Yarns
Off the bobbin and really happy with this first wheel-spun single. I think it's a perfect color for the Boy and already have a wrist band imagined up in my head for it. It's about 95 yds of worsted to light bulky weight.
Next up, really happy with these singles and I had surprisingly little trouble spinning much thinner. As far as the plying, not so much. I really have no idea what I'm doing there, ehh. It's about 195 yards. I also wasn't real sure how the colors would work together but it's what I had and I wanted to try it. More luke warm on this one but the spinning was fun!
I've been saving my "good stuff" as I find myself worried I'm going to screw it up. That is the nice thing about knitting, you can always rip it out- I doubt unspinning would be quit as successful.
So any spinners out there have some good book recommendations?
Comments
I've really gotten a lot out of "Spin to Knit" by Shannon Okey . . . I also just got the "Teach yourself visually handspinning" book but haven't had much chance to look at it yet.
And if that's your first plying attempt? It looks GREAT!
Posted by: chris | May 31, 2007 10:24 AM
Just remember that you can felt any yarns you make that might not be what you were attempting. I just finished felting a pouch for my husband out of some Jacob roving I bought last year at Maryland. The yarn was not as soft as I would have liked, but once it was felted, it was perfect.
Hands on Spinning by Lee Raven is a good ref book too. I have both that and Shannon's book and I love them both.
Posted by: Sandy | May 31, 2007 10:29 AM
Your yarn looks so beautiful! you've really gotten awesome at it! :)
Posted by: Jen da Purse Ho | May 31, 2007 02:17 PM
I know what you mean about not wanting to mess up the good stuff. I find myself having to make myself relax and just spin it, and stop putting pressure on myself to make something perfect.
Posted by: Kristin | May 31, 2007 02:20 PM
Beautiful blues! Fantastic job!
Posted by: tiennie | May 31, 2007 03:37 PM
Very beautiful indeed! I would not worry too much, you did good so far and I am quite convinced you will do just fine on everything else...
Posted by: Juliana | May 31, 2007 04:55 PM
I have to second the suggestion of "Spin to knit." That book really helped me get started.
You spinning looks fantastic!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 31, 2007 09:05 PM
Your spinning is lovely...something I haven't tried yet so I'm no help with advice.
Posted by: Barbp | May 31, 2007 09:25 PM
Look at you go!!!!!!
Posted by: Heidi | May 31, 2007 11:21 PM
i really like the ashford book of spinning by anne field.
carol rhodes has some really good articles in spin-off magazine, too.
Posted by: judy | June 1, 2007 01:41 AM
Wow those are so pretty. I need to learn to spin!
Posted by: Arleta | June 1, 2007 07:59 AM
Omg Thank You Sandy! That's such a great idea and wouldn't have thought of it, lol! I think it felted it would look rather cool instead of just wonky. Ha, I'm so excited by this simple solution. :)
Posted by: Me | June 1, 2007 10:41 AM
Definitely Alden Amos' Big Book of Handspinning.
It looks like a textbook, but he's a great and funny writer, and it's not a chore to read if you take it chapter by chapter.
I've borrowed a copy from my local spinning guild - worth checking that or your local library to see if you like it. I don't know how much my spinning has actually improved, but it helps to understand the anatomy of the fiber and yarn, and the fact that there are different drafting techniques, etc.
Posted by: Heather | June 1, 2007 04:35 PM