thanks for the link!! :)

in my bf's hometown in RI, there's this lady who owns an oil company/car yard type place, and in what looks like a decrepid garage, she houses this insane collection of sock yarn and unspun wool for sale. she musn't get too much business becuase the one time i went, she showered me with free gifts ranging from stitch markers and some practice roving all for buying some sock yarn. i also bought a drop spindle (much like the one you have posted) but still have no idea how to use the thing. she went ahead and showed me, twisted a bit here, flicked her finger there, and WHOOO, the thing took off and this lovely yarn followed. i tried...the darned spindle fell right on my toe.

long story short, if you can figure out how in heck to spin the thing without causing bodily damage, i would be obliged :)

Oh, yay! You've come over to the dark side!!!! Let me know if you want me to share my treasury of links on spinning.

Greensleeves has the most amazing, gorgeous, simple spindles. I have a feeling that I'm slowly becoming a spindle collector. I don't have one of theirs yet.

OK... I went and hunted down some links for you.

http://www.icanspin.com/
http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/
http://www.stickandstonefiberarts.com/ Great prices, sweet people. Try their Optim. I haven’t seen it for any cheaper anywhere else and it’s a dream to spin. It’s merino that has been permanently stretched so that it’s washable. Also, their Dave Larson Spindles are beautiful and fun.

Any merino/tussah is great to spin. Merino tencel is fun but not as easy for me. Merino bombyx is amazing. You would enjoy spinning Suffolk and Blue Faced Liecester (BFL). Suffolk sticks together with heavy crimp and BFL has nice, long fibers which help beginners.

http://www.spindlicity.com/ My pal, Janel, edits this online mag. Anything you want to know, she’ll have it for you. Especially this article on the physics of spindles. http://www.spindlicity.com/spring2006/spindle_physics.shtml

Enjoy!

Uh-oh... Once you start spinning, you can't stop! Lovely color fiber.

I second all of Sachi's links.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spindlers/?yguid=269300861 is a great mailing list with an emphasis on spindle spinning (although many of the members also have wheels) and everyone there is so friendly and helpful.

I keep resisting the call....wonder how long that will last. Have fun.

I just bought some roving and plan to try my drop spindle again. The first time I tried (over a year ago), the results were pretty bad. What I would really love to get is a wheel...one day. Good luck on your spinning!

That fiber looks delicious. I especially like the shades of blue. Hope you have a merry time with your spinning!

I bought a spindle for my birthday a couple of months ago, and I still haven't tried it out! I think I will take a look at the links they have posted and see what I can figure out. Can't wait to see how it goes for you!
BTW - I just took my cupcakes out of the oven, and the center has fallen on all of them... Could be the altitude here! I am sure they will still taste great!
Good luck on spinning!

I forgot to mention where I got the fiber. I had ordered a sample pack from eBay seller flyingewe and after taking this photo realized, hang on- I had ordered a different set. I love these colors too so emailed them just to let them know of the possible mix up of other orders but these were fine and they sent out my original order as well! That's in addition to the lovely burgundy colored sample top that was a free gift.

I'm so jealous. Was tempted by a spindle and such this week and the state fair. Alas my backpack was already fill. Can't wait to see how everything materializes!