Well to be honest my WIP has really not changed much since last week so figured there's not much I can really write about that I haven't already shown before so this week it's not so much a knitting/crochety type WIP but more my adventures in spinning (which I think is definitely a long term work in progress but fun none the less).
I got a drop spindle and some roving a few weeks ago but hadn't gotten around to having a go with it. Well I figured it was about time, so did a little youtube surfing and watched a few videos.
I found a few I liked and decided to follow this method to splitting and predrafting my wool before starting to spin it and then using another video by the same poster I started to spin my wool.
So I started with this
I unbraided it and had three chunky strips
I split it down and ended up with a pile of thinner strips
I then had a go at predrafting the wool. This is harder than it looks and I kept pulling it too far apart and splitting it up. So after re-attaching it a fair few times and then adding all the strips together I had a nice long piece to spin.
A couple of things I found out with this first attempt is your predrafting needs to be alot thinner than I thought. I thought I'd got it quite thin but I've still ended up with quite thick yarn. Its pretty, though I'm not sure I'm going to try and ply it as its going to be super chunky if I do :)
I've got a few more lengths to do practising this method and then I get to play with this next.
Its an ashford traditional. I'm planning on going on a course at the end of next month on spinning and also getting in touch with my local spinning guild as I think I still need quite a few pointers but its definitely fun.
For more work in progress posts please see Tamis blog.
Your spinning looks great and is a lovely colour. I divide mine lots of times for spinning thin yarns, the current laceweight I probably divide into at least twenty bits, about 45cm long, they don't really need predrafting at that sort of thickness, just a little smoothing
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. I'm scared to try spinning, mainly because I know I'll get addicted and I don't have time for the hobbies I do have! Love the colours you're working with, and I look forward to seeing more spinning posts ;)
ReplyDeleteOoooooooh - I REALLY want to try spinning! I've been looking at spinning wheels but they are SO expensive! For now, I'll just keep dreaming!
ReplyDeleteI've had a go again today and I've really split it down alot further as you suggested and its worked so much better, thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteits fun and yes I can see it becoming very addictive already lol
Sarah you should so have a go, if you don't get a wheel you could just get a drop spindle to have a play with ;0). I got Anjas wheel of FSOT as it seemed a really good price (so figured I'd be able to sell it on for that if I don't use it much) and I've been having a play today with it and I can see a new obsession coming on lol