Spinning is the new black, didn't you know? Oh yes. And, I'm hooked.
Of course, enthusiasm doesn't necessarily equate with skill. I'm rubbish! But, I'm trying. And, I'm determined...
To back-track... I've been really enjoying a few video podcasts lately; The knitgirlls, Knittynatter Podcast and The Fat Squirrel Speaks. If you haven't watched them, take a look. They're fun. These women knit and that's cool, but it was their spinning that caught my eye. It's awesome. And, it looks like so much fun. To be honest, at first I just watched, oohing and aahing. I lived vicariously, enjoying their fibre, their beautiful skeins of homespun. I don't have a spinning wheel, and there's no chance of me getting one anytime soon. It all seemed like an impossible dream.
But then, I twigged that lovely Pumpkin of Pumpkin Spins creates all of her fabulous yarn on a spindle. And, I got all excited... I mean, have you seen what she spins? It's beautiful. All on a spindle.
And, I've actually got a wee spindle. It's a turkish one. I got it last year and other than a brief whirl on the day and for a couple of days that followed, it has sat unloved. It hadn't occurred to me that I could spin enough yarn on it to actually make something...and I sort of forgot about it. But, inspired by Pumpkin, I grabbed a random pile of fibre. Found a video on YouTube and got "spinning".
Here's my first "spun" fibre. It doesn't look like much, but it's pretty, no?
So far, I've learnt that some fibre is easier to spin than others, my spindle seems to cope fairly well with falling to the floor and it's easier to spin without a toddler asleep on your knee. I have no idea how to spin evenly, it's all slubby. And plying? That's a great big mystery.
All advice welcome!
Just keep spinning - you'll love using a Turkish!
ReplyDeleteOh you are inspiring me to get my drop spindle back out! I haven't used it in almost 2 years now :( Love the yarn! Thanks for linking up at KCCO!
ReplyDeleteLooks fun! Does it take an age to get anything you can knit with?
ReplyDeleteIt's way faster than I thought - not sure how long a skein would take - and to ply it you have to spin twice the length I guess.... I'll have to ask Pumpkin :)
DeleteI have a spindle too that is collecting dust on a shelf. Every winter I my plan is to spin enough to knit myself a hat. Maybe next winter! Yours it looking great!
ReplyDeleteGoodness another addiction to add to the list! I'm sure as talented as you are you'll have it sussed in no time. It's just the toddler on the lap problem that has to be sorted :)
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty!! and that looks like Fun, I have often thought of giving it a try, but I just don't have time.. perhaps in summer?
ReplyDeleteKeep going. I started on a spindle a couple of years ago and finally moved to a wheel this year. I'm still learning, bless you you-tube! I used my first few spun bits for doll hair and now I've just finished my first knitted with my own handspun project! Its addictive.
ReplyDeleteSo much fun! You will get so addicted to it, as I have! And go figure, Pumpkin inspired me to also. I think that getting even will just take time, it really depends how much you draft and how much spin and twist you put into your strands. Plying isn't too bad either really.
ReplyDeleteTotally cool! Good for you for jumping in and giving it a go. I too have been educated and amazed by the grand work that Pumpkin does. I'm sure that in no time you'll have plenty of gorgeous yarn to create magnificent pieces of wearable art!
ReplyDeleteThis is your first try? It looks great! Treasure your uneven yarns - after you've been spinning for a while and are able to make yarns of consistent thickness, it's often very difficult to make thick and thin yarns!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic. that's just how I started out. I'm totally addicted to spinning now.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! Spinning is the new black and I love how you just plunged right in. I love Pumpkin's spinning, too. She's a doll!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I really need to dig out my spindle too ;) Your looks great and I love the colours. I guess one just have to keep on practicing.
ReplyDeleteI also think Pumpkin spins the most beautiful yarns!
What fun! I'm sure this is one of those things where you'll just 'get it' after a bit more practice. It'll be so satisfying when you do! I think I want to get one now too..
ReplyDeleteOh yes spinning is so much fun, I have just had a break for a while and am finding that it takes a little while to get back into the groove so my advise is just do a little bit every day and keep your hands in and before you know it you will be a master spinner :-)
ReplyDeleteSpinning must be so much fun ! Your result is cute, love the colors !
ReplyDeleteYour yarn is really awesome..I've been toying with the idea of learning to spin...maybe this post is just the motivation I needed..
ReplyDeleteLooks like yarn to me, and very pretty yarn! You've made me remember my turkish spindle and basket of fibre that has been neglected. Must get it out and spin!!! I'm a newbie, but that's no excuse. Look what you've spun! I hope you continue with these pretty colours and make something! :) A hat maybe? Mittens? samm@rav
ReplyDeletethat looks like a fabulous first spin to me! Mine was so thick and slubby I couldn't even ply it because it didn't fit through the orifice on my wheel! Keep practicing is my advice, it has taken me a year to get my spinning exactly how I like it but it is so worth the frustration at times :O)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little ball of yarn! Spinning is one of those "someday" things for me. I think you're very clever :-)
ReplyDeleteOh! You decided to get one of those fancy turkish spindles! I've always wanted to try one. Thank you so much for the sweet mention. I cannot even begin to say how excited I am that you are starting to spin! I can definitely see you creating some amazingly gorgeous yarn, especially considering how great your first product looks! Ah! So excited!
ReplyDeleteNo advice, but glad to see someone is using their hand spindle. I haven't approached mine *yet*. :)
ReplyDeleteOh I would love to spin my own wool, I think first I need to master the knitting properly first though - Annie
ReplyDeletePumpkin inspired me to spin more as well! I've wanted a turkish spindle! I currently use the Ashford student one and I just bought a Schacht Hi Lo spindle and I love it! It is like spinning with butter hehe. But I've learned that some fibers are definitely easier to spin than others as well.
ReplyDeleteI think your yarn looks wonderful! Be sure to use these first attempts.You can learn so much from actually knitting with this first yarn. Singles can be knit up into fun little draw string bags.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I've been slacking on my spinning lately and I'm no expert, but I find that when I do it regularly it stops seeming like such a big task after a few tries. I don't know if I'm getting any better, but at least I feel more comfortable.
ReplyDelete