Yarn made with variegated roving.
Red variegated roving plied with green and blue variegated roving.
The results of my various combinations.
You may recall that at the Maryland S&W this year, almost on a whim...
...I purchased a top-whorl drop spindle.
I wasn't sure whether I would ever use it or not...
...and actually had one of my daughters watch a video and try it, first!
Before long, though...
...I was actually making yarn! Woooowhee!
Because I do not knit or crochet...
...the yarn that I make is intended for use in my felt.
Therefore, what many spinners strive for...
...consistency in width, uniform plying, and yards and yards of yarn...
...is not what I'm after at all!
You can probably pick out the yarn that I made with two different colors of pencil roving...
...as it's quite uniform in size and ply.
I am now experimenting with adding bits of sari silk waste, strips of finished felt, flax, mohair...
...and various other odds and ends that I find in my cupboards.
My friend, Linda, is coming for a much-anticipated visit this week...
...with not one, but two of her spinning wheels!
She's going to give me a master class in how to make art yarn...
...and I can't wait!!
14 comments:
Woot! You go! You may not knit or crochet but spinning yarn is utterly addictive. I must admit that it is my favorite part of fiber arts. Your yarns are beautiful and will be super sassy in your felted creations. Enjoy your spinning lessons. Here is part of the lesson when I teach spinning:
Rule #1 of Spinning -- Wine helps you relax.
Rule #2 -- Enjoy the fiber you are working with.
Rule #3 -- Don't over-twist your fiber. (Repeat Rule #1 if needed)
Well done Heather :)
Im sure you will have lots of fun spinning with your friend - have a good week
xx
Oh Andrea--I just LOVE Rule #1!
(Who knew spinning could be so relaxing?!?) Giggle.
Thanks, Deborah! I'm really excited about her arrival later today.
I love rule number one from Andrea! Ha!!
I LOVE that you are making yarn!! I cannot wait to see how you use it in your felting...'cause you know I will be using you for inspiration...lol Have a blast with Linda and make sure you get lots of pictures!!!
I love spinning on my wheel but haven't try a drop spindle yet......Your post has encouraged me to try......
I love the three suggestions; they would be good for any art form, uh?
Have a great day...
You're off to a great start. Somehow I knew there would be orange yarn involved :-)
Kelly--Andrea may be a bit of a bad influence with her Rule #1! :)
I made my Peace Felt project with some of my handspun, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit for that post. :)
Nancy--Yes...try it out!! There are some wonderful Youtube videos that will get you started. As far as it being good for a multitude of things...I even saw it being used as a necklace...by itself or with a charm or two hanging from it! Lovely.
Mary--You know me so well! Grin.
Hi busy lady, you make wonderful yarn.
Yes, I am a bit of a bad influence because I also highly recommend Margaritas to improve your knitting ;-)
Did I mention that I hosted a Wine Tasting Party at my farm last May. It was a hoot. I sent my husband and children to a water park hotel and had knitters and spinners sleeping everywhere in my house. We picked the wines by name...too much fun.
Thanks, Tineke!
Andrea--Linda and I were just talking about how you should be here with us!! You are a girl who knows how to have fiber fun!!
You've made some very interesting yarns! I tried spinning with a spindle a few times but the results were pathetic. Andrea's courses sound good any time!
Vivian--My yarn is quite odd, but I'm enjoying the process!
Kudos to you Heather for mastering the drop spindle! That's something I've just never gotten the hang of.
Becky--I'm not exactly sure that I've gotten the hang of it. :) I usually have to have one of my daughters help me when it comes time to take it off the spindle for plying or when it's finished...but it IS fun! XXO-
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