amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

Ariadne Umbrell · 08-26-2007, 05:42 PM

How did you get started?

I found this website ( Yarn Harlot) and this book ( Spin to Knit) and it looks so interesting. I know I can't afford a wheel- !$300 to !$700 dollars- but a spindle looks do- able. I can't figure out sizes, though.

I found a site saying use a dowel and a wooden model car wheel- that's $2.50, total, so that' s do- able.

Fiber- haven't a clue, although spin to knit proposes using hair dye cotton rolls.

Fiddly? Worth it? Ridiculous?

ari

asemumma · 08-26-2007, 05:57 PM

Yes, I spindle-spin and try to spin with our family-hierloom-ancient-out-of-whack wheel. (I dream of a new Ashford Joy, but can't justfy the $)

I've spun enough to make a hat for my dh and a pair of socks for myself, with tons of yarn left over. It takes a while to get a 'balanced' yarn, with even twist and thickness, but that's kind of the fun part- seeing the beginning of your work all lumpy & slubby, and as you get better it gets obvious, KWIM?

Cotton is not the easiest thing to start with (AT ALL) so I'd say try finding a LYS that carries pre-prepared roving. (unspun wool.) You can even order some from etsy (I think I got 8 oz of Merino undyed for about $8 shipped!) or another online fiber source.

It can be a little fiddly, but it's a pretty inexpensive hobby to 'try' so I'd say "Go for it!"

lakshmi_mama · 08-27-2007, 04:26 AM

Spinning is fun fun fun. And addicting! Drop spindle is a great way to start. Wool is the best to start on for sure. Cotton would be fun too, but probably not the best to use when you are trying to get the rhythm of the spindle down. There is a natural stretch and give to wool that you don't get with cotton. If you can find someone with some raw fleece, it is really great to start with spinning 'in the grease' which means that the natural lanolin is still on the wool. It is much easier to keep it together and smooth that way. (You wash the yarn after it is spun regardless of how it starts out to set the spin so you might as well save a step and wash out the lanolin too, lol.

)

google around. There is loads of information on spinning out there now. Some videos too so that if some of the word instructions aren't making sense then it might help to see it done. If you can find a IRL spinning mentor that would be best. Nothing beats the guidance of a real person. Try putting up a sign at your local yarn store - bet you get more offers than you know what to do with!

Suzie · 08-27-2007, 10:17 AM

I'm in the process of learning how to spin as well.

I really need some hands on training. I tried to take a class in a local town but the dates conflicted with my work schedule. Someday...