Since setting up the wheel, I've tried to learn to spin. Just getting the rhythm of treadling has taken a little while. Remembering to feed in regularly is plenty for my hands. In order to avoid having to draft at the same time--which felt like patting my head, rubbing my belly, and tap dancing at the same time--I first tried spinning with pencil roving.
Then I plied the yarn, using the suggestion to ply with two different colors in order to see the amount of twist evenly. Although I'm not especially fond of marled yarn, when I make it myself it is much more appealing. I'm pretty pleased! Should I knit a hat? A little felted bag? Perhaps weave a little purse?
With my new-found confidence, I tried drafting a sample of who-knows-what wool that I acquired at the spinning class. Yikes! I won't subject you to more.
Meanwhile, to keep my 7yo son interested while I was trying to learn to spin (and because I really can't talk about much else right now anyway), I taught him everything I know. I figured he would enjoy treadling since he has really loved his bicycle recently.
What I did not expect is the beautiful yarn he would make. Gorgeous singles.
His yarn, cast on to the homemade needles. He's knitting a scarf with his yarn. Impressed?
Since setting up the wheel, I've tried to learn to spin. Just getting the rhythm of treadling has taken a little while. Remembering to feed in regularly is plenty for my hands. In order to avoid having to draft at the same time--which felt like patting my head, rubbing my belly, and tap dancing at the same time--I first tried spinning with pencil roving.
Then I plied the yarn, using the suggestion to ply with two different colors in order to see the amount of twist evenly. Although I'm not especially fond of marled yarn, when I make it myself it is much more appealing. I'm pretty pleased! Should I knit a hat? A little felted bag? Perhaps weave a little purse?
With my new-found confidence, I tried drafting a sample of who-knows-what wool that I acquired at the spinning class. Yikes! I won't subject you to more.
Meanwhile, to keep my 7yo son interested while I was trying to learn to spin (and because I really can't talk about much else right now anyway), I taught him everything I know. I figured he would enjoy treadling since he has really loved his bicycle recently.
What I did not expect is the beautiful yarn he would make. Gorgeous singles.
His yarn, cast on to the homemade needles. He's knitting a scarf with his yarn. Impressed?
11 comments:
I'll say I'm impressed! His yarn looks better than mine after spinning for 6 months!
I'm taking a class right now to learn more. To avoid having to treadle and draft at the same time, the instructor has us pinch the yarn just below the drafting zone, treadle a few times then stop, and then slowly release your pinched fingers to let the twist enter the fibers while you draft. Once you get the hang of drafting, you can start treadling at the same time. It's helped me a lot.
Of course, you could just take lessons from your son!
Don't felt it! Hang onto it. I haven't knit mine into anything (or even plied it - just have the goofy little singles sitting out) but you'll want to go back and look when you're spinning frogs hair and elephant leashes to see where you started!
Wow! Way to go! Kids are amazing, I think their brains are just unclutterred enough still and they just do and what usually comes out is wonderful!
Wow! nice spinning! I haven't learned yet, but Amie has promised to teach me.
I have to say that your son's review of MS&W was the best I've read!
How fab! Your son is a natural! He must have had a very good teacher :)
I'm very impressed. I am thinking of trying spinning myself. Wait. Who am I kidding? My family is already ready to kill me over all the yarn and the knitting. Imagine if I add a spinning wheel and fleece! I shudder to think!
Ang
that looks like so much fun! I have been wanting to spin for ages. no room in my house, not to mention time. hooray to your son!!
:-)
Wow. It's amazing what someone can do when he doesn't realize it's supposed to be hard, isn't it? He did a great job. Yours is looking pretty good, too.
How wonderful your son is so interested in spinning! You're both doing great!
Good lord! Those are both your first yarns? Mine were so lumpy-bumpy that I almost threw them away (didn't, made a hat, glad I did, but whew)! Yours and his are great.
By him his own wheel! Looking forward to meeting you. I'm in Cabin John, MD. BTW, welcome to the MaterialWhirled! Hope you dad is feeling better. Therese
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