Author Topic: I went spinning (Read 5802 times)

jaykay · « **on:** June 18, 2011, 04:28:01 pm »

I went to the local(ish) branch of the Spinners, Weavers and Dyers Guild today. What a lovely, friendly group

I was really made to feel welcome and someone seeing me struggling, came over and adjusted the tension on my wheel and showed me to do my hands differently - and all of a sudden it wasn't a struggle, it works

I have nearly filled two bobbins now, so then I can try plying

Shnoowie · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2011, 05:47:50 pm »

Well done, Jaytkay! Keep us posted!

Fleecewife · « **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2011, 06:51:20 pm »

Well done - and your description is just what happens - suddenly it isn't a struggle any more

jaykay · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2011, 12:17:40 pm »

Well I've plied the yarn this morning, the skein is balanced at least

The yarn itself is very uneven, don't know what I'm going to do with it - I'll have to make something

Blinkers · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2011, 02:37:50 pm »

Well done Jaykay - its so rewarding when it all comes together.....although I'm still struggling to get an even spin

..... but its all good fun practicing.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2011, 02:57:51 pm »

Quote from: jaykay on June 19, 2011, 12:17:40 pm

Well I've plied the yarn this morning, the skein is balanced at least The yarn itself is very uneven, don't know what I'm going to do with it - I'll have to make something

Hi Jaykay - lumpy yarn absolutely doesn't matter

It looks ethnic and homespun. If you wanted perfectly even yarn you would have bought it in the yarn shop

You should have enough for a beanie hat, which will be toastie warm for the winter, and once you knit it up most of the uneveness disappears and you just have a wonderful textured surface.

Is the yarn white? You could try dyeing it - if you use the microwave method you are less likely to overfelt the yarn, and it's great fun.

jaykay · « **Reply #6 on:** June 19, 2011, 03:54:40 pm »

Thanks for the encouragement

I think I need to get a bit more even, but yes, no point it looking like machine yarn (I have a way to go before this is a problem

). It is white, so I think I might dye it

I'm now spinning a Shetland fleece I was given - straight from the fleece

That you can is a revelation to me, who hates carding. I keep having to stop and pick out bits of heather and straw

It's still got the grease in - DH wants me to make him a hat with it, so that the hat is quite waterproof, cos of the grease (lanolin). We'll see if the theory works out in practice

Apart from anything else it's interesting to spin cos it's all different shades of grey and black

The yarn is quite 'hairy'. Is that why you card, to make it smoother?

shearling · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2011, 09:49:20 pm »

So jealous. I have had to revert to plastering and painting and cutting wood!!!! I want to play with my spindle

Honestly Fleecewife rubbing it up and down my leg

It all I can do to keep if moving I run out of hands, and bodily bits to hold i1

Very well done jaykay -enjoy and it just shows you how wonderful some folk can be - compared with some some threads which make you want to scream at the unkindness

Fleecewife · « **Reply #8 on:** June 19, 2011, 11:30:01 pm »

If you dye it you will have to post a pic

The hairyness could be one of two things. It could be because you are spinning either a coarse fleece or you are taking fibre from the britch end of the sheep OR it might be because it hasn't been carded, as you suggest - or both

Have a look at the fleece and see if it seems to have a lot of hair in it. A sort of midway stage between spinning direct from the fleece and having to card, is to comb or flick card just the tips of each lock, then open it out and roll it directly into a rolag. Try that and see if it makes a difference to the hairyness - if it does then it implies the fleece needs to be carded. It is lovely spinning directly from the fleece but I find I do tend to get a few snarls. The colours of your fleece sound wonderful

Quote from: jaykay on June 19, 2011, 03:54:40 pm

Thanks for the encouragement I think I need to get a bit more even, but yes, no point it looking like machine yarn (I have a way to go before this is a problem ). It is white, so I think I might dye it

I'm now spinning a Shetland fleece I was given - straight from the fleece That you can is a revelation to me, who hates carding. I keep having to stop and pick out bits of heather and straw It's still got the grease in - DH wants me to make him a hat with it, so that the hat is quite waterproof, cos of the grease (lanolin). We'll see if the theory works out in practice Apart from anything else it's interesting to spin cos it's all different shades of grey and black

The yarn is quite 'hairy'. Is that why you card, to make it smoother?

Fleecewife · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2011, 11:37:24 pm »

Quote from: shearling on June 19, 2011, 09:49:20 pm

So jealous. I have had to revert to plastering and painting and cutting wood!!!! I want to play with my spindle Honestly Fleecewife rubbing it up and down my leg It all I can do to keep if moving I run out of hands, and bodily bits to hold i1 Very well done jaykay -enjoy and it just shows you how wonderful some folk can be - compared with some some threads which make you want to scream at the unkindness

Just up your leg

then let it fly free. It spins for longer

You guys (by which I mean girls of course

) are inspiring me to get on with spinning (and peg loom weaving) but there's always so much else to get in the way, so I know how you feel with plastering etc

For me it's getting the last tender plants out then the pesky Highland Show, all 4 days of it. Usually I spin there but the forecast is rain which just spoils the wheel. I will take a spindle and some knitting this year I think. And I am hoping to take Saturday off and sneak down to Woolfest in Cumbria

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2011, 12:51:32 am »

Quote from: jaykay on June 19, 2011, 03:54:40 pm

I'm now spinning a Shetland fleece I was given - straight from the fleece That you can is a revelation to me, who hates carding. I keep having to stop and pick out bits of heather and straw It's still got the grease in - DH wants me to make him a hat with it, so that the hat is quite waterproof, cos of the grease (lanolin). We'll see if the theory works out in practice

Don't forget to let us know if the theory does 'hold water'! (Sorry, couldn't resist. Really do want to know the outcome though - didn't just post for the pun, honest!

)

jaykay · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2011, 05:19:21 am »

I know what you mean about jobs getting in the way of spinning

I had to muck out the yard and cut sticks for the garden yesterday. Should have planted more out but it rained loads, so there was the excuse to spin but didn't clear away the last chick cage indoors and they've been outside over a week

definitely blame the spinning for that one.