I felt motivated the other day to give it a try. So out came the spindle, the book and a bit of newly purchased Lincoln Longwool roving. I was all excited to figure this out...to learn something new...until...I began to fumble with the spindle and roving. My motivation quickly faded and I only managed to spin a couple of yards of yarn.
I guess my heart wasn't into learning something new like I thought. What I really desired to do was just spin yarn. When I realized this, I abandoned the spindle for the wheel and got to work on some Fine Brown Shetland roving. Now this was easy spinning: relaxing and fun. I spun up a couple of bobbins that afternoon.
And the next day I plied both together. Two-ply easy spun yarn straight off the niddy-noddy. I'll soak it and set the twist when I finish up the rest of the roving.
As for learning how to use a handspindle, I think I'll have to make sure my next attempt happens when I'm away from home and there is no wheel in sight to tempt me to give up.
Ha, ha...away from the wheel might be the best way;-)
ReplyDeleteIt takes a bit of practice to learn to hand spindle. It's fun to do when you're away from home as it's so portable. If you want to learn, you'll figure it out.
The wheel spun yarn is gorgeous!!
I had that exact same spindle Tracey. I had a problem with it not spinning very long for me, it would spin a short time and then start to go backwards. I was reading the Spinlist recently and in talking about spindles they said that if that happened, you were trying to spin too thick a single. I don't know if that was your problem or not, but thought I'd throw it out there. It is a beautiful spindle, the whorl is just magnificent.
ReplyDeleteYour wheel spinning looks beautiful as well!
I always think I'll like spindle spinning better than I do, too. Being away from the wheel definitely helps, though.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful yarn! I love the color.
ReplyDeleteBoth your spindle yarn and your wheel yarn are lovely! I have a hadspindle, too, but I almost never use it, either. The wheel just produces better results for me - and faster. I guess I need to work on patience.
ReplyDeleteTracy: Wow - it looks great. I can only imagine what wonderful creation you'll make with that.
ReplyDeleteYour experience with the spindle sounds just like mine. I gave it a shot and couldn't believe that there are people who actually prefer a spindle. I thought it was awkward myself. But your yarn is looking fabulous these days. Don't beat yourself up if you decide that spindle spinning is for the birds ;o)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I am more of a wheel person than a spindle person. Sometimes though it is the spindle.....if you go to Rhinebeck try out a few different spindles. What works really well for one person does not always work well for another.
ReplyDeleteThey sure are pretty though, aren't they?
Your spun yarn is very nice. I have never used a wheel or a spindle but may have to ask for some classes for Christmas to try it out!! And I love your "beach" socks -- the colours are my favorites :-)
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