Back to the Basics- A Return to the Fundamentals of Spinning Yarn

handspun yarn tips

Jun 1

Back to the Basics- Yarn Spinning

This Blog is guest written by one of our Staff Jesse Holcombe. She is not only a talented knitter and pattern designer but she also is one of our dye team members. She actually dyed this braid for January herself. This braid was on a Targhee Sheep wool and is from a small USA farm like all of our fiber braids. Please follow her and her very popular instagram account @thedancingpines

For the past year I have been exclusively using my bulky flyer setup and only spinning art yarn. Because why spin yarn you can just buy in the store, right? And I am a huge believer in that! I also stand by what I say when I tell people “don’t worry about doing it the ‘right’ way”.

BUT

I have had many conversations with new spinners over the past few months that kind of reminded me about the beginning of my spinning journey. They want art yarn and are only interested in spinning the crazy, bobby, fluffy stuff. They ask me questions like:

Why is my art yarn unraveling?
Why can you see the plying thread between my coils?
How do I get the yarn to stay around the core?

But you kind of need the basics, even when spinning yarn that follows absolutely no rules. And practicing the basics is only going to improve your more complicated spins. It's kind of like running drills in sports. It is all about muscle memory!

So I challenged myself to get back to the basics, whipped out my drop spindles and began a project spin. My goal is to spin as thin and consistently as possible. I am hoping to have a nice full skein of usable fingering weight yarn that I can actually knit something with. With Tour de Fleece upcoming, this is a great time to go back to the basics and work on the essential skills of yarn spinning. ( Need a spindle? We have those)

So now I want to challenge you. Before you start anything go watch as many instructional videos as you can handle. I am serious! If you watch 5 youtube videos on “How to Spin Yarn for Beginners” you will find 5 different ways to spin yarn. Each video will have its own good nuggets of technique and helpful tips. I also personally just like to watch people spin (ha!).

Now you can get your own project spin started. Bust out a favorite braid you have stashed away, or purchase one of the Tour de Fleece exclusive braids from the Crafty Housewife Yarns shop. Pick a style: woolen or worsted. Get a spin card! A spin card, or spinner's control card, is a helpful little tool that will guide you with measuring wraps per inch so you can make sure your yarn is consistent.

Next, plan out your yarn. Is it going to be a single or plied? What is the goal yarn weight you plan to end up with? Keep a journal and spin! (You can use your spin card periodically to check your gauge.) Be as technical as possible. You can also use that handy spin card to check your plying angle to make sure all your yarns are being plied at the proper 45 degree angle.

Normally I would tell people to throw out the rule book and not worry about spinning "the right way", but there is a lot of merit in learning the right way to spin. If you're looking for a Tour de Fleece challenge this one will help you improve your spinning even if all you spin is art yarn or thick and thin singles. Happy spinning! ( Click on over to our Facebook group and Look for the TDF event or just ask and the admin will help you! Come on over and Spin with us)