learn to spin with a drop spindle

Bought my drop spindle and some roving yesterday, spent a good part of today trying, it’s really uneven and I think I keep overspinning the very thin bits, but I’m going to keep trying.

I am borrowing a drop spindle and a “how-to” book from a friend. So far I have been unsuccessful, but I haven’t really spent much time with it yet. Hopefully some friends from knitting group will be able to help me out with it.

I did attend a meeting of the Peachtree Handspinners Guild on Saturday, and I had a blast! They are nice, nice people, so willing to help people learn. When they had all the new people introduce themselves, I told them I was trying to learn on the drop spindle. As soon as the business meeting part was over, a very nice woman came over and starting helping me. And an hour later, another woman asked if I had gotten help yet, and offered to help if I still need it.

So, by Sunday, my spindle was full! I can only do the “park and Draft” right now, but I’m doing pretty well with that. My drafting isn’t even yet, so I think I’ll work on that, then move on.

My attempts to spin have’t exactly been successful…

I’m probably going to attend a meeting of the local handspinner’s guild, since a kind woman from there has suggested that I get help from them.

A Schacht Hi-Lo Drop Spindle, purchased at Shuttles, Spindles and Skeins in Boulder, Colorado. I also bought about four and a half ounces of basic wool roving. So, now all I have to do is learn!

I may try Kool-Aid dyeing my roving first. I’m not sure.

Learning was so nice and easy! It’s really relaxing and a great hobby. I learned on a top whirl spindle and taught myself in a day. (I also took a class on natural dyeing and dyed my own roving!)

I just learned yesterday, on a bottom-whorl spindle, and its so much fun. i promise, its easy once you get the basic idea down… hopefully i will be able to ply my first yarn tomorrow!