Spinning my wheel

The other night, while Mr Knits was at a jam at the Tweedsmuir, I decided I needed to reacquaint myself with my spinning wheel. I had recently purchased some merino roving that was a mix of black, grey, lavender, purple and cranberry and I had dreams of spinning some yarn to knit socks with it.

The latest episode of Survivor was on the television, the dogs were asleep,and not begging to go outside to bark at the moon,  the cats weren’t fighting (thanks mostly in part to the dreaded pink elephant water sprayer), the fire was warm and all was right with the world. After a few attempts to get the wheel going – one must put the drive band on the spindle to make it spin, and I couldn’t find an elastic band to get the roving attached to the spindle. These problems were solved quickly and the spinning commenced.

Round and round went the wheel. It was so calming. I filled one spindle, and then another. Then I plied the two together. This is the result.

I can proudly say I have mastered the art of creating thick and thin yarn. Not that this is the look I am striving for, but dude, I can do it! Look carefully at the photo – see the clumps? To get a better look, click on the photo - then you will really see the clumps!

That’s not supposed to happen. Not exactly my idea of "sock yarn". It is rather pretty though, and very soft. Once I finishing playing with it, I believe it will be knit into a pair of cosy slippers.

Now, here’s a shot of my dear daughter in law’s first attempt at spinning (you might remember I showed Terri the fundamentals of spinning back in February).

See how nice and even – and thin – Terri’s yarn is? Obviously I can teach better than I can spin. What’s that saying? Those who can – do. Those who can’t – teach. (There is a third line to that saying. It’s “those who can’t teach – teach phys ed).

I’m taking a spinning class at TNNA in June. Perhaps I will get some insight as to how to not make the lumpy, bumpy yarn I’m creating. I know when the bumps are made; figuring out how not to make them is the issue. No matter, the spinning wheel and I are very best friends. Mr Knits is out tonight. Guess what I’ll be doing?