I have not quite been spinning for even about 3 months yet, and people are admiring my yarn, declaring me to be a “natural”, and envying my even spinning.
I like to say I am “self taught”. But the truth is, I didn’t just pick up a spindle one day and wham, out came yarn. There were people who led me to two excellent videos by Abby Franquemont which really gave me some visual education and helped me define some terms. So here they are:
And here is part two:
This woman has been such a spinning inspiration to me, and she has recently published a book called Respect the Spindle which is on my list to read and maybe get next birthday or something.
Also if you are on Ravelry there is a Group for spinners that is focused on Spindle Spinning. Within the discussion group is a topic called Stupid Questions. There are over 2000 posts within it but you can search if you want to get specific, or post a new question yourself, or if you have the time, read the whole thing.
Here is my current wip:
Here it is on a dime:
Here it is 3-plied
On January 5th, 2010, I learned how to spin on a drop spindle and I have never gone back. It seems I am dreaming of spindles day and night. I try to find the time mostly during movie watching with the family, to spin a cop full of yarn every day.
I started with some merino and a heavy bottom-whorl drop spindle. And by heavy, I mean H E A V Y! That sucker weighed 86g! It didn’t help matters that it took me a very short while to learn to draft my roving really thin, and so my yarn kept breaking at nearly every turn. Why on earth do they call such a heavy monstrosity a “beginner spindle”? It simply does not make sense.
My emotions were mixed. I knew I would love spinning, but I wanted a lighter spindle and perhaps something top whorl. So I bought a Schacht Hi-Lo spindle which provides both options (top whorl and bottom whorl) and weighs only 30g
and then I really really started to love spinning!
Having a good spindle for the job really makes a difference, since, after spinning for only a month, I was able to produce this:
Here is my current spin in progress:
