| Author |
Stitching & Crafting Room:  Spindle Spinning  |
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
|
|
pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 4:00:17 PM
|
NO, I haven't I have always enjoyed watching people spin at craft shows
I am trying my hand at Bobbin Lace.pinkroses |
 |
|
|
sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
|
|
emma.birdwhistle
True Blue Farmgirl
187 Posts
Elizabeth Ann
Ontario
Canada
187 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 4:21:18 PM
|
Kim - thank you for starting this thread. I was just reading your post in the "simple pleasures" thread on the Over the Fence forum, and I hopped over here to start a drop-spindle thread myself, but you beat me to it!
I would love to try drop-spindling. I currently spin on a lovely Ashford Traveler wheel (here's a picture, though it doesn't show much of the body of the wheel: http://flickr.com/photos/emmabirdwhistle/432432595/). But I have three drop-spindles at home that my father and I made out of dowels and wooden toy wheels years ago, and I also have an antique flax spindle, all of which I would like to experiment with. I just never seem to get around to it! Are there any avid drop-spindlers here?
- Elizabeth Ann
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. - Thoreau
http://resolutelyoutmoded.etsy.com |
|
|
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 4:27:28 PM
|
Since I started crocheting, plus reading about you all spinning, it has peaked my interest. I thought I would read up on spindle spinning, as that would be less costly. I would hate to ninvest a lot of money and then find out I don't enjoy it. I am also interested in needle felting and rug hooking with wool.
I was checking several websites and looking for guilds in my area where I could take a class. Most are rather far away from me.
Blessed Be!
farmgirl@heart
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams; live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." - Henry David Thoreau
http://chevy49girl.livejournal.com/
http://midwestmusings-kim.blogspot.com/
http://chevy49girl.deviantart.com/ |
|
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4475 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4475 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 5:17:16 PM
|
| I have played with it a little=drop spindle. I thought it was fun, and am hoping for a spinning wheel some day. I checked out different web sites, and kind of went from there. I don't know if I did it right or not, but I did get some yarn. Takes practice, like everything. My attempt was homespun for sure. Went from thick to thin and back again. Jump in a give it a whirl!!! Michele |
|
|
|
westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 6:08:09 PM
|
I spin on a drop spindle along w/ both my wheels. The nice thing about a spindle is you can do it anywhere. It takes a bit of practice but it's fun. I love my yarn on my spindle because it comes out bulky & I need that for my rugs, I find it harder to spin bulky on my wheel anymore.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
|
|
|
westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 6:11:20 PM
|
I've got a couple of books on spinning if anyone wants to borrow them, I'll send it. Also I have a little practice spindle, it came w/ a kit & it's good to practice on, actually thats what I used before I got my better ones. Let me know if anyone wants them.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
|
|
|
westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 6:14:33 PM
|
way before the wheel, EVERONE used a spindle of one kind or another. Try it, you'll love it.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 8:11:59 PM
|
I had my spinning wheel first, but do have a couple drop spindles. I know how to use them, but I like the wheel better. I keep meaning to take the time to really get better with a spindle.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
|
|
|
Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
|
|
Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 11:08:07 PM
|
Do any of you know of good resources for learning to spin with a drop spindle? I have more "practice" wool than I even could begin to know what to do with (I don't think it's high quality or anything - just for practice), but I don't even know where to start - a spindle seems like the right place! And, on the note of spinning - any good books/resources for taking wool from the sheep to the spindle?
I just love reading about all of your fiber gals - it's inspiring to me!
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
|
|
|
ktknits
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Kathy
Northwest Indiana
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 08:22:39 AM
|
kt not only knits, but she spins too! I love to spin, and I have 5 wheels along with numerous drop spindles. I agree that drop spinning is great because you can take it with you. In fact, right now on my desk at work I have a Kundert spindle with "Eggplant" colorway fiber to spin from Crosspatch Creations. This is destined to be glove yarn. I'm in NW Indiana, and would love to teach anyone interested in spinning. I'm in the Indiana Spinners & Weavers guild, so I can also hook those of you in Indiana who are a little farther away up with someone in your area. There are also numerous shows over the spring/summer/fall where people would be most happy to teach spinning--I believe each of us has a little "enabler" in her!! There are a few books on spinning--"Spin to Knit" is a fairly new one, and when I googled, www.woolery.com came up with a whole list of books, and there's also Spin Off magazine published by Interweave Press that is a quarterly magazine full of tips for both beginners and advanced spinners. Maybe this weekend I'll put some spinning up on my blog. It's a big, beautiful, fluffy world!!
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
|
|
Somerhill
Farmgirl in Training
22 Posts
Lisa
Caldwell
OH
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 10:58:54 AM
|
My favorite spindle is one made from a dowel, grommet, cup hook, and a CD. Its the best balanced and spins longer than any of my pretty spindles.
Lisa at Somerhill
www.somerhillfarm.com |
|
|
|
westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 11:35:08 AM
|
Mikki, e-mail me w/ your address & I'll send out the spindle and this neat little book that I used when I started to learn, its a thin paper book but a great starter. Oh, do you have wool? If not let me know & I'll send you some Romney that shepardess sends me. It's wonderful & great for spindles.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
|
|
|
westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 12:35:54 PM
|
Libbie there is a website that has some info on spindles. Top whorl, bottom whorl & how they spin. Also I have another book I can lend you if your interested.
www.knitty.com/issuespring06/FEATKSgotspin.html
look at the site when you can. Once you start, you'll never start.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
|
|
|
westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 12:37:01 PM
|
I meant STOP.  duh
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
|
|
|
ktknits
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Kathy
Northwest Indiana
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 12:48:55 PM
|
Oh Kim, when did you go to Wirt? I went to elementary school at Marquette elementary--right next to Wirt, and I went to the Methodist church right across the street. My mom, dad and all aunts & uncles graduated from Wirt. My g'pa used to take me to McVout every year!! We lived on Hemlock, right down the street from Marquette, but moved when I was in 6th grade, and live 30 miles south of Merrillville now. We still have some friends who live there, and I love to go to Ming Ling for garlic shrimp on Fridays! What a small farmgirl world!
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 12:55:57 PM
|
I graduated in 1980 and live there until I got married (first time) in 1989. I miss Ming Ling's. My aunt and uncle come from Fremont Indiana to see their daughter in Elgin and they always stop at Ming Ling's on the way. What a small world!!!!!
Blessed Be!
farmgirl@heart
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams; live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." - Henry David Thoreau
http://chevy49girl.livejournal.com/
http://midwestmusings-kim.blogspot.com/
http://chevy49girl.deviantart.com/ |
|
|
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
|
|
ktknits
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Kathy
Northwest Indiana
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2007 : 04:26:12 AM
|
I've been spinning for close to 10 years, and started out on a cheezey spindle. But, oh, probably 50 spindles later, I can say that a good, well balanced spindle is much easier to learn on and much more enjoyable to spin with! That said, my most recent spindle purchase was a Kundert spindle from Toni Neal at The Fold in Marengo, IL. That's not too far from you, Kim, but she has a website too, and if you give her a call (phone # on the website) she's extremely helpful! Enjoy!!
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2007 : 04:36:04 AM
|
Top whorl, bottom whorl? I just found out about a place in Big Rock. I thought it was an antique store, lol! But I saw her ad in Spin Off. She has a web site, Esthers Place. She has retreats too.
I was looking at The Fold's website yesterday. I am getting very excited about this.
If you want to chat about our mutual stomping grounds, e-mail me!
Blessed Be!
farmgirl@heart
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams; live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." - Henry David Thoreau
http://chevy49girl.livejournal.com/
http://midwestmusings-kim.blogspot.com/
http://chevy49girl.deviantart.com/ |
|
|
|
grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2007 : 08:24:04 AM
|
Good Morning Ladies
I love spinning with my spindles and teach around 100 students a year to do this. For those who would like email me privately and I can send you my set of instructions that I give my students. I could also if there is interest post the instructions along with pictures on my blog site. You can take your spindle everywhere unlike the wheels and also it is a great ice breaker when you wish to sell your animals, fiber of art. I can not say enough about the joy of spinning and will gladly assist anyone who wishes to try this.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
|
|
|
Txfarmgal
True Blue Farmgirl
585 Posts
AK
USA
585 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2007 : 08:30:18 AM
|
Kim, I have tried it and can't get the hang of it, but it sure looks fun. I went to a craft show in our little town and sold some wooden spindles for an area crafter. I got frustrated with it and used an electric spinner. I want to learn to needle felt and weave as well! hugs
Angi~wife, momma, 4H leader & Txfarmgal -Be Joyful Always 1 Thes. 5:18
|
|
|
|
ktknits
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Kathy
Northwest Indiana
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2007 : 11:09:21 AM
|
I personally like top whorl for a variety of reasons.
1. It's easier & quicker to loop the newly spun yarn around the hook of a top whorl than it is to tie (loop, knot, whatever) it onto the end of the spindle with a bottom whorl.
2. Top whorl just seems to spin smoother. I think it might have something to do with the yarn coming directly off the center of the spindle hook of the top whorl rather than off the side of the spindle shaft with a bottom whorl.
3. You can get a very fast spin from a top whorl by spinning it off your leg. You can do that with the bottom whorl too, but it's a little more challenging!
There are probably online photos & tutorials, but I'm at work now and can only have so much internet time!
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Stitching & Crafting Room: Spindle Spinning |
|
Spindle Spinning
