovery, success, and joy.

  16. NikeEve

    I really enjoy seeing your spinning tests each Tuesday. Makes me wish my kiddo would grow up a little faster so I can safely bring out the spinning wheel again! 😉

  20. Holly

    Oh my! If ever there was a give away that I want to win…

    And happy birthday! Spinning cashmere for it seems like a proper indulgence.

  25. Liz

    I am drooling over that cashmere. Happy Birthday! I would love to win the random drawing for any of the items.

  27. Christine (AKA Cheeky)

    Your yarn looks just lovely. I hope you have a wonderfuly birthday.

  28. Sarah

    Oh my goodness! That is an amazing prize! And I super love how your cashmere turned out. Gorgeous!

  29. Sue E

    Cashmere- yummy stuff! I have enjoyed working with the fiber when I have h ad the chance!

  30. Steph

    Ooh, everyone was ogling that book at spinning guild last night. That would be a great summer project.

  31. Seanna Lea

    Happy birthday! Mine is the end of the week, and I’m looking forward to a bit of fiber fun.

    I had a lovely class with Denny for spinning at SAW, so I’m looking forward to practicing with the fiber in my stash.

  34. Kerstin

    Great way to celebrate! Do you get yourself a present, too? That’s what I like to do, get myself something special (that roving or that batt or that drop spindle, book, CD etc.)
    I’ve heard so much praise for Fleece&Fiber, I really should get myself a copy 🙂

  36. Emily

    Happy Birthday! I am spinning on a spindle right now but I am buying my wheel later this month!! I can not wait!

  37. tracey

    Great give away! My birthday is also in June, this would make a great birthday gift!

  39. Connie

    Oh man, that cashmere looks so yummy!!! Great giveaway, someone is gonna be VERY lucky and happy. Happy, happy Birthday to you 🙂

  41. JJ

    I just got in my first spindle and roving today. This would be an excellent prize.
    Happy Birthday.

  45. Irene T

    Happy birthday! That is an excellent giveaway. I have a borrowed drop spindle at home, plus some fibre from a friend, so I need to get down to it, and start practising. Who knows, I may graduate to a spinning wheel in time!

  47. Angela

    What an amazing giveaway! I just started spinning again and have my first class on plying & finishing this weekend.

    Happy Birthday!

  50. Renee Anne

    First of all, Happy Birthday 🙂

    Secondly, um…yes, please? I think I’d like this. I’m such a new spinner that half of what you say doesn’t make a lot of sense to me…I just spin any way I feel like and it works so I don’t complain.

    So, with that said, yes, please. Awesome giveaway 🙂

  55. Loretta

    That cashmere is so beautiful! I think cash mere and birthdays are a perfect combination.

  57. Kaitlin

    Does cashmere usually have a slight sheen to it? Or am I totally imagining that it has one in that picture? (Usually when I interact with cashmere, it’s me petting a blend yarn in my LYS and then putting it back on the shelf, thanks to my college student budget.)

  64. Bettina

    have a very happy birthday and may the next year bring you lots of lovely fibers to spin!
    Bettina

  67. odessa

    Happy birthday! And I love reading spinning Tuesday every week. It makes me want to be more adventurous with my spinning.

  68. Lisa J

    Happy Birthday! My birthday was the 1st and winning any of this great stuff would be the best !
    As always Thank You Knitty for the opportunity.

  75. Rachel

    What great posts about your spinning adventures and a great giveaway to get someone started on their own adventure!

  78. Sylvia

    Happy Birthday Week! I have to admit that it certainly does sound like a perfectly lovely way to kick off such a fun week!

  79. susan

    Happy Birthday to you…me too!
    What a wonderful birthday present…my birthday is tomorrow. so I hope that random number generator is paying attention!

  81. Kathy in San Jose

    Happy Birthday, and by the way, I think every day should be cashmere-spinning day! I’ve been enjoying your posts on the different fibers and wish that I had more time to devote to spinning exploration.

  82. AmyP

    Happy Birthday! As a beginning spinner, I’ve really enjoyed this series as it’s helped me understand all the different types of fibres available.

  83. Nada

    happy birthday!!!!!! seems one can never go wrong with cashmere or silk

    i’m terribly curious about the skills question

  84. Solarmama

    Happy Birthday! Seems like all my favorite people have been born this month, so you’re in very good company. 🙂 I too am a total newbie to spinning, so these posts have been really interesting to hear about how to adapt to the different characteristics of the different fibers. I bought some Jacob roving on the strength of your article!

  85. Candace

    Happy Birthday! Everyone deserves cashmere to spin on their birthday. Try spinning your cashmere on a Russian spindle….it is pure ecstasy! Love the giveaway to celebrate!

  87. Candy

    Happy Birthday! I would love to win this, but being at least half “Eeyore”, I’m sure I won’t.

  90. Sylvie

    Happy birthday!
    That cashmere is gorgeous, and I love the color. Of course, getting my hands on some for myself would be even better 🙂

  93. Janet

    Incredibly generous prize package! Thanks for doing these “Spinning Tuesday” reports. And happy, happy birthday!

  96. tndungan

    Thanks for the chance to win this great stuff! It was my birthday last week and I had a ball – I hope you do too.

  98. Gina in the SF East Bay

    Happy birthday! And may there always be cashmere and other luscious fibers on your needles.

  99. Sarah

    Happy birthday to you and thank you for inspiring me. I hope you continue to do so for many more years to come.

  103. Margo

    Happy Birthday. I have been thinking about giving spinning a try, this would push me to start.

  105. LizW

    Wow – what beautiful fiber! Gotta love that cashmere – and you did a great job of spinning. I think it’s amazing how some fibers can just LOOK soft.

  111. Sakthi

    Happy Birthday! Lovely birthday treat to be spinning cashmere!
    I will be venturing into the world of spinning soon – boyfriend is getting me a top and a bottom whorl spindle for my birthday in July (his idea to get both, honest!) 🙂
    So far I’ve been reading Respect The Spindle in preparation, and I can’t wait!

  116. Lori B

    Most importantly, Happy Birthday! I’ve only been spinning for a couple of months, but i’m fascinated by all the choices of wools and other fibers. Whoever wins will get a great prize!

  118. Becky

    I like to spin luxery fibers on my drop spindle because it takes me longer and I’ll have more time to play with them.

  119. Maureen

    OMG! Happy birthday! You are a most generous birthday girl, and honestly, I want your present! 😉

  121. Peggy

    Happy Birthday Jillian!
    I’ve been coveting a friend’s copy of the Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook the minute I held it in my hands. Add to this the DVD on spinning rare wools and a sampler to go with this and you have one really happy spinner!

  122. Audi

    Happy Birthday! The giveaway is an amazing gift to give out! Lucky you for getting to spin cashmere!

  128. Nina

    I hope you had/have a great, happy birthday! It is my birthday week doo, I would love to win one of your prizes. It would really make my day.

  129. Hester Sturrock

    Happy Birthday – would love the fiber variety pack for my birthday – which is coming along soon.
    thank – Hester

  130. Sharon

    My birthday this week, too. I, however, am spending as a single parent with my spouse in the US and contractors in the house. Something to read and dream about would be awesome!

  134. Claire

    Wow… love that — its your birthday and we get a chance to get presents!! Thank you!

  135. Alison

    Thank you so much! I was just gifted a spindle and some fiber and cannot wait to learn to spin!

  136. Rachel

    Happy Birthday! My birthday is next month, and I’m hoping to get another spindle to play with with. My dad brought a cashmere scarf home from China once, I would LOVE to be rich enough that a set of cashmere pajamas wouldn’t be out of the question! Wouldn’t that be so delicious?

    Hope you get presents as nice as the one you’re giving away! 😉

  140. Sarah J

    Happy birthday!

    I dream of spinning cashmere, but I’m afraid my skills aren’t good enough to do it justice. It looks delicious!

  143. Susan

    Happy Birthday. I’ve really enjoyed your posts as you work through the “must spin” list.

  147. Anna

    So cool! I have briefly spun cashmere on a takhli (sadly, it was someone else’s, so I didn’t get to keep it). The most exotic fiber in my stash is camel, and I haven’t decided how I’m going to spin it yet, but it is beautiful and soft.

  148. amy g

    The cashmere looks lovely. I’m not an experienced spinner yet and can hardly wait to immerse myself in unspun fiber. Have a WONDERFUL birthday!

  149. conk

    Don’t you just love a properly celebrated Birthday Week?! Here’s hoping there’s more cashmere for the big day (& happy birthday!).

  154. Sally at Rivendale Farms

    Holy moly, as a longtime knitter but newer spinner I am drooling over the gift pack!! Thank you for celebrating your birthday with us, hope you have a wonderful day!!

  159. Michelle L

    Happy Birthday! I just received my first drop spindle, and I can’t wait to start learning about spinning.

  160. Carolyn

    Happy Birthday to you! These prizes just keep getting better. I’m practically drooling.

  161. Carrie

    Happy birthday! Haven’t spun any cashmere yet. Those short fibers seem intimidating. Love spinning Tuesdays.

  164. Cindy

    Happy Birthday! Lucky you to spin such exotic stuff! Being unemployed, I can’t afford the expense right now, but at least I have good ol’ wool in by fiber stash to spin. I’d love the chance to try cashmere though.

  166. Cathy S

    Happy Birthday! What a treat to spin something so gorgeous and decadent. I’d love the chance to learn to spin … and my birthday is on the 25th.

  171. Bobbie

    Happy Birthday! I just bought a spindle and am taking my first class in a couple of weeks. The books and fiber are wonderful. But I’m worried about the skill testing question???

  174. Janelle

    Wow, this is an amazingly generous giveaway! I’d love to try spinning all those fibers. My experience so far has been with wool, silk, and bamboo only… and with the exception of BFL and Finn, the wool breeds are generic/unknown.

  175. AnneK

    My friend got the Fleece & Fiber book when she was at MDSW. It is a really impressive book! Very well researched and put together.

  177. Anna C.

    Happy Birthday, Jillian. That is some lovely cashmere that you’re spinning and a very exciting prize package.

  179. LauraSue

    I’m heaving a deep sigh. I so, so, so want Deb’s new book. And the fleece samples are just droolworthy. I’ve seen snippets of her DVD set and she’s just an inspiration. I run the fleece show at SAFF and would love to have some farmers who raise these rare breeds come give spinners a talk about them to get interest up. Deb is doing such important work.

  184. Tracy

    Wow, what a lovely gift package! I’ve enjoyed reading about your progress through Deb’s must spin list. Hope that you have a great birthday.

  188. Kitten With A Whiplash

    Are you sure it’s your birthday and not ours? What a generous bundle! Thanks, and Happy Birthday and Thanks again.

  189. Dieuwke

    Oh, how soft that cashmere looks! I have been looking at your results with these fibers with longing – I want to do it too! I hope I’ll win the giveaway :o)

    Happy Birthday!

  192. Kittenears

    Oh my! I only just got my very first spindle and spun up my first bit of yarn and I’m hooked. (harhar!) I would just die for this giveaway! 😀 I don’t even know anyone locally who could teach me more so the dvd would be wonderful

  193. Lisa Rogers Lowrance

    I’d love to enter! My poor spinning wheel has been so neglected lately. 🙂

  194. nikkapotamus

    Happy Birthday! I always tease my students on their birthdays with, “Hey! Happy birthday, what did ya get me?!” And they always look at me like I’m crazy (that’s what happens with 6 and 7 year olds), but now I can tell them that Amy gives out presents for HER birthday!

  197. Denise Katz

    What a fabulous birthday present – I have spun just a little bit of cashmere and it was soooo nice! Glad you had fun…. please pick me for the book drawing they all look so marvelous.

  198. Julie D.

    Oh, that’s so wonderful! Happy birthday! I’m glad to see you have your priorities straight. Cashmere and a giveaway.

  201. Lael

    It’s been very interesting following your sampler spinning – would love to try out those fibers in the sampler box.

  202. Tami

    Happy Birthday — what a wonderful way to celebrate! THank you for the lovely givewaway — the sampler of fibers looks phenomenal!

  204. Tania

    Happy B’day!
    I bought a Turkish spindle after I read you got yours from Jenkins. This giveaway will help me inprove my skills since right now they are close to ZERO.
    Thank you

  205. Shirlucky

    Wishing you a very happy birthday!
    Thanks for the chance to win a prize. I’m enjoying watching your progress spinning the different fibers.

  207. Mimi

    Happy Birthday! I really enjoy reading about your spinning and swatching adventures.

    I wanted to wish you many happy returns — if by some miracle I do win, please draw again, as I do not spin and your lovely birthday pack would be wasted on me.

  208. Maggie

    It’s my birthday week too – yesterday 🙂 I’ve been longing for that sampler pack…

  210. Deb B

    May you have a Happy Birthday! Cashmere is something I have yet to try spinning. Believe it or not I taught myself to spin with angora fiber

  213. Judi

    Happy Birthday – and many many more!!

    I have been following your posts and thinking that a fiber sampler is what I want for MY birthday this year.

  214. Emily

    Happy early birthday! Thanks for offering a giveaway in celebration – very hobbit-like of you. =)

  220. Carrie B

    I am just a beginning spinner, hopefully someday I will not be afraid to tackle cashmere.

  222. Danielle

    Wooo! I just learned to spin! I love what you’re doing with the fiber sampler! I’m learning so much from you! Woo cashmere!
    Happy Birthday! 🙂

  223. Geraldine

    LOVE that fiber!!! I would never pass up an opportunity to have some of my own. 8^)

  225. Lauren M

    Ooh, pick me, please! I just learned to spin and am eyeing that sampler! (Love the cashmere, too.) Happy Birthday, and thanks for the giveaway!

  226. Shannon

    Happy Birthday! Since I gave birth to two June babies (son 6/3/82, daughter 6/20/87), I deserve a little birthday gift, right? 😉

  229. Ann

    Happy Birthday! Please don’t enter me in the contest, I don’t spin. Just wanted to say I enjoy your site and Happy Bithday 🙂

  230. Marni

    Have a Happy Birthday! Just learned to use a support spindle and could also cover my entire body in cashmere! Thanks for the giveaway!

  231. Puddnik

    Have a very happy, healthy, and otherwise great birthday!

    I have been coveting Deb Robson’s book for months – having watched it come together via blog postings!I’ve been holding off ordering, knowing I’ll be going to a fiber fest later this month (I feel so much better supporting local shops than chain bookstores), getting a free copy would be like bonus cash I can spend on more fiber! Whee!

  232. Pam F

    Happy Birthday to you! I have the book & just love it…now I’m swooning over the fiber box. My sister & I are systematically (ha ha) working our way through spinning from fleece all of the breeds we can get our hands on. Thanks for all of your samples that you share with all of us!

  233. Michelle

    Wow! I’d be happy to win any one component of that prize package; so very generous of you all! Happy birthday this Friday; DH and I will be celebrating our 27th anniversary that day.

  239. Francesca

    I hope you have a Happy Birthday! And winning this would be a perfect motivator for me to learn to spin, I’m just too scared to learn at the moment.

  240. Diane

    You’ve got me motivated to get out my drop spindle. many thanks for the contest and inspiration.
    d

  242. Lauria

    Cashmere! Yum! A nice treat for your birthday. Your posts gave me a push into spinning. I’ve been spindling lately and today I tried out my first wheel and made a bobbin full of singles! Woo!

  246. Loredena

    That’s some very pretty spinning you have there! 🙂 Lovely little swatch.

    Happy birthday!

  249. Louise Boutot

    Would love to spin! I like to work with exotic wools from all over the world. Please pick me!!

  251. Carol L

    Happy Birthday….I hope your day is filled with everyone you love and everything that you love.

  253. martha

    I am just trying to learn to spin. Haven’t taken any courses yet. The book looks like the perfect thing to read.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  254. Rachel

    Oh my, this is a wonderful giveaway. I am a beginning spinner and this would be a wonderful thing to learn more!
    Hope your birthday is wonderful!

  258. Laura

    Happy Birthday! What perfect timing to win this giveaway because I just ordered my first spinning wheel today.

  259. Emme

    Happy early birthday. How nice of you to share during your celebration week. The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook looks like and interesting read, not to mention all the lovely fiber to play with.

  266. Julia

    I just bought a spindolyn and am looking forward to learning to spin. Thanks for offering the birthday prizes. Hope you have a happy one!

  268. Emily

    I don’t understand how the cashmere actually LOOKS soft in the pictures. Lovely. Nice B-day present to yourself.

  271. Knitmomma

    Wow, what a prize!

    Happy birthday – sounds to me like you found the perfect thing to spin, and it turned out lovely.

  272. Carry

    Happy Birthday! We were *just* talking about the Fleece and Fiber book, we just added it to our Amazon wish list.

    A spinner’s dream come true!

  273. Tivity

    Lot’s of spinner-y goodness, what a wonder!

    Hope your birthday has been wonderful.

  276. Kerri

    my birthday is on the 12th!

    this giveaway would be a lovely birthday present… 🙂

  277. Karen

    That’s a generous reverse birthday giftie! Happiness all around! Thanks forcspreading the fun in celebration of you!

  281. Helen

    Have happy birthday – although spinning cashmere sounds like a great way to start off 🙂

  282. Karen E

    Happy Birthday! I really want to learn to spin so this prize would be very helpful and get me started! Thanks!

  283. allison m

    Spinning cashmere sounds like a fantastic way to start your celebration! Thanks for sharing this contest 🙂

  284. Malin

    Oh what a great contest! I would love to win!
    I really need to get started with my spinning… 😀

  285. Fleur

    Happy birthday to you, Lillian! My birthday is next week, so I would love to be treated as well with such nice presents 😉 Great giveaways again!

  287. Vanessa

    What eye candy! I can almost feel the silky-ness of the fibers!

    Please enter me in the contest and
    HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    Vanessa in Oklahoma

  291. Aimee

    Happy birthday to you! Thank you for sharing your experiences with all these different fibers. I look forward to your posts each Tuesday!

  295. KateMc

    Hope I get asked the question and can answer correctly. I love the look of this yarn…could just cuddle in it so nicely. 🙂

  300. jill

    Many happy returns of the day. Please put me in! My spinning stash could use some challenges!

  302. Beverly (db81971)

    happy birthday. i have loved your opinions and instructions on all of these wonderful new-to-me fibers. thank you.

  303. The Other Kristen

    Great info on cashmere spinning techniques; I need to get my hands on the Judith Mackenzie DVDS. My birthday is coming up, too — will keep my fingers crossed for luck!

  304. bluesbee

    Happy birthday! And thank you for taking us on this journey through the must-spin list!

  306. Steph N

    What a wonderful way to spend your birthday! I’d love to be included in the drawing, please.

  309. Cecile

    A very happy birthday to you! I’ve been wanting to try to spin cashmere ever since I gave my first spindle a flick… I think it’ll make a great birthday treat from me to myself… only about 4 months to wait… well, maybe I’d better buy some earlier than that, just to be on the safe side…

  310. Sarah

    Happy Birthday Week! I hope you celebrate all week long!

    Oh, my. This is such an amazing giveaway. I’m excited about whoever would win, and hope that it might be me.

  313. Elissa

    I just spun my first cashmere this week too! I had held onto the batt for the past 5 years, too scared to use it. So silly, tt wasn’t difficult at all. Also toured a local cashmere farm this weekend. The goats were lovely.

  318. Tish

    Happy Birthday. Please enter me in your birthday contest (oooh, I hope the skill question doesn’t involve differential equations!).

  319. Barbara

    Happy birthday! ! Cashmere is a great fiber to spin for a birthday treat! I am enjoying reading your spinning posts very much.

  322. Teresa

    Oh my gosh! We have the same birthday! Yay for June 10th babies! Especially those that spin. Especially those that think Cashmere should become a summer fabric! Great as always!

  325. yourepretty

    happy birthday! i’ve really been enjoying this series on fibers [and i wish it would never end!]

  327. Tia

    Happy Birthday! All I can do is sound greedy and hope I win this freebie for my birthday. 😛

  329. Ba

    Hope this is not too late (it’s 10:05 pm PST)!!

    I would love this prize. I’m taking Deb’s class at SOAR…

  333. LPStarr

    Someone who would like to learn to spin, could really go places with this prize. Your swatch even looks soft.

  334. babbie

    Happy Birthday, belated. My birthday is on June 10th too! We share with Judy Garland. Hope you had fun.

Comments are closed.