Current Doings

I have been doing a lot of this:

I have also been using my drop spindle.  I really enjoy both, not sure which I like better. I mentioned my new Russian Spindle in my last post.  The technique is different from the drop spindle.  I watched some really good videos on using a supported spindle on YouTube, just do a search on the term "support spindle" and you will find some good ones.  But after doing that for a while my fingers started bothering me so I had to give that up, I will try it again, but not a marathon of it like I had done. Using a drop spindle is not hard on the fingers as I found support spindling to be.  But still, I really love the support spindle too.
I also wanted to share a picture of this really beautiful pattern called "Belt Welt" found in the Barbara Walker Second Treasury of Knit Patterns.  I made this blue shawl a few years ago, but recently was thinking of starting a new project with it.  It is a lovely pattern and very easy to memorize.
Blessings All.

Spinning Progress

I think I have made some progress, at least I am getting more consistent. It is like anything in needlework, you have to have patience and get the feel for it. This is spun from roving from Finn sheep, it has a wonderful feel to it and is a very easy roving to pull into thin strips to pre-draft. Hope to take more photos soon and keep up with the blog more consistently too.

Blessings.

Ten Years Later

Here is my first attempt after ten years or so of the wheel just being an expensive decoration. I totally gave up on the craft store roving, and drove up to this wonderful place about one hour north of me. Brenda at Rising Fawn Fibers really helped me understand the mechanics of the wheel tension and how important it is. I bought some great roving from her (Finn Sheep). I am going to knit something with this, will post a picture of how it turns out.

I know it is overtwisted with thick and thin places, but at least I got somewhere. This ball is from a full bobbin. Don't know how many yards it is.

I am working on a second bobbin from the same roving and it is turning out much better.

Spinning, finally ????

After a ten year hiatus from attempting to learn to use my Ashford Traditional spinning wheel, I was inspired by Pixie Purls to get the wheel out and really give it another try. I also made a drop spindle thanks to this great site, Joy of Handspinning.

A very nice lady gave me a huge amount of llama fleece, here I am after we got it home. There is a second bag twice as big as this one.
I am in the process of separating the colors. It is surpisingly clean. This is all experimental, since I really don't know what I am doing!