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Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills:  The Art of Handspinning  |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 23 2011 : 12:55:32 PM
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As, I'm sure, all of you ladies who spin here know, hand spinning is a lot of fun and relaxing to boot. I have picked it up again, after several years of not doing anything with it, and it is fun! It takes practice to keep the thickness of the yarn consistent, but don't give up! Soon, you will be hand spinning in your sleep! I was gifted a lovely spindle by a very talented and dear farmsister, several years ago (You know who you are  ) and I haven't really done much with it, but with winter coming on and thoughts of beautiful hand spun, hand dyed and hand made warm cozy socks floating through my mind, I'm diving back in again.
For me, at least, and correct me if I'm wrong here spinners, a good spindle should feel comfortable in your hands, not clunky. There are many very talented spindle and spinning wheel artisans around and you can easily become a spinning junkie  so choose one or three that feel natural to you.
If you have an easy source of fiber around you, there is no reason not to be spending tv time spinning. My land lady has corriedale sheep and llamas, and I can get fiber easily. Look around your area if you don't raise fiber animals or know some one that does.Truly, it is so nice to hold a skein on your own yarn.
So, I've added just a few links, one to spinning devices for sale and three for spinning information. I was thinking that we could all practice spinning together and show off our progress! and we can drool over other farmgirls beautiful wool and yarn  for those that already spin!
If I could find my camera, I'd show off some of the wool I'm working on, I've got some natural grey that is just stunning and a lot off white that I just got that still needs cleaning and carding.
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/HowToDropspin.shtml
http://www.handspinning.com/lollipops/spininst.htm
http://www.heavenlyhandspinning.com/
Happy Spinning and Happy Autumn!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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jan49829
True Blue Farmgirl
2428 Posts
Janet
Winter Haven
Florida
USA
2428 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2011 : 1:09:18 PM
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Annika, Thank you for the great sites. I will check them out more when I have more time. I just gathered all of my fiber and put it in a crate I just bought the other day and a thrift store. I have been building up my stash for winter, mostly alpaca. There is a lady close by here that I have been buying from for years whenever she is at a show near here. I have not spun yet, but do have a drop spindle and a spiining wheel which is just beutiful that was a gift to myself last year. Now to get spinning, probably won't be until December sometime.
Jan
Farmgirl Sister #3340
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Lieberkim
True Blue Farmgirl
839 Posts
Kimberly
Sunnyside
WASHINGTON
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2011 : 1:41:28 PM
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Oh I'm desperate to learn. There's a fiber guild in the area I want to join so I can learn and decide what/how I want to do it. Personally I think I'll lean towards a spinning wheel but I won't know that until I try!!! Just waiting for things to settle down so that I can go to a meeting and get started. I'd love to be a part of your group once I get started.
Excuse the mess & the noise, my children are making happy memories |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2011 : 4:51:11 PM
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I find spinning really centering and relaxing and I do love to do it in the evening in front of the TV. Right now I am working on some Merino superwash that I hand painted with dye. I completed the singles and am now plying them. It's so much fun to see how the colors turn out when the fiber is spun. I have pictures of some of my dyed fiber and of my sheep on my blog. Grace Gerber is a great source for fiber - her fiber is just so wonderful and the colors - she is a master dyer using plant material. Check her out on etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/larkspurfunnyfarm. She is also a master spinning teacher and can answer all your questions. There is quite a lot of spinning and wool processing information on the sheep and goat thread under barnyard buddies as well.
This is some hand dyed Shetland lace weight from my own sheep.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran
http://farmsteadfripperies.blogspot.com/ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2011 : 07:32:50 AM
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nnika, thanks for the lonks. I will look them up soon. I tried the hand spindle and did not like it at all. Way too time consuming for me. I have a spinning wheel and really want to learn on it. It was my great grandmother's wheel. I found a guild close by that is into all this and want to join it. Also am going to a fiber fair in Nov. near here. I have 3 hair ewes right now and a Hamshire-Finn ram. I met a lady at the market a few weeks ago that has Finn sheep. SHe has some to sell!!!! She is in NY right but when she gets back I am going to see her sheep. I want to get 2 ewes. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I want to learn the whole process from sheep to sweater. And I will! So hopefully this thread will stay going so I can get some good advice.
Sheri, your wool is beautiful! It looks so soft.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2011 : 8:45:58 PM
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I just got 2 ewes today! One is a black Finn and the other is a half Suffolk and half Finn. She's more of a brown color with black legs and face. They are both about 6 months old. The lady I got them from is going to come in a few weeks to sheer the Finn ewe. She does need it. I am so excited to have them here! They are in a little area with a stall away from the others for a week or so. They are both friendly. I will hopefully be learning how to wash and card and spin my own wool soon!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2011 : 9:19:38 PM
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Oh Kris, I'm so excited for you! How neat! I'm glad that they are friendly, some of the one's on the farm that I live on are easily spooked and not very friendly and I've been trounced more than once by them. What kind of wool do the Finn have? I'm trying to book learn as much as I can about fibre animals =) Congratulations on your new ewes!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2011 : 06:55:54 AM
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Annika, the wool of the Finn sheep is soft and fine as far as I can tell. They come in many colors. I am so happy to have the darker brown, almost blachish color of the full Finn ewe. She will lighten up as she gets older. The lady showed me all her sheep that range in age from 6 months up to 12 years old. Some of the rams are still black that are a few years old. The colors are amazing. They have beautiful wool. I am new at this so don't know all the terms yet but when she pulled the wool apart, there was a nice crimp (?) at the base. Darla is the half Finn and she had more of the Sufflok wool on her but still nice and soft. It should get up to about 6" at shearing time. They are both so sweet. Darla was bottle raised so she is lots friendier. Lucinda is pretty much but a little more skittish. She was dam raised but handled as much as possible. This was the first time I have seen Finn sheep in person. And they are huge! When I looked at them in the stall, they were like small ponies. Huge sheep.
So this should be interesting for sure. I just love sheep right now. I have had sheep before but I guess it just wasn't the right time for me. I am having a good time with my sheep. I love to sit out there and watch them and talk to them. They are such neat creatures.
What kind do you have, Annika? Are you doing all yours yourself? And I guess you knit? I love knitting. I have SO much to learn.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2011 : 08:08:19 AM
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Good Morning Kris! So far the sheep all belong to the landlords, but I work with the animals here all of the time, learning animal husbandry. She has Corriadale sheep, and the wool is rather nice, I think it's a medium or medium long staple, but I'd need to look that up to be sure. She has white black and grey colored wool from the sheep, and while I'm persnikitty and would ran a farm very differently than the landlords, I appreciate the experience, which is priceless =)
I love the look of knitting, and I've tried a number of times to teach myself, but I always manage to make a mess of it, so at the moment I'm sticking with crochet. I am with you on the learning. There are so many skills to learn and I love the old fashioned country ones the best!
Happy Halloween!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Nov 09 2011 : 09:51:19 AM
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Aren't finn sheep the ones that can have a litter when they lamb. I have heard they have more than 2 like up to six and also heard they have beautiful wool. If I ever get some more sheep these are the kind I wanted to get. Keep us updated on what you think of them...
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett
Beverley with an extra E...
https://sites.google.com/site/bevsdoggies/
http://bevsdoggies.blogspot.com/ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 12 2011 : 04:52:23 AM
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Beverly, yes, I have heard they have multiples and have seen them while looking around the internet. Kind of scary. But the lady I got them from said they mostly raise them by theirselves with only a little help. She did have to bottle raise a few this year but I am glad because one of the ewes I got was bottle raised. And very friendly, which helps alot. The other, the full Finn, is still a bit skittish. I bottle raised my ram so I hope he remembers that! I will let y'all know what the wool is like but it looks like it might be in the spring. Or I could get the SIL to help tomorrow.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Kwilts
Farmgirl at Heart
9 Posts
Lorraine
Vernon
AZ
9 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 11:17:48 PM
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I just finished reading all your posts. I have been spinning for years, but am still learning. I started with a clunky, unbalanced spindle. Couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. This probably sounds familuar. I finally got a spindle that was balanced correctly and had success. The found a spinning wheel. It was a piece of furniture. It wasn't until I got an Ashford Traditional that I could finally spin. The yarn was very chunky. Because my husband I went to Rendezvous, I decided, because of space to trade my Traditional for a Traveler. Love it. Made sure I got the double treadle. I have a back problem and one treadle was making my back scream at me. Then I was off and running. My interest in spinning as waxed and wained. Lately have been spinning on the wheel and spindle. Recently taught a couple to spin on a spindle then found them a wheel. I prefer to start a new spinner on a spindle. While it is slow, it teaches the correct process of drafting. It give them a chance to see what is happening. I know it is very slow, compared to the wheel. Recently, I learned something new. The Spin, Park and Draft method of spinning on a spindle. Wish I had learned it sooner. LOL> A Sister spinner gave me some angora rabbit fiber. This method is great. Even though I have been spinning for years. I still love to learn from others.
?? Have any of you had success in Navajo Plying? I tried but ended up with a mess.
Til next take care.
Lorie #3663 |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Dec 09 2011 : 7:29:56 PM
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what do you mean park and draft method? I would love to learn how to spin yarn. I got myself an angora german rabbit to do something with her fur. I love fiber felting thought I could use this way . So longing to learn how to spin angora fur.
I Thessalonians 5:16,17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Deb-farmgirl sister #462
http://sunflowercritters.blogspot.com/
Be like a Sunflower, Turn your Face to the Son. |
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Kwilts
Farmgirl at Heart
9 Posts
Lorraine
Vernon
AZ
9 Posts |
Posted - Dec 09 2011 : 9:52:58 PM
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Spin - Park & Draft.
Spin = Spinning the spindle like you usually do. I do this until I feel the twist in my finger tips.
Park = Putting the shaft of the spind;e between your knees to hold the spindle....and to stop the spinning.
Draft = With the spindle in your lap...you are able to draft your fiber.
Using this method there will no over twist. If you haven't spun the spindle enough you will have to do it again. When you run out of twist, it is time to start the whole process over again. This is not my method. And it is nothing new. I just found it and love it. I know other out there already use this method. I really like it because I don't have to worry about the spindle dropping to the floor and I can spin sitting down, where I have a restricted area.
For someone who is just learning, they don't have to think about three things at the same time.
Kwilts #3663 |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Dec 25 2011 : 7:12:20 PM
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So excited my hubby got me a spinning wheel for Christmas. Trying it out and having fun trying.
I Thessalonians 5:16,17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Deb-farmgirl sister #462
http://sunflowercritters.blogspot.com/
Be like a Sunflower, Turn your Face to the Son. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Dec 26 2011 : 7:34:50 PM
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What kind of wheel did you get, Debra?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Kwilts
Farmgirl at Heart
9 Posts
Lorraine
Vernon
AZ
9 Posts |
Posted - Dec 26 2011 : 8:22:34 PM
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| Congradulations on your new wheel. Your have a very special guy who would give this to you. Happy spinning. |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Dec 27 2011 : 6:45:45 PM
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I got a Luet...I'm not sure if I spell that right.
Deb
I Thessalonians 5:16,17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Deb-farmgirl sister #462
http://sunflowercritters.blogspot.com/
Be like a Sunflower, Turn your Face to the Son. |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2012 : 12:11:35 PM
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I spun my first skein of yarn Tuesday. WOW what fun this is and did I say how rewarding it is. Does anyone have wooden swift that they would like to barter for or sell? If so please post a picture so I can see what it looks like.
Thanks for any help's in Spinning.
Oh I forgot to tell you ladies I also just process some fiber today as well. Cleaning it. Know I cann't wait to card it and get back into spinning. Wow this is awesome hobby. Love country lifestyle.
Deb
I Thessalonians 5:16,17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Deb-farmgirl sister #462
http://sunflowercritters.blogspot.com/
Be like a Sunflower, Turn your Face to the Son. |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2012 : 08:04:49 AM
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Spinning has been on my list of things to learn for a while! If I don't fit it in this year it will be at the top of my list to learn next year! I love natural fibers and have been wanting to raise animals for my own fiber but I haven't decided what is my favorite yet although I'm kind of impartial to alpaca's at the moment I'm not rushing off to buy one because I want to make sure that is the animal fiber I want to have on hand before I start raising them. Does that make sense? At any rate fiber = happiness!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2012 : 6:42:28 PM
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Here is my first spinning...and out come...Oh! what a blast I'm having. Went to a spinning guild and just love it.   
Deb
I Thessalonians 5:16,17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Deb-farmgirl sister #462
http://sunflowercritters.blogspot.com/
Be like a Sunflower, Turn your Face to the Son. |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4185 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4185 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2012 : 04:37:45 AM
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Debra great job on your yarn! I so enjoy spinning also. I like your little bag you have hanging on your wheel.
michele |
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GirlwithHook
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Alyce
Madison
WI
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2012 : 06:56:21 AM
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Debra, that looks terrific! That does it, I am squeezing "spinning" onto my to-do list today! I miss it so!
A hook, a book, and a good cup of coffee.... |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2012 : 1:42:38 PM
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Went to my spinning group yesterday and knitted up a hand bag out of the yarn I spun up..thought this would be a good idea for my first spun yarns.
Deb
I Thessalonians 5:16,17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Deb-farmgirl sister #462
http://sunflowercritters.blogspot.com/
Be like a Sunflower, Turn your Face to the Son. |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4185 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4185 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2012 : 04:07:18 AM
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Anything you make out of your homespun yarn is a great idea!
enjoy'Michele |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2012 : 07:20:44 AM
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I am so excited I tried dyeing my own fiber's yesterday with Kool-aid. It came out beautiful and love the smell. Here is some pictures of yesterday fun day for me..JPG)
Getting my supplies together.
 .JPG) Fruit Punch
.JPG)
Lemonade.JPG) Grape .JPG) Pinklomanade Lemondae
I Thessalonians 5:16,17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Deb-farmgirl sister #462
http://sunflowercritters.blogspot.com/
Be like a Sunflower, Turn your Face to the Son. |
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Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills: The Art of Handspinning |
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The Art of Handspinning
