Gift for learning to spin

[Think of Winter]

Dh wants to learn to spin. I was thinking about getting him some roving, hand cards, and a spindle. Is that everything he needs to get started? Any recommended types/brands? He tried making a drop spindle, and it didn't work out too well, and I have too many other projects to make one. Thx!

[Marlet]

What about this kit? That was I got when I first wanted to learn just to make sure it was going to be something that stuck. The spindle is super basic (I've since upgraded and adore mine....a Schacht hi-lo if you wanted to get him another one to supplement that kit) but it works. I loved it (until I upgraded ). The fiber is nice enough (though the blue [purpley one in that link] did bleed a bit on my hands as I spun) but is still somewhat of a workhorse so it's not just going to slip on through his hands.

I have hand cards and I honestly don't use them that much (and I have tons of fiber needing them!). If it were me, I'd get more of a prepared kit first and then if he likes it add on with the raw tools.

[flapjack]

I wouldn't bother with the cards for a total beginner unless you have sheep or alpaca of your own. I'd get the spindle and some pretty roving- ideally, some undyed roving or tops, some hand-dyed tops and some batts. Look for something with a short or moderate staple length- shetland is a beginner's dream because it's "sticky", merino or falkland is soft but has a short enough staple to be manageable, as does corriedale. I'd normally recommend www.helloyarn.com but her shop is looking sadly empty of pretty stuff at the moment
Spindle-wise, Golding if you can afford it, and the schacht hi-lo seems to be the popular workhorse over there. Fluff-wise, try etsy.

[Think of Winter]

Thanks so much!

I was thinking hand cards because I have about a fleece and a half. But I got it from Freecycle, so I'm happy using it for stuffing.

I looked at the Golding spindles. They are beautiful, but dh would not approve of a $90 spindle if I could get one that works well for $20ish. I was confused by the pictures on the Golding website. The spindles look really short. Do they perform significantly better than a Louet?

[flapjack]

No, Goldings are just supremely pretty- the Louet or the Schacht will do the job perfectly well.

One of the reasons I'm suggesting holding off on the cards is because fibre preparation is an art in itself, completely different from spinning- just like spinning is a different art to weaving/crochet/knitting, even though it's the next step back in the process. The other is that if you're going to spin from fleece, you should learn to do it long-draw, in the grease, which will save on a LOT of time in the long run

[Malva]

There is a new book called Respect the Spindle that looks fabulous. With a spindle and roving, it would be a great gift.

[Think of Winter]

Thanks so much! I am thrilled with this present. If he doesn't end up spinning, I might have to start.

Here's what I got:

a walnut Kundert spindle
8 oz of bfl top (Hello Yarn has great prices on undyed!)
8 oz of shetland top
2 4-oz skeins of hand dyed roving from Etsy
Respect the Spindle
all in a nice basket.

Yay! Thanks again.

ETA: I received my box from Hello Yarn today, and rather than the 8 oz BFL and 8 oz shetland I was expecting, I got 1 lb of Rambouillet. Adrian not only shipped out the replacement already, but told me to keep the Rambouillet!! Wow, that is some kind of customer service, and the roving is tdf. I'm kinda wanting to keep this gift for myself.

[greenmamato2]

I'm sure your hubby will be more than thrilled! It sounds like a perfect gift!