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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 6, 2017 15:34:54 GMT
While I've been busy weaving for the past year, I also just purchased a traditional Ashford spinning wheel as a 94th birthday gift for my mom. The trick is learning how to do the basic spinning so I can teach my mom. She still has all her faculties and plays bridge 2-3 times a week. As you can imagine, she has lost many bridge partners over the years, and I think it's high time she start a new hobby.
The lady who sold me the used Ashford suggested only treadling for a week to get the feel of the wheel. No spinning guilds or classes nearby, and anyway my Mom can't drive any longer. Obviously, I have plenty of roving.
What next?
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Post by wolgelukkig on Mar 6, 2017 20:38:34 GMT
There are lots of helpful tutorials on Youtube. I learned it that way.
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Post by MTRuth on Mar 6, 2017 23:00:10 GMT
No help here as I don't spin but good luck to you and your mom on your new adventure!
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Post by zed on Mar 7, 2017 10:46:01 GMT
Other things got in the way of me spinning much after my first few tries. Yeah, there are some good videos on youtube, I also bought (but haven't watched) a Craftsy course.
Getting a rhythm of drafting and releasing to match the speed of the wheel helps.
I actually really 'suffered' with the tetris-effect the first few times I tried the wheel. The feel of still treadling was really bizarre hours after.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 7, 2017 16:16:09 GMT
Spinning on a wheel is a bit trickier than I thought. I watched Richard Ashford's video and he makes it look sooooo easy. NOT.
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Post by zed on Mar 8, 2017 10:37:12 GMT
This might sound really daft, but my wheel has a faint squeak, which actually helps, like a built in metronome, maybe if your mum makes a squeak or beep to match the treadling or maybe says 'pull' (or draft) 'release' 1,2 or whatever helps to keep time?
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Post by Shepherdess on Mar 9, 2017 2:41:12 GMT
Sorry I learned in person at a class. I would say to watch different videos on YouTube until you find the one that clicks. You can treadle to build up twist and then stop and draft until you get the hang of drafting. If its pulling to hard reduce the tension if it won't take up adjust the tension the other way.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 11, 2017 14:01:18 GMT
Spinning has not yet clicked for me, but I still have about 4 weeks until my Mom's birthday.
Thanks for the tips!
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Post by Pascal on Mar 21, 2017 6:53:39 GMT
You said in your first posts that you have plenty of roving, when i started i found it way easier to work with raw sheep wool ,unwashed , but carded, there was an elasticity to it that made it easier, now i have no problems with roving , but it is drier and takes more time and technique
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 24, 2017 12:42:37 GMT
Pascal, that's the first time I heard about using unwashed sheep's wool. I've been using nice merino roving or sliver. I will give that a try...thinking about it--it makes sense! Thanks for the tip.
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Post by Pascal on Mar 25, 2017 15:53:44 GMT
No problem, Make sure it is carded, so that you have a lovely stretch of even wool, and put a towel on your lap as bit and pieces of straw , vegetation can be still in the wool, it is great for your hands too.
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Post by Shepherdess on Mar 29, 2017 13:36:02 GMT
Spinning in the grease ( unwashed) is interesting. II think I would suggest trying a different wool than merino. Try some corriedale. It is not as fine and not as slippery. Lumpy bumpy yarn is to be expected. Don't forget to split your roving down to a smaller rope so it is easier to draft from.
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Post by koffipot on Apr 10, 2017 22:56:59 GMT
Of course there's nothing to beat a couple of lessons in person, but as already mentioned a "stickier" wool is much easier to start with. I wouldn't advise using unwashed wool - raw wool can contain all sorts of pathogens. Then there's the grease and dirt which adheres to the orifice and other parts which will need to be cleaned off. I'd recommend this complete set of 15 videos by spinning teacher, Sue Macniven. Starting at the very beginning. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_clqBwf8gHs&list=PLkuFpVsZWFryEr0TidvTAQiuno7V5r-SJ Have fun!  NB You'll find she's demonstrating on a Traddy which should be extra helpful for you. |
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Apr 11, 2017 13:41:50 GMT
Great tips, all, and thanks!
I finally did arrange a visit with a long-time spinner, a friend of Marilyn's (Pandagirl). It was an hour and a half away by car, but it was so worth it! This lovely lady sat me down with my vintage Ashford trad and made a few adjustments and tweaks to the wheel. Tension was wrong, needed a new leader and a washer (who knew?) Then she modeled proper drafting and spinning. She also gave me some Romney fleece, which was cleaned but not smooth like top. It was very easy to draft in that format.
I now have a spool of beginner's uneven yarn with lots of corkscrews. My handle chould be "kinkyspinner" but I don't want folks to get the wrong idea.
Koffipot, I will take a good look at Sue MacNiven.
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Post by koffipot on Apr 11, 2017 14:02:12 GMT
Great tips, all, and thanks! I finally did arrange a visit with a long-time spinner, a friend of Marilyn's (Pandagirl). It was an hour and a half away by car, but it was so worth it! This lovely lady sat me down with my vintage Ashford trad and made a few adjustments and tweaks to the wheel. Tension was wrong, needed a new leader and a washer (who knew?) Then she modeled proper drafting and spinning. She also gave me some Romney fleece, which was cleaned but not smooth like top. It was very easy to draft in that format. I now have a spool of beginner's uneven yarn with lots of corkscrews. My handle chould be "kinkyspinner" but I don't want folks to get the wrong idea. Koffipot, I will take a good look at Sue MacNiven. So pleased you got some help - and the wheel not being set up properly wasn't making for the best start! I guess it's the Romney on the Flickr photo. Keep at it, a little each day will see you making good progess. Look forward to seeing more of your yarn. |
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