Just looking around my crafting space, I realize how many things I’ve started and completed, in these past 6 months. I think it’s a byproduct, of becoming comfortable with my neurodivergence; working with it, rather than fighting it all the time. As I sit here, looking around the room, I’m feeling quite proud! I’ve completed a couple quilt tops that are ready to travel off to be long-arm quilted. I’ve finally found a pattern for knitted socks, that fit my wide feet and ankles, and made 2 pair in record time. For this article, I plan to follow up on the progression of my spinning, and new acquisitions.
I included the link to my last article above, so I can refresh you on where I was. To recap, I was having issues with twist holding my spin together. I mentioned signing up for a Long Thread Media annual subscription, and how the included access to online spinning courses helped me greatly, and saved me money in the long run. I have learned so much, right from the big screen TV, in my home crafting space. This saved workshop/retreat fees, and the travel expenses that accompany such trips. I am posting a link here for this resource: http://spinoffmagazine.com/subscription
These yarns were spun between November and end of December 2024. Photos shown in date order left to right. The video courses made a difference and gave me confidence to try different things.
Fiber spun from a art batt.
Batt blended on drum carder, and how it spins up.
A batt I blended to sell in my Etsy shop. I thought seeing it spun up would improve chances of selling.
Here I found myself out of empty bobbins. So I started spinning over the previous test.
I tried to blend an art batt. Not bad for first try: good thick thin texture
Christmas Gift – Merino, Sari Silk and Flax.
My Christmas gift from Brian was all fiber dyed by the incredibly talented nuns at Inglenook Fibers. If you’ve not heard of them, look them up. Their regular work consists of painting frescoes on the walls of Greek Orthodox churches. But, they use their talents of mixing paint colors to create colors in the dye pans. I still feel a little green, to spin their works of fiber art, but I have plunged my hands into a few of those batts. We took my spinning wheel and fiber on vacation with us, and I spent a few days spinning on the balcony overlooking the water. Next year, I will bring double the amount of fiber, and plan fibers that can be plied together. I was enjoying my spinning so much, the fiber was gone in no time. Unfortunately, the bobbins were full of fibers that were never intended to twist together. This encourages the next lessons in spinning: forward thinking = planning ahead.
Part of this fiber was spun on vacation, and the rest when we returned home. I decided to try a bobble plying method I saw on a YouTube video.
This is the first plying of the Inglenook Fibers.
I was noticing that my spinning was becoming thinner and thinner, which is what happens when your spinning improves. But, I don’t enjoy knitting with thin weights of yarn. What am I supposed to do with all the thin yarns I am spinning? So I began studying YouTube videos, of those spinning thicker Art Yarns. I found, as with most fiber pursuits, it’s related to your tools and preparation of fibers. I started with the easiest one I could fix right away. Rolaggs are the way you can blend fibers, colors, and make texture. I found that if you want to spin thicker yarns, you need to begin with larger diameter rollags. Instead of wrapping rollags around 2 quarter inch (6.3mm) dowels, I started using US-19 (15mm) knitting needles.
My first rollags – look like crumbly cookies – fall apart easily.
Getting better at removing them from the blending board. They are still a small diameter.
I haven’t used these yet, but these are about 2 inches across.
I pretty much knew, after watching all the YouTube videos, I wanted an Ashford Super Jumbo e-Spinner. I began checking Facebook Marketplace several times a day. Surely, someone had to have one they didn’t care for, and wanted to get rid of it? Nope: not one available. The US tariffs were looming, and I knew I would kick myself if I didn’t get one now. So, I used Etsy shop funds, to purchase this beautiful giant sized e_Spinner. It’s a lot bigger than I expected. The bobbin holds a kilo (2.5lbs) of spinning! I am not a bit sorry! It’s whisper quiet, and there is a toggle switch to choose S or Z twist. It has a huge 1 inch orifice to accommodate Art Yarn. However, it comes with 2 smaller, nesting orifices’, that make it capable of spinning any weight. The best feature for an Art Yarn spinner, is the ability to start and stop spinning immediately with the included foot pedal. That allows a spinner to stop, adjust fibers, and such: start right back up where you left off. No delay getting back up to speed. You can’t do that using a wheel you treddle! Brian insisted that I get a couple extra bobbins, as I am always running out of them. Honestly, I don’t feel like I needed them or the extra expense. But I love that toggle switch feature to change spinning direction. Before I used the e-Spinner to spin anything…I used it to ply off 2 of my bobbins from my regular wheel. Gotta love a machine that helps you in ways you never imagined!
Large oversized orifice.
Side view of the e-Spinner: measures 9” wide x 18” length x 12” high.
