Prototype whirligig

On July 5, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

I have had an idea twirling around in my head for a while about having a drop spindle combined with a wind spinner for when I’m walking and spinning. The idea is that the walk and wind will give a little more power to the spindle spin. I needed a material that was easy to work and light, so chose finished leather and cut it with my laser cutter.

Photo description: two leather halves of a wind spinner sewn together at the end of the tabs with waxed cord, dilute calico cat in the background

Photo description: finished spinner on a different calico cat, dilute calico in the background

Photo description: leather wind spinner installed on a drop spindle and used to spin some Romney wool, outside on a windy day, coop in the background

The cool thing is that this spinner only spins one direction when wind is blown across it, so it is easy to tell which direction I have been spinning, and suspended on freshly spun yarn, the wind absolutely spins it. Until the power in the twist in the yarn is greater than the push of the wind, which doesn’t take much. Hm. I have some ideas on how to improve the design. I’m hoping to have something working by fall when I can go out walking again. It is too blasted hot right now.

Black Welsh Mountain Sheep wool

On June 19, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

The Black Welsh Mountain Sheep is also on the Livestock Conservancy’s Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em list as a threatened heritage species. I have finished single spinning my 4 ounce sample. It is very nice to spin, and I was able to achieve a nice thin single. My challenge for myself in this spin was switching direction half-way through, so I now have half the wool spun in the S direction, and half in the Z direction.

Photo description: spun Black Welsh Mountain wool on two spindles and one center pull ball, sitting on the original bag from Camaj Fiber Arts, and another bag with a lock of unspun wool

My plan is to do some parallel experiments with the two different spins in weaving, knitting, and crochet, until I run out of wool.

Spinning while spinning

On June 3, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

So yes, I can spin yarn while using a stationary recumbent bicycle.

Photo description: simple drop spindle with Black Welsh wool spun into a single, recumbent stationary bicycle pedals in the background

As expected, it looks different than walking and spinning, I have the spindle off to one side so it can hang down, and the floor is closer, so I have to wind up more often, but it works and gives me something to distract myself from what my legs are doing.

Whatever it takes

On May 29, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

Summer is coming to Texas, which means it will be hot. Hot during the day, hot at night, and hot in the morning. I found a recumbent stationary bicycle so that I can get some exercise this summer, because I have historical data that I won’t go walking in the summer heat. I also know that I am easily distracted, so I have two arm bags with different projects set up on the machine, and there is a stand for my phone so I can get some learning in while I craft and pedal.

Photo description: monitor view of a stationary bicycle with two cotton bags hanging from the handles, the left one has knitting and the right one has spinning with a drop spindle

Southdown spin

On April 14, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

I have finished spinning 4 ounces of Southdown wool using a Turkish style spindle to make single spun yarn.

Photo description: Turtle of Southdown yarn on a Turkish Style spindle outside with dilute calico in the background

Southdown sheep are a dual purpose breed from England. When I bought this wool, the sheep were on the Conservation Priority list. In 2024, they came off the list and are no longer considered a threatened heritage breed. Which demonstrates the power of attention and purchase.

Photo description: all five turtles spun from 4 ounces of Southdown roving made while walking the neighborhood

Before I ply these singles, I think I will experiment with making swatches with the singles. The ways the yarn twist and fabric method bias interact have peaked my curiosity and I was to do some experiments.

Critters and Craft

Tag: spinning