Tuesday, April 03, 2007

scribble yarn

Some people start out with a spindle, which I think is a great way to try the craft of spinning, before the rush and push of treadling a wheel. I want to become proficient with a hand spindle so that I can confidently and competently demonstrate this ancient art, and maybe capture the imagination of others.

Yesterday morning a special package that I'd ordered arrived. As you all know I can spin on a wheel. I have a couple of homemade top whorl spindles, but I just hadn't got to grips with them, not to be defeated I went to Wanda and Ed at Jenkins Woodworking and treated myself to a Turkish drop spindle. If you've tried to spin on a top whorl and don't feel like you're getting anywhere, it may just be the spindle, not you. As I have now found the right spindle for me is this Turkish spindle, it's a work of art, perfectly balanced and I love the way it makes a little centre pull muffin, ready to ply with another.

I was feeling a little down in the dumps earlier, but I was also keen to have a go with the Turkish spindle. As I spun a little pencil roving, Neo was doing a little drawing, I decided it would make a fitting background for my spinning as he was using exactly the same colours.

13 comments:

picperfic said...

oh no...now I need a new spindle! I like your logo ;^)

Laura B. said...

I hope you enjoy the book~ (Time Traveler's Wife). It took me awhile to get into it, but now it's one of those books I can't wait to get to.

Jessie said...

pretty yarn! my mom spins and so it is fun to read this. she tried to teach me how to use a drop spindle once...but not with much luck. i think it is exceptionally cool though. while in india, i bought my mom a couple drop spindles from an old man at the market. in northern india, ONLY the MEN spin. i thought that was interesting.

Ang said...

Oh that's really pretty yarn, and Neo's scribble!

I'm gonna have to find me a spindle, I'm dying to spin!

Caroline said...

Lovely colours!

Anonymous said...

What lovely spinning. My stuff on the drop spindle isn't quite as good as yours yet. Any chance of action shots in the future - it would be great help for some.

Meant to get back to you after you left such a nice comment about wanting to help me to spin. I would love to take you up on your offer one day - at the moment I'm up to me eyeballs in natural dyeing as you know. But one day........

Seahorse said...

Gorgeous colours!

Love the new title!

Marianne said...

Yay! and look at you! Jumping right in...your yarn looks great to me and love those colours!

Anonymous said...

That looks great - and I might have to try as bottom whorl spindle before I give up completely then.

Annie said...

I couldn't really get on with a drop spindle - don't think it was the spindle, I just couldn't get into any kind of rhythm. Took to using a wheel like the proverbial duck to water though. Are you close enough to Brighton to come to Stitch 'n' Bitch on Wednesdays?

Artis-Anne said...

Ohhh I have been wanting one of Wanda's spindles for a while ; they certainly sound fantastcic and a great first yarn you have made with it :)

Ms. Knitingale said...

Such pretty yarn....now I wanna see the spindle! I'd also like to see myself coordinated enough to try it myself...but you know how it is with me...

TutleyMutley said...

I've not tried spinning - but I've signed up for a workshop - I'll bear your comments in mind!
Neo's drawing makes a great background for your yarn. You're right - exactly the same colours.
YUM...