Beginning Spinning Tips - You Got a Spinning Wheel! Top Five Tips I Wish I'd Been Told!

[@teresac.m.355]

I learned to spin 30 some years ago. I took a bit of a break, about to start again, so I feel like a beginner again.

[@Angelwool]

I'm with you. I too learned to spin years ago, getting back into it. Exciting!

[@mommyo2b]

I remember the first time I saw someone spin irl...I was very young at a craft fair with my mom. The woman was sat with a perfectly calm bunny in her lap spinning right off his back...or so it seemed to my young eyes. i was hooked on fiber art from that time on. We didn't have a lot of money so my mother did her best to fill my desire to spin with learning crafts like crochet, then embroidery, knitting and beading but a wheel and raw fiber just were not possible where we lived. I watched lots of yt how to vids on spinning when my kids were little and in 2014 got my own first wheel and jumped into the deep end. I struggled to make thick yarn at first so i just went with what felt right instead of "what you’re supposed to do". which led me into making thin worsteds for weaving...and a new addiction.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I think that sounds like it was meant to be!

[@peterivkovich2314]

I wish someone had told me about spinning with commercial yarn just to get the feel of the wheel. This is invaluable! Also, practice, practice, practice. It keeps getting better. Thank you for helping the newbies. (Gerry)

[@JillianEve]

Great tips! I especially love the advice about dealing with frustration. So much wisdom!!!! Happy spinning, fiber friend! ❤🧶🐑😊

[@taniamitchell604]

My first time on a wheel was a disaster. It was my sisters and I just couldn't do it. Years later someone gave me some fibre. I bought a drop spindle and learnt how to draft. I purchased a wheel from lovely lady and whoa immediately I was away.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I think sometimes things just click. Good thing you didn't let your first try stop you!

[@melaniereising5661]

I love how you display your spinning wheels. You have inspired me to start spinning again. I am still a novice. I am watching all of your videos! I have a rigid heddle loom, too.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thanks! My husband is an engineer, and appreciated the wheels as a piece of functional art, so it was sort of a collaborative idea. We figure if we move, new people can just put shelves in the little spinning wheel garages.

[@tammyvaladez732]

Exactly what I needed, some tips to help me practice more. I didn't know a little bit each day is better than 2 hours here and there. I will try it. Thanks for the tip

[@t.williams9849]

Thank you. Now I know somethings to do when I finally get my own wheel.

[@Which-Craft]

I love that you name stuff, too. I haven't named my fiber tools yet, as they haven't shared because they're still getting to know me, but my walking staff is named Walter, amongst other stuffs. Walter's yelling at me to exercise, so that's why I called him out. ;)

[@cgridge]

What a timely post to come upon! My husband got me an Ashford Traveller single drive double treadle wheel. Looking forward to learning!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Oooo Congratulations and welcome!

[@RKCALGARY]

Great words of wisdom! I wish I had watched this before the spinning wheel became firewood. 😂

[@jessicacarter8945]

That wrap! The colors are quite lovely🤩

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thanks! I dyed the yarn for this shawl maybe a year to 18 months ago

[@QuzieSuzieQ]

I agree that manufacturers KZbin videos are super helpful. My awesome husband bout me a rigid heddle loom for Christmas. I have found the Ashford site super helpful paired with your channel.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Congratulations on your new loom! I hope you're having fun with it.

[@pennygonzalez8309]

This is for me!! I've been spinning with a spindle for 6 months and received my first wheel for Christmas... Great info! Thank you!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I figured there would be a few new wheels out there from Santa's bag! Congratulations on your new wheel!

[@jessicawright1656]

The first spinning wheel is so exciting! I got my Ashford Elizabeth in 1994 and it's been my only wheel. My kids have certainly beat it to heck and it still works! I've been curious about other wheels, but as long as there are teenage boys around that might try wrestling moves when I'm not home...covid has put a damper on that activity...I'm going to stick with my Elizabeth for now.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

If it's working for you, no need to try anything else!

[@brittfox9038]

I absolutely agree that almost daily practice is extremely important to see good improvement in skill level. I would also suggest that new spinners keep samples from previous spins around to compare and see how much they've improved.

[@dhurd4099]

Those colors in your wrap are stunning! 🤩

[@eroff4721]

I learned on a spindle and the progression to wheel was a nice transition. I say, love the yarn you make, the ill-regularity makes it unique. Who needs perfect yarn. 😜 Merry Christmas. See you in 2021. Unless you put out another video. A short one on wheel care would be nice. I know I’m supposed to oil, just not sure exactly where. So I oil all over. 😃 I think we have the same wheel, the Ashford Traditional.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Oh, I wish I could teach people to love the yarn they make, but that's more of an internal thing. If I need perfect yarn, I know alllll the stores to get it from 😂😂😂

[@TRaceTK]

Great tips!! I am going to forward this to my friend who just got her first wheel 👍🏼

[@teresayoung4145]

Thanks for the video!! I wish I tried using commercial yarn. I tried Merino which drove me nuts and I cried. I learned on a drop spindle first so to was somewhat easier but treadling slowly was so hard.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I can't tell you how often I've heard new spinners having problems with merino. I'm glad you didn't give up!

[@joelwilliams5634]

As always great tips. I showed my husband your cabinet for your wheels now he knows what I expect him to get for me lol. Thanks again

[@FiberLoveDiary]

😂😂 It's good to be specific, so there's no misunderstandings

[@abirhussein9781]

When I got my first wheel in August I wish someone would have told me how much it would hurt my toes. Treadling with just the toes is painful. Love this unexpected video surprise 😊

[@TheTempusv26]

I got my first spinning wheel this year!!! So excited same wheel you have in the background of your video ❤

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Well that's so exciting!

[@kathybrownell5095]

Thanks for the pep talk Trish. I got my wheel many years ago and tried learning from books. It was so frustrating and the results weren't pretty. The wheel went to a spare room to sit untouched for years. This summer I pulled it out again and and discovered your channel. Lights bulbs flashed on! Oooohhhhh, that's how it's done! Thank you so much for helping. Now I love my wheel.

[@tracyirwin9578]

I got a rigid heddle loom for Christmas :-) Your videos are going to be a huge help while I learn how to use it. Thank you for being awesome!

[@gailburford1655]

Thanks Trish! I'm going to try th 15 min suggestion

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I bet you'll be surprised how far you come even in just one month if you do.

[@creativitybytrisha6819]

Great advice for beginners. Learning a new skill can be frustrating but walking away to calm down before coming back to conquer it is a necessity.

[@dinardoworldwide]

Amazing drill.

[@CreatingwithWinglessAngel]

I got one for my b day in march but arrived in april, I think I'll call my wheel Baby. because I will have to baby it and take baby steps. New spinner here.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Congratulations!!

[@rosannafrancis4577]

Maybe I'm just weird. I never got frustrated when learning to spin, but I learned on a drop spindle. Also, I found it difficult to stop spinning and completely ingored everything around me (even my family sometimes ). I found spinning to be so relaxing and soothing, quite therapeutic. So now it is my "go to" activity whenever I start getting stressed. I have been spinning now for 22 years and I will never stop. 😊

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I have only seen one person take to wheel spinning like they've been doing it forever, well, maybe two. I keep waiting to try a new skill that I'm a prodigy at, but so far, hard work is the only way for me 😂😂

[@StitchingNana]

Thank you for the great tips. I don’t have a treadle wheel yet but hopefully soon.

[@LindseyHeine]

Those are awesome tips, thank you! I just got my Ashford Traveler wheel a few months ago, and am still learning on it. I have been more confident on a drop spindle, so I have put more focus on that. But I like the idea of putting just a few minutes a day on the wheel. And I got a blending board for Christmas, cant wait to get spinning!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I think people really underestimate what you can do with just a short time each day when it comes to muscle memory. Have a great time with your blending board!

[@plansandprocrastination]

I agree that learning about take up and coordination is essential, so you don't start to overthink things. So I was really excited to hear you talk about using a store bought yarn to work with at the get go!. Great episode :)

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thank you!

[@StephEliotMakes]

I know we have chatted about this subject before, but it’s a great reminder. Thanks Trish

[@carolschnick2163]

good advice

[@susiewillis7376]

I just ordered my first spinner. I have a spindle but feel it is difficult to get consistent with. My Hansen e spinner should be here in couple of weeks. Thanks so much for the tips.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Good luck!

[@spincrochetrepeatrcc8961]

I've been learning on a top whorl drop spindle and have just finally gotten my mind around it! So I would say these can definitely apply to this as well!

[@sweetlavend4]

Great tips! 🥰

[@lorainew4281]

Excellent tips Trish! I actually bought my wheel in 2010 and had a really hard time finding places to teach me. Fiber shows were few or too far away. It ended up sitting in my basement for about 8 years and I pulled it out again last year and brought it to my mom's in Fl so I would have something to do/learn while I stayed there with her for a few months. I also got my RHLoom last Christmas and started teaching myself how to weave. Then I got stuck there until June, so spinning and weaving were the two main focuses for a solid 7 months and now I'm totally hooked! I've come a long way but still have so much to learn, but I really love it! Consistent practice is key! Have a happy New Year, and best wishes for a wonderful year!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Some really great things came out of a hard year! You found love of spinning and weaving! That's great!

[@lisaconnor4948]

I have a Ashford Traveller Wheel that I got last year and looks similar to yours, started spinning a couple years ago, then stopped, your show is a inspiration to me!

[@bonniemcgee6648]

Thank you for all the tips I will be bringing my spinning wheel upstairs and start spinning in the new year. 🤞

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Ooo exciting!

[@dawanariley4183]

Lol I start spindle tomorrow. My ashford will not be here to late February, I love to know where to fiber or a video on different places to buy fiber. I love fiber clubs. I have subscription with paradise fiber.

[@jazmin9565]

You are just such a good soul❤️🌻 Super informative and encouraging! I just started stoop when I’m frustrated. Pushing through is definitely not right for everyone. I hope you are doing well! Thank you for another wonderful video 😬🌟

[@cindyg1125]

Love the idea of practicing with commercial yarn! Hoping to get my first wheel in 2021.

[@deborahcherry1735]

I was advised to just practice treading every night for the first week then go on to just drawing up shop bought yarn to get the feel,

[@sadiesspincraft6319]

Thank for this video trish it's always good to know how to use different wheels as I only use the one I have which is antique and if I get a new one I will be glad I watched this video thank you so much x

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brendabacon1613]

Those are all great tips. Thank you so much. I love the 15 minutes a day tip, I’m going to try to make that my goal. You’re amazing!!!

[@winnieyuensm]

Thank you so much for the tips~ love your channel~

[@chronicallycrocheting]

Great tips. 🤗

[@73lmargaret]

Woohoo! Thank you for the video!

[@barbmenn6303]

Great advice! Would love an in-depth video on your wheels.

[@angelawilliams3904]

Thanks for the info and the encouragement!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

You are so welcome!

[@heatherkather653]

Good ideas! 😊

[@charlottekerlavage361]

Very insightful, for more than just spinning, thank you so much for sharing this

[@CreationsOfAMoonChild]

You just popped up in my search! Trying to research spinning but this is maybe not the video for me lol.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Oh that one is so old 🤣. I am not super great at spindles, but there are tons of great videos. I did make a full video on those buttons though if you really wanted to see it. It takes no skills

[@vickyk5510]

Such great advice! And happy new years to you, I hope it was a wonderful Christmas for you and yours!

[@nancymorgan5505]

If all else fails...read the directions...

[@emmasmom60]

I got my Traveller last February and it was a tough thing to put together. When I finally finished it, I noticed that my lazy kate was behind my wheel. I thought that's a stupid place for a lazy kate, how am I supposed to ply from that. Then it dawned on me that I had put it together backwards! I walked away from it and rebuilt it the next day, because otherwise I would have thrown it out the window!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Sounds like something I would do. Walking away is my best friend when I'm tired or frustrated. I can always find something else to mess around with while I calm down 😂😂

[@juanitasmith6157]

Love this. Feeling so frustrated because I keep over twisting.

[@Wishfulthkn]

So I bought a Spinning wheel and found this video last night and your advice is really great about using commercial yarn to practice and get used to the wheel. Well, I have a question…what does it mean when the yarn is winding on the bobbin the bobbin actually stops spinning at times even though you are still treadling and the flyer is still moving, but the bobbin actually stops and then starts again while spinning. I have a Lendrum original double treadle. What does this mean and how do I fix this. I am still spinning on commercial yarn to practice how everything feels which I think is a great idea. Thank you in advance for your help.

[@bonnielundholm5535]

Lola is beautiful.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

We have a special relationship, because she was my first 🥰🥰

[@friendoblu]

Such good advice for so many things! A little bit every day and for some personality types, pushing through frustration is not helpful. I can't tell you how it helps for someone else to say this! You would probably like Mindset by Carol Dweck. It's my bible. Thanks for the inspiration. I've set my alarm for a daiy 15 mins. @friendoblu

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I LOVE Mindset by Carol Dweck. I'm currently reading 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do, and it's so good! I also think Mastery by George Leonard is amazing.

[@Ahlathein]

Great tips! I used crappy and boring white mill end top when I first learned. Yawn

[@FiberLoveDiary]

You still learned! At least you didn't use some junky stuff that wasn't prepped well. I think that really trips up new spinners sometimes.

[@teenyw]

This scarf/shawl is BEAUTIFUL!

[@DeHartHouse]

Another great video. I love your spinning wheel display case. It looks so professional.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thanks! My husband built it into our fireplace surround when we put a new one in. We figured if we move, it can just be used with shelves for books or pretty things.

[@dtteacher52]

Thanks. Can you tell us about the shawl you are wearing? Love the colors and pattern. Did you spin this yarn?

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I did talk about it and show it in a finished projects video. I dyed this yarn specifically for the pattern, and it is called Shard. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXbNnIp9pcd8eqs

[@melaniehuhta8853]

Luther is so funny. Great intro to spinning video. Merry Christmas friend!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thank you! You too!

[@iknit8b707]

Hi Trish, Thanks for the tips! I’m going to use some commercial yarn to learn how to chain ply. Keep the spinning videos coming!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I have suggested that for chain plying so many times. I hope it helps you out!

[@aliciawatt1184]

OMG, you made a video for me!! Thank you SO much!!

[@bettyhartle4877]

Very informative thanks

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dmbrown240]

Even though I’ve had a wheel for almost a year now, I still consider myself a new spinner. I love all of your tips! 💕 Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁

[@SB_thatsme]

I need to tell you that I wish I could get to know you better as a person in general. You have a beautiful vibe, and make me feel like I can do anything! Thanks for the tips.

[@gloriabanks9092]

I am so overwhelmed by all of the wheel options 😅 i am looking at e-spinners. Do you have a recommendation for a beginner?

[@ChrisChambers7732]

I wish I had these tips before I started spinning. I taught myself to spin on a drop spindle about 5 years ago, it wasn’t by any means a pretty, consistent and balanced yarn but it has improved with practice. I have 2 wheels, a Merlin tree hitchhiker and ashford country spinner 2, I love both wheels and am still working on spinning with consistency.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I get it! I figured there would be more new spinners that could benefit from what no one ever told us! 😂😂

[@callielw]

I agree with using yarn to get the feel of the uptake of the spin. That's how I teach everyone that comes to me. Get used to how to handle the yarn before worrying about drafting.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I've heard a lot of advice about an empty wheel, but it doesn't feel the same to me!

[@avrilp317]

Thanks so much Trish for making this video. It’s so helpful to hear from someone who is obviously experienced what they went through so that you know it’s not just you. My wheel is arriving soon so fingers crossed. Thank you. A😊

[@Which-Craft]

Best lecture about learning a skill (or just about anything else) I've ever heard! Thanks, Trish!

[@melanieo15]

I’m just learning to spin using a drop spindle, I’ve been doing ALL the research on different wheels to decide what kind of wheel I would like.

[@janatherton9194]

I spun on spindles for the first few years I spun, while I saved for my wheel. When I finally started wheel spinning the experience of drafting and spinning on a spindle meant that it was easier to spin on the wheel, you just had to learn to use the treadles at the same time and 10-15 minutes spinning a day helps develop muscle memory for both spindle and wheel spinning. I hope you enjoy your spinning for many years to come!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

It's really tough if you can't try them out. Is there a guild, or a shop, or a fiber festival anywhere around you? Fiber festivals will be a thing again soon! (I cannot wait). All the drafting practice will help you when you get a wheel, so that's a great way to go!

[@aliciawatt1184]

SO helpful!! I'm practicing 20 minutes a day since the 1st and just today felt like I got into a rhythm for a few minutes!!

[@amym5926]

Awesome advice! I learned with commercial yarn too, then worked my way through a pound of Cheviot, then found a fiber subscription to get used to different types of fiber. But whatever someone’s path, your advice on being patient and gentle with the learning process is universally applicable. A gentle timetable (15 min a day, like you say) and some structure can wear away learning obstacles all the discipline in the world can’t force out of the way.

[@Zincchromeshema]

That's such great advice. Being kind to yourself while you're learning (anytime) is so important♥♥♥

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Absolutely!!

[@seekingtoremain]

This is so encouraging and great advice! No drop spindle yet but my fingers are still crossed. 😊

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Fingers crossed here too!

[@thesimmeringdyepot8136]

Great tips! Wish this type of videos were available when I learned to spin.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Gosh, me too, bigtime!

[@jirup]

I've just pulled my wheel out of the storeroom after 20 years of sitting idle. I'm feeling like a new spinner and my wheel needs some repairs (the glue in some of the joints has perished). I still haven't found my hand cards and lazy Kate, so plenty of time to get the wheel back into working condition.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

That's very exciting though! I hope you have fun getting it going.

[@jirup]

@@FiberLoveDiary It's on the backburner because I got an order for a summer scarf and went and bought a 125 yo treadle sewing machine that I have no room for... I do love everything textiles.