[Mel Rice]

Well I seem to have "mastered" the basic idea.  The two ply comes out quite thick. (at least as thick as bought in chunky/arran) I dont know whether to try and get it finer to use it for sock making or to do something with it this thick as it seems fairly consistent at the moment...I thought I might make a throw/blanket with different squares sewn tog. No one wants a pure wool jumper!!!

What do you do wiyh your home spun?


Should I work in getting it finer in the first spin? Or keep working on cocistency?

[Fleecewife]

"No one wants a pure wool jumper"

Well, that's what I wear and my OH.  Not much good for children as frequent washing is a drag, but for adults pure wool is wonderful.  It needs washing far less frequently than synthetics and once you've washed a few you get the knack and it's not much more work than washing anything else by hand.

Your wool blanket idea sounds great 

You will gradually get the hang of producing finer yarn.  I find that poorly prepared fleece spins thicker than really well prepared fleece, which drafts so much more easily - so an extra go through the carder can help.

When I was first learning, I tended to try to spin too quickly which resulted in thicker yarn. 

[Chris H]

Once you can spin a fine even yarn its the devils own job to spin the thick interesting stuff!
What about some hats with the thick yarn, lovely and warm, maybe combine with a ribbon yarn for colour?

[jaykay]

That's what everyone said to me, once you can spin finely you'll want to do this thick, textured stuff and won't be able to 

I used my early, lumpy handspun to make a very good hat - I have some left over, so I can have another one when it wears out, I work in it and it's very warm  And it knitted up surprisingly evenly.  The other thing someone suggested was to save the early stuff and then when I could spin more finely, use the early stuff to create textured stripes in a jumper - sounds pretty smart to me 

Right now I'm spinning some merino and silk, finely, with the intention of making a jumper from it 

[colliewoman]

You could knit it into a pure wool jumper and post it to me if you like

[SmallTimeSmallholder]

Hi Mel,
How bizarre! I've been looking at starting spinning myself and just thought I'd ask the forum if anyone knew about spinning and here you are!
Do you have any advice to impart? Have you brought your wheel or rented? Where have you managed to source one from? What type of fleece do you use, how easy have you found it and how long has it taken you to get the hang of it?
I hope you don't mind me bombarding you with all these questions  I'd love to hear about your experiences (and anyone else's) I'm really keen to find out more 

[Anke]

Well, my first big spinning project (before I had my own sheep) was moorit shetland tops, and I knitted a jumper from it (in the summer of 2006) - I have worn it most days since then (not for farm work i have to add), it is fairly thick and I have NEVER washed it yet!!! Now starting to get a worn out (and has been repaired several times altready... It is really warm, I do not own a winter coat (or any coat other than water proofs) anymore, so real wool jumpers are brilliant!!!

Anyway re lumpy yarn - as the others say, keep it for special effects once your spinning is quite even and often very thin... although I find some fleeces are just for spinning thicker yarn and others not.... not sure how to explain it. You can always use several strands of wool if quite thin, should make a warmer jumper in the end.

[Lesley Silvester]

You could knit it into a pure wool jumper and post it to me if you like

You got there before me.     I would even pay the postage.

[Maesgwyn]

 Smalltime smallholder there are many spinning groups out there, you need to do a search through the WSD guild for your nearest guild and also you can often rent (for a nominal cost) a wheel and stuff. It really depends on where you are as to who can help you. i belong to the Ceridigion guild and also spin at the Welsh woolen museum, we have new spinners at both groups.
Do pm me if you want further help
Julia

[jaykay]

I'd second going to your local spinning meeting. I had been trying to teach myself and was at the 'struggling, lumpy wool' stage. An experienced spinner came and sat by me, adjusted my wheel, showed me to do something different with my hands, and like magic I could spin  Plus you get a good morning's natter 

[SallyintNorth]

I'd second going to your local spinning meeting. I had been trying to teach myself and was at the 'struggling, lumpy wool' stage. An experienced spinner came and sat by me, adjusted my wheel, showed me to do something different with my hands, and like magic I could spin  Plus you get a good morning's natter 

Mind, it's contagious and will spread to all your friends 

[jaykay]

 

[Mel Rice]

Hi all thanks for the support so far.....A local group would be great but my german is not up to it there is even a local museum/workshop that does day and w/e courses but again I think I might strugle (but Im trying to pluck up courage!)

I got my first wheel on E-bay Its got a very small wheel, looks nice but before I got round to realy trying it my OH came back from a trip to the UK with another one from an allsorts auction. Its a Kromski wheel (mazurka model) It only arrived as it was so no spare bobbins or whorls so I'm still trying to source them locally (otherwise I have to get things posted o the kids and they post them on.


I'm very proud of my first item of home grown knitting (my sheep, my shearing, my spinning and my knitting)

I think I will have to work on the carding and/or be a little more picky about the odd bits of fibre...after all I have PLENTY!

I only use carding batts. Would I be better with a drum carder?   (also I found this bit a little boring and I was desperate to start spinning) Now Ive decided that I can card and watch telly (evening activity) whereas spinning has to be done at another time as I need to watch the thread too much...and its too noisey!

[jaykay]

Since spinning is very visual and tactile, it would actually be quite a good way to make contact with people - you'll be surprised how much you can make friends over a common interest and the odd word in each other's language 

[SmallTimeSmallholder]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I have managed to find a local craft group that do spinning and have just made first contact  I can't wait to get started!
My turn for advice maybe, Mel, I used to live in Germany. I think you should go for it re your local group. No one will judge you on your German language skills and I'm sure you'll find them a really friendly bunch!