Thank you for your informative videos! I am a relatively new spinner and your explanations and demonstration of the spinning process made a lot of sense to me - finally it "clicked" and now I can spin a half-decent yarn ;)
Thanks! I've just started spinning with a homemade drop spindle, but I plan to get a wheel. In fact, I just tried spinning on a double-treadle castle wheel today, and utterly failed to make a decent yarn. I can tell this will take some work. Your video is a great help in terms of seeing, hearing, and learning. Again, thanks!
I felt I should mention spindles more because it is an inexpensive introduction to drafting. Although I could never master a spindle myself, once I sat down in front of a wheel I was fine. I think it is wonderful that you are still checking and replying to comments to these videos after so many years, so many times on other comment threads there is no answer. Thanks for all you've done.
It is super smooth and the main wheel is detachable also so that I can take it anywhere pretty much. I love it to bits. I have had it now for probably 15 years or so, also have a lendrum double treadle, 2 Ashford joys and 2 Traditionals. Regards Sue
Hi Catherine, thaks for the comments, I had quick look at your spinning video, didn't see how long ago, and I am sure you have spent many more hours perfecting since then, you might find it helpful to decide which hand to keep forward and which back on the yarn.
The wheel I use for these vids is a handmade oak wheel made specially for me by Martin Reeve at P&M woolcraft. It has a large drive wheel, 22 or 24 inch can't remember off hand and I had it made so that Ashford bobbins flit the flyers so I am never without a bobbin, it has three flyers with three ratios on each so that I can spin any thickness of yarn.
(follow on)The front hand controls the twist and the back hand controls the fibre as it comes forward. If spinning short draw, use the front hand only to draw forward out of the mass, if you use both hands drawing apart you could easily end up with thin bits in your spinning.
Great - just found your videos - so helpful as I am just starting to spin on a wheel I got from an auction ! - not easy -from the web it is a Dutch flax wheel but I am sure (with your video help) I will get the hang of it! Thank you.
I did mention the electric spinners, and ravelry, the CHARKHA wheels I think are good too but not easy for a beginner to master. I didn't mention spindles as I was asked specifically about spinning wheels.
There are a lot of ways to spin without a foot-treadle spinning wheel. The first that comes to mind is drop spindles. There is also a spinning wheel from India called a chakra, which is turned by hand and the yarn is drafted from a spindle point one handed. There are several videos here about both. The last idea that comes to mind is an electric spinner, the best of these is the HansenCraft miniSpinner. A good place to get advice from spinners is the Ravelry website, electric-spinners forum.
Hi christine A electric wheel would suit your needs best. a spindle can be daunting to some people.An electric wheel allows a user to control speeds without the use of legs. Ive used one for some time now . Let me know if you are interested in getting one.thanks.
sounds like a really good balance to me, bet you are not based anywhere near to me though. I was knitting in my local cafe yesterday whilst waiting for an appointment, no-one else seemed interested which is a shame as it is part of a craft gallery. Sue
Sue, you've done a marvelous job at describing how to card and spin wool. We are in the process of finding sheep to purchase, of which I want to learn to how to use their fleece. My question to you is: what type of hair from what breed of sheep do you find the easiest to work with? There are fine and medium haired sheep breeds that do well in Texas (where I live) but I am unsure as of which breed I should search for as far as wool quality. Do you raise your own sheep?
I am paraplegic, (legs don't work), is there a spinning wheel I can use? My neighbor has baby doll sheep and I can get yarn, looks like fun and winter is coming! Your videos are very informative and I love your sense of humor.
Just joking honest, I know quite a few male spinners who are often better at it than women. I am sure all practical subjects, (I teach fly fishing as well) depend on which side of your brain is dominant. Glad you like the vid.
Fantastic! I'm a beginner and I learned SO much from your videos! Thank you.
I finally get it- thank you for making such a comprehensive video. I can spend my money on roving now instead of lessons.
Thank you for your informative videos! I am a relatively new spinner and your explanations and demonstration of the spinning process made a lot of sense to me - finally it "clicked" and now I can spin a half-decent yarn ;)
Perfect! I just got an Ashford Traditional and this was exactly what I needed to see to get started! Thanks!!
Thanks! I've just started spinning with a homemade drop spindle, but I plan to get a wheel. In fact, I just tried spinning on a double-treadle castle wheel today, and utterly failed to make a decent yarn. I can tell this will take some work. Your video is a great help in terms of seeing, hearing, and learning.
Again, thanks!
I am so pleased they have been helpful to you, getting over the first little hurdle is hard when you have no teacher on hand.
I felt I should mention spindles more because it is an inexpensive introduction to drafting. Although I could never master a spindle myself, once I sat down in front of a wheel I was fine. I think it is wonderful that you are still checking and replying to comments to these videos after so many years, so many times on other comment threads there is no answer. Thanks for all you've done.
It is super smooth and the main wheel is detachable also so that I can take it anywhere pretty much. I love it to bits. I have had it now for probably 15 years or so, also have a lendrum double treadle, 2 Ashford joys and 2 Traditionals.
Regards
Sue
SO useful! The bit about the sample is great. I love your videos :D
I am so glad you like them, I am planning a DVD of in depth techniques sometime soon, hope to have it ready for next year.
I am so glad you found it useful, I started with a traddy and still have it.
Multi-tasking...definately a woman's occupation! That's great! Very informative vid. Thanks for sharing your skills!
Again, vey instructive -= never thought of breaking off the plied sample to keep for matching later!
Thanks
Catherine
I have so many fav's, Cormo from Tasmania probably first followed very closely by cashmere, silk, alpaca, merino, angora, camel
great intro to spinning at the beginning. thanks for sharing.
Hi Catherine,
thaks for the comments, I had quick look at your spinning video, didn't see how long ago, and I am sure you have spent many more hours perfecting since then, you might find it helpful to decide which hand to keep forward and which back on the yarn.
The wheel I use for these vids is a handmade oak wheel made specially for me by Martin Reeve at P&M woolcraft.
It has a large drive wheel, 22 or 24 inch can't remember off hand and I had it made so that Ashford bobbins flit the flyers so I am never without a bobbin, it has three flyers with three ratios on each so that I can spin any thickness of yarn.
(follow on)The front hand controls the twist and the back hand controls the fibre as it comes forward. If spinning short draw, use the front hand only to draw forward out of the mass, if you use both hands drawing apart you could easily end up with thin bits in your spinning.
Great - just found your videos - so helpful as I am just starting to spin on a wheel I got from an auction ! - not easy -from the web it is a Dutch flax wheel but I am sure (with your video help) I will get the hang of it! Thank you.
I did mention the electric spinners, and ravelry, the CHARKHA wheels I think are good too but not easy for a beginner to master. I didn't mention spindles as I was asked specifically about spinning wheels.
There are a lot of ways to spin without a foot-treadle spinning wheel. The first that comes to mind is drop spindles. There is also a spinning wheel from India called a chakra, which is turned by hand and the yarn is drafted from a spindle point one handed. There are several videos here about both. The last idea that comes to mind is an electric spinner, the best of these is the HansenCraft miniSpinner. A good place to get advice from spinners is the Ravelry website, electric-spinners forum.
I'm a member of the 'tea shoppe knitters' - we spin and eat cake! (and cream teas :-( )
Very informative!!! Thank you. :)
Yes, I've since settled on left hand front.
Hi christine A electric wheel would suit your needs best. a spindle can be daunting to some people.An electric wheel allows a user to control speeds without the use of legs. Ive used one for some time now . Let me know if you are interested in getting one.thanks.
sounds like a really good balance to me, bet you are not based anywhere near to me though. I was knitting in my local cafe yesterday whilst waiting for an appointment, no-one else seemed interested which is a shame as it is part of a craft gallery.
Sue
Normally I'd say in magazines, Yarn Forward in particular.
Sue, you've done a marvelous job at describing how to card and spin wool. We are in the process of finding sheep to purchase, of which I want to learn to how to use their fleece. My question to you is: what type of hair from what breed of sheep do you find the easiest to work with? There are fine and medium haired sheep breeds that do well in Texas (where I live) but I am unsure as of which breed I should search for as far as wool quality. Do you raise your own sheep?
I am paraplegic, (legs don't work), is there a spinning wheel I can use? My neighbor has baby doll sheep and I can get yarn, looks like fun and winter is coming! Your videos are very informative and I love your sense of humor.
Just joking honest, I know quite a few male spinners who are often better at it than women. I am sure all practical subjects, (I teach fly fishing as well) depend on which side of your brain is dominant.
Glad you like the vid.
If I were to have video for sale where would you all be most likely to find details? Magazines, Here, my web site ?
Can I ask what's your favorite fiber for spinning?