Spinning My Wheel (and a Spindle or Two)

Nearly ten years ago a friend tried to talk me into handspinning.  She had a new wheel and loved the process, thought I would too, and continually pushed me to give it a try.  This was at a time when my main focus was embroidery and I was immersed in constant study of various techniques which took all of my leisure time.  Spinning was something I knew would be enjoyable, but I just had no time to give up.

After starting my blog, I watched as many knitters made the progression to spinning and knew I had to give it a try.  It took a couple years before I talked myself into a spindle, another year to talk myself in to learning to use it, and several more months before I bought a wheel.  While I have spun a bunch of yarn and knit several projects with my handspun, spinning has been something I could take or leave.

I'm not meticulous or obsessive about spinning like some people I know.  I admire Susan and the perfect yarns she creates (SO exquisite), but I am not Susan,  I am not the precise spinner she is.  Her last two handspun skeins are breathtaking and I wish you could touch them both (and I'm happy that I could!).  The merino singles are incredible and will make an amazing shawl.  Her three ply looks like a commercially spun yarn...it's so perfect!

H is for Handspun

There is usually something ready to go on the wheel and I can slip into place and spin when the mood strikes.  It takes awhile to get through a spinning project because I rarely sit at the wheel for more than a few minutes. My favorite handspun yarns are singles and 3-ply.  Currently I'm working on a single with a gorgeous Indigo Moon roving of a merino/silk blend. It was purchased from Rhinebeck and is a delight to spin. (Sadly the company is no longer around.)  I do enjoy watching it slide through my fingers and form an interesting yarn. The plan is to follow in the footsteps of Cheryl, who knits with her beautiful handspun singles and creates the most amazing shawls.

Jared has started a series on handspinning that will be interesting if you’re a knitter and/or a spinner.  Just his pictures are worth a seeing, but I think you'll find the series very informative and enjoyable.

This week a package of sunshine arrived on my doorstep from Laura.  The box was full of sun colored gifties, fun gifties!  Flower power coasters, a little handmade dish (for orts?), the most darling stitch counter I've ever seen (a pink martini!) and a skein of yarn!  When I picked up the skein of yarn I realized it was her handpainted, handspun and I was so touched. Isn't this skein  beautiful?! It's has summer sun written all over it! (EPos for Sandy) It will become a shawl and I'll have sunshine on my shoulders any time I need it.   Thank you, grrlfriend!

Take a closer look...yum!

Comments

[Julie]

mmmmmm, Yummy yarn! What a wonderful gift.

[Cindy/Snid]

You are reminding me that I need to get back to my wheel again soon! I will g check out Jared's series- perhaps it will inspire me!!

[Judy]

You are a wonderful spinner and spindler, as well. It is so hard to make time for everything.

[Carole]

I'm so happy to have witnessed the first time you ever sat down at a wheel. Can it really have been two years ago?!?

[Carol]

Spring, make room for summer! It's beautiful!

[Nora]

Beautiful, Margene. I'm going to send a link to this post to a few friends who were absolutely agog at the fact that there are folks out there who spin for fun (they aren't knitters). They thought I was talking about the exercise class!

[Dianne]

I had to giggle when I read what Nora posted..in my earlier knitting days I was also a spinner..but my spinning took place at the gym on a bike..but in the knitting circle..they thought I was a dedicated spinner..haha..I can't spin my way out of a paper bag, yet I have friends that tempt me often. I'm not sure I'd love it, therefore I've not taken the dive..not too mention the last months there hasn't been time for an additional hobby...I do think I will live a very productive life not spinning as long as I can buy lovely fiber from some select folks.
Your gifts are so springy/summery..the yarn is delicious!!..It looks like a creamsicle..
What a lovely, sporty shawl that will become~

[CindyCindy]

That yarn is so beautiful. As for the spinning? I am the same kind of spinner. I spin for the sheer joy of it. The magic that turns roving into yarn never ceases to thrill me. Like turning a heel in a sock.

[marie in florida]

that summer sunshine is exactly what i was going for when i Kool-aide dyed the yarn for Vivi's BSJ. Beautiful. 'cept i didn't spin it myself so i didn't get the ply effect.

your photo's, as always are beautiful

[Chris]

Wow, that's about the sunniest, sherbertiest yarn ever. :)

[Lucia]

Yum is right! All of those yarns and the roving are gorgeous. I too miss Indigo Moon.

[Kim D.]

What beautiful yarn!

I think it's okay that not every needle/fiber art is for everyone or our passion. I have gone back and forth on trying spinning, but have really felt the draw to making a final product with the yarn or fabric, so have left it with that. I already feel overwhelmed sometimes with everything I'd like to knit, that I think that I'd rather not feel the need to spin and take away from that knitting time. I already have other projects such as embroidery, needlework, and quilting that draw me away on occasion and I feel it's enough.

Just enjoy what you enjoy, and don't worry about what you don't.

[Rosa]

simply gorgeous!

[Norma]

Funny. I started reading your post and said, "Hey, Mahhhgene, this could be your H post," and then you went and did it in the middle! I treasure handspun yarn, but I'm like you -- I could take or leave the actual doing of it. I really get into it sometimes, but I don't have the same mettle as some of those wonderful spinners out there like Susan.

[Wool Winder]

I enjoy spinning on a wheel, but I'll never figure out the spindle. Just don't have the patience for it. Knitting from handspun is the best part for me. Love the yarn from Laura. You and Laura both inspired me to learn to spin. Thanks!

[Liz K.]

This my current debate with myself..do I want to spin, or do I just want the handspun yarn? I am hoping to get my hands on some more at MDSW in a few weeks. I fear having more gear, more stash, more stuff that is associated with spinning.

[Marcia Cooke]

This just goes to show how far my spinning "mo-jo" has run: I never even THOUGHT of Handspinning for my H. (Wish people sent me gifts like that!)

[Vicki]

Oh!!! That is the most GLORIOUS colorway! Absolutely beautiful -- it'll make a wonderful shawl.

[susan]

Aaah, but the tools for spinning are so awesome! That appeals to the geeky almost-an-engineer in me.

[Heather Joins The Round]

What an awesome gift!

[Beth S.]

Pink martini stitch markers!!! Who knew there was such a thing? How utterly fantastic! And the handspun ain't bad either. ;-) Such sunny, happy colors!... I'm eager to see what you will do with it. (Something brilliant, no doubt.)

And spinning isn't really something you could take or leave, is it? Nah! :-)

[Cheryl S.]

As long as you enjoy it, that's all that counts! Nobody can be Susan except Susan. Doesn't she ever sleep?

[elizabeth]

Laura told me she was sending that yarn to someone who needed some sunshine and I immediately thought of you! How lovely!

[Cookie]

Beautiful handspun.

I understand being able to take it or leave, but I am very glad that you did make time to learn how to spin. You have inspired me to have a go and I am grateful.

[Kristy]

Ya' know, I have pretty much the same spinning philosophy as you, I can take it or leave it. I love my spinning wheel, it is beautiful and gives me so much joy just to look at it. However, I don't have enough free time as it is, and when I am spinning, I am also thinking "I could be knitting right now."

I'm never going to be a really good spinner as I will never practice enough, and I am okay with that.

[Laura]

Aww Margene I'm glad you like the Sunshine I blew your way! Thank you for gifting me with the Love of Spinning - it enriches my life more than virtually any other artistic endeavor I have pursued. Following the process from the beginning to end is so satisfying and it will be a joy to find out what this yarn tells you it wants to become. XOXOXOX

PS I think I need to make some more Pinktini stitch markers! :)

[KarenJoSeattle]

The spinning bug hasn't bit me yet. I have so many ideas for sweaters to create, so many yarns to try, much less the languishing weaving and needlepoint, that I haven't opened myself to it and don't see that happening soon.

But I want to see that Indigo Moon spun up. And the skein of sunshine is so just that. Fortunately, I have many ways to enjoy handspun without investing the time, energy or space myself.

[Kim]

Oh my...that handspun is scrumptious! What a lovely and thoughtful gift!

[--deb]

BEAUTIFUL handspun! Spinning is something that I'd always wanted to learn to do and just love that it's having a resurgence. So many luscious things to spin, without having to shear the sheep myself!

[Cayenne]

How great to get such a sunny package. You have some very nice friends, but that's probably because you are good friend back. I think being laid back about spinning is the happiest way to be--except when I want to spin for a sweater that ends up with arms the same size.

[Birdsong]

The perfect letter "H"!! I love the process but still need to rely heavily on commercial yarns to get the results I want (just read about Susan's latest post). The yellows are so pretty, even though they are different than what you usually choose:)

[Hillary]

Those are lovely gifts and a wonderful H.

[claudia]

That looks delicious.

[Sarah]

Yummy.

[Mia]

I love the new skein of hand spun. And all of you spinners have finally converted me. I am making the commitment to have a wheel by the end of summer. I have already talked to the owner of the shop I am getting it at and she will order it for me after MDS&W. See you did the same conversion your friend did years ago.

[Teyani]

what a perfect H post. Beautiful handspun. It never fails to bring a smile.

[Cheryl]

You flatter me! Thank you! I'm so glad to see other poeple trying out the singles thing. I just love the drape and feel of fabric knit from singles, and I feel like they never get enough respect. I'm so happy to see you trying it out.

[Alarming Female]

Laura's Sunshine is just amazing. She just ordered some Hand Spun soap because her husband like the one you sent her so much! Thanks, Margene!