Spinning
Thomas Zadlo
Lansdale, PA (Halfway between Philly and Allentown) that have regular
get togethers?
I've been spinning with a drop spindle for the last 7 years and got
my first wheel last X-mas. I have found that the best thing about
spinning is I can't stay mad at anything while I spin, not my job or
my family or my fiance. Any thoughts?
Christine at Thom...@MSN.com
Wm. Seaman
Yes, lots of people are spinning. I got my first wheel in April and have
been spinning every day since. Almost all spinners would agree that it
is a kind of meditation. I recommend it highly, but, what am I going to
do with all this yarn?
TC
Bill
James Batson
James Batson
Peggy Strang
Christine and Bill,
I, too, am a new spinner - having also received a Christmas wheel. Now,
over 110 skeins later, my life has taken on a whole new dimension (OK,
maybe "compulsion" is a better word :-D)
When I haven't been spinning (or prepping fiber), I've been knitting,
but just can't seem to knit as fast as I can spin. Have thought about
weaving, but just can't swing the financial investment at this time.
Had a used knitting machine come my way at the right price, and that
has some interesting possibilities, but still climbing the learning
curve at this point.
So right now I'm content to keep on spinning, knitting what I can, and
sitting at the occasional craft fair table to show off the neat stuff
I'm doing. If I make my table fee, the show was a success, as I have
really mixed feelings about selling the stuff.
--
Peggy Strang
bl...@FreeNet.Carleton.CA
Leona Stonebridge Arthen
(Peggy Strang) wrote:
> "Wm. Seaman" (sea...@halcyon.com) writes:
> > Christine,
> > Almost all spinners would agree that it
> > is a kind of meditation. I recommend it highly, but, what am I going to
> > do with all this yarn?
> > TC
> > Bill
> Peggy writes:
> Have thought about
> weaving, but just can't swing the financial investment at this time.
Hi,
I've been spinning for about fifteen years now, drop spindle for the
first few until I got a "wheel" at Pier 1 Imports. It wobbled and
clattered but I learned to spin a smooth thread in spite of it. Figured I
could spin on anything after that! Now I have a Louet, a charka and a
great wheel along with my collection of drop and support spindles. I
teach hand spindle first so students can really get a feel for what is
happening.
Now, all that yarn!!! I've got a cedar chest full. Finally, I
learned to weave. You _can_ get a simple loom for not too much $. A
frame loom, inkle band loom or a backstrap loom. You can piece together
some really nice items, not to mention the belts, straps, placemats that
come easily.
**For no money, try this - take a piece of cardboard as wide as you want
your finished product to be, notch the top and bottom evenly, then wrap it
with your warp yarn securing the beginning and end. You'll need to judge
how many wraps based on how thick the yarn is. Don't make it too tight,
the cloth will tighten after you "full" or wash it. Finger weave or use a
yarn needle to weave with your weft yarns around and around to make a
pouch (if you want a single flat piece, weave back and forth from one edge
to the other or around both sides, leaving one edge open). Finish off the
warp ends by fringing or hemstitching when it's as big as you want it. Cut
it off the cardboard loom and adjust the threads that went around the
edges so it's even, then give it a hand wash to slightly felt the fabric,
let it dry, and you've woven something with your own yarn! You can expand
this type of loom any number of ways - try shape weaving by using nails in
a board in the shape of the item you want.
I recently purchased a wonderful loom called a _triangular frame loom_
for weaving shawls or knee rugs. It's adjustable and has an easel-like
stand. It's all finger weaving on a nail frame that pops together
quickly. I can weave a big beautiful shawl in just a day or two. I bought
it from the maker at the New Boston Sheep and Wool Festival in New
Hampshire. Her name is Carol Leigh Brack-Kaiser; her phone is
314-874-2233 (Missouri) It is not as expensive as harness looms and I've
really enjoyed the sponaneity it allows!
Most important in your spinning is to plan for the use of the yarn,
then you can design it for the project. Thick is best for the triangular
loom, thin is good for socks. Experiment making boucle and textured yarn,
blend fibers or ply in a lurex for sparkle. Have a lot of fun and
remember that if it has two ends, you can spin it!
Leona
Zane Stein
Hi Christine!
There is a spinning shop right in Lansdale, off Broad St. behind a
carpet place. (Just before you get to that little plaza with the bagel
shop.) They have a group, I believe. I don't have their number
offhand but it is in the phone book, under yarn, I think.
I lived in Lansdale for a couple of years and never knew the shop was
there! But you can't really see it from the main road. They did have
some wool & some drop spindles and a few different wheels.
Good luck finding it, and the group!
--Sandy
Clark Johnston
I recommend it highly, but, what am I going to
>> do with all this yarn?
>> TC
>> Bill
Bill: Learn to weave! Peggy: there are some really good buys on
looms these days...quilting has sort of taken over, and a lot of weavers
have "crossed the line". Keep checking in your bargain finder paper!
Or: Knit like mad...or, sell (ouch!...is is really worth it? YES, if
you want that loom or knitting machine) I didn't think I could afford
a loom either 15 yrs. ago; now I have 3, by selling stuff. Sometimes we
have to part with the good to get the better...however, still don't have
that knitting machine!
Spinning is alive and well in Alberta,
Annette
>
Esther Heller
In article <45m9oa$h...@ruby.netrix.net>, David & KathyAumand <maribou> writes:
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>Hi Christine,
>Could you tell me your opinion regarding whether to start to spin on a
>drop spindle versus a spinning wheel as far as the way to start? I have
>been interested in getting into spinning, and would to know.
Previous stuff snipped...
Start on a drop spindle, it's cheaper! I learned from the spring 95 issue
of Spin-Off and home made spindle (2inch disc of 1/4 in maple, one christmas
tree ornament hook and 1 bamboo skewer) and am now taking a class on wheels
from a spinning shop.... The cost of tools lets you try it cheaply, and
gives you a little start before the wheel. The drop spindle is also nicely
portable, you can do it while having a conversation for instance.
Esther Heller e...@raster.kodak.com Of course my opinions are my own!
Interested in: Statistics, software QA, sewing, organic gardening, Hardanger,
knitting, thread crochet, classical music, scratch cooking, woodworking...
The 20th century version of the Proverbs 31 woman.
Ed Rich
>From: e...@raster.kodak.com (Esther Heller)
>Subject: Re:Spinning
>Date: 13 Oct 1995 19:32:39 GMT
>In article <45m9oa$h...@ruby.netrix.net>, David & KathyAumand <maribou> writes:
>>This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
>>
>>---------------------------------10151254462830
>>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
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>>
>>Hi Christine,
>>Could you tell me your opinion regarding whether to start to spin on a
>>drop spindle versus a spinning wheel as far as the way to start? I have
>>been interested in getting into spinning, and would to know.
,
classical music,
scratch cooking, woodworking... >The 20th century version of the Proverbs 31
woman.
Jeeze, where were when I was looking for a wife?
I like classical music, I make spinning wheels, I do most of the cooking (see
my posts on rec.food cooking) I havn't opened a bible in fifty years but I
finally found one and looked up Proverbs 31. What a gal!
But, snif-snif I'm now hoplessly married...sigh.
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Ed (Moosemeat) Rich
"Unless you're the lead dog the view never changes."
Chris Gerstner
away from Allentown. I was given my wheel for my birthday in
July and am now totally addicted - I picked up a rigid Heddle
loom in the shop where I took my spinning class, for just $65.
It is a simple loom to learn to use but I hear you can do many
complex things on it. It came with everything I needed to start
so you may want to look into used equipment. I have knitted hats
and a scarf so far with my handspun - I figure the smaller the
project the more instant gratification you get!
Chris Gerstner
--
Robert Gerstner
Thomas Zadlo
Thomas Zadlo
much is lost from a money stand point. Also try to find some one to
learn from. You can teach your self (I did) but you will be less
frustrated in the long run if you can ask "what am I doing wrong?".
If that's not possible is there anyone who is willing to learn with
you? Misery loves company.
As for wheels:TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! look around at all tha out there
and examine what requierments you have for a wheel. Do want to spin
rug warp or very fine yarns for embriodery or baby cloths? Do want
to be able to the wheel with you went you travel (this was an
important question for me)
E-mail me if you have more questions or if you need help finding a
teacher or supplies
Christine at Tho...@MSN.com
MORIGEL
a custom made wheel to my collection ( I have three wheels, a Camelot
Castle, a Little Susie traveler, and of course an Ashford traditional )
maybe we can talk trade. If you are interested I can send out a posting
of my skills, (ranked Mastercrafter-Textiles) or we can work something
out. PTO- It's great to see other men on this board who are spinning etc.
MORIGEL
out over central and north Jersey, we get together in members homes for an
all day eat and stitch potluck