Gah! Why do I suck?

[witchybelle4u2]

Oh dear...I got a top whorl spindle (if I got that all right) yesterday with some pre-dyed wool. I only had a quick sort of instruction on how it's done and then brought it home to give it a try. Well, I don't think it went all that well...



Can someone please explain exactly what I did wrong and how I can not do it in the future? Please? 

[puppymomma]

First of all honey, suckage is all relative.  I think you did a fine job, especially for a first try.  I'm not so great with a drop spindle myself.  It looks like you may have drafted some parts too thin and then over-spun them, which is why you have all of the twist-back-on-themselves parts.  But some people do that on purpose.

Overall, I say way to go on first spinning!

[punkrockmom]

well i think it looks great for a first try.  i have been spinning since may and i still feel like im just getting the hang of it.   have you set the twist?  that will help get out some of the overspun-ness (thats a word right?)

[OldQlts]

i think you did GREAT!!! while i'm not a spinner, i LOVE handspun yarns and i find the variation such as you got (the thick & thin) especially delightful!

[amyshrugged]

i think you did GREAT!!! while i'm not a spinner, i LOVE handspun yarns and i find the variation such as you got (the thick & thin) especially delightful!

I'm in total agreement!  Also, thought you might like to hear this.  My fiber arts prof mentioned that new spinners often have awesome texture in their yarns... but once they get really good at keeping it consistent, they sometimes can't go back to "funky & chunky" anymore... so enjoy the uniqueness while you have it. 

[bunnyrivera]

I think it looks pretty nice - did you try blocking it?  This can really help with the extra twistiness bits.

[warpedweaving]

have you set the twist?  that will help get out some of the overspun-ness (thats a word right?)

Setting the twist will definately help. I started spinning on a drop spindle and could never quite get the hang of it. I finally took a risk and bought a spinning wheel. It's a whole lot easier to control the amount of fibers you are drawing out on a wheel. This gives you a much smoother yarn. I then went back to trying to spin on a spindle and found that it was much easier. So hang in there, your yarn really does look great! You should see my first try!!!

BTW-amyshrugged is right!! I have been spinning for a few years and now it seems like all I can spin is really fine yarn! I want thick and chunky!!!

[chromegrrrl]

It's not so bad. I agree with the others, it's great for a beginner yarn. You need to decide what you are trying to do first, then try to do it. It looks like you changed your mind a few times-- that's all.

You can try the 'park and draft' method or if you like to live dangerously-- see how thin you can spin a single and still feel comfortable, if you want chunkier yarn then spin a bunch of singles and ply them. I would guess that plying melts away 80% of oopsies.

Practice and play, play and practice-- there'll come a time where you'll wonder why it's such an ordeal to make thick and thins.

[witchybelle4u2]

Omg. Thank you all so much!  I don't feel like just tossing it in the bin anymore. (I spent an hour staring the spindle down trying to psyche it out before I could even start. Lol.)

Um...I'm not really sure what blocking is.  Did I miss that somewhere? I tried to set it but I'm not really sure I did that right either. I soaked the whole thing in some warm water for a few minutes and then hung it out to dry. I'm wondering now if I should've hung something on it to sort of straighten it out?

I can't wait to try this again (even though I have a funny ache in my arm from holding it up!). The next step though is actually making something out of my very first skein (and hoping that it doesn't fall apart anywhere lol).

Thanks again all!

[apixiegrl]

I think your first try at spinning was awesome. I also have some problems with a drop spindle, although thats how I learned. I now have a spinning wheel and have more control. But if u can't afford a wheel right away and your not sure if u will continue spinning, try spinning the spindle and then holding in between your knees as u draft your fiber for a bit more control. when your satisfied give it another spin.
The method i use for setting the twist or blocking is; after your yarn is wet and blotted with a towel i hang it over a door knob and weigh it down with a can of soup or something until it drys.
I took lessons to learn to spin years ago but just picked it up again. My teacher was all about thin and even. It's true.... once u start spinning thin and even its very hard to get nice thick slubby yarn.    I say just enjoy your creativity..