Now What? Sheepish, you spin don't you?

Anyway, I guess I'm looking for a good book or ? to get me started. without costing a fortune and taking 6 months trying to read it and figure out what they are talking about. I understand how to wash the wool and carding but after that......

I live in a fairly rural area so there isn't really anyone around to help me or show me. The nearest guild is some 2 1/2 hours away!!! So I'm pretty much on my own.

I have half a brain and could figure it out if the books(that I've seen) didn't start right with "you turn the thingy and move the so-and-so if you have the watch-a-dinger" as if I already know these things. I guess I need a kids book that says point blank " A=thingy; B=so-and-so; C=watch-a-dingy" ?!?!?!?

Anyway, if anyone has any advice, I'm all ears! THANKS!!

-- (lamb@stellarnet.com), June 19, 2000

Answers

Dear Lamb! Congratulations!!!! I can remember the excitement I had when I started out spinning. It's just a wonderful experience. However, it took me two times getting lessons from folk before I could spin anything that counted. I am more or less a hands-on learner myself, and books are helpful to me, but not the easiest. Nevertheless, the book I used most is: "Your Handspinning" by Elsie. G. Davenport (and questionable about being in print still). I found the illustrations to be clear and easy to understand.

If you have a source for videos (your local library?) you might try renting spinning ones (probably by Victoria Productions). Ask them to get them from you on interlibrary loan if they don't have them on hand. I found them to be more helpful, as I could stop the video, do the spinning and compare it to the instructor's (ha!) and then continue.

I am running late to first day of school, so I may log on from campus and check back. There's lots of folk who spin at this forum and I know they will have tons of information for you! Lots of stuff online, too, I think! I haven't checked lately.

Good luck and the very best to you!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), June 19, 2000.

I'm like Lamb! I need more EXACT answers and instructions! Please someone give us direct names, addresses, phone numbers of books, videos, and magazines that we can order! I can follow good directions but I have to have someplace to start! I need some basic good books on spinning!!!!

-- Suzy in 'Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), June 19, 2000.

Try to find a copy of Hands On Spinning by Lee Raven. Interweave Press is the publisher. It's really thorough in its descriptions and even better later when you want to fine tune things because Lee does an excellent job of explaining cause and effect as you spin.

I know how excited you are. The first night I had my wheel, I was so determined to spin that when we lost power in an ice storm, I put every candle and oil lamp we had on a table in front of a mirror that had belonged to my grandmother and spun by that light. I could almost feel every female ancestor's spirit looking over my shoulder as I struggled to get it right. It was really a neat experience and my spinning has been my introduction when we've moved and my solace when things have been a challenge.

Good luck with that book. If I can think of any more, I'll contact you. Mostly relax and have fun. By the way, wool makes an excellent addition to compost and mulch--that's where some of my first efforts went but now I wish I had them back.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), June 19, 2000.

How silly! I forgot my name! Or rather to add it to the post! Thanks for the help wether it comes to lamb, or Novina (or mommy at other sites).

Marilyn, I can't even start with the info. I already have because the wheel has to be finished, before it can be assembled, before I can use it! I'm dieing(?)to go!!!

Thanks sheepish. I knew you'd be at the front of the line!

Anyway, keep 'em coming! I need lots of help!

-- Novina West in ND (lamb@stellarnet.com), June 19, 2000.

I'm home now and sorta digging through my books...a lot are packed and out in the bunkhouse! Another book I have is "Weaving, Spinning & Dyeing" A Beginner's Manual" by Virginia G. Hower. Yet another is: :The Magic of Spinning" by Marion L. Channing. Both have "A=thingy; B=so-and-so; C=watch-a-dingy" illustrations!

Here's a sign of the times: I went to Yahoo and then to Amazon and searched under books and spinning and came up with all the political crap about spin-doctoring stuff! Sheesh. What a society when we write and sell books about that..anyway.. On my old hard drive, I had tons of resources for fiber arts. It's presently not available for me, and I have every intention of getting it and retrieving the URLS for those sites someday. I know I used to go to The Mining Co. for some of them. Also Interweave Press (publishers of Spin Off Magazine) was mentioned on this Forum a while back. I think they have a website and probably links.

Ok, enough of me blathering...I KNOW others have information and will post it back.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), June 19, 2000.

sometimes it is easyer to learn on a drop spindle[pencil in a potato with a cup hook in eraser would work in a pinch]you can go as fast or slow as you like and get the feel of pulling fiber into thin lines to spin.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), June 19, 2000.

I will also go with the drop-spindle introduction. They're pretty easy to make and will give you a good feel for drafting while you're waiting for the wheel to be finished. If you have a craft store near by, get a wooden wheel, about two inches in diameter, a small cup hook, and a piece of 1/4" dowel about a foot long. Sharpen one end of the dowel in a pencil sharpener. Put the other end into the wheel flush to the far side, but not poking through, and glue it in place. When it's dry, screw the cup hook into the side of the wheel opposite the long part of the dowel. You will have a top-whorl spindle, which I find the easiest to use. So I don't bore the world, feel free to email me if you want to know more along these lines.

Laura

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), June 19, 2000.

If you are finishing and assembling the wheel yourself, you'll get a good idea of how everything works together. I did that a few months ago, and it helped a lot. You will also learn some names of parts, from following the instructions. You didn't mention what type of wheel. My wheel is an Ashford traditional. The only thing that was difficult about assembly was getting a feel for the tension; how much so that the yarn winds on, but doesn't drag the wheel, etc.

I saved my first spool of yarn, and what a mess. Of course, I was happy that it didn't fall apart and vaguely resembled yarn at all. Everytime I spin for an hour or so, I learn a little more about finding a rhythym and speed. So far, after a few months of not so vigorous practice, I can make useable yarn for hats and baby booties, etc.

Listen to all the above suggestions, as they know much more than I. I had no books or videos or humans, and it all worked out. So, I am sure you will be on your way in no time. Try to treadle slowly, so that you can control the amount of fiber in your draft w/o it getting away from you, and that helps from getting too much twist. (I always have too much twist)

Keep at it! You'll figure it out!

-- Rachel (rldk@hotmail.com), June 19, 2000.

I can't wait until I get sheep and a spinning wheel!!

-- Abigail F. (treeoflife@sws.nb.ca), June 20, 2000.

What kind of wheel do you have? Mine is an Ashford Traditional, too-- and I had to put it together myself, after I put a finish on it. I have put LOTS of coat of paste wax on it, too, and I am very pleased with the looks of the wheel....after all, the thing is living with you, so it might as well be nice to look at, huh?

I second the reccommendation about Hands On Spinning book; I taught myself to spin from it. I am a visual learner; I have to have pictures, and this book has LOTS of them! It is also encouraging and helpful, and is a classic in it's field. I would get roving to start spinning with; it is already cleaned and carded, and a bit less frustrating to begin with, if you want to start NOW. What kind of sheep do you have? Some breeds are easier to spin than others. I enjoy cleaning and carding my own wool (learned that from Hands On Spinning, too!), but I have a daughter with an allergy to sheep dander, so I use the prepared stuff for now! You will need carders of some sort (some folks use dog combs, and it works for them; I have a set of Ashford carders, that I tole painted in bright colors so that they would be easy to find. The Shaucht carders that came with my wheel got stepped on by an anonamous child, and snapped in two. They both were good brands, but nearly $50.00 to replace, wo you better believe that I have the new carders in a very safe place and threatened dire and painful consequences if anyone damaged ANY of my spinnging tools!!!!!!

Get yourself a copy of Spin Off magazine, by Interweave Press; you might want a subsciption. It is FULL of practical information, as well as inspiring you to new heights of spinning expertise! And don't let the frustration of learing stop you. I remember throwing bits of wool across the room and growling in frustration, and Hubby asked me, "Why don't you take a break and go to bed?" I declared, "Because I WILL learn how to do this!!!!" And I did. With books, and nuthin' else. Now I do it to relax! I'm not saying my yarn is a work of art, but I like it (usually!), and it certainly IS useful. Make something funky or useful (I made a long neck scarf, for winter recess duties) and wear it with pride, 'cause honey, how many other folks do you know who can take a smelly chunk of sheep fleece and turn it into a warm, practical, even beautiful piece of clothing? You GO, girl!

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), June 20, 2000.

A couple more quick comments...A glass of wine is sometimes a great aid in getting less twist in your yarn (first you drink it, then you relax!) Also, the handspun, handknit items are treasures....we went hiking this weekend, and descended in a downpour, and I put on a handspun wool cap I had made and kept my head warm and dry...those in our party wearing ball caps were soaked! Hopefully, you all like the smell of wet wool!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), June 20, 2000.

go to www.bibliofind.com and look for "The Joy of Spinning".

-- Yolanda Breidenbaugh (ybereiden@peoplepc.com), June 22, 2000.

Spinning is something I have wanted to learn for many years, and I finally took a class and learned all that I needed to get me started. I felt the wool, and knew this was something that I would love to do for a very long time to come. While the other lady's in my class grew frustrated, I enjoyed the struggle. First you need a good thin piece of yarn, hopefully a piece from a friend to tie on your bobbin. It needs to be long enough to be doubled then fed through the hole at the end of the flywheel that is facing you. This should be tied at the far end of your bobbin, and this creates a loop for you to put a small tail of your fiber in, folding your fiber over the loop, hold in place, and gently start treddeling. With your left hand you will draft, this is done by pulling your fibers away from your wheel, using fingers on your right hand to pinch. This pinching is done for only a second at a time to help build enough spin on your fibers. You hold for a second then release, as you will see the fiber will twist up the fibers to your left hand. Now while the left hand is drafting the fibers, try to keep the fibers fanned out into a little triangle, this will help you keep the amount of fibers that are being spun constantly the same. I love spinning, and I know you will too. Just give yourself time to develop a rhythm. Take your wheel outside and listen to the birds singing and your heart will fill with joy. Good Luck to you. Sincerely Deborah Clymer (clymer@humboldt1.com)

-- Deborah Clymer (clymer@humboldt1.com), July 19, 2000.

I also assembled and finished my Ashford. Mine is a double drive and I think a bit more complicated than a single drive. Wish I had kept the instructions. I found it very helpful to sit and treadle until I got the feel of a smooth, even rhythm. THEN I tried it with roving ( already cleaned and carded wool made into a narrow band all set to tease and feed into the wheel). I found that trying to learn to spin and trying to learn to treadle smoothly at the same time is like trying to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time.

-- Peg (NW WI) (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), July 20, 2000.

I took a beginner workshop this past weekend and tried several spinning wheels after learning on a spindle. It was about 1 and 1/2 hours drive but so well worth it . The wealth of information was great.

-- julie (nelson3@bright.net), February 27, 2001.