MY SPINNING JOURNEY: Learning to Spin Yarn With a Drop Spindle and Spinning Wheel (and more!)

Let's talk spinning! This week I'm sharing how I learned to spin yarn on a drop spindle and spinning wheel, along with my favorite tools, online classes, books, and more. Please enjoy!
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// SPINDLES
AaronMakesStuff
/ aaronmakesstuff
Bosworth Spindles
bosworthspindl...
Spanish Peacock
spanishpeacock...
Golding
goldingfiberto...
Trindle
www.etsy.com/c...
Subterranean Woodwork Turkish Spindle
www.etsy.com/s...
Jenkins Turkish Spindles
yarntools.com/
// MY WHEEL & OTHER GADGETS
Lendrum Original Double Treadle Spinning Wheel
woolery.com/le...
Lendrum Double-Treadle Spinning Wheel (Complete Package)
woolery.com/le...
Akerworks Bobbins and Drop Spindles
www.akerworks....
WooLee Winder
www.wooleewind...
Electric Eel Wheel Nano
www.DreamingRob...
Classy Squid Fiber Co.
www.etsy.com/s...
// ONLINE SPINNING COURSES
Three Bags Full with Judith MacKenzielearn.longthre...
Spindling: From Fluff to Stuff (Craftsy)
shrsl.com/3yc6w
Drafted From Worsted to Woolen (Craftsy)
shrsl.com/3yc6z
// BOOKS
Respect the Spindly by Abby Franquemont
amzn.to/3kJKBHw
High Whorling by Pricilla Gibson-Roberts
amzn.to/3J8R2xb
The Intentional Spinner by Judith MacKenzie
amzn.to/3yfZNPC
// PATTERNS
Tan House Brook Shawl by Jennifer Lassonde
www.ravelry.co...
Tiny Birds of Happiness by Sara Elizabeth
www.ravelry.co...
Spun Right Round Fiber
www.spunrightr...

[@davidhensley76]

Hi, Sis. I'm studying to become an American Sign Language interpreter. I practiced interpreting this video.

[@stillarobyn]

I LOVE how much spinning content is coming up lately on KZbin from people both new and old to the craft. I'd love to see more.

[@lisaporch8922]

Oh I love my EEW!!!! I love it so much I just ordered the EEW6 the big one!!! I despise plying on my spinning wheel so I will be using the EEW6 to ply!!!!

[@JelMain]

For beginners, the secret is to use a pair of wool carders to open the combed roving up into a really floofy rolag. You're trying to draft 12-15 fibres out into each thread, which the wheel spins together. You then ply up to four threads together into twine/3-ply/4-ply, so working backwards from the wool you know gives you the thread. Let's work from the other end. The sheep has wool, which is putrid. First thing to do is to clean it, removing lanolin, pee, poo, mud, half the countryside, best done in a tub of lukewarm water with specialist detergent. You then start to separate the locks, which are kind of aligned, and are combed into alignment, maybe on some lethal viking combs, in general going into a mat called a batt on a drum carder. The fibre's drawn through a small hole in a metal diz to produce roving, a long fibre belt you can pull apart, Wool can be bought at any stage, raw, batt, roving, and can be dyed at any stage.

[@jamiethrogmorton2540]

I’m a brand new spinner, literally finished a 2-Saturday intro class last week! Didn’t enjoy the spindle but I found a used Ashford Traveller so I’m starting with that. I’ll be watching all of your beautiful and helpful videos!!

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

I absolutely love my EEW Nano2! I tend to spin really fine and the Nano2 is great at just that. Nowadays it’s being sold with suction cups. I live in Europe. Work/life balance is a really big thing at my job and our standard lunch break is one hour on office days (as opposed to work-from-home days). A sandwich and a chat will take 15 minutes. The remaining 15 minutes I’ll spin, either with a supported spindle, a Turkish spindle or my Nano2. I can still hold a nice conversation with my colleagues while my hands are busy creating yarn. 😊

[@LochBriarKnits]

Perfect timing - I just bought my first spinning wheel this week - Lendrum DT! Can't wait to get started! I'm taking the Craftsy course you mentioned and it's really helpful.

[@QueensYarnBoutique]

I have a Schacht drop spindle and I have been thinking about getting an Electric Eel Wheel Nano. I want to practice on those before investing in a spinning wheel.

[@lindaviteretto9186]

Thank you for inspiring me to pull out my spinning supplies. After an out of state move which involved living in a hotel room for 8 months with everything in storage it was wonderful to set up my studio again. But, it has now been 6 years in new home and I may have spun once🫣. I have some lovely drop spindles and a fabulous Hanson E-Spinner. The E-spinner works great as I also have back problem and now knee issues. Like you, I love doing all the “things” and get sidetracked. I quilt, sew etc and then started painting in acrylics and now watercolor. At least we will never get bored! I’m going to play with my spinning today!

[@alekfelis]

Thank you so much for this video! It's dear to my heart as it was tradition in my family that is lost now!

[@LesliesLakeLife]

This is so appropriate, Kristin. I have actually been wondering about drop spindling. Thank you for sharing.

[@catardif4158]

Thank you for sharing your spinning journey. Have you every though of adding some hand dyed fiber to your shop? ❤

[@shaunastitches]

I love my Lendrum DT! I also didn't try many wheels (ok I tried one other) before purchasing and I have zero regrets. Just a word of caution, since you haven't used your plying head yet...make sure you use the larger/longer drive band for that head because you'll really overstretch the small one if you try to use it with that.

[@carolyndaly4764]

I love this video!! More spinning please🤗🤗🎊

[@michellelaw7550]

I have several Trindles, I love them. I think their Etsy shop is still open but they rarely seem to list anything anymore which is a shame. Love your video.

[@karenbochinski]

Thanks for this informative video about spinning

[@valerieellison2483]

This info is so inspiring! I think turkish spindles are absolutely gorgeous! But I am trying to be practical. I want to make embroidery thread in the future and think a supported spindle is what I should be looking into.

[@OliverRainKnits]

This is a rabbit hole I've been considering for a while now and here you are just beckoning me in, you siren 😉 I liked the new setup but then I enjoy everything you do

[@Voolenvine]

🧜‍♀🐚🤣 Jooooiiiinnnn us!!! And thank you- the setup was just for this week so I could get my wheel in the frame. ;)

[@josephascroft4774]

Really informative helpful video for me I’m just starting spinning and have a homemade spindle made of two jam jar lids and a paint brush handle lol, anyway thanks for the video and God bless you 🙏🏻

[@josephporter2040]

Love this video. I bought an electric eel probably about 2 years ago and I've failed to ever get it to work for me, hopefully this gets me trying again

[@woolaroundtheworld]

Hey. Thanks for sharing. While watching this episode I got a, message to pick up a package at the post office. It will be my, first spinning device a indian box charkha. Have you heard about them? Living in india, right now I got excited when I saw, one at a friend's house and he organized me one. Perfect timing for this video. Have a great day

[@Voolenvine]

Oh wow! Spin-off's online magazine has a great article on Charkha wheels: spinoffmagazine.com/first-steps-in-charkha-spinning/. Its fast spinning speed is great for spinning cotton fibers and has historical ties to Gandhi. So fascinating! I hope you'll let us know how it goes! :D

[@woolaroundtheworld]

@@Voolenvine thanks for sharing. I will read it tomorrow. It's really funny it seems someone is producing nice box charkhas to send around the world. I have a original old indian one that isnot polished at all

[@Voolenvine]

@@woolaroundtheworld Gotta keep these crafts alive, somehow! 🙌😄

[@adriac21]

Thank I loved this episode. I’ve been wanting to spin I did buy 2 drop spindle but have not tried it yet hopefully this year is the year.

[@alip.9740]

That bright blue shines with copper. Do a colorwork with it!

[@chococat178]

Loved this episode so much❤❤. I have picked my drop spindles back up as well🙃 I forgot how soothing the art of spinning yarn is😊

[@Debbiejump]

Thank you for this vid. I loved learning the basics. More please. Just looking into starting and would love lots of advice!!!!

[@liza5532]

Suggestions on what to do with handspun. I feel really strongly you should use it because it teaches you to be an even better spinner. Just like yarn looks different balled up than it did in a hank? Or how knitted yarn looks different? Ok, almost anything on ravelry that uses Spin cycle or Noro yarns are probably good. Small one skein colorful striped handspun I'd say start with Campout Fingerless mitts by Tante Ehm, or the Pivot Cowl by Purl Soho. Felted household items are good for new spinners like the spinning wheel bag, or felted bowls or cozies. But barberpole yarns are not good for lace or cables if it is too busy, it will hide the pattern. The imperfections and thick/thin look good with stockinette or garter stitch. And of course, 3ply is the best wearing yarn for sweaters and socks. Simple hats and scarves are just elevated by the look of handspun. Even colorful pompoms will look like velvet compared to those made with commercial yarn!

[@elizabethsovern8939]

Look at you with your two camera shoot! Enjoyed the spinning info, thank you.

[@Shaiyeh]

Literally spinning on my wheel while watching ^^ I have also been on a massive spinning kick lately, and spent the past weekend at a fiber festival, and picked up lots of fun stuff for spinning. Also the EEW - SUCH a cute little e-spinner, it's still on my wantlist. it's so tiny!

[@PelafinaLievre]

As to what those skeins should grow up to be? I like using handspun as colorwork on a sweater (especially that last one because it looks like your color, but I’d totally use that blue for myself)

[@debrawortman1712]

Great video, Kristin! I recently got back to my Ashford Traveler and managed to spin and ply some of the fiber that I had purchased at Rhinebeck. I find spinning to be so relaxing!

[@knittingnurd]

Loved this episode..thank you! I have 3 Jenkins Turkish spindles and absolutely love them. I also have an Eel Wheel Nano, but my first love is my Schacht Ladybug. I need to spend more time with my Lendrum DT...I bought it used ...it was too good of a deal to pass up. I've had it for almost 3 years and have never really gotten used to it. You have inspired me to get to my spinning!!

[@shieladegrote8238]

Thank you for this spinning episode. I bought a drop spindle a while back and some fiber but I’ve been afraid to try it. I was at Stitches West yesterday and there was a vendor there that had some great advice and now with your episode I am inspired again.

[@jessicavenable5638]

I'm digging the spinning content, for sure! I have a similar spinning story to yours-- encouraged by friends to start about 8 years ago, went from spindles (so many spindles!) to wheel (mine's a kromski minstrel that I bought online sight unseen, I also didn't take mine for a test spin. oop) and now an EEW6. It's such a nifty hobby, and it dovetails nicely with knitting. ya know, if you actually knit with the stuff you spin. :P

[@janetd6445]

Watching you find things in the tote was fun! I have an EEW and put a piece of shelf liner type stuff down and it’s great.

[@cindyorton199]

So happy to hear you talk about spinning! I’ve done drop spindle snd got a wheel but I’m having trouble getting started. Would love you to do a tutorial on getting started on a wheel!!

[@Voolenvine]

I'll see what I can doooo!! :D

[@MikiCrespo]

Thanks so much for sharing your spinning journey 💗🧶💗

[@Voolenvine]

So glad you enjoyed!

[@yorkieterrier8868]

About 15 years ago my boss said he was going to his spinning class. I found it hard to imagine him spinning fleece into yarn and expressed my amazement.. Turns out he meant a keep fit class done on bicycles which apparently is a thing here in the UK.

[@Voolenvine]

🤣🤣🤣Too funny! It's a thing here, too, in the US. There's a popular one called Soul Cycle that's very intense and plays pumped-up dance music. Try to imagine THAT with spinning on a wheel 😆

[@aleryan]

OH! OH! They have the electric eel Wheel Nano 2 now and you can update your original. Check out Dreaming Robots. I'm scared to use mine (I have the Nano original with the updated parts and the Nano 2.) Thanks for the episode. I'd love to see more spinning. You've been inspiring me. I started a Lamia Wrap too. I love it!

[@jhuntsman17]

Kristin you are so thoughtful. Thanks for this amazing video. I loved watching this. I think I might have to get my spindle out today. Have a great weekend. And yes I would love to see more spinning videos, but I’m not sure what lol

[@designbysewsew]

Thank you for the informative video! I've just recently gotten into spinning (with a drop spindle, but also trying out some wheels before purchasing) and your book suggestions look super helpful. I know you dye yarn, but have you ever thought of dying fibre for spinning?

[@jjohnson249]

I took the same Craftsy class! 😃

[@ragebraid]

loved this ep! thanks so much for sharing all your spinning resources. I'm just getting started with drop spindles, so this was super helpful.

[@Voolenvine]

So glad you found it helpful! I hope to make an updated version soon, but I have a drop-spindling tutorial that I made a while back, if you're interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/amjEnY2Qj9R_ipY ;)

[@heathermacmillan3076]

Love, love, love the spinning content! It would be fun to see different ways of spinning hand painted fibre such as spinning end to end versus fractal spinning 😊

[@knittygirlone3391]

Love the wallpaper!

[@nathalieschlosser1622]

I loved this episode! It looks like you have a lot of plying to do! Also the noises that came out of my mouth when you brought out the woolee winder like "oh and this thing!" hahaha i've never tried one, but they look absolutely amazing. So happy to see that you are getting back into spinning!

[@rhondawise1897]

Would like to get back into spinning

[@debsimmons3207]

I almost always do a long talk cast on. Is there some trick to measuring the yarn so the tail isn't too long or too short?

[@PelafinaLievre]

I absolutely recommend taking wheels for test drives. I’ve spun on a lot of different wheels. I know now what I like and what I don’t. I like the Lendrum, but I think I would have outgrown the Lendrum. At the same time, my single treadle Matchless would have been too much for me as a baby spinner. So I have a Sidekick and Matchless (and an espinner for plying). I’m also possibly selling a Ladybug.

[@Voolenvine]

I can see the Lendrum being a great entry-level wheel. Maybe because I don't consider myself a "technical spinner," it suits my spinning needs just fine. Granted, I've heard excellent things about all the wheels you mention and would love the opportunity to spin with them! My MIL's wheel (a Louet) spun beautifully but had a completely different personality compared to the Lendrum. I find that so fascinating!

[@PelafinaLievre]

@@Voolenvine Most Louets are Irish tension, which tends to spin thicker and has a different feeling uptake than Scotch tension or double drive. My friend would marry double drive if she wasn’t already married. I’m not so picky because I would like to spin yarn to actually knit with and not just 3 ply laceweight.

[@kathyberry1808]

Great video!! I just registered for a beginner spinning workshop so this was very interesting to me 💕 I think I’m going to check out those book recommendations so I know a little somethin’ before I go lol

[@Voolenvine]

That's awesome!! Enjoy the class!!

[@cmaur811]

Love the wallpaper- im tempted to give it a try. What is the name of the target storage unit again ? I love spinning. Hope you have a Turkish somewhere. Jacey is the best teacher. Taken i few classes with her. Lexi is great too.

[@Voolenvine]

Thank you! The storage unit behind me is the KALLAX from IKEA and the cubby inserts/baskets. :)

[@dianabarber8656]

Hi Kristen I was wondering have u tried navajo spinning

[@Voolenvine]

I have NOT! But would like to give it a try someday. I HAVE done Navajo plying (aka chain plying or ply-on-the-fly)

[@SarahJo]

Do I actually want to learn to spin or do I just want a new apocalypse skill? lol

[@lenka3393]

I feel cheated out of the drunken spinning in the wine glass falling photo 🧐😅

[@Voolenvine]

Aahahaha... Sorry about that. While editing, I realized I'd be scrolling for ages into the depths of my Instagram feed to find it. I'll try to share it on next week's episode.

[@corteofs]

Craftsy is still up and running

[@Voolenvine]

Yes, but it's not the same, where you can interact with your instructor, get feedback, etc. You're only getting the course. But still a great resource!

[@IG88isevil]

Wow…your journey was just like mine!…thanks for sharing….in joy!✂️🐑🌀🧶

[@kman9448]

No way are you 40 years old. So beautiful

[@jotsntittles5783]

Someone just happened to sneak up on you to start filming a video you invited people to view? Please... for the love of teaching... I for one truly appreciate helpful/informative content...just not some of the antics and 'scripted' intros/edits' I see so many people gravitating to on YT... I don't get it. Just be natural/real - use similar content that 'does' happen for intro ideas. [eg: see Fibre Love Diary Outtakes etc for 1 reference] 'Acting' for most people, especially bad acting can make one feel like they're being manipulated right off the batt, thus putting a bad taste in one's mouth for anything else they've created. Nothing worse than listening to someone come off as phony. Aim for treating people like you actually would, had you invited (a large group of people) 57.4 k of us over to your home/studio to show us what you knew/learned? Warts & all Just a thought If you're offended by a little constructive feedback, you're most likely not interested in learning what may help you gain more followers *shrugs* Your circus, your monkeys though... Good luck

[@IG88isevil]

Drucilla Pettibone taught me to spin toooooo….✂️🐑🧶

[@Voolenvine]

She's great!