Bottom line up front, there was no shrinkage or felting, so all's well that ends well. But I'm curious: does anyone dry their handspun on a sweater rack in a clothes dryer? I took the risk today because I was in a hurry and needed the yarn to dry faster than it would hanging to dry as I normally do, and it worked! I laid the hank out on the rack, so there was no tumbling, just warm air circulating around the rack. I've already measured and had no shrinkage. I can't be the first person to think of this, so I wondering if others do it, and if not, why not?

Does anyone have any recommendations for articles, videos or online workshops (free or paid) that go in-depth on using drum carders to make even batts?

I'm pretty comfortable with blending for art yarns, but when I want to spin something more traditional I'm finding it hard to get a really nice batt. I have the Louet drum carder with a flip-out feed tray. I find it hard to find others who have the same.

Thanks in advance!

When you see some fiber that you think is pretty and want to buy but don't have any plans for it in mind, how much do you buy on average? Let's say you don't see it becoming a sweater or a shawl, but something smaller. I had recently bought 150 grams thinking it would be enough for a hat or something but was disappointed to see that I got little yardage out of it, limiting ny options. What is your method?

It's time for your weekly ask a a spinner thread! Got any questions that you just haven't remembered to ask? Or that don't seem too trivial for their own post? Ask them here, and let's chat!

I met someone today who gifted me some alpaca wool. It’s very raw, still has bits of plant debris in it, but I can already feel how soft and fluffy it is. I have no idea how to begin trying to hand spin it, and a trip down google has me totally overwhelmed. I also would prefer not to spend a ton of money on tools that may be tried once, if I find that the hobby isn’t for me. Could someone please advise me (or point me to a good, reliable website) on what to do with this beautiful fiber? I’m a sort of beginner crochet and embroidery crafter who just really enjoys trying new things, so it’s best to assume I have zero knowledge. Thanks in advance to anyone who might offer suggestions!

This laceweight project has been taunting me for months and months, and I finally buckled down and got through the last bit of it. It's about 1700 yards in total, one ply silk, one ply merino/silk/yak gradient.

https://preview.redd.it/11g41jexc44e1.png?width=480&format=png&auto=webp&s=1358b9d6ac25f4ddefe7a8058ba74136ea0c57ef

Ok, spinners...as I do frequently with hobbies, I got interested in spinning, took a class, went to the free practice sessions, then bought a wheel, practice fiber, and some pretty, aspirational fibers. And then promptly didn't do much with any of it (i also have a drop spindle but that's been impossible to get the hang of, lol). I was practicing on the wheel today and it feels fine and like I could eventually get the hang of it, but here's the question. Fiber seems to go quickly, and it's not inexpensive. Is this another expensive hobby to keep up? I feel like to spin with any regularity to be consistent, it's going to take a lot of fiber and cash.

What's your experience?

....to spin a pound of fiber into a two-ply fingering weight yarn? I'm just getting back into spinning after a decade-long hiatus and I have dreams of spinning yarn to knit multiple sweaters. Obviously it's gonna be different for each person, but I'm curious how long it takes YOU to spin and ply that much? Not including prepping and finishing, just the spinning.

Hey all, as some of you may recall, I got my first wheel recently. It’s a Blue Bonnet Bumbebee that was still in the box. I’ve been practicing like crazy and it went from silent to squeaky in a short amount of time. I’ve done some research and now know that I should be lubricating it. I’m curious what kind of oil / lubricants you guys you to quiet your squeaky wheels? I searched on Amazon and I found some oils specifically for spinning wheels but there are also lubricants that are for more general use. What would you guys recommend that I could get my hands on pretty fast so I can keep spinning?? Thank you!!!

Have you finished anything this week? From plied yarns to finished bobbins or hand spun hand knits/hand crochets, show off your hard work here!

I am planing on doing my first batch of hand dyed yarn, I'm using natural indigo any advice on how to dye new yarn?