The other morning I was thinking about the possibility of making supported spindles out of metal (instead of wood or 3D printed polymer) - machining them I guess? I imagine a nicely shaped shaft, and a disc of some sort for the bottom weight, possible threaded on the shaft and on the disc to allow the discs to be changed out as desired. That’s the simple version, before adding cool features. #spinning #handspinning #metalwork @LilPecan @JamesK

Today is the last day of the 100-day spin a long thing I've been doing, so here's the current state of my drop spindle. I'm on the last single for this project and I likely won't finish it today but maybe soon?

#spinning #DropSpindle @spinning

I have gotten good enough with a supported spindle now that I can spin under the desk while on a teams call with the camera on. If you work with me (you know who you are) please don’t tell anyone ! I won’t do it often because I still need to be able to take notes and present and talk but it’s nice to know I can. Really helps the ADHD. #spinning #FiberArts #HandSpinning

I’m so glad there is material to read/watch while learning to spin - books, magazines (Ply), websites/blogposts, YouTube, etc. I was reading something about learning to spin woolen and do long draw and the person specifically said not to worry if the yarn doesn’t look as smooth as your usual, because woolen yarns *aren’t* smooth, and suddenly I felt freed from expectations (or blessed with a new set of expectations). It’s supposed to be this way! Phew!!!! #spinning #handspinning #fiberArts

I have a cold but I'm still well eough to lie down and knit.
So knit I did. I finished a scarf and a pair of socks and frogged a cowl that I started with too small needles and cast it on again.
I am using handspun yarn for the colour changing bits and I love how it is turning out.
The pattern is the forests of Arda cowl by Melanie Rountree. My first time doing cables and colourwork at the same time but it works up quite fast. (Could also be the 7mm needles lol)
#knitting #spinning

Every new #spinning method I have learned has helped me become a better spinner overall. Years ago i never got the hang of a drop spindle. But after getting an EEW 6.1 - I learned the basics of drafting. Spinning on a wheel taught me even more. Finally I learned enough to understand finally how to really use a drop spindle (my choice is Turkish). and now using the supported spindle I understand so much more about long draw, woolen versus worsted, and fiber prep. #HandSpinning #fiberArts

A gift for me on March 8 (my first spindle)

I completed a 3rd handspun hexiflat (top middle). It’s a little larger due to thicker yarn but by the time I have 500 more and sew them up I’m sure that’ll block right out”. Plus I’ll have lots of slightly different sizes to mix and match. I wonder if I’ll remember the provenance of each of my hexiflats. Maybe the handspun ones, if I take notes. Bottom middle, a hexiflat made from regular fingering sock yarn (not handspun). #knitting #handspun #handspinning #spinning #FiberArts #BeekeepersQuilt

This is one stage of #spinning yarn, the plying. After making one long strand, called a single, I wind it into a fat cake so I can put my finger through thru the center to wind both ends together at the same time, making a 2 ply yarn. This is more yarn for my ongoing blanket I'm making with fur from my kitties. See alt text for more details. I'll post another progress pic in a few days. #handspinning #handmade #handcraft

Watching fleece scouring videos. (basically people cleaning their wool fleeces.)

Using gloves is probably a good idea. But for most crafting things... I kinda... don't. As long as my hands aren't injured (like I have a cut), I just put my hands right in that fleece. I don't use boiling water, I use hot water for cleaning the fleece to melt most of the lanolin.
I leave a lot of lanolin in, actually. I can control my spinning better with lanolin in the wool.

My next spinning project. I have 10 oz of fiber in total. I'm not sure how I want to spin it and what I want to use it for. Too much for socks, not enough for a sweater. I could weave with it possibly. Open to ideas for preparing/spinning the fiber and what to use it for. I do not have a drumcarder, so won't be able to blend and make a batt with it. #spinning #handspun #weavingwithhandspun #knittingwithhandspun

Too many hobbies and too many projects! I took some time away from my supported spindles to get back to my WIP on my Jane, my Ladybug. I finished the bobbin holding the first 1/3 of a braid I’m planning to 3-ply. Really happy with how these singles are coming together. Can’t wait to get the other 2 bobbins done and see how this plies up. #spinning #handSpinning #FiberArts

In this week's blog I finally share how I scoured and washed the Gotland sheep fleece I bought from The Oamaru Textile Emporium in Oamaru.

https://www.craftygardener.co.nz/?post_id=129&title=gotland-fleece-project---scouring-washing-and-storing

#supportedSpindle #spinning Day 12: my yarn is done drying, skeined up, and wound into a ball, and I have made my first hexiflat out of handspun for my beekeeper’s quilt. Took about 3 gms of yarn. This is really more a sport weight yarn and the other Hexiflats are fingering so it’s a little puffier and bigger than the rest but by the time I have enough of these to make a quilt I’m sure I’ll have lots of variation TBH. #Handspinning #FiberArts

My first true skein of yarn from my supported spindles is done! It does seem fluffier and airier than yarn I’ve made previously. And concerns about unevenness and slubs seem to have been mostly addressed by the plying and setting. Plan is to cake it and make a hexiflat and then keep the rest as a sample. In the meantime, I have more rolags I can start spinning on the supported spindles plus I need to get back to the WIP on my wheel. #supportedSpindle #spinning #HandSpinning #Fiberarts

One sock down. The handspun yarn is a bit thick and uneven, so these will be the warmest socks ever. I’m pleased this one fits well with a 2 row boomerang short row heel, and a ribbed back side in the arch and calf.

Solace lace socks by Kelene Kinnersly designs, Exmoor sock fiber by John Arbon (handspun 2ply).

#The100DayProject #knitting #handspun #spinning @fiberarts #SpoonieCrafts