What should hand spun yarn look like??

[Jenn_M]

I've had a drop spindle for a few months (but I'm out of roving now) and I've spun a couple of hanks but I'm not sure it I'm doing it right. What should hand spun look like? Any pictures of your own work??

[flapjack]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flapjac...st/3102571160/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flapjac...st/2482064625/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flapjac...st/2403293379/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flapjac...st/2404107010/

Those two are from the same roving, btw. Rajahkat has the two-ply, and the chain ply became this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flapjac...st/3263236654/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flapjac...st/1858096451/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flapjac...st/1858907354/

Again, the same roving.

[Jenn_M]

Thanks!!! Beautiful stuff! So, it's normal for it to be thicker in some spots and thinner in others? I think maybe my expectations are too high, KWIM? I'm guessing it really can't be compared to machine spun yarn.

[fallriverfox]

Originally Posted by Jenn_M

Thanks!!! Beautiful stuff! So, it's normal for it to be thicker in some spots and thinner in others? I think maybe my expectations are too high, KWIM? I'm guessing it really can't be compared to machine spun yarn.

Oh absolutely, that's part of the charm of handspun yarn. As you get more experienced, you'll be able to make more even yarn if you want to.
Here's some of mine, as you can see, it's all over the place:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1160009...n/photostream/
and it knit up beautifully.

[battymama]

Ahh not like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27163782@N08/3725158515/

[flapjack]

I'm having a hard time figuring out what you did there, battymama- is that a cable ply?

Jenn, it is possible to spin perfectly smooth and even handspun, yes. It's a heck of a lot easier to do on a wheel than a spindle, though, because spindles don't spin consistently (though conversely, I spin more evenly on spindles for some thoroughly unknown reason) For me, though, I like variations in texture. YMMV.

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

Beautiful yarn Flapjack! I agree the uneven texture is why I spin.