I think I’m hooked. Can you get addicted to spinning?
Evidence of my weakness — always in need of a lint brush, walking in clockwise circles.
I only managed this small ball of yarn from 2 ounces of mohair. I’m still spinning yarn of uneven thickness, but it seems to be getting easier.
Two ounces of Shetland Wool yielded 43 yards of yarn.
My first attempt at plying.
My name is Verónica and I am a spinaholic.
I was in San Antonio for less than three hours but managed to find a yarn store just before closing. (Fellow hard-core knitters can relate).
Tammy Rabideau, the owner of Yarnivore, walked me through their fiber selection. She was very helpful in showing me to gauge how many yards of yarn I might be able to spin from each batch of fiber.
This is what I brought home.
Top: Hand dyed Silky Cashmerino by Frabjous Fibers. This blend of 70% superfine merino, 15% cashmere, and 15% mulberry silk is hand dyed in Vermont. This is color #247 Verbena.
Bottom: A lovely soft Silk/Merino Silver in color #7 Mulberry.
Now to finish spinning the mohair currently on my spindle…
I finally took the plunge. I pulled a lovely white 100% Merino Wool from my fiber stash and started spinning. First, I took the wool and pulled it apart into long thin strips. Then I gently drafted the fibers.
They ended up looking like big cinnamon rolls.
I took out my brand new turkish spindle, attached a leader, and started pulling on the fiber as I turned the spindle clockwise.
My first batch is a bit thick but I’ve read that this is standard for first-time spinners. As I kept spinning, I found I could produce a thinner yarn.
I just have to practice.
This was my first hank! It’s sort of a mini-hank but I am so pleased!
I only had 4 oz. of wool and was able to spin three mini-hanks for a total of 82 yards. I think my yield will be better as my spinning skills improve.
Now I just have to dye it!
My takeaways:
(1) Spinning is way cool.
(2) I must get more fiber.
(3) I need a spinning wheel.
Some time ago, I discovered the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) located in Houston’s Museum District. The HCCC focuses on arts and crafts made from clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood or found/recycled materials. In addition to a variety of exhibitions, they have an Artist Residency program. When you visit the museum, you can see that each artist has their own workspace for perfecting their craft.
When I visited the museum, the Contemporary Handweavers of Houston (CHH) was holding its Artisan Market. Occupying the large display rooms were booths of textiles, jewelry, rugs, clothing and yarn. Weavers were working on large looms and spinners with their whirring wheels were scattered around the rooms.
I had to bring this small guest towel home only because it was handwoven and embroidered by 104 year old Tilly Marchwinski. Mrs. Marchwinski was not present but it seemed that everyone there knew her. They told me that she never missed the show but was a little under the weather that day.
This next item was the perfect sunglasses case. I loved both the vibrant colors and the texture produced by the swirling pattern.
This large basket was filled with handspun, hand dyed yarns.
This hank of yarn was handspun by Peggy Barnette of Sky Loom Weavers. Fiber contents – 80% BFL Wool, 20% Silk, 2 ply.
Normally I am drawn to rich, vibrant colors but I couldn’t resist the sheen of this soft brown yarn called “Chocolate Mint.” It is a 2 ply yarn spun from 50% Alpaca, 50% Bamboo by Penny Nelson also of Sky Loom Weavers.
Follow these links to learn more about the HCCC and the CHH. According to their website, the next CHH Artisan Market will be held on September 6-8, 2012 at the HCCC.
At the Kid’N Ewe Fiber Festival, there were a myriad of tools for spinners and weavers alike. This clever top-whorl spindle was made by BJ Heeke, the instructor for the “So You Wanna Be A Spinner?” class. The instructions on the CD read: “Spin counter-clockwise for an S twist single. Spin clockwise for a Z twist single.” Made from a CD, a 5/16 inch dowel, ligatures (tiny rubber bands used for braces), and a metal hook. Weighs 1.2 oz. You can order your custom-made spindle at Blue Moon Fibers.
Here’s a snapshot of my materials for the beginner spinning class.
This is a high-quality, hand-crafted Turkish spindle by Jeri Brock Woodworks. Jeri showed me how easy it was to use this beautiful tool. The spindle is constructed from padauk wood for the arms carved with a chevron pattern and a cherry wood shaft. See more of Jeri’s Turkish spindles here.
I picked up this handcrafted lucet to create a strong, attractive cord.
I took a picture of these nostependes but had no idea what they were for. I did a quick search on the web and discovered that this tool is used to wind a ball of yarn! It’s origin is apparently Norwegian and can also be written “nostepinne.” I found a great explanation of how to use this tool at the Hatchtown Farm blog. You learn something new every day!
Agujas 