Thank you so much for taking your time to slowly explain these tecniques. I have had alpacas for years but always gave the fleece to my shearer who runs an animal sancuary. I've never been real good at knitting or sewing so never gave myself confidence to try and use my own fibre. I have a beautiful variety of colors and really want to use it myself. In coming across your channel, your easy manner of explaining everything and your bubbly personality have encouraged me to do this so for that, I thank you so much!! You are a fabulous resource and seem like a sweet person.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have the best ever instructions! I am sort of successfully spinning my first alpaca blanket. I watch you over and over.
Someone gave me some fleeces they didn’t want a month ago. I’m an artist so I was excited! Today I went to a small fiber fest, was shown a couple of spinning wheels, I used all the hand carders and a drum carder....long story cut in half...I came home with a wheel to use for the winter. Yikes!! What have I fallen into? I’m trying to spin some of my freshly carded wool....oh it isn’t going onto the bobbin. I turn on RUclips and here you are “a delightful life saver”. I shall put all the wool away and get a piece of yarn and practice as you suggest. And I will be watching all of your video...a happy new spinner in Manitoba. Thank you!!
I love your show I'm learning with alpaca the o one suggestion that I would recommend is to wear a black apron so that we can see the fibers a little bit better
Just spun my first bobbin full of fiber! Also in the process of cleaning an alpaca blanket for spinning! Thanks for your videos! I've used each along the way! I'm getting better as I go and even my single ply is looking like yarn all in 48 hours! BIG THANK YOU! ❤️
At 32 seconds into your podcast , I hit "subscribe ". Your youthful enthusiasm is beautiful. I smiled til my cheeks hurt ! Thanks for reminding me & anyone else who needed it today . There's a lot worth being hopeful for. Stay safe , spin on ♥️
Thank you so much for the video. It is the best learning to spin and fibre prep video I have seen. You are so good at explaining and so happy and smiley, I absolutely loved it.
You delight me! You are always so happy and positive! I am a new spinner and am loving it. I've only done sheep wool, so looking forward to doing my alpacas' fleece ... they get sheared in 5 days! I love your videos! And so much good information. Keep up the happy videos!
I would suppose that you will have to know a farmer to get a whole alpaca fleece. With a sheep fleece, I am picking out debris and wool anomalies during sorting, washing and carding. Minimal prep such as spinning from the fleece, etc. has always been more trouble and time for me. I have been doing this for forty years and the vast majority has been woolen spinning so I have always used hand cards. The treadle wheel was developed for flax spinning(long fiber) so the rule of thumb has always been 'short staple, short draw'. As you can see, the treadle wheel requires that the wheel be kept rotating at a fairly consistent speed. Without proper carding you start fighting the fiber and get into that 'spinning thin, spinning thick' problem. 'Rolag is right, spinning delight' is certainly true.
Hi, I love your videos and having my first shearing of my alpacas I'm really starting to enjoy the possibilities from the wool I'm spinning. Just a quick question - how do you secure the end of the wool when you've filled up a bobbin?
Hello! When you spin from the drum carder batt, would that technically be a “woollen spun” instead of a “worsted spin”? Woollen spun singles are still a mystery to me. Thank you!
aside from my yarn being lumpy for my first spin, it went pretty well until I was having trouble with uptake and over twisting as my bobbin was filling up. no matter how I adjust tension, I cant seem to get it right now. is there a way to troubleshoot this?
I love watching your you tube videos, I seem to learn something new each time, I do have a question though, I am in the process of spinning the alpaca fleece that we were given when we picked up a floor loom and when I spin it, it seems to over twist as I am trying to spin it onto the bobbin and then when I take it off of the kniddy knoddy itis very twisted, how much weight do I add to straighten out the twist so that it hangs balanced
Weighting the yarn won't remove the twist. If it has lots of twist it will create a bias in the fabric when your finished project is washed and blocked. You can use your yarn, just be aware of the energy in it. 🧶😊
Hi, can I ask, when you spun the fleece off the drum carder, you started from the end. So the fibres going straight on. Is that giving a worsted finish to the yarn and not a woollen finish? Thanks, love your videos.
Good question! That gets tricky into the worsted-ish or woolen-ish or sometimes called semi-woolen or semi-worsted prep and not all spinners agree about those terms. Mostly, if I get the yarn I want in the end it is all good. Carding will always misalign the fibers in some ways so while it can have a more combed type of alignment, it will never be truly combed/worsted if it comes off a carder.
I learned long ago that I cannot drive while listening to the Shostakovich cello concerto. I suspect spinning will be the same-minus the danger of a ticket.
Hey Evie, im about to spin my first ever alpaca yarn, and my question is do i need to add extra twist with alpaca or not can i spin it just like sheeps wool x
Hi Eve. Not long discovered your channel - new spinner here! I have heard that alpaca can be trickier the spin than other fibres for a beginner. Is it harder than spinning merino combed tops in your opinion? I love the fibre and have an opportunity to get hold of some, but am hesitant if it will be frustrating! Thanks for your time, and your endless enthusiasm and sunshine!
Hi Wendy! You are just in time because I'm about to talk about this exact question on my next Podcast! Alpaca is different than wool because it is not as springy and bouncy. That spring and bounce from crimpy wool can make up for beginning mistakes to some degree which is why some people find it easier to spin. To get a soft and sound alpaca yarn, you need a little more precision which is why a lot of people say it isn't for beginners. But if you are motivated to spin it and you can get your hands on some, go for it!
@@JillianEve wonderful! Thank you so much. Been loving your videos, and @Sadiesspincraft (I'm a northern English girl like Sadie!) and have learned so very much in a short space of time. Loving this spinning rabbit hole 😍😊🐇🕳️
I have fur from several beloved pups. I'd love to make it into yarn as its like cotton versus being like hair. Unfortunately I cannot grasp the drop spindle method which I think it due to the fur not being like roving. Its a shame there aren't middle methods to spin. Its either a $20 drop spindle or $500+ for a wheel. I don't have the means to invest in all the equipment. Guess I'll use it to stuff a pillow.
Yes, the easiest way to get the yarn onto the bobbin is by using a leader. I take a double length of yarn and tie it onto the bobbin. I start by pinching it together with my fiber and once it twists it holds itself together and I just keep spinning.
One request, please. Can you make a video about the in-depth cleaning/servicing a very neglected wheel? Mine does work, I've tried it out and that aspect is fine. What it's crying out for is a total, deep clean and service. It's a handmade solid oak wheel. Please don't suggest lifting it, it weighs more than I can lift and took 2 strong men to bring it indoors when it arrived. They used the lorry tail lift to get it out of the lorry. It's a beautiful Saxony wheel and I long to get it looking amazing but am not 100% sure what type of cleaning product it's safe to use. It's around 25 years old, so only a 'baby's in some ways. Thank you so much. This series is of total interest to me since I have 2 sheep and 6 alpaca fleece/blankets to process!
Oh my goodness, I'm in the middle of making a video about refurbishing an antique Swedish wheel right now! I also got another antique that I'll be working on soon as well and it's made from oak wood. Stay tuned! 😊🧶💜
Would you say that you are a left hand spinner and is there a right or wrong way? I am right handed but spin like you with my left but get confused when I watch others spinning with the right hand. Thanks really appreciate all the details.
That depends on a lot of factors. Natural wools are naturally fire resistant and breathable but might felt with a lot of washing. Synthetic fibers are more durable in a washer and dryer for laundry but aren't as breathable or fire resistant. I think you will have to see what qualities you want the blanket to have and look for fibers with those qualities. I'm sorry there isn't a more specific answer!
A few reasons factor into that. Most of my audience is based in the US where alpaca is more available for spinning. Llama is coarser than alpaca and tends to be less of a favorite among knitters and crocheters. However llama is great for weaving and is very durable. If it is prepared right it can also be silky and soft so I would love to see more Llama! 🧶😊🦙❤
Hi Evie, I’m spinning some alpaca and I notice a lot of resistance that I don’t get with wool. Is it the longer fiber?? Should I card it again? Thanks 😊
![Summer Walker - Heart Of A Woman [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/SFddctbZzw8/mqdefault.jpg)
You are an excellent teacher- thank you for using the correct vocabulary and defining the words unique to these processes.
Thank you so much for taking your time to slowly explain these tecniques. I have had alpacas for years but always gave the fleece to my shearer who runs an animal sancuary. I've never been real good at knitting or sewing so never gave myself confidence to try and use my own fibre. I have a beautiful variety of colors and really want to use it myself. In coming across your channel, your easy manner of explaining everything and your bubbly personality have encouraged me to do this so for that, I thank you so much!! You are a fabulous resource and seem like a sweet person.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have the best ever instructions! I am sort of successfully spinning my first alpaca blanket. I watch you over and over.
Your comments on spinning with already made yarn (and the rest) are really helpful to me. Thank you!
Someone gave me some fleeces they didn’t want a month ago. I’m an artist so I was excited! Today I went to a small fiber fest, was shown a couple of spinning wheels, I used all the hand carders and a drum carder....long story cut in half...I came home with a wheel to use for the winter. Yikes!! What have I fallen into? I’m trying to spin some of my freshly carded wool....oh it isn’t going onto the bobbin. I turn on RUclips and here you are “a delightful life saver”. I shall put all the wool away and get a piece of yarn and practice as you suggest. And I will be watching all of your video...a happy new spinner in Manitoba. Thank you!!
I'm so glad I could help! You are in store for a wonderful adventure! ✨
I love your show I'm learning with alpaca the o one suggestion that I would recommend is to wear a black apron so that we can see the fibers a little bit better
Just spun my first bobbin full of fiber! Also in the process of cleaning an alpaca blanket for spinning! Thanks for your videos! I've used each along the way! I'm getting better as I go and even my single ply is looking like yarn all in 48 hours! BIG THANK YOU! ❤️
You are so welcome! Happy spinning!
At 32 seconds into your podcast , I hit "subscribe ". Your youthful enthusiasm is beautiful. I smiled til my cheeks hurt ! Thanks for reminding me & anyone else who needed it today . There's a lot worth being hopeful for. Stay safe , spin on ♥️
Thank you so much! It makes me so glad I could brighten someone's day. Yes, we do all need it right now. Happy Spinning!
A friend is giving me an alpaca blanket..so this series is so helpful!
Thank you so much for the video. It is the best learning to spin and fibre prep video I have seen. You are so good at explaining and so happy and smiley, I absolutely loved it.
You are so welcome! Happy spinning!
Love your videos! Thank you so very much for opening your world and sharing!
This looks extremely therapeutic. :)
You're a great teacher, thank you.
Thank you so much for these videos! I am being gifted some alpaca fiber and was terrified about what to do!
Great explaination of how to spin and visuals. Thank you.
You delight me! You are always so happy and positive! I am a new spinner and am loving it. I've only done sheep wool, so looking forward to doing my alpacas' fleece ... they get sheared in 5 days! I love your videos! And so much good information. Keep up the happy videos!
Oh that is so exciting! I hope you have a great shearing day!
Loving these videos 😍
thank you for demonstration on the different technique. I guess I am a little slower then the average rabbit. but it is starting to click. thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
I would suppose that you will have to know a farmer to get a whole alpaca fleece. With a sheep fleece, I am picking out debris and wool anomalies during sorting, washing and carding. Minimal prep such as spinning from the fleece, etc. has always been more trouble and time for me. I have been doing this for forty years and the vast majority has been woolen spinning so I have always used hand cards. The treadle wheel was developed for flax spinning(long fiber) so the rule of thumb has always been 'short staple, short draw'. As you can see, the treadle wheel requires that the wheel be kept rotating at a fairly consistent speed. Without proper carding you start fighting the fiber and get into that 'spinning thin, spinning thick' problem. 'Rolag is right, spinning delight' is certainly true.
Hi, I love your videos and having my first shearing of my alpacas I'm really starting to enjoy the possibilities from the wool I'm spinning. Just a quick question - how do you secure the end of the wool when you've filled up a bobbin?
Excelente!!👍
Evie, I think your video settings is set to mirror image. You said you are drafting with your left, video is showing drafting with your right.
It might have been. This was recorded before I got a camera and I was using my old phone.
I was the 1,000th like.😊
🎉🎉🎉
Now I need a drum carder 🤔
Every spinner needs one
Hello! When you spin from the drum carder batt, would that technically be a “woollen spun” instead of a “worsted spin”? Woollen spun singles are still a mystery to me. Thank you!
aside from my yarn being lumpy for my first spin, it went pretty well until I was having trouble with uptake and over twisting as my bobbin was filling up. no matter how I adjust tension, I cant seem to get it right now. is there a way to troubleshoot this?
What kind of tension system is it? I have videos about double drive and scotch tension that might help. 🧶💖😊
If you planned to dye this different than the natural color at what point would you do that part?
Sorry! Another question! What tpi is your louet junior please? Thank you.
72 TPI 💕
I love watching your you tube videos, I seem to learn something new each time, I do have a question though, I am in the process of spinning the alpaca fleece that we were given when we picked up a floor loom and when I spin it, it seems to over twist as I am trying to spin it onto the bobbin and then when I take it off of the kniddy knoddy itis very twisted, how much weight do I add to straighten out the twist so that it hangs balanced
Weighting the yarn won't remove the twist. If it has lots of twist it will create a bias in the fabric when your finished project is washed and blocked. You can use your yarn, just be aware of the energy in it. 🧶😊
If you ply that yarn, in the opposite direction you originally spun, it will take out that kink usually.
Hi, can I ask, when you spun the fleece off the drum carder, you started from the end. So the fibres going straight on. Is that giving a worsted finish to the yarn and not a woollen finish? Thanks, love your videos.
Good question! That gets tricky into the worsted-ish or woolen-ish or sometimes called semi-woolen or semi-worsted prep and not all spinners agree about those terms. Mostly, if I get the yarn I want in the end it is all good. Carding will always misalign the fibers in some ways so while it can have a more combed type of alignment, it will never be truly combed/worsted if it comes off a carder.
@@JillianEve Thank you 😁
Do you recommend a control card for beginners?
Muito bom , boa aula
I learned long ago that I cannot drive while listening to the Shostakovich cello concerto. I suspect spinning will be the same-minus the danger of a ticket.
Hey Evie, im about to spin my first ever alpaca yarn, and my question is do i need to add extra twist with alpaca or not can i spin it just like sheeps wool x
Personally I like a little extra twist. Try sampling and see which twist level you like better. I can't wait to see how it turns out!
@@JillianEve I will do thank you darling it will be being filmed so you will see my process lol x
For a beginner, is spinning from the cloud too difficult? Not sure about investing in equipment at this point. Hoping to buy an espinner.
Spinning from the cloud is wonderful!
Hi Eve. Not long discovered your channel - new spinner here! I have heard that alpaca can be trickier the spin than other fibres for a beginner. Is it harder than spinning merino combed tops in your opinion? I love the fibre and have an opportunity to get hold of some, but am hesitant if it will be frustrating! Thanks for your time, and your endless enthusiasm and sunshine!
Hi Wendy! You are just in time because I'm about to talk about this exact question on my next Podcast! Alpaca is different than wool because it is not as springy and bouncy. That spring and bounce from crimpy wool can make up for beginning mistakes to some degree which is why some people find it easier to spin. To get a soft and sound alpaca yarn, you need a little more precision which is why a lot of people say it isn't for beginners. But if you are motivated to spin it and you can get your hands on some, go for it!
@@JillianEve wonderful! Thank you so much. Been loving your videos, and @Sadiesspincraft (I'm a northern English girl like Sadie!) and have learned so very much in a short space of time. Loving this spinning rabbit hole 😍😊🐇🕳️
I have fur from several beloved pups. I'd love to make it into yarn as its like cotton versus being like hair. Unfortunately I cannot grasp the drop spindle method which I think it due to the fur not being like roving. Its a shame there aren't middle methods to spin. Its either a $20 drop spindle or $500+ for a wheel. I don't have the means to invest in all the equipment. Guess I'll use it to stuff a pillow.
You might have better luck with a supported spindle. 💖🧶
Could you please tell me where to buy spinning machine?
I notice you already have yarn on the wheel. How do you start without any yarn? Is a piece of yarn used specifically for this?
Yes, the easiest way to get the yarn onto the bobbin is by using a leader. I take a double length of yarn and tie it onto the bobbin. I start by pinching it together with my fiber and once it twists it holds itself together and I just keep spinning.
One request, please. Can you make a video about the in-depth cleaning/servicing a very neglected wheel? Mine does work, I've tried it out and that aspect is fine. What it's crying out for is a total, deep clean and service. It's a handmade solid oak wheel. Please don't suggest lifting it, it weighs more than I can lift and took 2 strong men to bring it indoors when it arrived. They used the lorry tail lift to get it out of the lorry. It's a beautiful Saxony wheel and I long to get it looking amazing but am not 100% sure what type of cleaning product it's safe to use. It's around 25 years old, so only a 'baby's in some ways.
Thank you so much. This series is of total interest to me since I have 2 sheep and 6 alpaca fleece/blankets to process!
Oh my goodness, I'm in the middle of making a video about refurbishing an antique Swedish wheel right now! I also got another antique that I'll be working on soon as well and it's made from oak wood. Stay tuned! 😊🧶💜
Where to buy the spinning machine ?
Would you say that you are a left hand spinner and is there a right or wrong way? I am right handed but spin like you with my left but get confused when I watch others spinning with the right hand. Thanks really appreciate all the details.
Whatever is most comfortable!
Try Irish spinning music. Old grey mare song is purfect music to spin to. Lol.
❤️❤️❤️
What is the best fibre for a baby blanket?
That depends on a lot of factors. Natural wools are naturally fire resistant and breathable but might felt with a lot of washing. Synthetic fibers are more durable in a washer and dryer for laundry but aren't as breathable or fire resistant. I think you will have to see what qualities you want the blanket to have and look for fibers with those qualities. I'm sorry there isn't a more specific answer!
@@JillianEve thanks
Can you use llama hair to spin?
Absolutely!
Thank you for your prompt reply. I have another question why have you and your viewers only been talking about alpaca hair?
A few reasons factor into that. Most of my audience is based in the US where alpaca is more available for spinning. Llama is coarser than alpaca and tends to be less of a favorite among knitters and crocheters. However llama is great for weaving and is very durable. If it is prepared right it can also be silky and soft so I would love to see more Llama! 🧶😊🦙❤
Are you using 2 ounce bobbins?
These bobbins have about a 3-4 oz capacity depending on the loftiness of the yarn. 🧶
Супер мне нужна этого машинка
Hi Evie, I’m spinning some alpaca and I notice a lot of resistance that I don’t get with wool. Is it the longer fiber?? Should I card it again? Thanks 😊
It's difficult for me to follow because of the pacing of your words.