This is the first of what I hope will be many guest posts from my best friend, Roda. She is a talented fiber artist, something I am very far from being, and has agreed to share with us some of her knowledge and in the process hopefully inspire some creative Holiday gift making. That last bit was aimed at myself. Roda has two alpacas in her backyard, which will be supplying her with fiber once they are sheared.
When I was a girl growing up in Alaska, I had an english angora rabbit named Odie. I was a fan of the cartoon strip, Garfield, which featured a fat orange cat who mercilessly tortured a dorky dog named Odie. My rabbit was a little dorky himself, but very beautiful. The fringe that tipped his ears fell forward in a lovely umbrella over his head, thus reminding me of the ears of Odie the cartoon dog. I was fascinated with his superb, soft wool coat, and spent many hours brushing him. This childhood pet marked the beginning of a lifelong passion: learning to spin that luxurious, soft fiber into yarn.
English Angora Rabbit Betty Chu/Wikipedia |
My mother helped me find a spinning shop that offered lessons. There I was at 11 years old, probably 40 years younger than the next youngest student. What a treat it was to sit with smiling mothers and grandmothers on a cold winter evening and learn to spin.
Many
new spinners begin with a hand-made drop spindle of some sort. My
patient teacher, who become a friend and mentor for years to come,
taught our class how to make our first drop spindle. We used half of a
potato and a large-sized knitting needle. This type of simple drop
spindle is still used in many parts of the world today, but with a stick
rather than a knitting needle. It was great fun and very simple,
however, the potato did not last long.
My next drop spindle was also hand-made and quite simple, but lasted for many years. I’d like to share how you can make a wonderful spindle for a couple of dollars from your local craft store. This makes a beautiful gift for a crafty friend as well, when combined with a roving of wool. Without the expense of purchasing a spinning wheel, you can make your own yarn! A great way for beginners and children to get started.
Items you will need:
1 inch diameter wooden dowel
4 inch wooden circle with hole drilled in center to snugly fit the dowel
open hook with screw end to secure on the top of the dowel
roving of wool, fiber or cotton for spinning
OPTIONAL : wood stain to make your spindle more attractive and last longer
Place
the dowel through the center of the wooden round so that it fits
snuggly. Screw the hook into the top of the dowel so that it is fitted
tightly. Stain your spindle using a soft cloth and wood stain. Be sure
it dries completely before you begin spinning.
Using the fiber of your choice (a soft wool roving is the easiest to start with, as seen in the picture below), pull out enough to hook at the top of the spindle and a little extra to ‘take the spin’. With your fingers, spin the spindle from the bottom of the dowel. Pinch the top of your wool and use your other hand to pull the wool out to keep taking the spin.
As the fiber wraps around itself, continue to ‘feed’ it from
your skein of wool. Don’t worry about it being lumpy, and if it breaks
off, just reattach. As your 1 ply yarn is made, stop spinning, unhook
from the top of the spindle and wrap it around the dowel for keeping.
Just pinch and feed the yarn into the spin and stop to secure it on the
spindle when it is long enough. You can fill the spindle with as much
wool as you like to make a ball of yarn for your project.
Once you have enough 1 ply yarn, wind it up into a ball and start again with a second 1 ply yarn. 1 ply yarn will simply unravel for most projects, unless it is plyed with another. Take a look at any commercial yarn or string, and you will see that there is more than 1 strand, or ‘ply’, for strength and cohesion. Sometimes there are 3 or more.
Once you have enough 1 ply yarn, wind it up into a ball and start again with a second 1 ply yarn. 1 ply yarn will simply unravel for most projects, unless it is plyed with another. Take a look at any commercial yarn or string, and you will see that there is more than 1 strand, or ‘ply’, for strength and cohesion. Sometimes there are 3 or more.
I used white and gray to show the contrast of the 2 plys.
After you have made 2 balls of yarn, try attaching them both to the top of your drop spindle and plying them together. It’s the same process where you pinch the two strands together and feed them together to take the spin. Wrap around your spindle and you will now have strong, 2-ply yarn made yourself. It will be time to get out your knitting needles for our next project!
After you have made 2 balls of yarn, try attaching them both to the top of your drop spindle and plying them together. It’s the same process where you pinch the two strands together and feed them together to take the spin. Wrap around your spindle and you will now have strong, 2-ply yarn made yourself. It will be time to get out your knitting needles for our next project!
We would love to see your homemade spindles and yarn, if you want to share.
Roda
Hi roda..i enjoyed your blog about making a spindle and yarn. This looks like something i might try and share with my grandchildren! I will have to refresh my memory on how to knit!
ReplyDeleteHi roda..i enjoyed your blog about making a spindle and yarn. This looks like something i might try and share with my grandchildren! I will have to refresh my memory on how to knit!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Ann! So great to hear from you! I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I'm working on a knitting project for my next post...something quick and simple and fun! Merry Christmas to you and your family : )
ReplyDeleteBut a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style . “He who will not reason is a bigot he who cannot is a fool and he who dares not is a slave.” by Sir William Drummond.
ReplyDeleteGuest posting Service
It is fine, nonetheless evaluate the information and facts around this correct.
ReplyDeleteguest post
Vocabulary is important for learning a language. Of course, all languages, including English, have thousands and thousands of words.English tips
ReplyDeleteIf you set out to make me think today; mission accomplished! I really like your writing style and how you express your ideas. Thank you. Free spins no deposit casino
ReplyDeleteI love the way you write and share your niche! Very interesting and different! Keep it coming! guest posts marketplace
ReplyDeleteI recently found many useful information in your website especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing. instant approval guest posting sites
ReplyDeleteConsider the posts that highlight the most remarks and examine what they share for all intents and purpose. business blogs that accept guest posts
ReplyDeleteHello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website. Please do keep up the great work. men's fashion
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteArticle rewriter
ReplyDeletePersonally I think overjoyed I discovered the blogs. hotel resorts in hawaii
ReplyDeleteget guest post backlinks
ReplyDeleteI read a article under the same title some time ago, but this articles quality is much, much better. How you do this.. cooperative learning
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. I was reviewing this blog continuously, and I am impressed! Extremely helpful information especially this page. Thank you and good luck. buy guest post
ReplyDeletei was review this blog i am impressed thank you
ReplyDeleteif you want Save your time and energy by using Article Rewriter
then check our site
As a dependable entrepreneur, you'll most likely need persuading before paying to redesign your web nearness to one that incorporates responsive design. Webdesign voor Betaalbare Websites
ReplyDeleteOne more advantage of obtaining reviews that are negative is that you getting opinions about your company which you may take on the action. i was reading this In addition to this, your website traffic will increase.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in this field. Brilliant .i love it reading. https://www.dynamicmarketing.sg/seo-consultant-singapore
ReplyDeleteWriting content that is both search engine friendly and informative for readers can be quite challenging. If you have what it takes Guest posting website
ReplyDeleteThis soap has no fragrance, so some people add Downy crystals. These are NOT sensitive-skin friendly, but many people like the scent. donkeymilk face cream benefits
ReplyDeleteThis is a truly good site post. Not too many people would actually, the way you just did. I am really impressed that there is so much information about this subject that have been uncovered and you’ve done your best, with so much class. If wanted to know more about green smoke reviews, than by all means come in and check our stuff. אנרגיה ירוקה
ReplyDeleteThe site is affectionately adjusted and spared as much as date. So it ought to be, a debt of gratitude is in order for offering this to us. cafe ha noi
ReplyDeleteA to a great degree brilliant blog passage. We are really grateful for your blog passage. fight, law usage You will find an extensive measure of techniques in the wake of heading off to your post. I was absolutely examining for. An obligation of appreciation is all together for such post and please keep it up. Mind blowing work. du lịch tràng an
ReplyDeleteHello, I have browsed most of your posts. This post is probably where I got the most useful information for my research. Thanks for posting, maybe we can see more on this. Are you aware of any other websites on this subject. I will make 100 unique domains SEO service blog comments backlinks
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in this field. Brilliant .i love it reading. Technology Guest Post
ReplyDeleteTaylor Swift Lover didn get much love this year; she got her Coach Outlet fourth Ray Ban Outlet Ray Ban Glasses nomination for of the Year, but hasn won that award Coach Outlet Store in the past. And while one song off the A Star Is Born soundtrack was recognized, the rest of the album faded out of the competition a surprise, given the acclaim of and the Yeezy Boost 350 high profile of the team that worked on the soundtrack as a whole. Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion, Bruce Springsteen and Maren Morris also came up short, despite receiving plenty of attention earlier in the year..
ReplyDeleteAnd I do think it's about being reliant on Coach Handbags Clearance a guy crucially, but it's about finding herself through her past. For me, Yeezy Discount the most romantic things are not the same as the most romantic things for other people. That feeling where you can New Jordan Shoes 2020 say anything and you'll be accepted and still be loved, you know, to me is really, really romantic even if it generates bad behavior.
Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. community health care
ReplyDeletet is imperative to show a high feeling of expert recorded as a hard copy to help perusers trust you. For the best outcomes, you may consider employing the administrations of expert posting organizations. have a peek here
ReplyDeletethey will want to skim through your email Make this possible for them by keeping your email copy as simple as you can. virtual edge and subject line of a thank you email
ReplyDeleteYour site is very helpful for us and the writing is also amazing
ReplyDeleteSEO write for us
I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here Write For Us Apk
ReplyDeleteThis soap has no fragrance, so some people add Downy crystals Huawei Y9a
ReplyDeleteHi, I log on to your new stuff like every week. Your humoristic style is witty, keep it up Niche Edits
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that means its also cat friendly.Guerilla News
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad I found this website since it's the coolest one I've ever been to. I'll listen closely to what you have to say and I'll follow you. An amusing blog called a "spacebar clicker" shows you how to use your computer's spacebar as quickly as possible. Consult the blog spacebar clicker and take pleasure in it.
ReplyDeleteShould the average homeowner know anything about home building and construction? Ideally, the answer to this question should be no because it is expected that the contractor be the one to take care of everything for the homeowner. The problem is that there are a lot of things that calls for some awareness on the part of the homeowner as far as knowledge about home construction is concerned.Alexandria apartments
ReplyDeleteRenovation is an avenue for personal expression, allowing you to create spaces that reflect your individuality and style. Here's how you can infuse your personal touch during the renovation process.garden
ReplyDeleteHome improvement often includes aesthetic enhancements. This can involve painting walls, changing color schemes, adding decorative elements, or updating furniture and decor. Aesthetics play a vital role in creating a visually appealing and harmonious living environment.การ์ดแต่งงาน
ReplyDelete