Spinning Beginner Yarn

Visiting fibre space and Alexandria was good. I got to knit a lot, work the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival with Miss Babs, and hang out with people I hadn't seen in six months.

The other thing I did while I was there was to try some wheel spinning. I’ve done some spindle spinning before, but just like knitting I like to go FAST. I love spinning with a wheel. On the other hand, I don’t need another hobby, another expense, or another piece of furniture in the living room, so I don’t own one.

Thankfully this is where Lesley comes in. Lesley just got a beautiful Kromski Symphony and agreed to let me spin on it. I am still very much a beginner, so I tried out some mixed light & dark BFL from Miss Babs. She always says it’s good for new spinners – not as slippery as merino or other silky fibers.



So here I am spinning. Please remember I have no clue what I’m doing, so I’m sure I have atrocious posture and there are probably seventeen other things wrong with this photo.



My yarn is a little uneven, but that’s ok – it’s beginner yarn! I don’t know all the smart words about spinning, whether I should talk about plies or twist or drafting or whatever. I’m just excited to have made yarn that looks mostly like yarn. It averages out to be worsted weight or so. I hope there is enough for a hat.




Lesley is also awesome and agreed to spin some yarn just for me! She has a lot more practice than I do, so her yarn looks a lot nicer. (Just like real yarn!) This is from Polwarth fiber from Squoosh Fiberarts, in a color called Fathom. It’s over 500 yards and probably sportweight. I have no idea what I’m going to do to show it off. Maybe a shawlette? Anybody have any suggestions?

Comments

Sarah said…
What a pretty wheel! I've been spindle spinning lately, which I really like, but man is it hard on the body. I'd like to get a wheel, but those things are way too expensive at the moment. So, someday.
11:50 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Introducing Escargot

Image
Escargot It was June 2010 and Kel, Danielle, and I were flying down the highway coming back to Alexandria from TNNA (the yarn industry trade show) in Columbus, Ohio. Danielle may or may not have been pushing the speed limit just a smidgen, and Kel may or may not have been clinging to the Mini's door in abject terror. There was a lot of chatter and planning, interspersed with laughter and highway-induced exasperation. I was taking notes as we planned the next year in yarn for fibre space ... and I was doodling. One of the doodles turned into the Hatskarfenmitten . The other doodle became Escargot . But it took a while. Things changed and we moved to California, but I couldn't get the idea of a funky, asymmetrical, spiral-enhanced cloche out of my head. This summer, I bumped into Amy Singer, the editor of Knitty , at a couple of yarn festivals, and told her I had a really cool hat idea. She said, "send it in." Pretending we are waiting for the train. With r
Read more

Liquorice Allsorts Socks

Image
New socks yay! These have been my 'boring purse knitting' for a while and they are finally done! I had to re-knit the first sock, which was a major bummer, but serves me right for knitting all the way to the tip of the toe before trying it on. The yarn is Regia in one of the Kaffe Fassett designed stripe patterns. These are just basic 3x1 rib socks, 72 sts around, on US#1s. The colors reminded me of liquorice allsorts (not that allsorts have THAT much blue in them, but you get the idea) hence the name. I love the mismatched stripes Now to find my next easy socks to carry around!
Read more

My 2012

Image
In looking ahead to the new year, I've also been looking back a little. I was thinking about all the things I did for the first time (or first time in a very  long time) in 2012. Let's be honest, most of them are pretty insignificant, but that's okay. Firsts in 2012: Ran a mile (for the first time in over 10 years!)  Drove most of the way across the country (towing a trailer) Ate an oyster (raw!) Had a helicopter flying lesson That last one was on New Year's Eve and I am still pretty excited about it. As part of family Christmas, my sister-in-law offered all the family members a very brief flying lesson in a Robinson R22 - a very small helicopter. I was a little nervous but I know that she is very experienced and very safe. We had ground school and then I (in my geekiness) read more about the history of helicopter development and the controls.  Taking off - hovering is the hardest part Off we go! Coming in for a landing I got to control the cy
Read more