In this episode of our video podcast, CAT takes a trip to the Country Wool Spinng Retreat “Fleece to Foot” where she learned to spin for socks. Along with that, she talks about what’s in her Spinning tool chest.
What’s on the set:
- Spindles: Golding, Bosworth, Spindolyn, Kundert, Natalie
- Charkha
- Lasy Kates: Fricke, Ashford
- Louet Hand Cards and Forsyth Mini Combs
- Louet Drum Carder
What am I wearing
- Garter Shawl (my design) made with Karabella Gossamer
For this episode there is a contest to win a great knitting bag from ZigZagStitches leave a comment by 4/30/09 to be eligible to win.
This episode is sponsored by:
BIJOU BASIN RANCH
Use promo code LK2G at checkout for 5% off. All sales have a 100% no questions asked money back guarantee.
Great show on spinning! Over the years I have been interesting in the spinning process and thought I might like to learn. However, after learning how time consuming it is to create yarn I have decided that, at least, for now I am not going to learn spinning. I love to knit and would rather spend my time knitting, and with so many beautiful yarns available to me in my LYS and online I’d rather just purchase yarn and have more time to knit!
Thanks for another great podcast!
I had always been fascinated by spinning and one year my DH got me a wheel as a surprise birthday present. I spin because I love making yarn, and my wheel has opened up a whole world of friends and opportunities for me!
Thanks for the podcast!
I have to say that Dawna beat me to it. I have quite a few friends who now spin. While I think it is great watching them and reading and learning about fiber I would rather knit. I never leave the house with out a pair of socks on the needles. It has been a life saver and something to keep me sane, like the time I took my knitting into a Doctor’s office and lock my keys in the car. I knit for 2 hours waiting for the tow driver to let me get back on the road.
I love what you and Eric are doing with the podcast. Keep up the great work.
Great episode! While I admire spinners and love to watch them spin and ply fiber, I’m afraid it is not for me. I can barely keep up with my knitting! Besides, whenever I am off to a fiber fest & hubby says “Don’t get carried away,” I can promise NOT to buy a spinning wheel.
I love to watch the spinners work, and admire their skill with fibers. However, I do not now have the time to knit even half the projects I’d like to. Watching the spinning episodes has encouraged me to try new fibers, however.
Love the podcast. Great work.
Hi Cat,
I love your spindle collection, they are all gorgeous! Let’s see … you asked three questions:
Why are Natalie spindles for spinning silk?
Their shape, really. My blog post you linked to in the show notes explains it well. They put the mass near the shaft for a *fast* spin (versus putting it far away, in a wide whorl, for a *long* spin) — silk is very slippery, so the faster you get twist into it, the easier it is to make it into yarn, before it can drift apart as pre-yarn. Some spindlers spin a wider variety of fibers on their Natalie spindles, but I generally stick with silk, or silk-like fibers, on mine. Cashmere/silk blend is a treat to spin on a Natalie, as well.
What’s in my spinning tool chest?
I love my ball winder and, if I’m at a retreat, my niddy-noddy, or at home, my skeiner. Like you, I have a bunch of spindles at hand; there’s also a handy herd of wheels at home, so I’m very likely to have a knitting friend over for a little hands-on instruction if they so much as mention they’re interested 🙂 Another thing I keep on hand for my technical spinning is a wraps-per-inch and twist-angle gauge; a spinning group in Memphis has one up on their website: http://www.memphisfiberarts.org/spin/instructions/spingauge.htm
Why do I spin?
Ahhhh. For the love of the fiber. I love the feel of wool in my hands; cashmere is as blissful as chocolate truffles — better to put the weight around my neck as a scarf than on my hips, eh. Also, I’m not in any rush to get things done — though it can seem to take a long time, really I find that over the years, there’s plenty of hats and scarves to keep everyone warm now, and plenty of yarn on hand (handspun, even!) to dive into new projects with. And handspun is so much more alive to knit with, squooshy and elastic. As I dive into weaving, I’m fast becoming a love-to-weave-with-handspun person as well 🙂
Love the podcast — keep ’em coming!
I don’t know why, but the clip I have in Linda Cortright again????? (There are two on the page of same thing)
I spin because it is relaxing and meditative, so I do not mind spending 18 hours to do 100g of a 3ply sockweight yarn…. just as I like to knit even sweaters with fine needles.
My spinning chest contains a wheel with lace flyer, lots of bobbins, umbrella swift and a ball winder.
Ok, Left and came back in. Great show as always. I don’t spin cause it requires coordination something that was left out of my dna – just life.
The reason I don’t spin is because with all the stash I have now, that I’ll never be able to knit up, the last thing I need is to spin more beautiful yarn that would add to that. Thanks to the people who do, so I don’t have to.
I don’t spin because I’m an apprentice knitter, plus my football schedule won’t really allow it. 🙁
It looks cool though
Loved the episode! About 7 years ago, I made a REALLY simple drop spindle in a wood shop. Then I spun some super fat yarn with much help. I’ve always wanted to get into spinning and I think about it all the time. Every time I’m at a wool festival, I always admire all the beautiful roving. So hopefully soon I’ll do some real spinning. I’d love to have something that I spun, dyed, and knit!
Hi,Cat
It is a lovely episode.
I am not allowed to spin ;-(
My husband said that if I buy anything else besides wool, we will need to buy a tent and live outside our home. At the moment, it is physically impossible to store spinning stuff in here. Unfortunatelly, my wool, my children and my husband demand lots of space as well!!!
And once started spinning… oh dear… Only your spinning chest is the limit!!!!! Amazing!!!
Carol
Hi Cat!
What a coincidence! I am in the middle of a 4-class course on Spinning on a Wheel at Lettuce Knit, Toronto, and your show could not happen at a better time.
I discovered I am loving working with fibers and that is why, after started my romance with knitting, I am making room in heart for spinning too.
I would really like to watch more videos on spinning techniques, since I am still learning, and you explain things and processes so wonderfully.
I am trying different spinning wheels and hoping I will be able to try the Lendrum Double Treadle next Friday in class. Right now I am using a Louet Victoria and find it nice, but a bit too small.
Happy crafty weekend to you all!
Maria from Toronto
Hi Cat, I do not spin at this time because I am so busy trying to learn knitting techniques! I do admire those that spin. it looks relaxing. But the prep is very time consuming!
Maureen
I love to spin even more than I love to knit. I spin because it centers me like nothing else can. I guess it’s something about the sound of the wheel and the pull of the fiber in my hands . . . and that pedaling action. I love that. I also spin because one of my favorite things is to knit with color-grown fibers. Most of the yarn in the LYS is dyed. It’s gorgeous, and please don’t think I don’t have plenty of it in my stash, but color-grown fiber really appeals to me. I spin mostly lace-weight to heavy fingering weight two-ply, and I like to experiment with different animal fiber varieties or species with every batch of roving.
My spinning tools are limited. I’ve got a Louet Victoria wheel, two home-made drop spindles, an Andean plying tool (which I love), two niddy-noddies, a swift, a nostepinne, and a Royalhare spindle on order (which it looks like I’ll never receive).
Loved your podcast. I have just started spinning in the last couple of months and I’m loving it. I love being able to make my own yarn, it makes the whole process just that much more special, spinning to knitting/crocheting and coming out with a finished object that I can really say that I did all myself. Your collection of spindles is amazing.
Thanks for the episode on spinning!
I spin because when I hold the wool that I’ve shorn from my sheep, I hold the sun, the grass and the rain of seasons past. With my hands I create something of this earth that will one day return to the earth. My hands, when they spin, are the hands of my mother, my grandmother and all those women from the dawn of time who have spun and created with the gifts of nature. I spin because it’s the earliest dream I had as a child, because it ties me to this earth, to my heritage and to my dreams.
I recently learned to spin on an old antique wheel that my mother in law gave me. I’ve been curious about spinning for a long time and I find it both relaxing and fascinating to create my own yarn. I’ve learned that I’m interested and curious in just about anything that has to do with knitting, spinning, dyeing and sometimes also crocheting. I love all of it.
I don’t spin because I dont know how 🙁
I did however buy a small kit with a drop spindle and 4oz of roving, so soon…
Love your podcasts!
I don’t spin because I don’t know how. I haven’t looked into learning because I’m a vegan and I didn’t know that you could hand spin non-animal fibers like cotton. Now that you’ve said you can, I might have to try it out, where do you buy cotton fiber?
Great video-cast! I finally got into spindle spinning after years of just using a wheel so I’m now gradually getting pretty spindles as well 🙂 In fact, I was never really into Golding spindles until I saw your wonderful Cat spindle so I went over to their site and got myself a pretty mid sized one.Thanks for the inspiration! My favorite tool outside of my wheels would have to be my mini combs from “The Wheel Thing”. Great for fiber prep for spinning lace weight. Keep up the great work!
I almost the same things in my spinning tool chest. I gave my wide Loute drum carder to a friend and bought a narrow one which I like a lot better. Not quite so many spindles but use my Turkish the most.
I spin because I love the feel of the fiber going through my fingers, watching it twist and go on to the bobbin but most of all using a one of a kind yarn in my knitting and weaving.
I spin because I wanted to be all control-freaky about my yarns, but I didn’t want to get into dyeing. Also, spinning can happen in a college dorm room, but dyeing is much more difficult to do here!
I keep spinning because my roommate/partner also spins so we feed off each other and enjoy exploring slightly different facets of spinning, since I use a wheel exclusively and she’s spindle-only. (It’s so cute because she’s so scared of my wheel!) I like fast; she likes simple.
I spin because I like to and because I like to make things out of the yarn I spin. I am 8 years old. Me and my brothers and sisters all like watching your episodes over and over again.
Thanks again for another great episode 🙂 I would love to have a go at spinning, but I just don’t have the room for a spinning wheel, and I’m scared of starting yet another craft stash! But last week I was offered the loan of a spinning wheel, too tempting! LOL
I wonder how I would like the electric spinner compared to my Ashford Traveler? Might have to look into it since it would be much easier to tote around for sure. Right now I only have drop spindles over here, and while I love them so much, I can spin a ton faster on a wheel! Not to mention the 2 pounds of dyed fleece coming my way soon could be spun up much easier with a wheel than the drop spindles! Thanks for doing the show. It’s something I look forward to every time I see it downloading on itunes!
This was my first episode – I am looking forward to watching more. I want to learn to spin, just haven’t found (made) the time yet.
Great epiosde! Thanks soooo much for your great job!
I don’t spin because I have not enouph time.
Greets Ute
Hi CAT! I spin because I’m a total control freak. That, and it’s a great way to keep my hands busy while creating something useful.
What’s in my spinning tool chest? There’s about a dozen spindles, two pairs of combs (Vikings & Mini’s), a couple flick carders, hand cards, a drum carder, a treadle wheel and an electric wheel.
Those Natalie spindles are good for silk as they are center weighted and put a lot of twist in the fiber quickly, which is optimal for spinning slippery fibers.
I just recently found your shows and love them! I can’t wait till the next one comes out. I have only recently gotten serious about my knitting, like about 6 months ago. ( I learned how about 3 yrs ago but kinda got uninterested for awhile) I am just now getting into making sweaters. I am so fascinated with the whole process of making fiber into a yarn suitable to work with. I may in the future get into spinning and dyeing but for now I am pretty content with trying to make this sweater.
Thank you for your shows. Interesting and informative.
well pretty much the only reason i spin is because i saw you spin and it looked fun!
I started spinning because I had trouble in europe finding one-of-a-kind yarn! Everything seems to be massed produced and I wanted some lace-weight, multi-colored yarn that just can’t be found ANYWHERE – note that woolmeise is hard to get your hands on even here! After I started spinning, I did find some but it was far to expensive for a student-budget.
Even though I now have access to wonderful yarn, I keep spinning. I love my golding spindles (and that they ship to Switzerland!) and it’s something special that I can say “from sheep back to human back”.
Well, I am still new to knitting and having so much fun-and getting over price shock that spinning did not seem to interest me–that is Cat until I saw this show!! I must work at getting some of my WIP done and then who knows perhaps I shall try a spin or two. Maryland Festival is coming right up–loved that show too!
Enjoying your work and sharing!
~Wilma
Hi Cat!
I love your podcast! I guess I don’t spin because it just doesn’t seem as relaxing as knitting. It seems like you have so many things to think about when you’re spinning yarn (and from your episode, I can see that there are so many tools to use!). Right now, it’s just too much for me to take on. I’ll stick to my knitting!
Hi Cat,
I loved this episode, because I love spinning.
Spinning is my first love of all the fiber arts (dying, weaving and knitting follow, in that respective order). Spinning relaxes and centers me, and puts me in a near meditative state. But, it is still all about the yarn, and being able to spin my own gives me as much creative control as I want. I’m not a particularly techincal spinner. The fiber knows what it wants to do and I try to be open to the outcome.
As for my spinner’s toolbox, it really depends on the project. If I’m working on something in my studio at home, I have a drum carder and spinning wheel at my disposal, as well as a bobbin winder (if weaving the yarn), niddy noddys, swift and ball winder.
If I’m packing spinning-to-go, a small drop spindle (Golding or Bosworth), a small bag of prepared fiber, and a miniature niddy noddy are all I need.
I got into spinning because I loved to crochet, but I wanted to get into a craft that was something unique yet something that I could use.
I started out with a spindle and a learn to spin kit from e-bay and then I needed pair of hand carders and a niddy noddy. In the next few years I acquired 4 Cormo sheep and a spinning wheel. Then I HAD to have a drum carder.
I’m now learning to knit and love to felt.
My spinning arsenal is very small, but growing rapidly! I always love to see what others have in their tool chests, so I loved this show! I also started out with a “learn to spin” kit off of Ebay, but found it to be very frustrating at first. It isn’t a very well balanced spindle, but I love it all the same. I have a spinning wheel being shipped to me right now – my grandpa made it for me! I can’t wait to see it! I made a niddy noddy for myself, and have plans for a lazy kate. I also have all the components to make a book charkha, but will probably end up buying one instead. (No time to build – MUST SPIN!)
The reason I spin is because of my love of fibre. When I am spinning, I can feel the tension drain out of me into the yarn I am creating. Many skeins are filled with love, a few with anger or sorrow. But overall it has become one of my favorite of my fiber crafts. (I also knit and crochet.)
Thanks again for another great episode!
Hi Cat,
As said before: love your show! And I especially like this episode!
I have been thinking about learning how to spin for about 3 or 4 months now. It just seems such a wonderfull thing to do to make your own yarn. Then when I made the dicision to make an appointment for spinning lessons, your episode on spinning came up. Just goes to show there is no such things as coincidence…
I am taking my first spinning-lesson this month, can’t wait!
I don’t spin…why? Because I really don’t need another obsession. That said, I’ve signed up for a Drop Spindling class at the Tennessee Fiber Fest in May. Okay, may just one more obsession.
Hi CAT, I love every goody in your spinning chest, and it gave me a great visual on all the different spindles and drum carder you have, as I’m looking to buy a new spingle!
I started spinning when I joined “Spin City” last summer {the Meetup group your in}, and every since then, I’ve handled and learned about so many different raw sheep fleeces and other fibers, I love how it’s SO back to the earth~ and land, half the time I’d rather wash and spin a fleece from scratch, then buy yarn, because I know that I put my heart and soul into making that yarn, so I can appreciate my finished project even more!
I love all your videos, they help me to knit even better, as well as watching all the sheep and wool festivals, and I also loved to see what creation of yours your going to wear next! LOL!
Keep making them, and I’ll keep watching, thanks so much to you and Eric for all your hard work!!! 🙂
Gorgeous Shawl! are you going to share your design?
Spinning tools in my chest:
a few spindles including Goldings, Bossies, Butterfly designs and one brass tahkli (which seems to have been put in a “safe” place for a couple of months now).
1 set of hand carders
1 Lendrum DT with lazy kate.
I spin because i like making unique yarns you just can’t get anywhere and because its just fun!
Great episode! I don’t spin because I don’t have the time or money for another hobby. But it does look like fun.
I am a new spinner and simply love how the fiber feels in my hands as I’m drafting. Currently, I only have one top whorl spindle. I marvel every time at how the fibers transform from fragile looking fluffy stuff into something beautiful, amazing and strong. Right now I am experimenting with controlling the pattern of colors to get the longest color repeats possible…. well, that is the goal! Thanks for your show!
Where did this come from? With spinning, you can answer that question and actually do it yourself !! I love being able to take fleece of any kind, and turn it into yarn. It opens a wide range of other possibilities as well, ie. natural dying, growing flax to try linen spinning.
It makes you appreciate (from an historical perspective) what went into garment production.
I do not spin because I love to knit so much.I am also worried about getting carpal tunnel in my hands due to overuse.I do enjoy learning about it though and watching others do it.Donna
I just haven’t really had any intrest in learning to spin. my intrest lies with knitting and crocheting, although with the group at my lys and the blankie mania craze i am starting to get curious about hand dyeing….(future episode hint hint)
I do not spin because I had a bad experience with a kit I bought. I tried numerous times to get it right, but it was so confusing because there were no directons on how to hold or spin the spindle. I keep trying though.
I admire those who do spin, but I don’t because it looks very time consuming and complicated, and I can’t keep up with all the knit and crochet projects I want to do. I day dream at times of having a llama or alpaca, and if I ever did get one it might make me want to spin.
Hey folks!
Thank you all for your great stories of why you do and don’t spin.
The winner of the Rooster Knitting pouch is:
Adrienne from Planned Purlhood!
CAT
I have always wanted to learn to spin. This year at Rhinebeck I bought a hitchhiker, but have no idea how to use it yet. I am going to take a class to learn how to use it and start spinning some beautiful yarn.