t3_1ggqd4g

Spinning a Merino Silk blend on my Majacraft Little Gem 

t3_1ggf4op

<div class="md"><p>Single, 2-ply, and crochet! </p>
</div>

First ever spin! It’s not, *not* yarn. Advice welcome, pleeease!

t3_1ggbbc0

100g of Icelandic fibre. I'm happy with how it turned out, it's pretty consistent overall. I haven't measured it yet as I'm not sure how to!

<div class="md"><p>100g of Icelandic fibre. I&#39;m happy with how it turned out, it&#39;s pretty consistent overall. I haven&#39;t measured it yet as I&#39;m not sure how to!</p>
</div>

finished my first full spin! 

t3_1ggat0o

Hi. I started spinning around 4-5 months ago. However, my biggest challenge is that I’m unable to spin uniform singles. They change in thickness a lot. How can I spin in uniform thickness? I use Turkish spindle (not surprising, since I’m in Turkey) and fleece from my neighbour’s sheep.

<div class="md"><p>Hi. I started spinning around 4-5 months ago. However, my biggest challenge is that I’m unable to spin uniform singles. They change in thickness a lot. How can I spin in uniform thickness? I use Turkish spindle (not surprising, since I’m in Turkey) and fleece from my neighbour’s sheep.</p>
</div>

Spinning singles in uniform thickness

t3_1gfw9r6

This is my first fractal and first consistent spin. I’ve been at it for about 5 months and only do about 1 spin a month. What do you think?  Any project recs to knit?

<div class="md"><p>This is my first fractal and first consistent spin. I’ve been at it for about 5 months and only do about 1 spin a month. What do you think?  Any project recs to knit?</p>
</div>

First fractal

t3_1gfw6h3

I got a gift certificate for a new tattoo and need some inspiration! Does anyone have any cool, fiber-y tattoos they'd like to share? 

<div class="md"><p>I got a gift certificate for a new tattoo and need some inspiration! Does anyone have any cool, fiber-y tattoos they&#39;d like to share? </p>
</div>

Handspinning Tattoos?

t3_1gft8cp

Hello everyone,

today my new Louet Victoria moved in 🎉😁
Everything's very fine so far and I added a photo of my first Merino 2-ply test mini skein.

Only one very small problem: with 2 bobbins the elastic break band flips off if it spins in one direction. The other direction works perfectly fine. I guess, the groove is not smooth enough and the friction against the outside fabric of the elastic makes it flip off.

Can I just smooth this out with a little sanding paper or would that cause me some other problems?

Usually, I am very handy with something like that. Still, I wanted to check if there's some reason speaking against it. We can fix a lot by ourselves, but new spinning wheels are quite an investment and I don't want to make a mistake immediately. So, I'm a little insecure I guess 😅 

Thank you very much!

<div class="md"><p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>today my new Louet Victoria moved in 🎉😁
Everything&#39;s very fine so far and I added a photo of my first Merino 2-ply test mini skein.</p>

<p>Only one very small problem: with 2 bobbins the elastic break band flips off if it spins in one direction. The other direction works perfectly fine. I guess, the groove is not smooth enough and the friction against the outside fabric of the elastic makes it flip off.</p>

<p>Can I just smooth this out with a little sanding paper or would that cause me some other problems?</p>

<p>Usually, I am very handy with something like that. Still, I wanted to check if there&#39;s some reason speaking against it. We can fix a lot by ourselves, but new spinning wheels are quite an investment and I don&#39;t want to make a mistake immediately. So, I&#39;m a little insecure I guess 😅 </p>

<p>Thank you very much!</p>
</div>

Trouble with brake band

t3_1gfoym3

I’m allergic to wearing wool, as in hives, runny nose, itchy watery eyes, face gets red, sometimes even some wheezing. But I have no problem knitting or spinning with wool, even when it’s a raw fleece. 

Any one else have a similar problem? 

I just spun up a bunch or alpaca/silk and I’m wondering it I’d be able to wear it. I guess I could knit a swatch, tuck it under a bra strap and see what happens? 

<div class="md"><p>I’m allergic to wearing wool, as in hives, runny nose, itchy watery eyes, face gets red, sometimes even some wheezing. But I have no problem knitting or spinning with wool, even when it’s a raw fleece. </p>

<p>Any one else have a similar problem? </p>

<p>I just spun up a bunch or alpaca/silk and I’m wondering it I’d be able to wear it. I guess I could knit a swatch, tuck it under a bra strap and see what happens? </p>
</div>

Allergy to wool question

t3_1gfjtl4

It's WIP Wednesday! What are you working on? Do you love it, hate it or can't decide? Need help/motivation/inspiration to finish? Show off those bobbins & spindles here!

<div class="md"><p>It&#39;s WIP Wednesday! What are you working on? Do you love it, hate it or can&#39;t decide? Need help/motivation/inspiration to finish? Show off those bobbins &amp; spindles here!</p>
</div>

Work in Progress Wednesday!

t3_1gfjsaq

Tried to add a bit more twist, and wound it more evenly around the bobbin all the way to the ends

<div class="md"><p>Tried to add a bit more twist, and wound it more evenly around the bobbin all the way to the ends</p>
</div>

Second spin on my EEW 6.1, trying to implement the advice I got here on my last post. For a beginner I’m happy with it!

Hey friends there’s been a lot of discourse about the merits of washing your raw wool and I would love to hear people’s tips and tricks for washing their raw wool!!

I meant to make a post about this but procrastinated and wanted to share my recent experience washing some wool a friend sent me!

I used this tutorial (https://www.hjsstudio.com/washwool.html) and found it very helpful because the writer recommended temperature goals, tools like salad spinners and mesh bags, and when it’s safe to agitate the wool! I now have a whole stack of washed pieces to start carding!

<div class="md"><p>Hey friends there’s been a lot of discourse about the merits of washing your raw wool and I would love to hear people’s tips and tricks for washing their raw wool!!</p>

<p>I meant to make a post about this but procrastinated and wanted to share my recent experience washing some wool a friend sent me!</p>

<p>I used this tutorial (<a href="https://www.hjsstudio.com/washwool.html">https://www.hjsstudio.com/washwool.html</a>) and found it very helpful because the writer recommended temperature goals, tools like salad spinners and mesh bags, and when it’s safe to agitate the wool! I now have a whole stack of washed pieces to start carding!</p>
</div>

How do you wash your wool? :)

I am a beginner spinner (currently on drop spindle) and the price points of wheels are really intimidating. I'm very handy and love to see how machines work, so I'm thinking of making my own. Has anyone done this? Do you have any recommendations on plans/tutorials/instructions? 

<div class="md"><p>I am a beginner spinner (currently on drop spindle) and the price points of wheels are really intimidating. I&#39;m very handy and love to see how machines work, so I&#39;m thinking of making my own. Has anyone done this? Do you have any recommendations on plans/tutorials/instructions? </p>
</div>

Making your own spinning wheel?

Got this as a low-price entry to spinning by wheel. It's mostly 3d printed. I could have gotten an espinner but I want the pedaling experience. So far I'm working on going one way without switching directions before I graduate to trying to spin. Anyone else have one of these? 

<div class="md"><p>Got this as a low-price entry to spinning by wheel. It&#39;s mostly 3d printed. I could have gotten an espinner but I want the pedaling experience. So far I&#39;m working on going one way without switching directions before I graduate to trying to spin. Anyone else have one of these? </p>
</div>

DIY spinning wheel from Etsy

<div class="md"><p>970 yards of worsted weight yarn. </p>
</div>

The shinier, the better!

I am going to share this video of a young girl spinning her wool, if you look closely there are thicker and thinner areas as she drafts. Aka bumps. This is happening to me, and then other times not. How do I fix it? I’m not sure what I’m doing differently each time. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhxavpcS/

<div class="md"><p>I am going to share this video of a young girl spinning her wool, if you look closely there are thicker and thinner areas as she drafts. Aka bumps. This is happening to me, and then other times not. How do I fix it? I’m not sure what I’m doing differently each time. <a href="https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhxavpcS/">https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhxavpcS/</a></p>
</div>

Consistency help? 

What you see in this basket is what I have left to card after I've separated all the easily distinguishable locks.

I'm processing a large Coriedale fleece. I felt great about how it looked after washing. There is still some vegetable matter, but I maintained a lot of the lock structure throughout the sections I cleaned so the locks were easy to separate. I carded and combing everything that I could. This last pile of fluff hasn't been processed at all after washing. 

All of the fibers are going different directions and it's hard to pull out a single clear start and end point. I should just start carding it and they end up in a uniform direction? 

I also wonder if the way I've been separating out the locks contributes to this. When I take the locks and pull them apart there's always a little bit left and I think that is what's created this fluff. Maybe I should be pulling from the edges inward instead of just pulling out as a identify the tips? 

This is a finer fleece than I'm used to working with.
Although I'm getting more comfortable processing fiber, I know I still have a lot to learn and I would be appreciative of any advice.



<div class="md"><p>What you see in this basket is what I have left to card after I&#39;ve separated all the easily distinguishable locks.</p>

<p>I&#39;m processing a large Coriedale fleece. I felt great about how it looked after washing. There is still some vegetable matter, but I maintained a lot of the lock structure throughout the sections I cleaned so the locks were easy to separate. I carded and combing everything that I could. This last pile of fluff hasn&#39;t been processed at all after washing. </p>

<p>All of the fibers are going different directions and it&#39;s hard to pull out a single clear start and end point. I should just start carding it and they end up in a uniform direction? </p>

<p>I also wonder if the way I&#39;ve been separating out the locks contributes to this. When I take the locks and pull them apart there&#39;s always a little bit left and I think that is what&#39;s created this fluff. Maybe I should be pulling from the edges inward instead of just pulling out as a identify the tips? </p>

<p>This is a finer fleece than I&#39;m used to working with.
Although I&#39;m getting more comfortable processing fiber, I know I still have a lot to learn and I would be appreciative of any advice.</p>
</div>

Piles of 'fluff' after separating locks to card them. Am I doing this wrong? 

So they're definitely sisters and not twins. But for no pattern, and just figuring it out on my own I'm pretty happy! Run-of-the-mill wool, dyed by yours truly, and crocheted up on a #7 hook.

<div class="md"><p>So they&#39;re definitely sisters and not twins. But for no pattern, and just figuring it out on my own I&#39;m pretty happy! Run-of-the-mill wool, dyed by yours truly, and crocheted up on a #7 hook.</p>
</div>

Cozy slipper/socks

Hi all! I’m curious where everyone buys their wool? 🐑I’m especially curious where those who buy in bulk get theirs? Does anyone use RHLindsay? 🧶If so, what kind do you get/recommend? 🐏 Lastly, what is your favorite kind of wool to spin? 

<div class="md"><p>Hi all! I’m curious where everyone buys their wool? 🐑I’m especially curious where those who buy in bulk get theirs? Does anyone use RHLindsay? 🧶If so, what kind do you get/recommend? 🐏 Lastly, what is your favorite kind of wool to spin? </p>
</div>

Where do you get your wool? 

I just bought this gorgeous Hansen from a friend who’s focusing on other fiber art pursuits. ❤️ WooLee winder with 8 bobbins…! Plus the lace flyer and bobbins, orifice reducers, flat-pack lazy kate - I’m beyond excited. 

I spun the Polwarth/Silk from Hummingbird Moon on Lindy, my Lendrum, as a mindless spin-spin-spin. The bobbin was waiting to be plied when I brought home Miss Marigold the miniSpinner. Now I need to pick out some fiber for her first full start-to-finish spin. 

<div class="md"><p>I just bought this gorgeous Hansen from a friend who’s focusing on other fiber art pursuits. ❤️ WooLee winder with 8 bobbins…! Plus the lace flyer and bobbins, orifice reducers, flat-pack lazy kate - I’m beyond excited. </p>

<p>I spun the Polwarth/Silk from Hummingbird Moon on Lindy, my Lendrum, as a mindless spin-spin-spin. The bobbin was waiting to be plied when I brought home Miss Marigold the miniSpinner. Now I need to pick out some fiber for her first full start-to-finish spin. </p>
</div>

New wheel bought from a friend! So excited. ❤️

Taking a break while the drop spindle was  free to play with some fibers from my stash that I've never used since I'm just a beginner.  Green is from a silk hankie (didn't love spinning it, but I think I might approach it differently next time), brown is baby camel (very short staple length but soft and not too difficult to spin) and the white is cat fur from my long haired cat (not nearly as difficult to spin as I'd feared!)

<div class="md"><p>Taking a break while the drop spindle was  free to play with some fibers from my stash that I&#39;ve never used since I&#39;m just a beginner.  Green is from a silk hankie (didn&#39;t love spinning it, but I think I might approach it differently next time), brown is baby camel (very short staple length but soft and not too difficult to spin) and the white is cat fur from my long haired cat (not nearly as difficult to spin as I&#39;d feared!)</p>
</div>

Fiber tests!

Made this for an art trade! I'm liking doing trades with my handspun, it's been a fun way to get through stash and work outside of my normal routines.

<div class="md"><p>Made this for an art trade! I&#39;m liking doing trades with my handspun, it&#39;s been a fun way to get through stash and work outside of my normal routines.</p>
</div>

Cushy angora/wool blend

It’s finally here! And it was produced the day before my birthday, which seems nice somehow. What’s your favorite place to buy fiber? I’m familiar with the Woolery, but if you were going to add some fun fiber to spin to your Christmas list, where would you look?

<div class="md"><p>It’s finally here! And it was produced the day before my birthday, which seems nice somehow. What’s your favorite place to buy fiber? I’m familiar with the Woolery, but if you were going to add some fun fiber to spin to your Christmas list, where would you look?</p>
</div>

My new Lasybug has arrived 🐞 

So I read many books about it but everyone seems to think, it's good idea to wash the fresh wool and later lubricate them with oil while spinning. So I thought that couldn't be the best natural way to do.
So I started reading other, older books, some historic without directly related to spinning. In the past the families never washed the wool, they plucked "zupften"  the wool until it's clean and the natural lanolin is the perfect lubricant while spinning ☺️
I'm way so into natural stuff but it always annoyed me to destroy the wools nature given gift and add olive oil while spinning 🙄
I also won't pickling nor dying my wool for this reason.
I was collecting many books especially for dying, even one from Sweden about dying with mushrooms ( awesome lecture ) but in the end I think t's better not to do 🤔

And the lanolin is antibacterial, so it shouldn't be a problem not washing it, right. Maybe the sheep-smell might be not so likeable to others? But I like it, it reminds me of the smell of horses, somehow 😅

What do you think about that?

<div class="md"><p>So I read many books about it but everyone seems to think, it&#39;s good idea to wash the fresh wool and later lubricate them with oil while spinning. So I thought that couldn&#39;t be the best natural way to do.
So I started reading other, older books, some historic without directly related to spinning. In the past the families never washed the wool, they plucked &quot;zupften&quot;  the wool until it&#39;s clean and the natural lanolin is the perfect lubricant while spinning ☺️
I&#39;m way so into natural stuff but it always annoyed me to destroy the wools nature given gift and add olive oil while spinning 🙄
I also won&#39;t pickling nor dying my wool for this reason.
I was collecting many books especially for dying, even one from Sweden about dying with mushrooms ( awesome lecture ) but in the end I think t&#39;s better not to do 🤔</p>

<p>And the lanolin is antibacterial, so it shouldn&#39;t be a problem not washing it, right. Maybe the sheep-smell might be not so likeable to others? But I like it, it reminds me of the smell of horses, somehow 😅</p>

<p>What do you think about that?</p>
</div>

Why washing the wool?

I'm so excited I just had to share as I figured you all would understand. 

This is my first yarn that I've started from raw wool. I purchased a couple whole fleeces of Gotland lambs at the MDSWF earlier this year. These are the same fleeces I asked about in this group for help to get rid of moths actually. 

I scoured the fleece which was already separated into locks. I'm working on it in various stages all at once as I only hand 6 bobbins to work with. 

I'm hand-picking to make sure there are no traces of anything moth related and all other dirt, vm, etc. are removed, and to open the locks up for carding. Then I'm running it through my mini drum carder 2 or 3 times. 

I just started spinning directly from the batts on Thursday to get my singles first, and will do a double ply. 

I've still got a long way to go, but I'm really enjoying it and just wanted to share. 

Can't wait to finish it all and then I get to knit with it! It's going to be a duster length cardigan.

<div class="md"><p>I&#39;m so excited I just had to share as I figured you all would understand. </p>

<p>This is my first yarn that I&#39;ve started from raw wool. I purchased a couple whole fleeces of Gotland lambs at the MDSWF earlier this year. These are the same fleeces I asked about in this group for help to get rid of moths actually. </p>

<p>I scoured the fleece which was already separated into locks. I&#39;m working on it in various stages all at once as I only hand 6 bobbins to work with. </p>

<p>I&#39;m hand-picking to make sure there are no traces of anything moth related and all other dirt, vm, etc. are removed, and to open the locks up for carding. Then I&#39;m running it through my mini drum carder 2 or 3 times. </p>

<p>I just started spinning directly from the batts on Thursday to get my singles first, and will do a double ply. </p>

<p>I&#39;ve still got a long way to go, but I&#39;m really enjoying it and just wanted to share. </p>

<p>Can&#39;t wait to finish it all and then I get to knit with it! It&#39;s going to be a duster length cardigan.</p>
</div>

My first yarn from raw wool! 100% Gotland lamb's wool

Hi! This is probably a very silly question. But I spun up this yarn yesterday. When I went to take it off the wheel I had a couple of parts that were too thin, so they broke into two sections. I then washed these two sections that you can see here. my question is, how do I go about plying these two together, when one clearly has a lot more yardage than the other?  How do I ensure that there are two equal halves supply them together? I have a niddy noddy if that helps, but I haven’t used it yet for this. Again, I know this is probably a dumb question so forgive me pls :)

<div class="md"><p>Hi! This is probably a very silly question. But I spun up this yarn yesterday. When I went to take it off the wheel I had a couple of parts that were too thin, so they broke into two sections. I then washed these two sections that you can see here. my question is, how do I go about plying these two together, when one clearly has a lot more yardage than the other?  How do I ensure that there are two equal halves supply them together? I have a niddy noddy if that helps, but I haven’t used it yet for this. Again, I know this is probably a dumb question so forgive me pls :)</p>
</div>

Plying together these yarns..?

Wheel is an Electric Eel 6.1, fiber is Wool of the Andes roving in Mink Heather

<div class="md"><p>Wheel is an Electric Eel 6.1, fiber is Wool of the Andes roving in Mink Heather</p>
</div>

Started with a drop spindle a couple weeks ago, now I have my first ever single on an e spinner! To my beginner eyes it doesn’t look too bad, what do the more experienced spinners think?

I think the top piece of the treadles here is clicking and when I start spinning. (I’m still new to this and don’t know all the terminology) is there a way to fix this? I’m not sure what further information to supply. 

Also is there a way to post a video showing what’s happening? 

<div class="md"><p>I think the top piece of the treadles here is clicking and when I start spinning. (I’m still new to this and don’t know all the terminology) is there a way to fix this? I’m not sure what further information to supply. </p>

<p>Also is there a way to post a video showing what’s happening? </p>
</div>

Ashford Traditional Treadle Clicking?  

Queen of a packed bobbin

Even though I have a spinning wheel, I remain a fan of my supported spindle. I like to keep my hands busy while watching TV, for example, without having to think about what I'm doing.
I made the spindle myself from a chopstick and some self-drying clay, the bowl was only €1.00.
I thought it would be fun to show that you can make a supported spindle, that spins pretty well, with cheap materials.




<div class="md"><p>Even though I have a spinning wheel, I remain a fan of my supported spindle. I like to keep my hands busy while watching TV, for example, without having to think about what I&#39;m doing.
I made the spindle myself from a chopstick and some self-drying clay, the bowl was only €1.00.
I thought it would be fun to show that you can make a supported spindle, that spins pretty well, with cheap materials.</p>
</div>

Spinning merino on a home made spindle

I recently got a blending board, then got a pack of needle felting wool to practice blending colors. So first time spinning from rolags which was waaay different to braids but I love it. This is wool and silk in some parts, loads of colors for my toddler who helped with every step. I normally spin embroidery thread weight or similar never this chunky but I looooove it!

<div class="md"><p>I recently got a blending board, then got a pack of needle felting wool to practice blending colors. So first time spinning from rolags which was waaay different to braids but I love it. This is wool and silk in some parts, loads of colors for my toddler who helped with every step. I normally spin embroidery thread weight or similar never this chunky but I looooove it!</p>
</div>

Made my first full size skein. First time making rolags, spinning from rolags, and doing this weight! Love how it turned out! 

A place for people who enjoy spinning fiber into yarn with a drop spindle or a wheel!

We now have a [FAQ/wiki!](https://www.reddit.com/r/handspinning/wiki/index)

<div class="md"><p>A place for people who enjoy spinning fiber into yarn with a drop spindle or a wheel!</p>

<p>We now have a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/handspinning/wiki/index">FAQ/wiki!</a></p>
</div>

<div class="md"><p>Handspinning is an old form of twisting together fibers to form yarn that can then be used to create clothing, and other items.</p>

<p>Use this subreddit to discuss everything related to Handspinning. Asking for Advice, sharing tips &amp; tricks, participating and creating meaningful and valuable discussions; you name it! Post it all here.</p>
</div>