| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lorie Marler |
Posted - Mar 17 2009 : 08:46:30 AM
I am wanting to learn how to spin yarn and am confused on what to buy. I was thinking of getting a drop spindle at first but don't know if I need a top whirl or bottom whirl.
I have been saving the undercoat from a few of the dogs i groom to learn with and eventually I would like to spin angora if I ever find some rabbits. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lorie Marler |
Posted - Mar 22 2009 : 8:58:29 PM
Laura I got your email and emailed you back. Thanks so much!! |
| Laura Marie |
Posted - Mar 22 2009 : 10:36:00 AM
Wow Stacey, you're such a wealth of knowledge on angora rabbits. That is awesome!
Lorie, I'm emailing you!=)
Laura Marie #369
www.lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!"
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| StasiaSpins |
Posted - Mar 22 2009 : 10:09:47 AM
Starting with an inexpensive spindle, until you know if you like spinning, is a good idea. If you have high speed internet try http://ispindle.com/ for free video instructions and lots of helpful links, provided by the Yahoo! Groups "Spindlers" group (a very helpful group for beginners).
I've seen your other posts about the angora rabbits, and like the other gals, I urge you not to purchase any rabbits whose health is questionable. Rabbits can be difficult to take care of healthwise to begin with; you want to start out with a sound animal. Keep in mind that angoras are not always as docile as they appear. Have the breeder show you how to pluck the fiber (when it is being naturally shed) - not all angoras take well to "brushing" and it is vastly different than grooming a dog. The best investment you could make prior to rushing into a rabbit venture is the book "Completely Angora".
It does take some time to collect enough fiber to spin. But the animal must be cared for properly so it doesn't die from ingesting its own fur, so a daily light combing is helpful.
Although I worked as a vet tech and have had dogs and cats and other pets all my life, including litterbox trained house rabbits, caring for an angora rabbit drove me - and my own vet - absolutely nuts. They (as any rabbit) can be very aggressive if they haven't been handled from babyhood or if they don't feel like being groomed - and one must never, ever reprimand a rabbit. I am not afraid of an Am Staff but a crabby angora used to make me jump. They can be hard to read/predict and they can kick as well as bite. They sometimes dislike being held (all rabbits dislike the process of being picked up/lifted from above as it triggers a prey response) and they can be easily injured (they can break their own backs by kicking if they are held incorrectly) so don't make very good pets for kids.
As any rabbit will, an angora will greatly benefit from life outside a cage and the ability to roam freely. See http://www.rabbit.org for housetraining instructions.
If you are going to be spinning angora, look for a lighter-weight spindle. It is a difficult fiber for a beginner to spin. Perhaps you should purchase some wool roving first. If you want a recommendation for a specific spindle, check the Spindlers group. A "toy wheel" spindle from eBay is not going to be your best bet for angora. I would personally use a very small Golding or a mini Bosworth for such fiber, but the latter is not sold as a "beginner's spindle".
Good luck to you. Having responsibility for a critter - fiber-producing or otherwise - is always a decision to be made slowly, carefully, and with intention. I found it to be far less expensive in the long run to purchase angora fiber than to own and properly care for an angora rabbit! :)
http://YarnAndABarn.blogspot.com
http://www.TuppinzFarm.com
Heritage Sheep ~ Goats ~ Donkeys ~ Poultry
Spinning ~ Knitting ~ Weaving ~ Quilting ~ Crocheting |
| Lorie Marler |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 10:45:12 PM
cool a foldable wheel. I didn't think of that. Thanks for the info. |
| Farmgirlheart |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 2:16:57 PM
Hye Lorie, just so ya know for later reference if you end up getting a wheel they have folding ones, the one I have(a kromski Sonata) is collapseable and is quite light. a drop spindle for around 20 bucks isnt bad. but i am not the one to tell you what type to get for what you want to do, sorry! good luck!!! |
| Lorie Marler |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 09:28:03 AM
Oh I forgot to add that space is a problem too for the spinning wheel. |
| Lorie Marler |
Posted - Mar 21 2009 : 09:25:33 AM
wow a wheel sounds intimidating. I don't know if I should start with that. I probably can save up $300 but it may take a couple months since I am saving $350. up for a new blow dryer for the grooming shop and just started 2 weeks ago. I am planning on having a huge garage sale so maybe I can make the money for both.
A drop spindle is probably the way I am going to start. I found some on Ebay and am concerned about the quality. I don't want to get one that isn't good and think I am doing something wrong when it really is the spindle. I have had several suggestions and found several starters kits with the spindle and some wool for about $20. Are these ok? I also saw the instructions to make one but don't have a local craft store to buy the wooden wheel.
Can soneone put me out of my misery and say buy this one. I keep looking at them all.
I think I need a top whirl. I would like to spin wool, angora, and dog hair. I crochet and have been making things with worsted weight wool here lately. So am I right about the top whirl?
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| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 9:21:45 PM
Lorie, Also check out Fricke spinning wheels! They run about $300.00 also! I have a Fricke S-160 single treadle wheel and I love it!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
| Laura Marie |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 8:37:01 PM
I'm saving my cat hair from my long hair cat for farmgirlheart(Valerie)...We need a lot, but Sassy enjoys being brushed...so we are going to start! =) I've seen people do it!
Laura Marie #369
www.lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!"
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| Lorie Marler |
Posted - Mar 20 2009 : 7:12:34 PM
Thanks Laura!!! I will get in touch with them and see.
I am so excited I may have located some angora rabbits and I am shopping for a drop spindle. I had a grooming client today suggest I make something out of all the dog hair. I told them that was a great idea LOL. |
| Farmgirlheart |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 10:55:44 PM
Welcome Lorie! You'll love it here! Also, you will love spinning! I was the one to take Laura Marie for her birthday to learn to spin, we had a great time! She opted for the drop spindle and seemed to pick it up quickly, I on the other hand went for the wheel-I had a few hundred dollars in christmas money and I knew I was going to get a wheel with it! I got a Kromski Sonata and I love it!! I suggest finding a shop, or guild(as already mentioned) and try both before you decide. What can you afford and what do you like. There are kiwi Ashfords that run about 300 and that is about the cheapest you'll find. Wool is definitely best to start with. Good luck!!! I hope you get to start spinning soon!
HUGS! |
| sjs |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 10:30:01 PM
Thank you Laura! :)
--------------------
Learning to live is learning to let go.
Visit my food blog! http://www.wasabimon.com - natural cooking to live for.
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| Laura Marie |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 10:26:27 PM
Hey Girls Check this out...maybe you found this or maybe not....this might help some of you....
first link is for Lorie
http://www.interweave.com/spin/resources/spinning_guilds/?country=USA&state=OK
Lorie scroll to the bottom of the bag, there is contact people there who may not be close to you but they might know of people in your area!
Everyone else..
http://www.interweave.com/spin/resources/spinning_guilds/
This might help you find a guild in your area or at least a contact of someone who can help you find someone in your area!
Hope this helps some of you!
Farm Girl Hugs!
Laura Marie #369
www.lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!"
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| Laura Marie |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 10:21:16 PM
Lorie, I think this might be a great MJF Chapter for you to start. You might call other spinners off out of hidding in your area! =) Typically when you have spinners you have crocheter and knitters too.
Stephanie, my friend got her spinning will in Northen California somewhere, she's a sister here as well Valerie, I am almost sure there are places near you for spinning classes. And if all else fails you are always welcomed to Southern California and I'm sure we could have a minie spinning chapter....=)
Farm Girl Hugs!
Laura Marie #369
www.lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!"
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| sjs |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 8:43:44 PM
Monica, I hadn't even thought of that. THANKS!!
--------------------
Learning to live is learning to let go.
Visit my food blog! http://www.wasabimon.com - natural cooking to live for.
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| Lorie Marler |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 6:37:24 PM
Tasha that is awesome!!!!
I think I am going to buy a drop spindle and learn on that from the instructions/computer ect for now. I will keep searching for local spinners but I have only been in Guymon for 2 years and haven't found any crocheters here yet and I love to crochet. So I may be a dying breed here? We don't have Craigs list here but I will get the word out. I plan on calling the local quilt shop tommorrow somehow those ladies know everything. Now off to search for a drop spindle. |
| GaiasRose |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 2:20:17 PM
My friend Lorna is loaning me her wheel so I can learn to spin. Our plan is to get sheep if I enjoy it. I've tried a drop spindle already and LOVE IT, so the next step is the wheel. If I like it, we are going to look into a wheel for me for in my studio and invest in a few sheep to roam the land here with our other critters.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs:
http://frugalwitch.net
http://youtube.com/profile?user=GaiasRose
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
Forum:
http://www.phpbbplanet.com/paganhomesteade
"Joyful chaos, working in tune with the seasons, telling itme by the sun, variety, change and self-direction; all this wwas replaced with a brutal, standardized work culture, the effects of which we are still suffering from today." - Tom Hodgkinson in 'How To Be Idle' |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 1:55:56 PM
Stephanie, Look on youtube for spinning videos! There are some really good ones for learning how to spin on a wheel!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
| JudyBlueEyes |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 10:17:38 AM
Lorie, I see you're in OK, you could maybe put an ad on Craig's List, looking for any spinners in your area. I looked Guymon up on Mapquest and see you're in the panhandle. You might look for any sheep ranchers around your area. I think cattle is the mainstay in your area, and down into Texas, etc., and historically, cattle and sheep ranchers didn't get along, so maybe the sheep ranchers are elsewhere, but you could look around, and then contact them to try to find some spinners. I got some connections to spinners at the Spokane Scottish Highland Games, so you have to be creative in your looking. Good luck! And Spin Off is a good resource. Also, maybe your library has videos of spinning that you could borrow, or how about calling the Ag Extension? And really, I was able to get a bit of yarn spun on my drop spindle, just from following the very basic instructions that came with the spindle...which I bought at a gift shop at a colonial farm in Virginia...so you can do it, Farm Girl! Have fun! Judy
We come from the earth, we go back to the earth, and in between, we garden! |
| sjs |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 10:04:25 AM
I want to learn to spin too! My MIL collects spinning wheels, and left a very expensive European one here... she said I could use it, but never showed me how. I have a tape that came with it, but no VCR to play it on. My husband bought me a book for Christmas, but it's hard to learn from a book...
I do so want to learn, though! The MIL raises alpacas and sends me fiber from time to time. I'd love to learn how to die it with kool-aid and make thick, chunky, brightly colored yarns!
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Learning to live is learning to let go.
Visit my food blog! http://www.wasabimon.com - natural cooking to live for.
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| Contrary Wife |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 07:09:19 AM
Hang in there, there has to be someone nearby. Maybe there are other spinners in the area, but no quilds, a great opportunity to start one! I learned to spin on a pvc spinning wheel. I just got an Ashford Traditional wheel for my birthday, it is exciting. You might want to get a subscripton to SPIN OFF, it is a great resource.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 3
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
| Lorie Marler |
Posted - Mar 18 2009 : 06:09:05 AM
well I just spent an hour online and cannot find any guilds, chapters, clubs, or classes for spinning or anything near me. I am super bummed!!! |
| Laura Marie |
Posted - Mar 17 2009 : 11:16:21 PM
Hey Lorie,
Welcome to two wonderful worlds, first to Mary Jane which in no time you will be into all sorts of new projects and to the world of spinning. I just picked it up and really haven't had much time to do it, but I love it when I get a chance. I started on a drop spindal because I couldn't afford a wheel...I would recommend searching to see if there is a Spinning Guild Chapter in your area and if you can attend a meeting. I went to my first one on my birthday and it was awesome. I then when to a spinning convention. There are some good books out there and some magazines as well. If you can find a chapter then you can find a group of ladies who I'm sure would love to help you learn! There are also several farmgirls who are already true spinners. So be on the look out and have fun!
Farm Girl Hugs!
Laura Marie #369
www.lauramariedesign.com
"It's not the size of the farm but the size of your heart!"
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| Bonne |
Posted - Mar 17 2009 : 09:26:09 AM
Ditto on the addictive. I started last Sept, because Monica was having so much fun. Multiple drop spindles later & many pounds of roving since........lol There are tons of helpful websites online as well as videos on YouTube. Just do a search for "spinning" and read read read ~ you'll be spinning in no time.
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Mar 17 2009 : 09:17:07 AM
Lorie, Welcome to farmgirl connection! It depends on what thickness of yarn you want to spin as to what kind of spindle you need. A top whorl is what most people use! You can get different weights of top whorl spindles and the lighter ones are used for spinning thinner yarns! I have a bunch of light ones that I use for spinning silk thread. In fact I need to make some more! I will warn you though, it's very addictive! I started spinning last July and now I have about 10 spindles and right now they all have something on them and I bought a wheel in October and I have tons of fiber including 2 fleeces and a lot of silk roving! I have to also say it's very relaxing! If you click on the link to my blog you can see the thread I spin and the spindles are pretty light weight! Hope this helps!
Judith is right. It would probably be easier to start with wool!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com
www.justducky48.blogspot.com |
