Slippery Slopes and all that...
So, I've been playing with the Christmas present that my husband gave me. I've only played with it twice since I got it in February (it was late because of some miscommunication with the manufacturer), but today it's been a few hours and I must say that I'm almost convinced, almost.
It's a drop spindle and I am spinning my own yarn. "Never say never!" is the best advice that I can give you, as I said that I would never spin, never ever. Well, just look at me now!
The spindle was purchased via telephone/e-mail from Ol Lar's (Larry), Renton, Washington, USA. I heard about him via The Knitmoregirls Podcast, when they attended Oregon Flock and Fiber in September 2010. Jasmine had stopped at his booth to look at his spindles and during a conversation with him, discovered that he was a retired aeronautical engineer, and was making spindles because his daughter is a knitter/spinner and got him into it. So, he goes around to festivals in the Pacific Northwest and sells the items he creates with his woodworking hobby. I agreed with Jasmine's assertion that if anyone can create a balanced drop spindle, it would be an aeronautical engineer. I had taken a short spindle class with my friend, Ingrid, in March 2010. Poor Ingrid, I was anti-spinning, I mean there is plenty of beautiful yarn to buy, why should I spin my own? I also knew that I would probably like spinning and I knew just what a slippery slope it would be. First a spindle and a little bit of wool fiber to give it a try and the next thing you know I'd be buying a spinning wheel and my own sheep (my husband is worried)! Back to poor Ingrid. I'm sure that I was her worst student ever! I griped and complained the whole 3 hours. She was patient and even explained stuff in English for me. I was just crabby, for the reasons I mentioned above. I did finish spinning up some of the wool she gave us to try. It's somewhere in my craft room. Since then, I have been slowly warming to the idea and after I heard Jasmine rave about Ol Lar's spindles, I decided that if I was really going to give it a try, I was going to do it with a good tool. So, I chatted with Larry last fall and when my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I pointed him in Ol Lar's direction. Larry had recommended a spindle that weighed 1.4-2.2oz for a beginner like me. Hubby let him pick which one would be best and this is what came in the mail:
It's beautiful and I am very pleased with how it spins. In fact, I am so happy with it that I will be taking a spindle spinning class at Knit Nation 2011 in London next weekend. The class is Spinning For Knitting with Merike Saarnitt. I'd heard such good things about her class last year, that I knew I'd have to give it a try. In addition, I will be taking Photographing Your Fibre with Franklin Habit. During the time when I am not in class, I will be a part of the Knit Nation crew, doing whatever Alice (one of the organizers of Knit Nation) needs done, volunteering just like I did last year. I asked Alice if she needed more volunteers and that I'd like to recommend a friend of mine from Sweden. So, Lisa will be attending Knit Nation as a worker bee, as well! It's going to be so much fun! I can hardly wait! I've got most things gathered for my suitcase. I just have to work a few days next week and enjoy Knit Night on Tuesday, then I can hop a plane to London. Knit Nation, here I come!
P.S. Ingrid, forgive me for being such a pain in class. I'm so sorry. You were right, spinning is great!
It's a drop spindle and I am spinning my own yarn. "Never say never!" is the best advice that I can give you, as I said that I would never spin, never ever. Well, just look at me now!
The spindle was purchased via telephone/e-mail from Ol Lar's (Larry), Renton, Washington, USA. I heard about him via The Knitmoregirls Podcast, when they attended Oregon Flock and Fiber in September 2010. Jasmine had stopped at his booth to look at his spindles and during a conversation with him, discovered that he was a retired aeronautical engineer, and was making spindles because his daughter is a knitter/spinner and got him into it. So, he goes around to festivals in the Pacific Northwest and sells the items he creates with his woodworking hobby. I agreed with Jasmine's assertion that if anyone can create a balanced drop spindle, it would be an aeronautical engineer. I had taken a short spindle class with my friend, Ingrid, in March 2010. Poor Ingrid, I was anti-spinning, I mean there is plenty of beautiful yarn to buy, why should I spin my own? I also knew that I would probably like spinning and I knew just what a slippery slope it would be. First a spindle and a little bit of wool fiber to give it a try and the next thing you know I'd be buying a spinning wheel and my own sheep (my husband is worried)! Back to poor Ingrid. I'm sure that I was her worst student ever! I griped and complained the whole 3 hours. She was patient and even explained stuff in English for me. I was just crabby, for the reasons I mentioned above. I did finish spinning up some of the wool she gave us to try. It's somewhere in my craft room. Since then, I have been slowly warming to the idea and after I heard Jasmine rave about Ol Lar's spindles, I decided that if I was really going to give it a try, I was going to do it with a good tool. So, I chatted with Larry last fall and when my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I pointed him in Ol Lar's direction. Larry had recommended a spindle that weighed 1.4-2.2oz for a beginner like me. Hubby let him pick which one would be best and this is what came in the mail:
It's beautiful and I am very pleased with how it spins. In fact, I am so happy with it that I will be taking a spindle spinning class at Knit Nation 2011 in London next weekend. The class is Spinning For Knitting with Merike Saarnitt. I'd heard such good things about her class last year, that I knew I'd have to give it a try. In addition, I will be taking Photographing Your Fibre with Franklin Habit. During the time when I am not in class, I will be a part of the Knit Nation crew, doing whatever Alice (one of the organizers of Knit Nation) needs done, volunteering just like I did last year. I asked Alice if she needed more volunteers and that I'd like to recommend a friend of mine from Sweden. So, Lisa will be attending Knit Nation as a worker bee, as well! It's going to be so much fun! I can hardly wait! I've got most things gathered for my suitcase. I just have to work a few days next week and enjoy Knit Night on Tuesday, then I can hop a plane to London. Knit Nation, here I come!
P.S. Ingrid, forgive me for being such a pain in class. I'm so sorry. You were right, spinning is great!