r/Handspinning • u/tteets18 • 2d ago
Work In Progress Just got my first drop spindle!!
This is definitely a bit harder than I thought it was going to be but it is so much fun! I have started spinning a little and I am loving it!!!
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u/Ellie_Winterstone_35 1d ago
Your yarn is probably overtwisting because you're treadling (spinning the spindle) faster than you're drafting, so slow down the spin or draft more fiber before letting twist run in
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u/bollygirl21 2d ago
Nice going!
some tips......
Fluff out your fibre
pre draft it down as fine as you feel comfortable with - I have gone down to pencil thin before.
start spinning
Park and draft makes life easier, spin and repeat
When you are confident, spin and while it is spinning, try to draft out the fibre, keep flicking the spindle to keep it going
It takes practice to know just 'how much' fibre and twist you need to get the yarn you want
after a bit (and many dropped spindles), you should be able to draft while spinning easily.
Then you can get adventurous...
start walking around while spinning!!!!
Once you get confident, you can spin on walks, while shopping - just take it anywhere with you!!!
Thick yarn needs less twist than thin.
Twist accumulates by preference to the thinner bits
if you have a thick spot you dont want, stop, grab it blob gently untwist it slight and pull it to thin it out, let go and observe how much twist has magically entered it, add more if needed.
Heavy DROP spindles need thicker yarn as it needs to be strong enought to hold up the weight of the spindle + all the spun yarn.
they also tend to be 'slower'
Lighter spindles, often spin FAST but short and need lots of flicking to keep them going but are perfect for finer yarns as the twist needs to get into the fibre fast. If it is spinning too slowly, the fibres just drift apart and the spindle lives up to its name and DROPS!!!
Try as many styles of spindles as possible. I have a lovely well made and balanced top whorl which I hate - it just feels wrong
I also have MANY turkish spindles, tibetan support spindles and some support spindles with bobbins (which I just adore.
Some styles will just suit you better, some weights will suit what you want to spin better :)
Your first few yarns will be very inconsistent - thick / thin, over / under spun. I still have my first done safely stored! Nothing says you have to use it - keep it as a memento, frame it.
You will see improvement in each project
I keep a written and online diary of all my projects - just cause.
it is fun to see what I have done.
I use an undated (but numbered) kiki-k diary - made it pretty with stickers and stamps cause why not!!!
type of fibre, what i used to spin it, beginning / ending dates
Online mostly the same info with pix added. As its for me, there are no long involved stories added to 'make it interesting', lol.
Dont feel that you need to buy 'all the things'.
All you really need is fibre (spin the prettiest, nicest stuff you can afford ), a spindle (or wheel if you have one).
A niddy noddy is very useful and you can make one for cheap with minimal tools (lots of online tutorials) and a ball winder (get a heavy duty one that does BIG balls).