Eeeh by 'eck it's been hot hot HOT in Portugal!
Too hot to think ("Hmm, where did I put that new pattern I wrote down??")
Too hot to knit ("A SCARF! What was I thinking?*) [*see above, I wasn't]
Just about hot enough to feel like doing nothing very much at all.
But I think you and I both know - the heat can't stop a true yarn addict (just look at how my addiction even invades a quiet game of scrabble!) To play with yarn is so soothing, so play with yarn I did. I've done none of the things I'd planned to do. I'm happy to have followed a merry little path of discovery instead!
Do you remember many moons ago, I Decided-with-a-capital-D that I was going to Learn to Spin? And then I said nothing more about it? Well, that's because it all unravelled. Literally and figuratively. No matter how hard I tried, how tightly I tied my knots, the spin in my wool just wanted out.
But ooooh, don't you just LOVE it when you stumble across a solution?! I can't remember where I read it, or who wrote it (I suspect Ravelry played a big part) but suddenly there was a solution. A big shiny one!
Apparently, soaking your handspun in water for a bit and leaving to drip dry will set the spin into the yarn... fandabidozee! A perfect answer to my spinning problems. So last night, I set about with the spindle and the merino and a big bowl of water. And look what happened!
Ta-daaaaaah!! :D
Of course it's far from perfect, but there's definitely still S P I N in there. :D And as far as I can tell, from here on in it's just a process of refining my techniques.
And funny I should say that, because the lovely Sara at Tangled Happy is writing a step-by-step guide to spinning with a top-whorl spindle. Talk about perfect timing!
Much love,
Kim
4 comments:
Oooh you should check out Crochet with Raymond - Alice has recently gotten into spinning and although it's a new thing she's really good! I can't remember if she gave any tips, but the photos are amazing :-)
Lovely singles :)
Hi Kim. So happy you found a solution! Because I'm a beginner too I tend to add extra twist to my yarn knowing that it will relax a bit when taken off the spindle. And then of coarse soak the yarn to set the twist. The end result is quite amazing. I think your yarn looks perfect! Any plans on what to make with your newly spun yarn? Looking forward to sharing lots more about this a Tangled Happy. Wishing you a happy Sunday. :)
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