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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Will It Go Round in Circles: Spinning Yarn


Last Saturday, Haywood Community College hosted a free community craft day to preview some of their classes in continuing education. The free classes ranged from making bracelets to quilting a pillow, but I decided to choose something entirely different that I'd never tried before. Fiber spinning!

I walked out of the class with a two-ply and single-ply yarn spun from Romney wool. (Nothing to do with Mitt Romney, though I do hear his home state is a great place to raise sheep.)

Fiber spinning isn't the most accessible craft to try, especially since the wheels can cost around $600. And let me tell ya, spinning is difficult. The class lasted about 3 hours and by the end of it, I was just starting to get in a rhythm. (My finished yarn was far from perfect, as you can see.)

As a knitter, crocheter, and yarn hoarder, it was nice to see the work that goes into spinning by hand. I also got a better understanding of plies, fibers, and all the technicalities of yarn.

I don't think it would benefit me, financially or otherwise, to buy a wheel and spin my own yarn, which makes me wonder: why do spinners choose to spin?

2 comments:

  1. I thought I wanted to learn how to make cold process soap, too, until I realized that I would have to buy so many supplies and I don't have the space for all of that.

    I guess that spinners choose to spin so that they can make so sort of combo that they are not able to find in the shops?

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  2. You're always game to try something new. i love your spirit! If I had the chance, I would love to learn weaving on a loom!

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