Kickstarting the 100 Days of Spinning Challenge: Vlog Journey Days 1-10 // Rachel is Knitting

Welcome to the first installment of me vlogging the #100daysofspinngchallenge! Part 1 goes over my spinning progress and shenanigans from April 1-10, 2024. I spun the majority of these ten days on my EEW Nano 2 from Dreaming Robots.
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💌CONTACT ME💌
Instagram: / rachelisknitting
TikTok: / rachelisknitting
Email: [e-mail]
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
Rachel is Knitting
PO Box 41331
Baton Rouge, LA 70835
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🛒PRODUCTS MENTIONED🛒
Learn to Spin Drop Spindle Kit
amzn.to/3Jbx2JH
EEW (Electric Eel Wheel) Nano 2 from Dreaming Robots
www.dreamingro...
3D Printed Orifice Twist Keeper
www.etsy.com/l...
Corriedale Fiber from The Woolery
woolery.com/dy...
Other Products I love:
• Lemonwood Yarn Minder: www.lemonwood....
• Knitting Journal: amzn.to/42lWt3M
• Silicone Tubing: amzn.to/3OZbaEm
• Knitting Needles I use: amzn.to/3NmUmah
• My Glasses are from EyeBuyDirect: www.eyebuydire....
Some of the links I share are commissionable links, but I only share products I love and would recommend to a friend. Thanks for your support!
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🧶YARN PARTNERSHIPS🧶
Treehouse Knits
shorturl.at/dmGL2
Salish Sea Yarn Co.
shorturl.at/glOW4
Cesium Yarn - The Cabin Collection is available as dyed to order!
cesiumyarn.com/
Kimbers Cozy Creations
shorturl.at/uGLVY
Long Dog Yarn
shorturl.at/cwMO9
Clockwork Fiber Co.
shorturl.at/jnIJV
Through the Wardrobe Yarn Co.
shorturl.at/fikF1
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📣ANNOUNCEMENTS📣
ONLY FOUR NON-KNITTER SPOTS LEFT! The Irish Knitting Tour is still open for signups!
shorturl.at/nGTV6
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📚CHAPTERS📚
0:00 Intro
2:57 Day 1
8:46 Day 2
15:17 Day 3
16:28 Day 4
20:50 Day 5
22:10 Day 6
23:38 Day 7
25:36 Day 8
33:23 Day 9
36:41 Day 10
44:25 Outro
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#spinningchallenge #FiberArt #CraftingJourney #SpinningProgress #100DaysofSpinning #CraftingCommunity #Handspun #YarnLove #CreativeChallenge #SpinningVlog #TextileArt #DIYFiber #ArtisticYarn #SpinToWin #CraftingAdventure #HandmadeYarn #FiberArtistLife #SpinnersOfInstagram #RachelisKnitting #RachelisSpinning #LearningtoSpin #Spinningfiberintoyarn #eewnano2 #electriceelwheel #eelliotstapler
Acoustic Guitar 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...
Video Cards
1:17 I’m getting into spinning
4:40 Drop spindle for beginners
22:25 Pre drafting fiber
26:32 Irish Knitting Tour Playlist
32:16 Leslie’s podcast

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

I started spindle spinning in August of last year. The drop spindle was frustrating to me but I’d also bought a supported spindle and that went SO MUCH BETTER. Probably because I was using combed merino top and the drop spindle was too heavy for what I wanted to spin. One blessing is that I’d gotten undyed white fibre. Dyeing influences how the fibre slips or grabs, and those variegated little nests might look pretty, but if one colour is grabbier than the other, they also draft differently. Anyhow, I found my groove with the supported spindle and that helped me with the drop spindles as well. I’m still not a fan of top whorl drop spindles, and vastly prefer bottom whorl spindles and Turkish spindles where drop spindles are concerned. Don’t ask me why. I just do. In November I ‘graduated’ to an EEW Nano2 and I absolutely love it. I spin fiercely fine because I’m a lace knitter. My lace weight 2-ply yarns still aren’t perfect but they are getting better and better. You are right that your mood can greatly affect your spin. If you’re tired, hangry or upset, you might want to wait till your mood improves unless spinning is becoming your meditation and you’re able to take a deep breath, slip into a spinning vibe and just let the darkness flow off of you. I’m in no way an experienced spinner as I’ve only got a few months under my belt. But take it from a fellow newbie: it does get better, slipping into that groove gets easier every time. For me, I’ve learned that I need to avoid overthinking my spinning. Just… hold that fibre as if it was a fragile baby bird that should be kept from escaping, kept safe and not get crushed. Just feel the fibre, see it transform into yarn, and spin… when I’m able to do that, my yarn is better.

[@catherinebuttrick5678]

Your spinning is coming along marvelously! I am really happy for you. I am a fairly experienced spinner and I have two treadle wheels. Recently I bought the EEW Nano. It's great to bring to events because it's easier to transport. I also think it's helpful for learning as there is no foot work involved so the beginner can focus on drafting. That said, my Nano sometimes refuses to take up and is otherwise finicky. I think when you get either a treadle wheel or an upgraded e spinner you will find that a few of your troubles were due to the Nano. No shade on the Nano, as I love mine. It's affordable and simple and a great product. Also I don't spin every day. Some days I just don't feel like it. So I don't .

[@rachelisknitting]

That’s really good to know! I do think it can be finicky so I’m looking forward to having a “real” wheel to compare with.

[@knitcalifornia]

Your day 10 spin looked SO GOOD!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🧶🫶

[@rachelisknitting]

I’m so proud of it!!!

[@dianekawagoe2330]

I watched your video because I am a “wanna be” spinner. I’ve not done too much on my Eel wheel 6 because it is just easier to knit! I have found many excuses not to just dive into my personal 100 day challenge but seeing you be brave enough to show the world your journey, might just budge me into trying again. I will check out the videos you mention as I am overspinning so much I could likely propel my wheel into the universe! Your progress in only 10 days was very encouraging. 🤗

[@rachelisknitting]

I’m glad my video encouraged you! You can do it!

[@karenb136]

I don’t know anything about spinning and no desire to do it but I really enjoyed this video. I love how you stick with tasks even when the going gets rough ❤

[@rachelisknitting]

Thanks so much!!

[@EvanKnitsThings]

The day 10 looks so good!! Congrats friend!❤

[@rachelisknitting]

Thank you Evan!

[@nataliealexander7457]

You are doing a short draw. Both are beautiful. keep doing what yu are doing!

[@rachelisknitting]

Thank you, I will!

[@surrattcindy]

Fantastic work and perseverance!! I have been spinning for about a year now daily. Sometimes, literally ALL DAY. It is a wonderful addiction. My husband bought me my Schachts ladybug for a birthday present during covid. It stayed in the box until last year and i took a class after he suddenly passed away very young. It is my zen. A great therapy. When i started spinning, i struggled. Then tour de fleece happened and my goal was 15 minutes a day. I now own 3 wheels, 2 espinners and still dream of more. I am learning now support spinning. I have 2 spindles. I do have an eew nano. It’s my least favorite. There are tension issues, which are well known about. I do think when i watched you, that alot is the learning curve but ALOT is the nano. But you are awesome. BTW the new EEW 6.1 was just released and on sale. I have the EEW 6. Its a fantastic spinner and no comparison to the nano and even holds 8 oz of fiber. Oh i just liked and subscribe to you. I look forward to watching you progress and your other works. What more fun, knitting your own yarns!! Have a great weekend

[@rachelisknitting]

Thank you so much! What a wonderful gift that your husband gave you, and what a special way to commemorate him in your growing love of spinning. I want to have a collection like yours one day!

[@nataliealexander7457]

I admire your tenacity--stubbornness-- to keep going when it has been hard, when you have been traveling, when you couldn't find the wool you wanted to knit! Old fashioned phrase coming up here, but: You go girl!

[@rachelisknitting]

Thank you so much!

[@kristendroke5413]

Learning a new skill will always have ups and downs and challenges. I think spinning (like knitting) can be a life long learning experience. Thank you for being brave and sharing your journey. Also, please remember the 100 day challenge is to do at least 15 minutes a day. You can always go longer on a day if you are enjoying it and having a good time. 💟💜☮️

[@rachelisknitting]

Yes! Thank you!

[@vindeljay]

We all have to start somewhere, I wished I'd taken a video of my learning, I'd be cracking up at me now, not so different to you. I started on a borrowed wheel from my craft group then bought an ashford E spinner. I spun every day for the first 3 months then stopped for several months because life got in the way. But I'm back on it now. I know if I did at least 15 min a day I would improve a lot, so keep going. Keep and old toothbrush on hand to help find the end of the fibre when it gets pulled in.

[@rachelisknitting]

Some days the 15 minutes seems like an eternity and other days it flies by! I’d love to try an Ashford S spinner one day!

[@nataliealexander7457]

rememeber also, that if you ever want to make a two or three ply yarn aoout of these beautiful spins stuff will even out a bit.

[@rachelisknitting]

Oh good to know!