wool and spinning Erin James wool and spinning Erin James

Chain ply yarn spinning- tips and tricks

Chain ply yarn spinning-how to

Introduction

There are many ways to spin a yarn, but plying is where it's at. For those new to the craft, I'll explain what ply means and why it's so important. I'll also walk you through some simple examples of how to make yarn plies in different situations. So let's get started!

Read More
wool and spinning Erin James wool and spinning Erin James

Spinning Wool Prep Basics

Introduction

Yarn is a wonderful thing, and if you're getting into spinning your own yarn, it's even better. However, if you have absolutely no idea what "spinning wool prep basics" are or how to prepare for them, this article will help you get started!

Woolen and Worsted Spun:

Worsted yarns have a tighter construction, which gives them a smoother appearance. They're also more consistent in size than woolen spun yarns.

Woolen and Worsted Spinning: We'll cover the most basic terms you need to know about spinning wool, including the many different ways it can be done.

Read More

What is the difference between Merino wool and Superwash Merino wool? Yarn Spinning Blog

I decided to record and document my expirance spinning yarn in the same semi woolen single strand style with the only diffrece being a super wash merino braid vs a regular merino wool braid. I was hoping to answer the question What is the difference between Merino wool and Superwash Merino wool? Click below to see the video or read the description.

Discover the intricate differences between superwash and non-superwash merino wool in our comprehensive guide. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or new to the world of knitting, understanding these types of wool is crucial for choosing the right materials for your projects. Superwash merino, known for its washability and vibrant dye acceptance, offers practicality and ease of care, making it a popular choice for busy crafters[1]. On the other hand, non-superwash merino retains natural oils and textures, providing an authentic experience and superior warmth, but requires gentle, specific care to avoid felting

Read More

Assembling the SpinPerfect Abe Spinning Wheel - Step by Step Guide

I am so excited to have this Blog/Assembly guide put together for you. You for sure will want to follow the step by step directions that come with the wheel and contact the SpinPerfect customer service if you have any questions. This is meant to be an overview so you can see me putting mine together as sort of an over the shoulder view.

Read More

Tips for Spinning Dog Hair on a SpinOlution Spinning Wheel

Here are some tips from this video for spinning pet hair on your spinning wheel:

  • You may want to blend your pet hair with other fibers you can use hand cards for this

  • You can gather most of the fiber from the hind quarters most of the fur is an undercoat. Shorter dog hair like a lab, would not be spin-able just because there's no soft undercoat, it's just too course.

  • You may have to gather hair from multiple pets or multiple grooming.

  • While you want a good bit of twist to hold the fiber together don’t go too fast because you make get too much momentum behind these delicate fibers. A smooth quick rotation with slower feet like seen on this SpinOlution Monarch is ideal.

  • Will spin similar to Angora or Alpaca.

Read More
wool and spinning Erin James wool and spinning Erin James

Small Farm Yarn and Fiber Subscriptions - Review and Info

n addition to Renee we have many wonderful small farmers who contribute to our bi monthly spinning fiber sampler box. The idea with these boxes is to get the small farm fiber into the hands of crafters so they can try new fibers and then contact the farmer directly to buy more. This will help to support these great farmers as they take care of the fiber animals we all love.

My Local Wool was created by my friend Ashley Martinaeu and was met with much enthusiam from the fiber arts community. I am thrilled to be able to keep her dream moving forward.

My Local Wool is a community focused on fostering profitable and enriching relationships in the fiber arts community. Check out the new Community options. Become a listed Fiber Friend.

We’ve listened to you! We know there’s nothing more exciting than finding a new passion in the fiber arts and many of you live in more remote areas where you may feel like you’re the only one who shares your passion. Well we’re here to help. We are now offering an option to join our map as a “ Fiber Friend” We will not list your exact address just a general zip code and what your interests are and how you would like to be contacted to form crafting groups, farm field trips or just have someone close to reach out to in a way that feels comfortable to you. Click the button below to learn more. Simply sign up for join our map and fill out the form and you will be added and our friendly staff will contact you to make sure you’re listed just the way you want to be. We can make updates and changes for you any time simply contact us at hello@mylocalwool.com for more info. We look forward to hearing from you and enriching our community together.

We are also always looking to add boutique small farm mills to our map. If you process wool or have a favorite please to go please contact us!

Read More

What is a Tensioned Lazy Kate ?- SpinOlution Spinning Wheel Bessie Kate

If you’re new to the world of spinning your own yarn you may be confused about what the term “ lazy kate” even means. Who is Kate? Why is she lazy, how will this lazy woman ever help me with my spinning? Perhaps a distant cousin of Lazy Susan? Well I’m not sure why this spinning tool is called a Lazy Kate but I do know that they are one of the most useful tools I can think of for spining. The long and short of it is that you use a Kate to hold your bobbins full of single ply yarn so that they can spin freely while you are plying your yarn. This is useful no matter if you you are doing a basic double ply or something more fancy like a chain ply. In a pinch you could just put your bobbins or balls of yarn into a shoebox to keep them from running off but this is not ideal at all because they will still be bumping around and possibly damaging fine delicate singles. If you are newer to spinning your singles may not have a firm enough twist and could start to come apart on you with all of the bumping around. This is where the Lazy Kate comes into play. The standard Lazy Kate will hold your bobbins up right on rods letting you ply easily while they free spin. Some spinning wheels have an attached lazy Kate like the pollywog, bullfrog, or bees. The Modular spinning wheels, Echo, Firefly, and Monarch are best used with the attachable standard lazy kate. This accessories can be used either attached or free standing on the floor.

Read More