Thursday 21 July 2011

Knit Nation - Part 2 The one where I learn to spin.....

On Saturday afternoon I attended 'Introduction to Top Whorl Spindling' with Carol and Pete Leonard. In October I took a spinning class and failed miserably, I didn't give up but I got very frustrated, watching 'Respect the Spindle' and trying some fibre bumps from HilltopCloud resulted in a breakthrough and I was able to 'park and draft' (which means I could spin the spindle and draft the fibre but not at the same time).

This class consolidated everything I knew and I can now spin! (small round of applause) Here is what I produced in the class:

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Two little skeins of slightly thick and thin but most definitely YARN.

The class was great, the teachers were friendly and knowledgable, I also learnt how to ply and was inspired by the lovely finished items knitted from spindle spun yarn which were on display

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Inspired, I visited the market place and bought a braid of fibre from Old Maiden Aunt, I started spinning in on Saturday night and even managed a bit on the train journey home on Sunday, this is my progress:

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The fibre is black shetland and tussah silk and it's really lovely, I think I'll probably knit it up in to arm warmers and maybe stripe it with something else.

To practice plying I finished spinning the little samples that Megan from The Thylacine very kindly sent me:

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Not perfect but it's ok, I did get in a tangle towards the end and had to abandon a little bit, I couldn't save it from it's knotty fate.

I'm really pleased that I've conquered a new skill and you can expect lots more spinning from me in the future!

5 comments:

  1. Wow that is ace!! I have a spindle but I struggle with the whole drafting thing. I'm fine when someone is standing next to me but as soon as I am left alone, I am incapable. Maybe I should have another go. Your yarn looks fab. Well done!

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  2. Ooh that's great, I've just started drop-spindling as well. The Old Maiden Aunt yarn is looking amazing!

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  3. How fun for you to venture out.

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  4. Your spinning is waaaay better than my first attempt! Have you tried using a wheel yet? I find the spindle easier to manage.

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  5. This is something I want to have a go at this Summer - i'm really impressed with how uniform yours looks, lovely colours too x

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