Comments on: Spinning Thoughts – and a CONTEST!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:55:13 +0000

I would like to spin on a spindolyn anyone use this if you have how do you like it.can you use wool with it ? love to here feedback from people who have used the spindolyn. it looks good for a beginer .how much yarn does it give you ?

By: Betty

Betty — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:37:39 +0000

1. Are you a spinner? If so, what prompted you to learn to spin? If not, what has held you back? Oh yes I am. A 7th grade teacher of World History brought in her spinning wheel one day, to show another class. She was nice enough during her lunch break to show me, and I was hooked. I got a spindle for x0mas that year, and haven’t stopped yet. Now I have a wheel too.

2. If you’re a spinner, did you learn on a drop spindle first? And do you recommend that to beginners before moving to a wheel? (Note – we have drop spindles going up on the website next week and more on the way. Note #2 – I was a dismal failure on drop spindles, but I know there are a lot of you who like them.)
I did, and would recommend one at first, to learn the hassles of drafting with that first. it’s easier on a wheel though.

3. Spinners – do you like spinning 4 oz. braids, or do you generally like to spin up more of a certain colorway? (Do you have in mind what you will knit with it before you spin it?) I spin whatever I have around. 4 oz can be fun, but sometimes I blend a braid with something else, as another ply

4. What are some things that you have made from your handspun (or handspun that you have purchased)? Scarves, shawls, baby sweaters for my son. Stuffed critters

By: Melodie

Melodie — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:53:15 +0000

Unfortunately I’m not a spinner (at least not yet) because I too don’t have enough time to knit as much as I would like to. Spinning does sound wonderfully tempting though!

By: Sandra

Sandra — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:23:48 +0000

Hello, Sheri.

1. I’m a spinster!!
I had to learn to spin because my husband came home with 2 Angoras and 2 gelded Alpacas I hate to waste…

2. I drop spindled first, and it did ease the transition to wheel spinning. I still have the CD spindle, and an Ashford Student Spindle and Ashford Top Whorl. People are still dazzled when I drop spindle.

3. I generally make 4 oz balls & braids, although I agree that when you see your beautifully finished handspun it makes you want to kick yourself for not buying/dying more.

By: Martha

Martha — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:09:26 +0000

1. Are you a spinner? If so, what prompted you to learn to spin? If not, what has held you back? I am a spinner and learned after watching friends spin. It looked so relaxing and I loved the texture and color of fiber.

2. If you’re a spinner, did you learn on a drop spindle first? And do you recommend that to beginners before moving to a wheel? I did not learn on a drop spindle first. I tried to learn how to use one this summer and got very frustrated. I would only recommend the spindle to beginners if they want to learn to spin that way first because I was frustrated by having to keep making the spindle move and draft at the same time. A spinning wheel is MUCH easier to learn, in my opinion.

3. Spinners – do you like spinning 4 oz. braids, or do you generally like to spin up more of a certain colorway? (Do you have in mind what you will knit with it before you spin it?) I like to buy more than 4 oz at a time. I don’t have something in mind before I spin the fiber.

By: laura

laura — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:34:51 +0000

1. yes i’m indeedy a spinner. curiousity took the best of me AND THEN and INCREDIBLY generous coworker loaned me her wheel. i plyed for the first time and was HOOKED
2. If you’re a spinner, did you learn on a drop spindle first? And do you recommend that to beginners before moving to a wheel? i didn’t really feel the spindle love. i think it was because i was too excited about the wheel. i can see how they’re beneficial though
3. Spinners – do you like spinning 4 oz. braids, or do you generally like to spin up more of a certain colorway? (Do you have in mind what you will knit with it before you spin it?) i like four oz braids but often include more in an order for the “just in case factor”
4. What are some things that you have made from your handspun (or handspun that you have purchased)? i haven’t made anything YET but i’m making a shawl for the incredibly kind lady that loaned me her wheel.

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:48:24 +0000

Are you a spinner? If so, what prompted you to learn to spin? If not, what has held you back?
Not a spinner yet but I have a drop spindle I’m going to learn on. Two of my friends use them and they make lovely yarn so I thought I’d try it myself. I’m hoping to get to that “project” in January 09 when I finally have a bit of free time after the Christmas present (gak!) knitting

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:07:18 +0000

I’m not a spinner, and I don’t think that I will become a spinner for at least a few years. I have only been knitting for about a year and a half; there are still tons of techniques that I want to master and projects (lace and sweaters) in my queue. I’m also leery of a long learning curve. When I started knitting I could rip out the ugly parts, but I think that since early spinning attempts usually out awful I might think of it as a waste of time and money. Yes, I am somewhat of a perfectionist.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:04:55 +0000

I recently purchased a used louet drop spindle from a ravelry member in hope of learning drafting for a leg up when I’m able to afford a wheel for spinning. I’ve had the spindle for two weeks now and I haven’t touched it; my internal evil perfectionist has me slightly terrified of ruining the beautiful roving a friend gifted me to learn with. I really must stop being silly as I want to learn to spin so very much!

By: Julianne B

Julianne B — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:10:03 +0000

Hi Sheri and Everybody!! I love this thread!!!
I hope I can find time to read it all..
Okay, here’s my answers:
!. I am a spinner. I learned how to knit first, then I realized that lots o people here on Ravelry MADE their own yarn, and then projects( check out alphamango on there), and I thought, that’s what I want to do, decide & make the yarn, then make something with it!!
2.)I was a huge Etsy-ite then, I found Sanguine Gryphon on Etsy, and she had lovely yarns AND rovings!! this was before Sheri found her!! I wanted to spin, and she asked if she could put together a ‘kit’ for me, some roving, a booklet, and a spindle. So, I checked it out. I too sucked at the drop spindle, but loved the idea of spinning, so I sought out spinners in my hood here in San Diego. So, I instantlly found a lovely lady Cheryl who met me with her Lendrum DT and with our little girls running around, she tried to teach me, it was too crazy, but I was hooked!! I searched and searched, found a lady Jeri offering a class at a shop and you didn’t need a wheel. I wanted to try it first before the investment came, I loved IT, and finally found a wheel on Ravelry for sale used!! ( by the way, I still meet up with these ladies and we still spin together)
3.) I TRY to imagine WHAT I am going to use the roving for before I buy it…is it sock yarn, lace yarn, or going to be a sweater/scarf/ or other garment…then I try to estimate how much I may need, so I can buy enough for that project…If I know I am going to shoot for a worsted sweater i may buy 3-4 braids, just b/c it is hard for dye lots to match up later:) I am now onto buying, cleaning, and combing my own fleeces, and that has added to the time factor, but also weirdly enough, my enjoyment of the craft. To know I began at the beginning- since i can’t have the sheep myself, which if I could I would!! I want to learn to dye some wool now too. That way I can do great things like alphamango on Ravelry and it will be 100% mine- the yarn, color, design, etc….the WHOLE sheebang!! From the ground up!! I am hoping to have some made from scratch Xmas presents and really wow people, that I made the yarn too!!!
I love my wheel, she is a dear friend to me, who takes me away when I need it. Thanks for asking such great questions Sheri!! I also have made lots friends through spinning classes, and meets and activities like sheep shearings!! Very interesting, and people think I’m even weirder than before:P juli