Tag: spinning

Giving it a whorl

On By CarynIn Craft

I made this spindle whorl awhile back using a laser cutter. The dragonfly design is my own.

Photo description: plywood whorl with dragonfly design and six extended circle shaped spokes

I had an empty shaft and decided to give the whorl a whirl while I was spinning my Black Welsh Mountain fiber.

Photo description: single spun yarn wrapped on a spindle shaft

I should have sanded down the shaft some, the top hook did not stick up far enough which made it difficult to wind yarn on and off. The single layer whorl also didn’t feel substantial, and although the size was large enough to keep momentum, I struggled with it bumping into me. It is slightly better than using a CD as a whorl, but only because it has dragonflies. Back to the design board.

Rose top fiber page

On By CarynIn Craft
Photo description: rose top card from Hearthside Fibers top left, single spun, two ply, and cable ply yarns top right, unspun fiber middle left, twined swatch middle right, crochet cables swatch bottom left, knitted cables swatch bottom right

The Rose Top fiber sample was nice to spin, and working up the swatch projects was satisfying. Even though this fiber is produced in a similar way to Tencel, only using rose stems and leaves rather than wood pulp, I found this easier to handle.

Egyptian cotton fiber page

On By CarynIn Craft
Photo description: scrap book page with an Egyptian cotton card from Hearthside Fibers upper left, single spun and chain ply yarn upper right, unspun fiber middle left, twined weaving swatch middle right, knit moss stitch swatch bottom left, crochet lace round bottom right

I spun this Egyptian cotton sample on an Ashford Traveller spinning wheel fitted with a high speed whorl. Egyptian cotton has a longer staple length so is less inclined to form pills. It was nice to spin and worked up into the swatches well.

I enjoy spinning cotton, but is definitely a sitting activity, either on a wheel, or with a tahkli spindle. I also avoid wearing black, as the small fibers accumulate everywhere.

Tencel top fiber page

On By CarynIn Craft
Photo description: scrap book page with a Tencel Top card from Hearthside Fibers upper left, single spun and chain plied samples upper right, unspun fiber middle left, plain weave swatch middle right, stockinette knit swatch lower left, and crocheted lace round lower right

The next completed fiber study page is for Tencel. Tencel is made from wood pulp and the combed fiber is shiny and silky looking, but it is not easy to draft consistently. I want to like it because it is made from waste product, but it fought me when I was spinning. Maybe it would be better if it were blended with something. Blending fibers is another whole rabbit hole.

Despite the difficulties spinning, my swatches are more rectangular and less skewed than with other fibers. I block most of my swatches, but the Tencel really benefitted from being wet and reshaped.

Jacob’s sheep roving

On By CarynIn Craft

When I was in Michigan I visited the Sweetgrass Jacob’s Sheep farm and picked up a bump of two-tone roving. The shepherdess told me it a pain to separate out the colors for the mill, but I’m very glad they do because this was fun to spin. I chose to spin it with my Ashford Traveller spinning wheel fitted with the standard whorl and the sliding jumbo flyer, but with a standard size bobbin.

Photo description: two-toned bump of roving made from Jacob’s Sheep wool, next to an Ashford Traveller spinning wheel spinning a single

The standard bobbin held all the singles I spun from the bump, barely. I should have started with the jumbo bobbin, but now I know.

Photo description: standard sized bobbin very full with a single spun from Jacob’s sheep roving

I love how this yarn is coming out! The random variations in the color ratios make me happy. Now, I’m not usually a fan of knitted variegated yarn, so I’ll have to ponder the use of this yarn for a while.