Thank you for this video. I’ve just acquired an antique Spanish spindle and wasn’t sure how to get started with it. Very clear and helpful instructions
I have a couple of your Spindle sticks and turned whorls. I absolutely love them! Another reason someone may want a counter clockwise spun yarn is if they were using it for crochet. The natural movements of crocheting tend to un-ply the yarn. This happens with commercial yarn which is always spun clockwise.
You make that drafting look so simple. I like the way you hold it between the fingers folded over. I'll need to try that. Eventually I want to spin up some flax. Planting Flax here next month. Hope to harvest later and get some natural fibers to spin up. Just gave my daughter a spinning wheel. She is so stoked to give it a go. She has a good group she belongs to that she said can help. The wheel is easily transportable. Not a foldable one but small and light enough to transport. My need is good drafting practices. What I have done is relaxing after a stressful day.
Wool and animal fibers are spun clockwise and cotton, flax, and all plant fiber is spun counter clockwise. I've read that in several books, although the natural spin in that kind thread is slight. I've also read to unspin on a card to ply the beginning threads from the first spun thread before plying. Gossamer Trreads is a book about orenberg lace spindling and they talk of these methods. A wrist distaff can be used but I'm not sure what year they were used..
You mention in your video that your distaff is dressed for worsted spinning. Could you elaborate on that? What is the difference in dressing a distaff for worsted of woollen spinning and could you demonstrate that in a video?
Worsted spinning is when one drafts parallel to the arrangement of fibers, like taking spaghetti out of a box, they are aligned. When a distaff is dressed for worsted spinning, the fibers lay parallel to the distaff, and you would draft from the bottom at the end of the fibers. for woolen dressing, the fibers would lay perpendicular to the distaff, like taking the carded batt or roving and wrapping it around the distaff the way you'd wrap a bandage around an arm. that would allow you to spin a yarn where the fibers aren't compact and neatly arranged, a woolen yarn that is fluffy and stretchy. I could demonstrate this, but I believe Lois Swales already has an excellent video out entitled "dressing a naked distaff" that i highly recommend
yes, i still sell. I may not have any made at the moment, but i am happy to take custom requests. wait time is generally from 3 -10 days, although I may quote up to two weeks if I have multiple orders waiting
hunterkono824 you have two options. The first is that, if you have an Etsy account, or want one, you can find my Etsy shop Hershey Fiber Arts and start a custom request. The second is that you can email me your request at HFA_proprietor@yahoo.com and I can send you an invoice for the spindle once it's finished.
Thank you for this video. I’ve just acquired an antique Spanish spindle and wasn’t sure how to get started with it. Very clear and helpful instructions
I have a couple of your Spindle sticks and turned whorls. I absolutely love them! Another reason someone may want a counter clockwise spun yarn is if they were using it for crochet. The natural movements of crocheting tend to un-ply the yarn. This happens with commercial yarn which is always spun clockwise.
I just purchased one of your french spindles. Very excited to learn how to spin with it! Thanks for making this video.
You make that drafting look so simple. I like the way you hold it between the fingers folded over. I'll need to try that. Eventually I want to spin up some flax. Planting Flax here next month. Hope to harvest later and get some natural fibers to spin up. Just gave my daughter a spinning wheel. She is so stoked to give it a go. She has a good group she belongs to that she said can help. The wheel is easily transportable. Not a foldable one but small and light enough to transport. My need is good drafting practices. What I have done is relaxing after a stressful day.
Wool and animal fibers are spun clockwise and cotton, flax, and all plant fiber is spun counter clockwise. I've read that in several books, although the natural spin in that kind thread is slight. I've also read to unspin on a card to ply the beginning threads from the first spun thread before plying. Gossamer Trreads is a book about orenberg lace spindling and they talk of these methods. A wrist distaff can be used but I'm not sure what year they were used..
I just bought one of your spindles! I hope you list more, I'd love one with the spiral channel. You do beautiful work.
Your spindles are wonderful. I posted a quick video of how I spin with it. Beautiful woodwork
excellent demo…thanks
You mention in your video that your distaff is dressed for worsted spinning. Could you elaborate on that? What is the difference in dressing a distaff for worsted of woollen spinning and could you demonstrate that in a video?
Worsted spinning is when one drafts parallel to the arrangement of fibers, like taking spaghetti out of a box, they are aligned. When a distaff is dressed for worsted spinning, the fibers lay parallel to the distaff, and you would draft from the bottom at the end of the fibers. for woolen dressing, the fibers would lay perpendicular to the distaff, like taking the carded batt or roving and wrapping it around the distaff the way you'd wrap a bandage around an arm. that would allow you to spin a yarn where the fibers aren't compact and neatly arranged, a woolen yarn that is fluffy and stretchy. I could demonstrate this, but I believe Lois Swales already has an excellent video out entitled "dressing a naked distaff" that i highly recommend
The difference is more in the preparation. Wool for woolen spinning is usually carded, whereas for worsted spinning it's usually combed.
kindly share your shop. like those spindle
Do you still sell this?
yes, i still sell. I may not have any made at the moment, but i am happy to take custom requests. wait time is generally from 3 -10 days, although I may quote up to two weeks if I have multiple orders waiting
How do I order?
hunterkono824 you have two options. The first is that, if you have an Etsy account, or want one, you can find my Etsy shop Hershey Fiber Arts and start a custom request. The second is that you can email me your request at HFA_proprietor@yahoo.com and I can send you an invoice for the spindle once it's finished.