Still Spinning

I had the second wheel-spinning class today. When I tried to practice spinning at home last week, things went from bad to worse. The main problem was that the yarn would not take up onto the bobbin. I would end up with an over-spun, coiled mess. I concentrated on getting an even up-take in class today and although, it is far from perfect; it is going much better. We continued to work on long draw and learned to spin combed top "over the fold". I was encouraged enough that I bought the wheel I have been renting from Tactile. I now own a Schacht Ladybug. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to me!

Tired, tired, tired

I got nothing tonight. Have a cute 10-year-old dressed like Indiana Jones.

First time on a wheel.

My first spinning class was equal parts fascinating and frustrating. I wish I had a day to do nothing but practice. I am a total disaster at this but I'm hoping I'll get the hang of it if I can carve out some time to work on it. This week is going to be tough but I do have some holidays coming up soon.

As the picture shows, my rental wheel is a Schacht Ladybug. It seems like a good wheel. We are leaning to do long draw and at the moment it appears that control of the twist is happening by magic. And if I get the twist going, then something happens when I try to let it wind up on the bobbin. I can get the treadling going, I can get one of my hands doing what it is supposed to be, but combining everything together, not so much.

Spinning with a wheel class

I'm going to take Brooke's four week spinning class at Knit-1-1. I don't own a spinning wheel, so I'll be renting a one for the duration of the class. I think the rental wheels are Schacht and Louet, if I remember correctly. I don't anticipate buying a wheel right now, but "everyone" always says you should spin on a wheel before buying. Perhaps after the class is done, I'll know how to do that.

I just had to rip out 8 rows on the current WIP, the Baby Suprise Jacket. I should check the pattern more often. I needed to stop decreasing after 22 garter stitch ridges (44 rows), not 26.

A Little Spinning Success

I went to the second of two drop-spindle spinning classes today at the Knit One One studio. Brooke of Tactile Fiber Arts was the teacher. I took her one hour class at the Color fiber festival and was inspired to sign up for this class. She is an excellent instructor and I think I'm getting the hang of spinning finally. I'd had a friend show me the basics over the summer; she explained things very well but I just couldn't put it all together. I bought a book. I watched YouTube videos. Still no luck. This time it seemed to click. It is beginning to be fun and relaxing instead another source of frustration. I bought some combed Blue-Faced Leicester top in a natural grey color to practice with. I'm optimistic enough to start imaging knitting a pair of fingerless gloves out of it in the not too distant future.

Knitting continues on the Baby Surprise Jacket for a friend's expected-any-time-now baby. Since I'm knitting a toddler size, I'm not feeling too under-the-gun to finish. I wish I liked the yarn better. I'm sure the wool-acrylic blend was the practical choice but it isn't all that fun to work with.