Learning to spin

[Vumani]

I am interested in learning how to spin. Maybe what I should say it that I want to see if it is something I would like to start doing. I live in a fairly rural community and am not aware of any guild or club I could join to learn from. Could anyone recommend resource, a book or otherwise that could help me to figure out what is involved and how I can get started?

 

[SheepGirl]

What state are you in? Some states have annual sheep & wool festivals where you can take workshops and learn to spin and plus there are hundreds if not thousands of people there who would be willing to help you. The following is a list of the festivals that I compiled through Google searching "sheep and wool festivals" - there are a ton more other than these.

Maryland Sheep & Wool Fest - May 5-6, 2012 - http://www.sheepandwool.org/
New York Sheep & Wool Fest - October 20-21, 2012 - http://www.sheepandwool.com/
Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Fest - September 7-9, 2012 - http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/
Vermont Sheep & Wool Fest - http://vtsheepandwoolfest.org/
Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair - May 26-27, 2012 - http://www.masheepwool.org/
Kentucky Sheep & Fiber Fest - http://www.kentuckysheepandfiber.com/
Connecticut Sheep & Wool Fest - April 28, 2012 - http://www.ctsheep.org/sheep_and_wool_festival
Pennsylvania Fiber Fest - September 8-9, 2012 - http://www.pafiberfestival.com/
Northern Michigan Lamb & Wool Fest - September 29-30, 2012 - http://www.lambandwoolfestival.com/
Iowa Sheep & Wool Fest - June 9-10, 2012 - http://www.iowasheep.com/festival.php
New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Fest - May 12-13, 2012 - http://www.nhswga.com/
New Jersey Sheep & Fiber Fest - September 8-9, 2012 - http://www.njsheep.org/festival/index.html
California Wool & Fiber Fest - September 21-23, 2012 - http://www.fiberfestival.com/Fiber Festival/Home.html
Oregon Flock & Fiber Fest - September 24-25, 2012 - http://www.flockandfiberfestival.com/
Tennessee Fiber Fest - May 25-26, 2012 - http://www.tnfiberfestival.com/

 

[Cricket]

Try You Tube. They have some great directions for making drop spindles and spinning. It's a lot easier to learn first person than from a book--have you asked at a yarn/knitting shop? Drop spindles are a lot slower, but a whole lot cheaper! Spinning is one of those things where you can take a few lessons and then practice on your own, more getting the feel for it.

 

[Vumani]

Thanks for the advice. I will check those out and see how it goes. Learning from someone else is always easier than figuring it out from a book. Although if any one has any good book recommendations I will not turn those away either. Thanks.

 

[Cricket]

It depends on your personality a little. I was co-owner of a quilting/yarn shop for 6 years. I had one customer that spent like 6 months studying fibers, wheels, interviewing spinners, ordered probably 300.00 worth of books online, 3 fiber festivals, etc. Then she had a heck of a time actually spinning, as she spent so much effort at being perfect and analyzing why it wasn't. I think now she is quite good at it. Another customer and I spent $10.00 on drop spindles and used the directions and You Tube and had at it. And laughed a lot and we'll never be 'experts'! I'd already been spinning on a wheel, so it was easier for me. To me, the difference between drop spindle spinning and on a wheel is like hand sewing compared to machine--they both have their good points. So if you try spinning with a spiindle and don't like it, give a wheel a chance before giving up. If

I liked Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook. It only has one chapter on spinning and prep, but an overview on dyeing, and socks and a lot of great color ideas. Let us know how it goes!!!