Sunday, July 11, 2010

In which I learn to spin

It's been almost exactly a year since I last posted, which is a bit embarrassing. I tend to go through cycles of reading or writing, and clearly I've been in a reading cycle for a while.

I'm breaking the silence to report that I am learning to spin. Yes, as if knitting, bellydancing etc isn't enough I have further cluttered my living room with an Ashford Traditional spinning wheel. Spinning is quite enjoyable, although I still have to concentrate a fair bit on what I'm doing.

Here's my first, lumpy, overspun/underspun skein.
First Handspun

Here's my second, which is a definite improvement.
Second skein

And here's what will be the third - I'm still in the process of spinning it. I am finally achieving some consistency in the thickness and twist of the yarn.
A bobbin of handspun (Skein 3)

I am unofficially taking part in the Tour de Fleece, where you are supposed to spin everyday during the Tour de France. The idea is to set goals and challenges for yourself. My goal is to spin all of the crossbred top I have been learning on, so I can finally move onto something other than natural colours. I haven't managed to spin every day but I have been spinning most days. Which apparently is the best way to improve at spinning. Here's hoping!

2 comments:

Pille Ploomipuu said...

I arrived here just surfing, but I am discovering a chest of very interesting things.
Congratulations and best wishes from an Estonian living in North-Italy :)

Sharon said...

Yay! That's some great spinning. Remeber to bring your squishies for patting to T2

 
template by suckmylolly.com flower brushes by gvalkyrie.deviantart.com