It's a good thing that I've had a lot of free time at work these past few days because I've spent more time than I care to admit reading about spinning and, dare I say it, spinning wheels. I signed up for a drop spindle class for beginners at my LYS for August 13 but since they don't sell spinning wheels or really cater to the spinning enthusiast (a future aspiration), I decided to expand my search to other cities, anticipating stores in Houston or Dallas. I was pleasantly surprised to discover Stonehill Spinning only an hour and a half from here instead of the 3 hour minimum I was expecting. I'm more than willing to travel that far to interview spinning wheels. When I called to inquire about spinning classes, the owner recommended private lessons (only $15 an hour) and I'll be meeting her on Friday afternoon. It takes very little encouragement for me to take time off work under normal circumstances and in the interest of a new fiber pursuit, there was very little hesitation.
After my less than quality time with my spindle on Friday, I had almost decided just to wait for someone to teach me how to play nicely with my spindle. This hesitation was overcome when I started reading this blog because the author (whose name I should know and might remember with more sleep) has recently embarked on the drop spindling thing. The comments have been very helpful and I've been very encouraged reading about another person's spinning attempts. Yet another reason I love blogs.
Here we have the evenings accomplishment:
I was feeling good about the yarn up to this point. I knew there was some kinky happening, but was frightened to realize just how much when I took it off the chair:
I'm laughing even now at that crazy jumble of fiber. It's not even recognizable as yarn. Maybe after a bit of stretching it'll be better.
I enjoyed the process tonight, though, even if the product left something to be desired, and that's a very good thing. I was too tired to concentrate knitting lace but wanted to do something other than staring at the television and spinning was just the thing. Now if I can keep the dreams of a spinning wheel at bay for a few more months...
Another one bites the dust!
But it looks good. So cute & squuggly! (that's squiggly and cuddly and some other chin-chucking adjectives. It's just so, so, coochy-coo next to the drain!!)
Posted by: Cordelia | July 28, 2005 at 01:50 PM
I'm not a spinner, but I remember something in the Twisted Sister's sock book about using "energized" yarn, and I thought it was a very cool effect!
Posted by: Patti | July 28, 2005 at 12:08 PM
I love the spray-bottle weight. Hey, use what ya got, right?
Posted by: Colleen | July 28, 2005 at 10:12 AM
Look at you! I'm totally jealous - my stuff doesn't look like that at all! Great job. I better get back to work.
Glad the comments on my blog were helpful to you!
Posted by: Cara | July 28, 2005 at 09:36 AM
I like the fact that you're talking about 'interviewing spinning wheels' already.
Kink means too much twist, but it takes practice to figure out how much is enough and be consistent about the drafting and the twist thing. The thicker the yarn the less twist it needs to hold it together.
Its a great first effort, though, and esp impressive because you did it solo. Keep going, and as Cate said, ply it.
Posted by: Cassie | July 28, 2005 at 08:40 AM
Big grin. That looks about right. And totally normal for singles. Ply, ply, ply, it will fix the whole thing. Drying it under tension will help too, but just be warned that if you knit it, then when you wash it, it will get energized again. You need to steam it to set the twist permanently. But all that is detail, and you'll get there. At this point, the real thing is--you MADE YARN! Congratulations!
Posted by: mamacate | July 28, 2005 at 07:59 AM