Two New Spindles

New drop spindle

Not long ago I ordered a drop spindle.  I had a student one (I think it's Ashford. I don't have it beside me at the moment, though) that I got when I first learned to spin.  I wanted another spindle so that I could spin two rovings to ply together.

Drop spindle with sample fibre

I came across the Green Forest Fibers Etsy site and they had this gorgeous spindle for sale (I don't see any more listed on their site, but maybe if you wanted one and contacted them they could make it for you).  I loved the way it looked - smooth, polished, pretty green stone whorl. Simply gorgeous!

I placed my order, and then waited and waited. I contacted the company but didn't receive any reply.  I waited a few more days and contacted them again.  Still nothing.  I began to wonder if I wasn't going to receive my order.  Then, I heard from them. They had been through an unfortunate circumstance beyond their control.  My order was shipped the next day, and I received it about a week later.  The owner felt bad about the situation and included four sample rovings (one brown, two cream, one purple) for me.  In the second picture, above, I am spinning the brown fibre.  I'm not sure what it is, but the white hairs may be angora rabbit.

I LOVE this spindle! I am spinning the finest yarn I've spun to date, which is something I had wanted to do. When using the student spindle I have, my spinning was getting better, but it wasn't this fine.

Spindle from KS Inspirations

During the time I was waiting to hear back from Green Forest Fibers, and thinking I might no get my order, I placed another order for a different drop spindle from KS Inspirations (another Etsy shop).  This spindle is also awesome!

This spindle also allows me to spin a fine yarn, but might not be quite as fine as the one above.  That might also be because of the type of fibre I'm using as well, but I don't know for sure.


Anyway, this spindle has a purple jasper whorl and an oak shaft. It spins well, though I find when the spin is slowing down it begins to wobble (the other one does this a little as well).  I don't know if that is normal or if I'm not doing something right. However, the wobble doesn't affect the spinning.

Both of these Etsy shops shipped their product in a timely manner.  I would definitely order from these shops again!

You Spin Me Right Round, Baby

Hand spun yarn on a PVC pipe niddy noddy

Waiting to be plied 

Recently I ordered a niddy noddy from a shop on Etsy called La Tea Da Designs.  It's made from PVC pipe and is fully submersible in water.

You can see some of my latest hand spun yarn prior to soaking it.  I found out after I tied the skein that I did that wrong.  You're supposed to do a figure 8 tie on it, but I only found that out after I'd already tied my skein.  At least I know for next time!  I have since removed the yarn and I'm looking for a pattern to knit up my first real skein of hand spun yarn.  I only have about 90 yards so I can't make anything too big.  I was thinking of maybe a small cowl or a small scarf, but I don't know yet.

The yarn to the right is just a single of merino. It's so soft!  I spun this before the yarn above and I am going to ply it with more yarn that I spin later.  I don't have any more of the yellow, but I was thinking of plying it with a bright green or cream colour.

My spinning is getting much better as I practice (I think that's the key).  I still get a few thicker pieces here and there, but they aren't nearly as thick as they used to be.  The yarn I'm spinning currently (not shown) has an even more consistent spin to it.  I'll post a picture when I get it plied, which will probably be in a few days after I let it rest.

I also ordered some fibre from another shop on Etsy called Fashion Touch Supplies.  It came yesterday and I haven't had a chance to upload the photo (it is on my Instagram though.  The colour isn't something I'd normally choose, but I decided to branch out and expand my colour horizons!  I'm looking forward to spinning that and can't wait to see how it turns out.

Well, that's my latest update. I hope you have a great day, and happy knitting/spinning!

More Spinning!

Latest spinning completed July 11, 2015

I was up visiting my mom in the hospital again this past weekend, and of course I brought some spinning and knitting with me.

To the right is a photo of the completed spinning (light blue, navy, and purple).  It's the same type of fibre as the pink/purple in a previous post.  There was no mention of how much was in the wool top, nor was there mention of the type of fibre.
I managed to get this spun better than the pink/purple spinning, but there are still a few fat spots.  Overall I am pleased with the results.  I don't think I will ply this since I'm not sure how much I have, though I'm thinking I may use it for a scarf...if there is enough.  I alter it with the pink/purple spinning and then I may have enough for something.

Up next will be the pink roving I mentioned in the last post.

I should also get a photo taken of what I'm knitting (a neck warmer) to post here as well.

Happy knitting/spinning!

And, The Spinning Continues...

I finished plying part of the yarn I had been spinning.  It's just a small ball (I didn't have my ball winder with me and that's why it's not a centre pull ball).  I still have some left to do, but I need to wind it into two centre pull balls so I can ply it together.

Close up of some of the plied yarn

Once I plied, I soaked it and wound it around my arm and hand, tied it in a couple of places and tied a mug to one end to help it set.  While it's not the best spinning, I'm still pretty proud of my accomplishment.

Since I didn't have my ball winder with me last week when I went to stay with Mom, I couldn't finish plying the rest of the yarn.  I had taken some wool top with me to spin just in case I had time for it (which I did).
I don't know what kind of wool it is, nor do I know how much many ounces there were (or even a colourway).  The tag around the wool top didn't say much of anything.  I don't mind though.

I was able to get more consistency this time, though there are still a few fat areas that didn't get spun as small as the rest.  All in all, I like the job I did with this much better.

Close up of the most recent spinning

I think I'm starting to get the hang of spinning...

I don't know how much yarn I ended up with, but it doesn't seem like a whole lot. I don't think I'm going to ply this as I would end up with less than what is showing, and maybe not have enough to knit anything with.  I don't know if I have enough to knit anything with this either, but I'll see what happens in the future when I knit it up.

I've got some of the same wool top in blues that I will spin next.  Hopefully, I will get this blue spun up quickly.  I found some pink roving that I won a few years back through a contest on a knitting/spinning blog (I don't know which one now, but I'm sure I have it listed in a post from whenever it was), and I will spin that after the blues.  Whenever that is completed, I will have to get more roving as I won't have any more.

Off to wind the pink/purple yarn into a centre pull ball!

Happy knitting/spinning!

While Visiting My Mom

 Over the weekend I managed to finish up the spinning I had been working on - well, at least the first spin.

I did get more consistent as I went, which I know will come with practice.  It's still not as nice as I would like it to be, but overall I think it's OK.  I can't wait to see what it's like after I ply it.

I was working on the spinning a lot while I was visiting my mom in the hospital.  I had some of the nurses and a couple of my mom's room mates ask what I was doing, and even had some comments on how much it looked like cotton candy.  I agreed. It's probably a good thing it isn't cotton candy, though. I'd probably have it all eaten up before it got anywhere close to spinning...

What you see behind the spindle is Northern Lights Wool Top, dyed.  It doesn't have a colour listed on it, but I thought it looked pretty.  That's what I plan on trying to spin next.

To the right, and below, is the newest knitting project I've begun, also while visiting my mom in the hospital.  I only  have about three repeats of the pattern completed so far.

The pattern is the Twisted Rib Neckwarmer, (super easy, btw) which I got free when I purchased the yarn (Clara by Manos Del Uruguay in the 5 Sandia colourway).  This yarn is a single ply, a merino superwash, and is so soft!  I am enjoying working with it so far.  I can't wait to see this pattern completely finished as I think it will be lovely in this colourway.

So, that's what I've been working on lately.  What projects have you been working on? Have you used the Clara yarn by Manos Del Uruguay before, and if so, what did you think of it?  Would love to see links to pictures of your completed projects using this yarn (or this pattern).

Happy knitting!

Definitely Not An Expert

I'm just a beginner spinner (and apparent poet).  I have far to go with my spinning.  I still get thin and thick sections and wonder if I'm doing it right.

So, as I was spinning today, the roving came apart (probably because I pulled it too thin) and had difficulty attaching a new piece.  I ended up pulling pieces off as I attempted to reattach and grew frustrated.  I decided that I would wind what I had done onto a toilet paper roll and start again.  As I was doing this (picture on the right), I came across pieces that would do this as I was transferring:

I think I am doing something wrong.  This appears to be too tight.  I don't know if I didn't let it spin enough before winding it onto the spindle, or what.  I thought I had it fine, but apparently not.

Now, to figure out how to eliminate this in future spinning (if it needs to be eliminated, which I think it does)...

Update on Spinning

Spinning as of June 7, 2015

This weekend I was able to do a little more spinning.  I'm still not getting a consistent thickness, but I think it's getting better.

One question I came up with on the weekend, while spinning, was: "How much fibre do you put on the spindle before taking it off?"  I've seen some spindles with what looks like a lot more than I have on mine, and I've seen some with less.  I suppose that is something I will have to research to find out so that I'll be "in the know" :).

I'm ready for my close up...

I've been quite busy lately with something else on the go.  I don't want to post about it now, but if all works out positively, then I will!  That being said, I haven't really had any time to do any knitting.  I should start back up and do little bits here and there.  The last knitting I worked on was earlier this year and it didn't get finished.  Maybe I should work on that...though it's not at home now, but at my Mom's house so I would only be able to work on it the next time I'm there (in a couple of weeks).  I do have a hat I was working on last winter that I could finish.  I needed to find my DPNs so that I could finish it and I had misplaced them at the time.  I did find them again, but never finished the hat.  I also have a few scarves I need to block, which would finish up those projects.

Anyway, there is lots to do in the knitting/spinning realm for me.  I just need to reassign some time to work on it again.  How is your knitting coming along? Let me know what you're working on in the comments.  Would love to hear from you!

Weekend Spinning Project

Weekend spinning

This weekend I did some practice spinning.  Since I still struggled to attach new fibre to the old, I decided to remove what I had spun in the past (the stuff on the toilet paper roll) and start again.

I certainly will need more practice to get it the same thinness as I had before.  As you can see, what I did on the weekend is thicker...but as I said, I need practice again.

While I was spinning, I remembered how I had enjoyed it when I had started a few years ago.  I enjoyed it again this weekend and will continue working on my spinning.  I did wonder, however, if spinning on a wheel is easier or more difficult than a drop spindle.  At some point in the future I would like to try a spinning wheel; I'd need some lessons for that though.  And that won't be for awhile probably.

Until then, I will continue practising and using my drop spindle.

Have you ever tried spinning? What is your experience with drop spindles vs. spinning wheels?  Let me know in the comment section. I'd love to hear from you!

Spinning My Wheels...Or Should I Say My Drop Spindle

My Ashford Drop Spindle

As I mentioned the other day, I wanted to get back into spinning using my drop spindle.  Well, I pulled it out and attempted to spin.

It didn't work.  It wasn't joining to the fibre already spun on the spindle.  What was I going to do?

I went to Ravelry and posted about it in one of the spinning groups I belong to.

I received some good replies, and I will attempt to follow the advice given.

I was told I might have to take some of what is spun and pull it apart so I can join the new to the old.  Or, I might just take what is there (what is showing in the picture is the amount I'd spun a few years ago when I first tried) and take it off the spindle and start over from scratch.

I am attempting to try to reattach, but after a few more attempts I might just start over again, depending, of course, if I can't get it going again.  It would be a shame to have to start over, but you have to do what you have to do.

I will keep you all updated on my further attempts.

Happy spinning (and knitting)!

Some Spinning

I admit it. I have been a terrible blogger of late! Shame, shame on me. I hang my head low - low enough as I pick up some spinning to work on!

I mentioned previously that I had some of my first spinning washed and set. Some of that is still in need of a good soak and set, and I hope to get it done before heading to Korea. Here's a pic of that mess.

The ball in front (hand wound because I have neither a swift nor a ball winder, but I'm not complaining, hehehe) is what has been soaked and set. The two bunches in the back still need that process done to them. I have no idea how much yarn I ended up with, but I can tell you the stuff isn't that great. However, I must keep in mind that this is my first overall attempt at spinning on a drop spindle...well spinning on anything really. It is very unevenly spun with some parts being big, some being small, some spun a little too tight, and some not enough. Overall, I guess it's ok for a first attempt. The roving I used was polworth (I think that's what it's called), and it was nice to work with. I got it at London-Wul back in April when I took the class on drop spindle spinning. To the left you can see a bit more of a closeup on the varying sizes I managed to produce.

I have no idea what I'll make with this, but it will probably end up as a scarf. Like I said, I have no idea how much yarn I ended up with, and I'd hate to start something like a hat or pair of mittens and end up running out of yarn. Also, with the different thicknesses in the ball/skein/whatever you want to call it, I don't know if it would be wise to knit a hat or mittens with it. I might just end up making a simple garter stitch scarf...unless anyone else has any other ideas.

This is my latest spinning. It's only single ply as of yet. See how much more uniform it is, and how much thinner it is? I must say I am liking this one much more than the first attempt. I've since learned to use not as much of the roving and to pull (or whatever you call it) it apart more than I had in the first attempt. It is also polworth and I've just really started to spin it. I'm just wondering if it is possible to knit with a single ply, and if so what; or is it better to ply it with another single? Please spinners, let me know!I am also hoping to get sock yarn out of my spinning (at some point), but being such a newbie at this, I don't think I'm quite ready to make sock yarn just yet...I don't know if it takes a lot of practice before one is ready to spin sock yarn, or if newbies can attempt it. Any spinners out there have any idea?

Other than the spinning, I haven't really done any knitting. We had a few days of unbearable (at least for me) heat and I just didn't feel like doing much of anything except for sitting in front of the fan and trying not to melt. My neck was also bothering me (stiff and sore) for this past week and it still is a little...though I can actually move my head without my neck hurting. Right now it basically feels just a little stiff and no real pain - which is good.

I want to knit. I stand in front of my stash gazing at my yarn, looking at my patterns, thinking of what I should make (or at least finish i.e. socks and a baby sweater I started), but I can't muster up the energy or desire to actually sit down and knit more than a few stitches. I think part of the "problem" is the whole getting ready for Korea thing. That has sort of taken precedence over anything right now, which is understandable. But, at any rate, I will be knitting again, and hopefully soon - as in before I leave for Korea!

My Sockapalooza, Christine over at Needle In My Vein, has received her socks and they fit! Woo hoo! I hope she'll enjoy wearing them when the weather gets a little cooler/colder. Why not make a visit to her blog; tell her I sent ya (not that that will get you anywhere or win you anything). My pal (the one knitting for me) has left a comment saying that she's got mine on their way. She'd been on vacation and had forgot to mail them before she left, which is ok. To be honest, I was a little late sending Christine's socks as well. Anyway, I'm hoping to get my package before I leave for Korea. That would be way cool!

Off to try and knit or spin or start making my list of what to pack, or do absolutely nothing...just depends on what I feel like doing (or not doing as the case may be). Happy knitting!

Edited to add: I am not sure why the paragraphs are all joined together (or at least most of them). I separated them, but for some reason blogger is sticking most everything together. It makes it look like I don't know how to write in paragraph form - really, I do know. It's just blogger's fault.

Sockapalooza Pal's Socks, ISE 4 Scarf, Spinning

Ok, I promised a picture of the socks I knit up for my Sockapalooza pal, and here they are:

They are made with Paton's Kroy yarn (I forget the colourway off hand, and can't find the ballband). I used 2.75 mm DPNs, and the pattern is the Yarn Over Cable from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.

The foot looks big (it's 10 inches from heel to toe), but I think it's because the cuff and leg are skinnier due to the ribbing nature of the pattern. At least that is what I surmise. I do hope they fit my pal (I'm sure they do...gotta think positive), and I hope she'll like them and the colourway and yarn I chose for her. I also gifted her with the two skeins of yarn I had ordered way at the beginning of Sockapalooza that I was originally going to make her socks from - only to realize that the pattern I chose AFTER ordering the yarn called for part of a third skein of the yarn...

I really enjoyed knitting this pattern. It is very easy to do, and I had the pattern (which was only 4 rows, and 2 of those were the same) memorized very, very quickly. If you haven't knit this pattern and you have Sensational Knitted Socks, I do recommend that you make this pattern!

Currently I am working (albeit slowly) at work on a child's pair of socks using the Little Shell Rib pattern from the same book. It's another easy peasy pattern that is easily memorized. I have no pics of it yet as I only have the leg done...well about another inch until I start the heel flap. Not sure if I'll get these socks finished before leaving for Korea, but I'll do my best so I can add it to the pile of items for the mitten tree at church...which reminds me, I'll have to have my mom or dad drop the stuff off at the church when the tree is up so the items can be put on/under it.

On another note, remember the scarf I knit for my ISE 4 pal? Well, I sent it out to her on June 7 (the day we were supposed to), and after the post office contacted her two or three times, I received my package back yesterday. She never went and claimed it at the post office. I've contacted the leader of ISE to let her know what happened and offered to use my package as an angel gift for this one, if someone has not received a scarf, or it could be used as an angel gift in the next round of ISE. I must say I was disappointed...something may have happened to her or she may have moved (I hope nothing bad has happened), as to why she never claimed it. Oh well. The next round will go better...and I'll also be sending it from South Korea!

I've also been working a little at spinning. I'll try to take pics of the first "skein/ball" of yarn I spun...it's really not a pretty sight...really. I've got a couple more sections to soak and dry before I can ball it up (I don't have a niddy noddy or whatever you call those things to make skeins with). I started into the other batch of roving I got back when I took the drop spindle course, and I must say that is a LOT better and finer spinning. I'll take a pic of that too so you can see the difference. I didn't want to spin the pinkish roving I won in the contest awhile back (scroll down to see the pic of the roving) because I didn't want it to look terrible. I figured I could use this batch or roving I purchased back in April as my next practice spinning before moving on to the beautiful pink one. I do plan on trying to squeeze that and my spindle into one of my suitcases. The spindle will be no problem to fit into my carryon (or any other suitcase for that matter), but the roving will take some squishing...should make a nice cushioning should I decide to pack anything "fragile" to take with me (though at this point I don't plan on taking anything fragile).

Well, off to do some knitting or writing for awhile. Happy knitting!

A Prize For Me!

Not too long ago, Holly of Knitnspinner had a little contest and I was one of the winners. She emailed me and asked me what I would like for a prize - some yarn or some roving. I said that either was fine, and told her she could surprise me. Well, she did; and here's what she sent:

It is some merino/silk top and it is sooooo soft!

Now, this made my day - I love getting mail (except bills and stuff like that). I was thinking that it might be my scarf from my ISE4 pal because she emailed me a few days ago to let me know she'd send it out and I should be getting it soon.

However, when I looked at the customs sticker, it said nothing of the package containing a scarf. To be honest, the fact that I had entered the contest and this awesome package was on its way had completely slipped my mind; and I haven't ordered any more yarn for a little while - since finding out I'd be going to South Korea (so now I'm trying to save my money for that - no more yarn purchases for me for a little while), and when I opened the box and saw the contents (there were also some chocolate included - yummy!), I remembered the contest. Holly, thanks so much for the prize - it is awesome and I love it! I can't wait to spin it up! The closeup (above) is close to the actual colour.

I took a pic with and without the flash (this one is without) outside a little while ago. I'd say in reality, the colour is a smidgen darker than the picture (the other picture wasn't very accurate).

On the Sockapalooza front - I think I've decided on yet a different pattern to knit for my pal. While cruising the SAM3 blog, I came across a post that had the link for the Fluted Banister Socks and thought they looked great. Now, the pattern says that you use sport weight yarn, 350 yards/100g, and I have fine/sport weight that is (I think) 225 yards/100g. It is noted in the pattern that the test knitter has plently of yarn left over...it also said that for the pattern repeat in the leg that 15 repeats gave 7 1/2 inches. My pal only wants 7 1/2 inches from heel to cuff (so that would include the heel flap too, presumably) so I won't be making that many repeats. I am just wondering if my 225 yards/100g will be enough. My pal also said that she prefers cuff down socks as opposed to toe up, so I can't start at the toe and knit until I run out. I've really got to get these socks started

S Is For...

Spinning
I did some more spinning Sunday and Monday. Yes, not to worry, I did some studying for my exams too.
I used the extra stuff Heidi had given us at the end of class to practice with. In the foreground of the picture, you'll see some with two colours; that is a bit of leftover from class that I wanted to use up before switching to the offwhite. I just came from an exam and all my spinning terms are somewhere in the back of my brain, laying dormant for when they can come forward and shine again...until then, they will remain in hibernation (at least until after my exam on Tuesday).
Anyway, there are definately differences in the spinning; some thicker areas and some thinner. The above is two plied, and I am so stoked (whatever that means) that I remembered to twist the drop spindle the opposite way to what the singles were done!
To the right is the ball of all the top that I spun. Offhand, I'd say it's probably a little smaller than the size of a tennis ball, or close to it anyway. After I had done the plying, I soaked it and hung it to dry (with a coffee cup for a weight). There isn't enough to knit anything with, but I'll either keep it as is for future comparisons, or I'll just knit a swatch up to see how it looks (and use for future comparisons). Not really sure right now though. I also have done some spinning when taking breaks from studying. I've been using some of the coloured roving I bought after the class the other day and I must say that I am doing it much thinner than I have - a big improvement. There aren't as many big fluffy sections as in the beginning. I haven't a clue what size the yarn would/will be once plied, but I am guessing probably chunky or something like that. It's definately not sock yarn size. I'll try to take a pic of it over the next day or so, so you can see how I've come along. It's still far from perfect, but I'm proud of it (at least so far).

Here's a blurry pic of Tinker Belle. I think she likes the spinning...or at least the wool. When I was trying to take pics of it she got up to grab hold of it. The camera was sitting on the stool so I just pointed and shot the pic before she got away - didn't want her taking my yarn with her! S is also for Secret Pal

Yup, she's done it again! My SP10 pal sent me two more little packages, and I go them today.

The first one I opened had a cute little "knitting" card which explained what the pouch was. It's a dpn holder! It's so cute! She made it herself, and I think she did an awesome job on it! Under the flap, there is a ribbon (held on one end with velcro and sewn in on the other) to hold stitch holders so they don't get lost in travel. I should try to remember to take a close up of it so you can see it better. Maybe I'll try and do that tomorrow when I take a break from studying. It's really cute and she used three different patterned materials to make it. Plus, the ribbon is pretty and colourful polka dots. My SP said she is new to sewing, but I think she did a fantastic job on this! I don't think I'd know how to make one of these.

In the other package was a nice little note and some patterns (a scarf and some socks)! I tell you, my SP is definately spoiling me - but I like being spoiled! Thanks so much Secret Pal, you rock!! I can't wait to start knitting these patterns, and the one from the CD in the last package too. Can't wait for exams to be finished so I can focus on knitting these in the evenings! I tell you, it was hard to study for awhile after the mail came today. I had to take these patterns and dpn holder and put them away so that I wouldn't be tempted to even look at them while studying (been hard enough trying to focus on studying - I'm sick of studying, sick I tell ya!). I do admit that a couple of times I did put my notes down and go fondle the dpn holder and look over the patterns...but not for long.

Well, my next exam in on Monday (then one on Tuesday), so tomorrow I'll have to get back to studying. But for tonight, I am going to go and knit! Now, I have been getting a little knitting done. When I wake up in the morning I'm not awake enough to study right away (or do much of anything), so I've been doing some somewhat mindless knitting. I've been doing a lacy scarf that I had intended for a friend of mine at work (which I start back to on May 7). She likes the colour red, and I had ordered some alpaca yarn from Elann in the colour sangria. I thought it was more redder than it is (it's more of a reddish brown), but thought I'd knit up the scarf in it anyway. Well, I'm undecided if I'll gift it to her or not (might just take a ball of the yarn in and ask her what she thinks of the colour and if she likes it, then she can have the scarf. If she doesn't like it, then I'll put the scarf on the mitten tree at Christmas or find someone else to gift it to. Anyway, the scarf is a quick knit (when I can knit it...I usually only do a repeat each morning, and have about 4 more repeats to do) so it shouldn't take long to finish it, especially after exams are done. I'll have to block it as well, but I'll definately put a pic up when it's done.

For now, I am off to work on my ISE4 pal's scarf as I haven't worked on that since before the weekend. I'm over half done with it, and it too seems to work up fairly quickly. Gotta love the quick knits!

Happy Knitting!!

My Friends Have Always Told Me...

...that I was a little spun. Now I guess it's true.

Today my friend Elizabeth (my oldest friend - in that I've known her the longest) and I went to London-Wul to the drop spindle class that was offered. There were five of us there, in total, to learn, and Heidi taught. What a great time!
Behold, my new drop spindle! Isn't she cute? I'm not entirely sure what it's made from...I mean I know that it is wood, but I don't know what kind. Don't know if that matters or not. I think it is a high whorl spindle because according to our vocabulary, a high whorl spindle has the hook at the same end as the whorl (which I found out is the weighted disk).


We started off learning some of the vocabulary used in spinning, things like carding, tops, drafting, drafting zone, S Twist, Z Twist, etc., and we also learned about the different lengths of wool, the crimp of it - which helps in understanding the language behind spinning.

The first thing we did was spin with some single spun wool roving. Heidi demonstrated how to do this by explaining that we have to tie a leader line before we could being spinning. Then she showed us how to take a small portion of the roving, open the fibre, lay it onto the leader line and hold it. Then she said to give the spindle a twist, stop it, pinch the spot where the leader line meets with the fibre, pull a length of it and let go, allowing it to spin up. It's a really cool process!


Once we did the single we used it (using both of the ends) to double ply it. Mine looked kinds of wonky, but she explained that you have to soak it and weigh it down. Then when it's dried it looks a little better because it is more relaxed. Also, she said when you double ply it you have to twist the spindle the opposite way from what you did the singles - I think I may have goofed on that and twisted it in the same direction as the singles, so that would have affected it too.


Finally, we did a single spin of mohair. Talk about soft! Mine didn't stay together very well - I think I used too much of it, not separating it enough. I just realized that I forgot to take a picture of my little samples of those...however, over to the right is some of the mohair spun on my spindle. Yeah, I know it's not perfect and has spots that is wound too tightly or not enought, but Heidi said that is ok, that's what gives handspun yarn its uniqueness (or something to that effect). At any rate, it was my first try today at doing spinning of any kind so I can't expect perfection, right?

And, finally, because I can feel a new addiction taking root, I had to buy some coloured roving to spin up to make some mittens. I bought two bags, because I'm not sure when I'll get out to London-Wul next time (they aren't overly far, maybe 15 to 20 minutes away).

Heidi gave us each some extra roving (called top) for us to practice on, and I'll definately use that before digging into these bags. The colours look pretty accurate; the bag on the left has some green, red and purples, and the one on the right has pink and blue shades. I can't wait to see how they look spun up, and then knitted!

I'll do my best not to expect perfection so soon. It will come, and just takes some practice. The only thing is, I have exams coming up this week and next and now I'm not going to want to study - I'll want to spin (and knit)...but, I will have to take breaks from studying though, so maybe that's what I'll do on those breaks...

Off to do a bit of studying, but mostly some spinning! Happy knitting & spinning!