Ever since I started crocheting (okay, after I picked it up again), I new I wanted to learn how to spin yarn. But, I thought the only way you could spin yarn was with one of those giant $300 (brand-new) spinning wheels. That, my friends, is where I was very, very wrong.
I didn't know that for less than $15 I could be spinning my own yarn.
For $8, I was able to get a little piece of magic that I (and everyone else who speaks English) call (pause for effect)... a drop spindle!
I didn't know that for less than $15 I could be spinning my own yarn.
For $8, I was able to get a little piece of magic that I (and everyone else who speaks English) call (pause for effect)... a drop spindle!
A lot cheaper than a spinning wheel, this little contraption allows you to spin your own yarn!
Besides the spindle, you will need something to spin (duh!). "Roving" is what is commonly used for spinning. It can be made of wool, alpaca, just to name a few. If you are allergic to animal fibers, you can also spin acrylic roving (if you are allergic to animal fibers, make sure that your roving is 100% acrylic, as some roving's are a mixture of acrylic and wool).
I bought my roving (which was 100% wool) off of Etsy.com. I got 4 oz for a little less than $7.
After you spin the yarn, you have to do something called "setting the twist". When you spin yarn, nothing is stopping it from in twisting completely. If you don't set the twist, it will all come undone (a little of it will still be twisted, but barely). To set the twist, after you finishing spinning your yarn carefully wrap it into a hank, and knot the ends together. Then, let it sit in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes (longer depending on how much you spun). Then, hang it up to dry. After it's dried, you can untie the knots, and the yarn won't untwist! From this point on, you can crochet with it, knit with it, dye it, ETC.
Here is some of my handspun yarn!:
Besides the spindle, you will need something to spin (duh!). "Roving" is what is commonly used for spinning. It can be made of wool, alpaca, just to name a few. If you are allergic to animal fibers, you can also spin acrylic roving (if you are allergic to animal fibers, make sure that your roving is 100% acrylic, as some roving's are a mixture of acrylic and wool).
I bought my roving (which was 100% wool) off of Etsy.com. I got 4 oz for a little less than $7.
After you spin the yarn, you have to do something called "setting the twist". When you spin yarn, nothing is stopping it from in twisting completely. If you don't set the twist, it will all come undone (a little of it will still be twisted, but barely). To set the twist, after you finishing spinning your yarn carefully wrap it into a hank, and knot the ends together. Then, let it sit in a bowl of warm water for about 10 minutes (longer depending on how much you spun). Then, hang it up to dry. After it's dried, you can untie the knots, and the yarn won't untwist! From this point on, you can crochet with it, knit with it, dye it, ETC.
Here is some of my handspun yarn!:
(The pink yarn is supposed to be there. It's how you start to spin the yarn) It's not terribly even, but I'm happy with the result. It is super soft, and I can't wait to dye it!
I hope you all had a great weekend (I know I did) Happy crocheting! -Emma
I hope you all had a great weekend (I know I did) Happy crocheting! -Emma