Yesterday I felt like I could sit and spin a while. The time for spinning must have been meant to be because when I first started spinning, which was back in 2015, everyone kept telling me to do it 20 minutes per day and I would sit down at the spinning wheel and constantly be thinking . . ok . . 19 minutes and I can get up . . 15 minutes and I can walk away. Yesterday, I sat down and didn’t want to get up. I could have sat there all afternoon.
I really have a hard time believing it was 5 years ago when I first got the spinning wheels. Above is a photo of my first spinning. Terrible! It’s either over spun or not spun at all.
Back when I first started, I bought a Craftsy class on spinning and thankfully, have access to that class again so I sat and watched about half the lessons over the last few nights and felt confident enough to try to spin. It isn’t perfect but it’s so much better than it was when I last tried it.
I’m pleased with it, considering I haven’t touched the spinning wheels in at least three years.
I had good control with the treadles. Seems like the last time I tried, I couldn’t keep the wheel going in the right direction but today I didn’t have any trouble at all. I was spinning on the Ladybug and I actually seem to have better luck spinning on it. If Addie wants to try spinning, I’ll let her use the Ladybug and I’ll use the Matchless.
This is the fiber I’m using and I have no idea what it is but it seems easy enough to draft and spin.
My plan is to ply two strands together and knit a hat with this yarn. Lots more spinning to do but I’m having fun. It’s a nice diversion from unpacking!
tracy says
Nice work! I was happy to see that the new “craftsy” has gotten all my previously paid for classes back on my account too.
Denise Fischer says
Are you going to make a two ply. I would do Navajo plying because of the colors.
Judy Laquidara says
I am planning to make it two ply but I don’t think I’ll do Navajo plying because (1) the top is hand painted and it’s almost like splatter paint – no sequence to the colors – in one area, the red is wide and in another area it’s thin, and in one area, it’s pencil line thin and (2) my spinning is not very consistent so even when I’m working in exact same color sequence, some of my yarn is very thin and some is very thick so I think I’m just going to make kinda like Stonehedge’s Crazy yarn. No idea how it’s going to turn out.
Joyce says
Very pretty. I find spinning to be very relaxing. I haven’t done much weaving lately, but I warped the loom for a scarf Sunday, and I’m almost done. I had forgotten how relaxing that is too. Maybe my mojo for all things fiber is coming back!
Judy Laquidara says
I hope so. I think it’s weird how we lose our mojo or the things we love, and then eventually, it usually comes back to us. I gave up quilting or about 10 years in the early 80’s so I’m hoping that comes back too.
Nelle Coursey says
I have never tried spinning but I think you did an excellent job!
Judy Laquidara says
You’re so encouraging! Thanks!