Do you know how to spin?
By nancygibson
@nancygibson (3736)
France
December 23, 2006 9:41am CST
I have had a spinning wheel since I was a child and I enjoy spinning the yarn we use to knit our projects, socks, hats and jumpers. Does anyone else here do any spinning, and if so what do you use. Do you have a wheel, a charka, a drop spindle? What fibres do you like spinning best?
3 people like this
7 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
8 Jan 07
I love the old spinning wheels. I have always wanted to learn the craft. There are many people in the northern part of our state that spin their own yarns. Lovely craft.
@nancygibson (3736)
• France
8 Jan 07
You should defiantely have a go, I think you would pick up the knack very fast and its quite lovely to do
1 person likes this
@nancygibson (3736)
• France
9 Jan 07
A drop spindle takes up no space at all, plus it can be made for free out of salvaged things. If you wanted a go its a good place to start :)
@TellMeAboutIt (8)
• United States
4 Jan 07
It's soothing, rhythmic and meditative. And if you get some really beautiful roving to spin, you see the most beautiful colors coming to life righ in your very hands. If I HAD to spin to make clothes or yarn, I would, of course, not like it but since it is a luxury to take time to spin, I love it. I give a demonstration every year at a pioneer day affair at our local state park. The most questions asked are by pre-teens and teenagers and I love it. Maybe someday they will learn how to spin because they saw my girlfriend and I spinning and I brought all my different fibers to display. From silk to dog hair!
1 person likes this
@Greenberry (77)
• United States
29 Apr 07
I have a Reeves wheel and an old upright that might be an antique but I doubt it. I also spin with a charka and a spindle. My favorite fibers are fine, wool, silk, alpaca and especially the wool of my German Angora rabbits.
@Betani (34)
• United States
22 Jun 07
I just learned to use a drop spindle last year. I love it! I would love to learn how to use a wheel, but they're so expensive!
@alamode (3071)
• United States
30 Aug 07
My Grandma Ruby did... she did everything! And had to, cuz she had 8 kids to care for during the depression. She taught me to sew, and to hook rugs, but we didn't have the time or the materials to do any wool spinning.
Nice that you're interested in what are becoming lost arts... I try to pass on as much as I can...can't let them be gone forever cuz we may need them someday!
@flowerpeople (235)
•
30 Aug 07
I Love spinning I have two wheels and navaho drop spindle that I adore for its versitility. I spin alot of suffock wool because it is easy to come by here in Okla. I have read that people don't like spinning it but it produces a nice soft wool yarn I have made several afgans with it and love them what fibers are you favorites
