I tried a little while ago, and put it up. I am taking lessons in July for the Tour De Fleece from the very talented Linda who is well known in the Rhode Island spinning community (I am going to be checking out the RI Spinning Guild in upcoming weeks as well) so I figured I would "get it" then.
But then yesterday, at an ASPCA event, I met a lovely woman named Emilia who is a knitter and spinner as well and who really encouraged me to try some more before my lessons.
So, I broke out the spindle and fiber last night and did 15 minutes. And today, I did 15 minutes more. I am having trouble drafting (could be the fiber I'm using which is 50% merino and 50% alpaca which has a short staple) and there is no notch on my cheap-y beginner spindle so I have issues getting the yarn around the hook and have some parts that untwist so I needed to "respin" those sections. Consistency...eh...it's getting there. I have some bumps and thin areas but practice, practice, practice.
When I first attempted spindling, I was giving it a flick with my left hand. And I wasn't getting a lot of twist. So last night I tried the down the leg method and holy moly sooo much twist. I think when I shattered my wrist last winter I lost a lot of OOMPH in my left hand, so this is much better!
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| "Designer" Yarn |
I can't spin on any of my spindles worth a poop. My wheel? I picked that up almost immediately. I don't spin anywhere near as much as I should but when I do spin, it's like I never forgot :)
ReplyDeleteMy lessons are going to be on a wheel :) I don't mind spindling...it's kind of fun, like playing with a top, but I think I will like a wheel more.
DeleteYou've made a great start!!!! I haven't tried a wheel yet, but am loving the drop spindle and 15 mins a day is exactly where I started a few weeks ago - it's amazing how quickly it's improved.
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with a top-whorl spindle without a notch and I found a solution - you can see it on this post: http://www.craftsfromthecwtch.co.uk/2013/05/stash-enhancement-tip-for-notch-less.html Hope it helps you!
Thanks for joining in with the linky today :D x
Thanks Sarah! I will try that and see how it works for me :)
DeleteI'm curious how the wheel will work...I'm afraid I'm going to love it and not be able to afford a wheel of my own for a very long time.
Your spinning is looking great so far! I love the colour of that fibre.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing how you enjoy your lessons :)