Spinning Yarn

Hand spinning yarn is actually quite popular these days. This is why the population of crocheters and knitters has largely increased, and so has their purchase of treadling wheels and spindles.

Knitting

Knitting is now known to be one of the favorite hobbies of lots of women, children, and even men, all around the globe. This is perhaps the main reason why the number of spinners is also increasing.

Back then, spinning is only regarded as an essential part of the cottage industry which kept families properly and comfortably clothed by using the fleeces that were shorn from the sheep that they, themselves, raised. But now, spinning yarn is known to be such a perfect complement to hobbies related to crochet and knitting.

Reasons to learn how to spin yarn

Having a “love affair” with yarn is the same with knowing how to correctly and properly weave, crochet or knit. Producing just the right kind of yarn has the ability to come up with an exceptional project. Moreover, knowing how to come up with techniques that can substitute different kinds of yarns properly is an expert skill of crocheters or knitters.

Learning how to spin yarn the right way gives the person a much broader and deeper understanding of what makes a specific yarn fiber good. This means that that particular person can now have the skill of choosing the perfect yarn for a certain project.

Spinning as form of meditation

Furthermore, the act of spinning itself is regarded by many as a peaceful, very soothing, and meditative process once it is correctly learned. Also, purchasing a fiber that has already been prepared is a lot cheaper as compared to purchasing ones that have been spun using commercial techniques and machinery. This means that if people only knew how to spin their own yarn, then can afford to get themselves a fiber that is made of better quality, such as cashmere, alpaca, or silk.

Using a spindle

Before anything else, the basics of using a spindle should be learned. Getting to spin with a spindle is not merely a stepping stone for spinning with wheels. Even if people have already mastered the skill of spinning, they still use spindles.

What exactly is a spindle?

A spindle is actually comprised of a whorl, which is basically a wide disc that gives the proper momentum and weight that are both necessary for a long spin. The shaft part of the spindle extends either above or below of the whorl  and it is responsible for holding the yarn when it starts to be spun. A hook is also utilized in transferring the spin from the spindle and to the yarn.

Making a spindle

People can actually make their own spindles. They can even make use of materials that are usually available in hardware stores. Some CDs even provide the necessary information for making spindles. These aforementioned items can be bought from the local yarn store or from an online supplier. An example of such place is Etsy, which is one of the top stores that provide customers with spindles and different fibers for spinning.
