Well it has been just over 4 years ago that I attended the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat in Seattle, WA. My wife won the trip for me and it was a life changing event. This past weekend was this years retreat for the West Coast and I one day wish to return. While there I learned to drop spindle spin. I practiced for several years, but it takes some time to get enough yarn to make something. I will say that I now own 3 drop spindles (2 for use and 1 for decoration). It is easy and portable and I love to take it places with me when I can.
About a year and a half ago I took my first spinning class, using a wheel at the Carolina Fiber Fest. The yarn I made was awful, but usable and I still have it in a hank, in a basket to use to show as my first. After taking the class a friend loaned me her grandmother's wheel and I practiced over last summer. This is what I got:
I bought a spinning wheel from Craig's list just over a year ago and began to practice. My wife and I went to Maryland Sheep and Wool. I bought some multicolor fiber with my daughter in mind:
I had some Tunis wool that I continued to practice with and here is the result. I find the Tunis a little harder to spin, but is good for practice.
Over this summer I think I have practiced well. This is the first result of this summer's spinning. It is Mountain Colors BFL plied with Pagewood Farms Pencil Roving:
About a year and a half ago I took my first spinning class, using a wheel at the Carolina Fiber Fest. The yarn I made was awful, but usable and I still have it in a hank, in a basket to use to show as my first. After taking the class a friend loaned me her grandmother's wheel and I practiced over last summer. This is what I got:
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| Spun on 100 year old wheel. |
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| Still has quite a few extra twists in it. |
I had some Tunis wool that I continued to practice with and here is the result. I find the Tunis a little harder to spin, but is good for practice.
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| Tunis, less twist, but thick and thin. I think it is better. |
Over this summer I think I have practiced well. This is the first result of this summer's spinning. It is Mountain Colors BFL plied with Pagewood Farms Pencil Roving:
I was very proud and had some single left over:
Just this week I finished some Sweet Georgia Roving plied again with some Pagewood Farm pencil roving. I am thrilled at the results:
Orange is my favorite color and these are great fall colors. I love the results and it came out basically even so that I only had about 6 inches of the pencil roving left after plying.
So finally here is a comparison:
What a journey! In just over a year I have handspun yarn I am very proud to display.
I also completed my first project from my handspun. It is the Fenced In hat and I loved making it.
Hope you enjoy my journey.
