[Fillipovna N]

I was quite impressed by that blog when I first found it; I still am

And you're welcome!

[purly]

There is such a fabulous wealth of information on this site!

I own a Majacraft Suzie, which I had shipped in from New Zealand.

The thing I like about it is the conical orifice. So I can spin with beads and unusual fibers.

I started with a drop spindle that I bought off ebay. It cost about $20. Eventually I got tired of it taking so long to do anything that I got a real wheel. It was a big investment. Something like $500!

I taught myself to spin using videos on the internet. I want to take professional spinning classes someday, but I only have time on the weekends and I haven't found a class that fits my schedule yet.

[purly]

So here is some of my early yarns. These are done in 2-ply acid-dyed merino:



The blue/purple colorway I called "Tampa".
The pink/orange/purple colorway I called "LA Sunset"

[purly]

This is a three ply acid-dyed merino done using the navajo technique:

I called it "cornucopia".
The image was done using my scanner. Plop the yarn on and scan

[purly]

This was done using a fluffy carded merino plied with thread:

I called this one watermelon.

[purly]

This was also done with thread, but I beaded the thread with chunks of agate first:

It's hard to see them in the picture. It was much prettier IRL.

[purly]

Here is a better picture of that agate swamp yarn:

There is one bead per yard. When it knits up the beads should be much closer together.

[purly]

I've done plenty of other yarns, but I can't find pictures of them now.
I haven't been spinning lately.
Too many knitting projects and my yarn baskets are overflowing.
The fiber friday community on livejournal was the best:
http://community.livejournal.com/fiber_friday
Some really innovative ideas for yarn on that site ^^
The posters are not as active anymore.

[gius]

Thank you for reviving this thread! Your yarns are quite even and consistent

Quote:

Originally Posted by purly There is such a fabulous wealth of information on this site!

Which site do you mean? Rosemaryknits?

Quote:

Originally Posted by purly The thing I like about it is the conical orifice. So I can spin with beads and unusual fibers.

The orifice is the small piece with a hole in it, isn't it? That the string with the hook goes through.

I am also going to get a wheel too, after I have some of my other projects finished. I saw a kiwi wheel at a shop here. It is fairly light-weight and takes up little space.. When I get to the shop, I'll ask if the parts can be replaced. I heard some wheels are able to hold different orifices and also something that changes the speed (good for like you said, being able to spin a variety of yarn styles)

I learnt spinning on my own too

[purly]

Yes, exactly. The orifice on my wheel screws on and off. You can get different sized bobbins. A jumbo size for making novelty yarns, and a heavy small bobbin for making lace weight yarn.

I really need to take some classes and get back into spinning again. I made tons of money at it when I was doing it a lot.

[gius]

You sold your handspun? Sounds wonderful
We had a student sale once and someone did that
but I am not in school anymore

Oh it's the bobbin that has to be big?
Not the orifice/hole

Anyway I'll do a bit of research before I go and buy

[purly]

Well the conical orifice is what allows me to use special materials. But the size of the bobbin can have an impact too. Try to get a wheel that allows you to switch out to different kinds of bobbins.

I would also recommend a double treadle. I just think they're easier to use.

There are plenty of old fashioned wheels out there that cost less, but really there's no reason other than price to go without these features.

Yeah, I sold yarn on etsy for a bit when etsy was new. That was before they had fees and listings expired. I'd still post there if the listings never expired, but I don't like the new rules.

[gius]

Has anyone ever used an Indian Head spinning wheel?
Someone is offering me one...

Thing is, last year I overheard some classmates say these suck
I didn't ask them why though...

[gius]

So I ended up getting that spinning wheel^
While spinning I made a fine yarn.. about 2-3mm
but when I took it off the wheel,
it turned into this

It's quite loose..and useless..
Not sure what happened


Here's the wheel