Thanks.
I use fairly large net laundry bags that zip closed. That does make the process easier. I probably wasn't using hot enough water. I do have a thermometer, so, that can actually be checked. The book gave specs. on temp., IIRC. I tend to use Dawn "Free and Clear" (-or some such description), since the smell of just about anything else (esp. Tide) just about gags me. Could be that the Dawn damages the fibre. The book says, just use soap - preferably homemade. We do have Ivory, but that will leave a scum. I think I'll try a sample of the remaining Romney with less Dawn, and hotter water.
I prefer to knit smaller projects. Gloves and socks have worked out well for me. I've been playing around with some fancy and lacy crochet granny squares in the hopes that one might the the perfect square for a shawl. Margaret Hubert's The Granny Square Book has a beautiful shawl made from lacy squares. I've tried lace knitting - unless it is in separate little sections - NOT gonna happen. I'd love to knit a faux Orenberg or Shetland someday in little squares, however.
I don't have a spinning wheel. Used to have a beautiful Jenson Tina, but never could get the hang of it. I understood how it worked, but simply could not make any usable length of continuous yarn from it. (This wasn't from lack of trying.) A friend in my spinning group praised her Majacraft to the hilt, so, I got one of those...absolutely HATED it.
I spin supported with a spindle. I have a bunch; most of them I whittled myself. Stick on a big glass bead, and, good to go. However, I have been known to get out the craft knife and tweak it with some extra shaping in the middle of spinning.
