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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Spinning Help  |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 17 2006 : 8:09:17 PM
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I am trying to learn to spin, by myself. I have the hand part down but oh the foot. I will do fine for a while and then it will turn and spin the other way. Do I just need more practice or am I doing something wrong. My drop spindle is so much easier. Help!
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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AnnieT
True Blue Farmgirl
287 Posts
Annie
287 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2006 : 8:13:40 PM
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You just need to get a rhythm down. When you are first starting on a wheel it is hard to keep track of everything. Sometimes I would just sit and tredle for a while when I first got my wheel. The treadle action of different wheels can feel very different, too, so if you might try some others. Personally, I think a drop spindle is way harder. Just keep practicing, you'll get it!
Annie
Visit the Bramblestitches store: www.bramblestitches.etsy.com
Visit me at my blog: http://bramblestitches.blogspot.com/ |
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shepherdess
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Robin
Eatonville
Washington
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2006 : 8:18:53 PM
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It just takes Practice , practice , practice. and then more practice,LOL. You will do that for a while just stop and start again. Some times the tension might be a little tight.I always tell people , it takes a week to learn.If you have someone close to you to ask maybe they can give you a little pointer. I have been spinning since 1972 and i never learned on a drop spindle so now i am learning that and it is as frustrating to me.
Farm Girl from Western Washington
" From sheep to handspun " |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2006 : 9:52:41 PM
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I agree...you will get it..just practice more..I have trouble with the drop spindle since I learned on a wheel...let us know how it goes!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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jenny louise
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
jennifer
cass city
MI
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2006 : 02:22:17 AM
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Good advice, everyone. I really like the treadle comment from Annie, it has a rhythm, and you will find it.
Believe me, I cried and cried when i was trying to learn, because I wanted to spin so badly and I thought I would never ever learn. I started on a drop spindle also, and still use it, but I love the wheel!
Do you have anyone in your area that spins and can just sit with you? How about a guild? Our guild is just a font of information and help...worth checking into.
I am sending all kinds of hope your way...take a deep breath and imagine yourself spinning away!
Love and Light, Jenny in MI |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jan 18 2006 : 1:05:55 PM
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I finally got a hold of an older couple who both spin who are with a guild 30 miles from me. I called them and they are coming on Friday to help me. YEAH!!!!! I am so excited. I have wanted to spin since I was in jr. high, 30+ years ago. I will practice just treadling till friday. Hopfully, that will help. Thank you girls for your help and encouagment!!!! Julia
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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jenny louise
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
jennifer
cass city
MI
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2006 : 02:15:49 AM
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 How exciting, julia! That is so neat that they will come to you to help, please let us know how it goes!!! Love and Light, Jenny in MI |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2006 : 06:28:08 AM
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Wonderful Julia!! That will be so nice to have people with that much experience teaching you! I had to teach myself..no one I knew did any spinning. I found a guild afterwards though and got help improving from a bunch of sweet older gals with tons of experience. I loved it. Havn't found a guild here yet..but we are in the boonies..I know with some driving I could find one. It is so nice when you are a beginner to have some encouragement like that though!!
You are gonna love it Julia!! Have fun!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2006 : 11:34:07 AM
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Thanks Jenny's. I am really looking forward to Friday. I will let you know how iot goes.
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2006 : 1:18:17 PM
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Julia,
When I was trying to learn the treddling I sat for a long time just treddling. But still had trouble with the wheel going backward on occasion. I found 2 things helped. The first was making sure the treddle and all moving parts of the wheel were freshly oiled! This made a huge difference. The second was that my wheel had only one foot peddle so to get a good rythem for me I needed to put both feet on the peddle. Still cannot do it with just one foot. Am looking to trade my wheel in on a dual peddle model.
Eileen
Songbird; singing joy to the earth |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2006 : 8:09:31 PM
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Good tips Eileen. I will try both. Thanks!
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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McKenzie Mist
Farmgirl in Training
41 Posts
Bev
Walterville
Oregon
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2006 : 10:37:58 PM
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Julia,
How did your spinning lesson go? I hope well. As someone else has already suggested, make sure that you oil all moving parts on your wheel before using it each time. Also, I've noticed on my wheels that sometimes when the wheel was to "roll back" in the opposite direction, if I adjust the tension on the brake band it helps. The other thing that helped me learn to treadle was to just sit and treadle without holding any fiber. Maybe read as you're doing it, whatever, just spend time treadling.
Happy spinning! |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2006 : 4:42:37 PM
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dont give up! Practice does make perfect. After awhile when you spin perfect thread, you'll be trying to make some of that not so perfect stuff you used to hate. Another spinner, I love it. Michele
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2006 : 4:45:52 PM
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Whoo HOo!!! Well, my lessons went great!!!!!!! What patient,gracious people. They sat and watched me spin, while I told them the problems I was having. He fixed the tension and figured out another problem with the wheel that made the treadling difficult. they have even offered to let me use one of their wheels that they think has a better action then the one I am using. Wow! They told me to call them any time with any question. So, though I still have the thin/thick thing to get figured out, I am sensing hope!!! Thanks girls for the tips and support. Happy Spinning to you all!!!! Julia
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2006 : 5:15:26 PM
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Oh Julia..I am so glad your lesson went so well!! Isn't it fun when you suddenly "get it"? I think spinning is so relaxing and "earthy!!!" I am due to oil mine and get out the wool and get spinning...I have been so distracted lately. I need to make a special time just for that each day!! Sounds like you found perfect spinning mentors!!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2006 : 12:55:25 PM
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Spinning,now that I have the hang of it, is very meditative. It is relaxing,plus I like the fact that the efforts are seen immediatly. My Dh has a "brain job" so when he comes home at night he veggies with a movie or Andy Griffith and Bonaza. I think I will have to move the wheel from the living room to the family room so he will know I exsist. The wheel can be all consuming for me.
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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McKenzie Mist
Farmgirl in Training
41 Posts
Bev
Walterville
Oregon
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2006 : 11:47:22 PM
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| Julia - Congratulations on getting the hang of it! Enjoy! |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2006 : 09:58:25 AM
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Thanks Bev! Remember that wool I made mention of, that I bought at the thrift store, that I wanted to ply. I did some, and it did okay. I think I needed a bit more twist. It isn't very soft wool, in fact it is really rough, so I don't know what I will use it for.
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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MullersLaneFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Rock Falls
IL
596 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2006 : 1:04:03 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Julia
The wheel can be all consuming for me.
THAT's an understatement!!
Ol 'MacDonald has nothing on us!
http://www.mullerslanefarm.com |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 9:50:38 PM
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Had another spinning lesson today. I got to spin on a Louet and a Lendrum. I loved the Lendrum, it is a double treadle. It is a dream!!
Blueapple sent me some Corridale and Merino wool to play with. I got it today before I had my lesson. While I was there they gave my 14 daughter a lesson. YOu'd think she had been doing it forever. She did really well. I think she might be hooked! They introduced me to a catalogue, Woodland Woolworks, www.woolworks.com here in Oregon. OOO!!! Will have to get up there one of these days. I am loving this new work of wool and wheels!
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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MullersLaneFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Rock Falls
IL
596 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2006 : 12:20:56 PM
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I love the woolworks catalogue. Anyone know of other paper catalogues for spinning/weaving/fiber??
Cyndi
Joshua 24:15
Ol 'MacDonald has nothing on us!
http://www.mullerslanefarm.com |
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AnnieT
True Blue Farmgirl
287 Posts
Annie
287 Posts |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Spinning Help |
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Spinning Help
