Does anyone do hand spinning?

[Evenstar]

If you have some experience in this, I'd like your input.
I'm interested in learning to use a drop spindle. Do I need to take a class or can I learn this on my own from a book? Any pointers on getting started?

[BabyPie]

Hi,

I took a spinning class two years ago. It is possible to learn on your own from books and online videos. For me, I tried on my own but didn't quite get it until I took a class. The advantage of a class is that you'll pick it up faster. We also learned the difference between various types of fiber, preparing the fiber, plying, and dyeing. The key is to practice as much as you can. During my first class, I lost count how many times my yarn broke and I dropped the spindle but at the end of the class, I had my first yarn. There is a spinning magazine called Spin-Off which has a website with the basics:

http://www.interweave.com/spin/Getting_Started.asp

There are also a few other spinning websites which I can't think of right now. I really love spinning. It's relaxing and its portable. Once you get the hang of spinning, go to a wool festival if you haven't gone before. It's a great way to see (and touch) what's out there and to stock up on fiber

Good luck!

[ammipie]

i spin by hand w/ a drop spindle and i would recomend a class or at least talking to someone who has some expierence. once you get the hang of it it's pretty easy but till you get the knack for it and hand placement it just won't work. At least in my expierence, hope this helps

[flapjack]

I taught myself with the aid of the Interweave leaflet aforementioned. I then went along to my spinners guild and showed then what I was doing, and I'd pretty much got it down.

[Evenstar]

Thanks, all! I may give it a shot on my own using the instruction leaflet. BabyPie, that link is very helpful, thanks!

I look forward to giving it a try

[ddschlr]

I did the drop spindle on my own and then I took a class when I bought a spinning wheel. My opinion is, if there is a class near you take it. I love to take classes and have the time dedicated to it. You meet people and you will defiantly learn something. The spinning class I took was so great because it included the fiber. The instructor had us spin everything under the sun. Different wools, cotton, silk, synthetics and Exotic. Things that you might not get the chance to try because they are expensive.

You should join Ravelry. It is a great knitting, crocheting and spinning community. Tons of people to help and inspire you.

Have fun!!! It's addictive.

[fallriverfox]

I learned from the internets. Youtube has some good videos. I'm sure I spin like a dink, but as long as I get yarn at the end

[monkeys4mama]

So, have you tried it yet? I started spinning with a homemade drop spindle a couple of years ago. I absolutely love it. An online friend sent me the drop spindle and sample roving. I searched around online and found instructions and videos showing the technique. Then I just practiced a lot until I caught on. Since then, I have graduated to better spindles and eventually to a spinning wheel. Now that is SO fun and addicting. I've been spinning skeins and skeins of yarn this past month. Too fun. Eventually I will have to stop and knit something.

My best advice is to start by using the "park and draft" method with the drop spindle. You spin your spindle until it builds up a bunch of twist in the fiber and then "park" the spindle in your lap and proceed to draft out the fibers (pulling gently on the loose fibers to stretch them and letting the twist travel up the fibers to make a twisted strand of yarn). Once you get the hang of the drafting process (that's the hardest part) then you can move on to trying to draft while the spindle is in motion.

I found this worked really well and eventually I got good enough that I could use the drop spindle well and had no problem coordinating the spinning and drafting. From there, it was a breeze to make the transition to the spinning wheel. I just sat down and went to work. Easy peasy.

I hope you've given it a try. If I can help any more, I'd love to try. Spinning is so much fun.

[Cussin' Crafter]

I am hopelessly addicted to spinning on a drop spindle (I'm saving up for a wheel), I actually have spindles with different wool in each room of the house, that's how crazy I am! It is such a great hobby that can be picked up for a few minutes at a time (and a few minutes at a time is all the time I have!) I just love it! I am self taught with help from the internet but as soon as my DD gets over her seperation issues I'm totally taking a class!

[dianamerrell]

Oh I so want to try spinning! It is next on my list. I have been needle felting lately and loving it!

[monkeys4mama]

Originally Posted by dianamerrell

Oh I so want to try spinning! It is next on my list. I have been needle felting lately and loving it!

Just DO it! Really. You will love it. And if you do any knitting or crochet or weaving, you will find this hobby especially rewarding. It is so exciting to work with yarn you spun yourself.

If you don't have much money to invest, try making yourself a simple spindle from a dowel and a CD or wooden toy wheel. You can make them cheaply and buy some inexpensive wool roving to start with. As you get better, you can invest in costlier materials. It doesn't have to be expensive though.

It's a fun hobby to take along places too. Kids love to watch you spin and I always get lots of questions at the playground. I love to teach the kids (and moms) about spinning and the whole process of working with wool.