I made a bunch (6 pounds) of semi-worsted two ply which I made into socks. I have socks that are ten years old and show almost no signs of wear and nothing keeps my feet warmer than my homespun yarn. I have tried Lion Brand and other types of commercial wool yarn and nothing compares to my homespun. Fulling material I wove (Ten ends per inch, 36 inches wide) is a pain for sure. I use ordinary dog combs because I haven't done much real fine singles as you showed on the face of the quarter
That was a beautiful video. I love that you gave us a really steady closeup view of how you draft, I wish more spinners did that. Thank you, and I'm looking forward to seeing your combing video!
Thank you for a wonderful video, I really enjoyed watching you spin and listening to your explanations, which were just what I needed at this point in time!
I really enjoy your teaching videos, and I was thrilled to speak with you last weekend at MSWF. Your videos are so inspiring! You have really helped me to be a better spinner. Best regards, Susan
Hi Susan, I'm really so very glad that you find them helpful and it inspires you to continue improving your spinning! I challenge myself every time I sit at my wheel to be better than the last time. It was so wonderful to meet you!! Happy Spinning : ) -Kimberly
Thank you for your video! It's been a while for me to take time for any fiber work since we now have 2 small kids, but I'd love to get back to it sometime later, and for now, watching you spin or comb fulfilled my desires. I miss you all, say hello to all other spinner friends!
I’m doing great in Nashville TN! Chasing after 3 years old and changing diapers of 3 months old :-) We moved 3 times in last 3 years and I still own my wheels and fiber. I hope to get back to it once I have my time back.
Hi Kumiko! I’ll be near Nashville in late March, maybe there is a knit night somewhere we could catch up? Nice to see that even if you can’t spin, you’re at least watching vids of spinning :) It’s nice to hear from you :) -Kimberly
Hi Kim, I love your videos! I am a budding spinner, learning all I can about fiber. I think we are kindred spirits when it come to working the fiber, I love it natural, not dyed and overly processed. I've crocheted and knitted for many years but I want to get back to basics, they way my great, great, great grand mother did it. I'm hand spinning as I do not have a spinning wheel yet and I look forward to learning more from you.
Thank you for your comment :) I'm glad you are carrying on your way back grandmother's tradition of fiber arts! I hope you find a wheel soon, it's quite different than spindle spinning. Good luck in your spinning adventure and watch the channel for more videos in the future. -Kimberly :)
I love how you spin.....I am in the 'I couldn't spin like that' camp. But, I love how your top looks and how you spin and show your method. Would love to see you comb your fiber to get the result you did. Thanks for a great video.
Thanks Cheryl...I just added combing this Merino to my video to do list :) Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve got a long list of videos to either make or edit, that have already been filmed. There will be more farm tours coming up this year! I do think the next one needs to be combing Mr. Bates’ fleece. How are you coming with your part of his fleece? -Kimberly :)
Enjoyed your video very much especially like your wheel; I believe it is an Ashford Symphony, what a great investment of any value to provide oneself with wool or other fibers to spin as a means of self sufficient provision. As a loomer both in heddle and peg I hope to be able to save and become a spinner further distancing myself from big store prices on much used items. Still becoming proficient on home canning, freezing and drying of food and loving the idea of back to basics, at 61 I miss so much of the earlier times when life was less complicated and spinning seems to be a way of stress relieve and providing for oneself. Thanks again for your video.
Hello, The wheel is a Timbertops Thurmaston, an English made wheel. She is from the early 90s and I love her to death! It is wonderful to do as much as you can for yourself and rely less on stores for things we need. I too yearn for a simpler life...I have always said I was born 200 years later than I feel like I belong... Thanks for posting, Kimberly
That was wonderful to watch! And the distinction between worsted and woollen was very useful - I'm trying to use a drop spindle, currently trying to stop myself mangling the previously-perfect roving as it sits in my back hand.
Just remember to keep a very open and light hold of the fiber with your back hand. It is sort of a light squeeze when the front hand is actively drafting, then let loose with the back hand, then hold again to give resistance to the front hand, does that make sense? That will allow the fibers to flow through your fingers effortlessly and without making a wadded mess in the back hand. It's kind of like a fiber dance! What I am spinning here is worsted prep and true worsted drafting most of the time. When I let the twist past my front hand into the drafted fibers in front of the back hand, then it becomes semi-worsted, but it will never be woolen, drafted this way. Woolen comes from roving, or carded preparation, also spinning from the fold will give you woolen yarn. Oh so much to learn! I've been spinning now for 9 years this spring and I feel like I learn something every day! I'm very happy you enjoyed the video :) -Kimberly
I really liked and learnt fro you video - all though I have spun for many years I have not ventured down the fine merino way and now I am ,so lots to learn - thanks
This has been fascinating to watch. The Merino(I an in Spain) fleeces that I have has allot of crimp. I have found it difficult to comb using the traditional combs as the 'spring' of the crimp within the fibres does not allow the wool to comb out as smoothly to lay out as straight and flattish as a typically finished combed piece from straighter fibre. However, I have found my own method and the patience required is well worth the effort. When the top is finally spun, it creates a very luxurious yarn that has a really nice bloom to it!
The super springy (for lack of better description!) fibers can be a challenge to comb. Sometimes slightly wider tine spacing is helpful. Sometimes it takes experimenting if you have more than one size comb. The bloom of fine fibers can be amazing!
When you talked about what is your joy in spinning, and that it’s achieving the most consistent yarn possible I said “Yes!” As to the question “Why don’t you just go out and buy some yarn?” the answer is easy. It’s not just the process and the achievement in itself. It’s the end product. It’s something YOU made. It’s better than commercial yarn because there is no way that a machine made can compare. Because you have control over the quality of the base material. Except for the really expensive yarns, the staple length of the initial fibre will be the shortest they can get away with. You don’t need to make that choice. Over time, you get to be in the driver’s seat more and more, and achieve the end product YOU want. Worsted or woolen prep, the choice is yours. Worsted or woolen spin, you get to choose. Thickness of the thread, you get to choose. Less pilling, less wear and tear. I only started to spin a little less than a year ago. My preference goes to spinning superfine lace thread because it’s what I prefer to knit with. And I absolutely love it, despite me still having to work on achieving the fineness of what you are spinning.
Amazing! I think that those are very talented in the area of crafting have ocd tendencies. I love to sew and I have so many machines it's not funny. Preparation is key to any project.
I live on a 100% off grid homestead growing about 90% of our food. I sew, quilt, knit and crochet most of our garments and all of our socks, hats, shawls, mittens and cardigans. That being said, I am determined to add sheep to our homestead and learn to spin. I have watched all of your vids several times and notIiced your left hand appears to be closest to the wheel. Question: Are you left or right handed? Don't laugh...I really want to learn and I will be copying your movements. I would love to take classes but we are in the middle of the boonies and about 20 minutes to even a small county road. So, you are my teacher. BTW, I am right handed. God bless, Vivian Ann on the side of the mountain in northeast Tennessee
Hi Vivian Ann, my mother lives in Lebanon, TN, so I go there once or twice a year, passing right through the NE mountains. I am right handed but it seems I draft like a left handed person. If you contact me via email (thenaturalspinner@yahoo.com), I'd be happy to help you as much as you need. We could also FaceTime or Skype if you have good internet. I'd be so happy to help you! Sorry for the late response. Between getting ready for classes and traveling, some things fell by the way side. All of that's over now and I've had time to catch my breathe, so I'm back to UA-cam and finally catching up on comment replies. Thank you so much for leaving your comment and I hope to speak to you soon! -Kimberly
Since I don’t really enjoy spinning woolen, I don’t use hand cards to make rolags all that much. More often, I put them to use to make cloud from combing ‘waste’. If the fibers are long enough, the first combing waste is combed again, for shorter, ‘seconds’ top, then that twice combed fiber waste is carded to the edge of the hand card so that I can pull clean fiber off the edge of the card, making cloud. One has options then, you can just tease the cloud a bit, and spin from that...make rolags...run it through a drum carder, possibly blending it with other shorter fibers for some interesting blends...there are endless possibilities...whatever you feel like. I do try and use as much of a fleece for spinning, especially if it’s as fine as this merino. Sorry if my explaination is long...I can go on and on talking about fiber prep and spinning! Thanks very much for you comment and I’m glad you like it :) -Kimberly
Hi Linda, if you have a pre-made drive band, double it (it will be joined with a figure eight). You then put the doubled band around the wheel, then one of the strands goes around the whorl (pulley) and the other goes around the bobbin (make sure the mother of all is almost as close to the wheel as it will go. You move the mother of all back to tighten it according to what you are spinning. That's the basics, but I could go into more detail. I should make a video showing how to do it. There probably is one on YT somewhere. (I've never looked, but now I think I will!). -Kimberly
i have an 18 micron merino fleece and i'm having so much trouble getting the lanolin out of it. i've done four washes and rinses with hot water, and added boiling water from a kettle and yet, it has lanolin. i use dawn soap and wondering if i should invest in some power scour instead. how did you wash your merino? this is my first time working with such a fine fleece, and have had no trouble what so ever scouring my favourite long wools, so i'm quite baffled. any advise from you would be greatly appreciated. your fine spinning is impressive btw. hope to see more videos from you, i really love them. xo
Ah, merino...it can be a challenge to wash sometimes. I've had easy to wash merino and I've had some not so easy to wash. The fleece I'm spinning in this video is actually one of the most difficult to wash I've ever experienced. I use Unicorn Power Scour. I used to use Joy dish soap. The PS will do a better job in my experience, but sometimes it just takes several washings. The best time to wash an ultra-fine fleece is right away, so it doesn't have time to harden (or store it in an airtight container, like a bucket with an airtight lid). It will take time to get to that stage, but a fresh fleece is generally easier to wash. I have read comments saying it could be the type of water contributing to the difficulty. I only have my water so nothing to compare to. I haven't tried ammonia or other things. Are you teasing out the locks before washing? I find that it helps to open up the fleece so the water and detergent can get to the inside of the tightly packed locks. Also, don't try and wash more than a few ounces at a time. Do you know the Margaret Stove method? If I figure out any other hints, I'll let you know. I've still got more of the white merino to wash...and it's been a couple of years now since it was fresh! - Kimberly
@@thenaturalspinner i feel so much better now hearing that from you! i thought i was doing something wrong or just bought a really 'bad' expensive fleece! it's still pretty fresh so i'm going to give it another go and wash in 1 ounce batches. i wasn't teasing out the locks, so will def give it a try. after this however, me thinks i'll never buy another merino fleece again. i'll stick to my heartier wools..:)))) i don't know the margaret stove method, googled it but only found one of her spinning merino fleece. i'm assuming that's what you're referring to. ok. off to give this another go. wish me luck. -- Francesca
Those high-lanolin fleeces. Aren't they just a joy? I totally feel your frustration. The Natural Spinner gave a beautiful reply. I absolutely love Power Scour. Smells great, uses less, leaves no residue. Since I'm on a high iron well I use almost strictly rainwater for washing. No problem in SW Washington. And mostly in winter or spring since outside on camp stove. The best of luck to you!
@@hollynoscar3534Unicorn Power Scour is wonderful stuff! It makes washing fleece much more effective and it smells nice too! I think Unicorn do a sort of conditioner/rinse as well, which should make spinning easier, but I haven't tried it myself yet. Enjoy your merino wool (and don't give up on it completely, it's such a lovely fibre!!)
I would travel 2+ hours to take an "advanced" spinning class with you where we get into control cards, twist details, consistency, etc... i wanna learn to spin like you! ;-)
Oh how I would love to do just such a class! It’s been on my mind a lot :) I will be working on making it happen now that I have a class space to use in Orange!
Thank you for this video. What went into your choice of drafting with your left hand? Are you left-handed, or did it make better sense for how you work at the wheel?
Thanks for your question. I am very much a right handed person. My spinning teacher, I believe, taught me that way and I’ve done it ever since. I do try to lead with my right hand sometimes, just to see how well I can do it, but it just doesn’t feel right. Also, my wheel is a left hand flyer, so it’s more natural to lead with my right. -Kimberly
I know, right? Almost anyone can make a textured yarn, but it takes a lot of concentration and time to make an almost perfect yarn. I enjoy the challenge of it! Thanks for posting. -Kimberly
Totally enjoyed your video! What wheel are you working with? It seems so quiet! I SO admire your dedication to this your labour of love! Good for you!! 👏👍
Hi Duke! My wheel is an English made brand called Timbertops (I call her Matilda), she’s a Thurmaston 24” model. The original maker, James Williamson, retired some years ago. He sold his designs to another wood working company in Wales, so some of the models can still be bought. His originals are the best though, in my opinion. Yes, fiber arts are definitely my labor of love, for sure! I’m starting to teach now. It does take some time to make a name for yourself though...but I’m building momentum slowly. I’m really glad that you enjoyed it! More to come soon :) -Kimberly
I _have_ heard of Timbertops - some way; some how!! I _like_ Matilda A LOT!! ;) I recently bought a Louet S-75 ( Irish tension) but I'm sure I made a mistake in doing so, as it seems to be a wheel best kept in expert, experienced hands! At least for smaller weights of yarn - and "Art Yarn" does not appeal to me. So I think that I'll be selling my wheel soon, and looking for "START the car!! START the car!!" deal on a Saxony wheel with a good pedigree! :) You'll make a superb, "live" teacher - given your success with your videos! 👍
What is your whorl ratio? Can you add a few words about the tpi or twist angle of your singles, the wpi needed in the singles to ply 2-ply lace weight? Do you ply on the same wheel, and the same whorl? I hope to get to the 2019 Maryland fiber festival, coming from southern Pennsylvania. If you held a class there, I'd sign up. I love everything from lace weight to art yarn, and seek to improve at spinning so I can combine weights in one object. The idea of a sport weight wrap trimmed with tail spun or art yarn burns in my imagination.
Hello, I am new to spinning, but I just wanted to say, I love your videos, also the washing raw fleece videos have been so helpfull. But I have a question, I have not come across on any you tube video, My goal, when I get better at controlling my spinning, is to spin yarn for embroidery. If I buy the embroidery yarn, I look for crewel wool yarn. This is a strong type of yarn, that does not gets worn out (warn) so much because it needs to go trough the fabric a lot of times when you make your embroidery stitches. Would you happen to know what type of spinning I would do best to make this embroidery yarn? I would think comb hairs spun into thin worsted yarn, but I am not sure. Sorry my english is strange, but I am flemish ;)
I’m glad you brought this up! I’ve been thinking about it lately. I believe several plies of worsted spun would be best, using the strongest fibers you can get. Longwools would be my first thought. Combed prep, for the smoothest yarns. I’ve been planning an experiment to spin samples of different fibers of different plies, 2, 3, 4, to see how each does being threaded in and out of the fabric. Once I do that, I should learn a lot. No doubt there have been articles written somewhere about this and when I’m ready to do it, I’ll probably read up to learn what I can before I begin the spinning. Thank you for your question and lovely comments :) -Kimberly
TheNaturalSpinner thanks for your reply, when I will be able to spin finer wool I will definitely try a thin double or triple ply worsted, but my thread is still to thick, but every skein I make now looks better than the previous, so there is progress 😉
Came back for another pass. I've pulled out my commercial tarndie polwarth top and am trying to channel you... Hope you're doing well. Polwarth is very poofy. Even spinning fine when I ply back, it "poofs" out.... More twist?
You can experiment with different amounts of twist, or spin finer, so when set, it will be the size you desire :) I still have some of the dark grey I need to spin...hmmmm...perhaps you’ve inspired me ! -K
I've spun all the raw that I processed, but I still have some "commercial" top from them that I had ordered prior to my raw fleece. I'm trying to spin down my existing stash. I'd referred another podcaster to your combing (polwarth) videos, rewatched THAT one again (so calming), then rewatched this one and got inspired to try spinning finer. Still no where NEAR where you are, but I'm getting better. I had a hell of a time-- hard lessons learned-- with my Flat Island fleece. Sigh. I seem bound and determined to learn the hard way.
Very fine lace can be spun on a scotch tension wheel, which is single drive. It's easier to adjust the take up tension when the drive band is separate from the tension band. My double drive wheel can only be adjusted so much and then it stops turning the flyer. Hope this clears thing up : ) -Kimberly
Do you mean a wool that is less "stretchy"? If so, I'd recommend looking to longwools. They generally have less crimp to them and, when spun worsted, can make very strong thread with little bounce to it. Mainly you want to try to find any wool with very little crimp to it.
beautiful work and excellent info but the "fiber prep OCD" comment was disappointing. This kind of joke trivializes a real mental illness and can be harmful to our perceptions of people with OCD :(
The comment wasn't meant to trivialize it, it's just something that my family has always brought to my attention, that I have OCD tendencies. I never thought about it being received in the way you described, but you have a point.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #30 ДВА В ОДНОМ [Один человек]• Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nrXy15orKhY/mqdefault.jpg)
I made a bunch (6 pounds) of semi-worsted two ply which I made into socks. I have socks that are ten years old and show almost no signs of wear and nothing keeps my feet warmer than my homespun yarn. I have tried Lion Brand and other types of commercial wool yarn and nothing compares to my homespun. Fulling material I wove (Ten ends per inch, 36 inches wide) is a pain for sure. I use ordinary dog combs because I haven't done much real fine singles as you showed on the face of the quarter
I'm obsessed with your channel. What an absolute delight to watch such a technical and perfectionist spinner at work. Taok about goals!
What kind words! Thank you : )
thank you for sharing. I am spinning fine and found this both inspirational and supportive
This is great to watch after your combing polwarth video, as it shows the next step from cozy nest of diz’d fibre to ply on the spindle
Beautiful spinning. I love watching you, so calm and tranquil, a real pleasure. Thanks.
Thank you Angela! “So calm and tranquil”...That’s sums up what spinning is to me...it’s a peaceful place...I’m just smiling!!...-Kimberly :)
That was a beautiful video. I love that you gave us a really steady closeup view of how you draft, I wish more spinners did that. Thank you, and I'm looking forward to seeing your combing video!
I like close ups too! I’m always looking for them, that’s why I got the idea to do it. Thank you so much for your comment! -Kimberly :)
Best spinning video ever ❤️ the close up is so instructive! Please please make more
Awww, that is so nice of you to say! I’m very glad that you enjoyed it :)
More are in the works... -Kimberly
Thank you for a wonderful video, I really enjoyed watching you spin and listening to your explanations, which were just what I needed at this point in time!
Thank you for your lovely comment!
It's mesmerizing to watch you work. You are very skilled. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.
Thank you for your kind words :)
I’m very happy you enjoy watching!
-Kimberly
You are a true artisan! Thank you for sharing your talent. Mesmerizing.
Aw, thanks! ~ Kimberly
I really enjoy your teaching videos, and I was thrilled to speak with you last weekend at MSWF. Your videos are so inspiring! You have really helped me to be a better spinner. Best regards, Susan
Hi Susan, I'm really so very glad that you find them helpful and it inspires you to continue improving your spinning! I challenge myself every time I sit at my wheel to be better than the last time. It was so wonderful to meet you!! Happy Spinning : ) -Kimberly
Beautiful illustration of your passion.
Thank you for your video! It's been a while for me to take time for any fiber work since we now have 2 small kids, but I'd love to get back to it sometime later, and for now, watching you spin or comb fulfilled my desires. I miss you all, say hello to all other spinner friends!
We miss you too! Recently someone asked if anyone knew how you were doing.
I’m doing great in Nashville TN! Chasing after 3 years old and changing diapers of 3 months old :-) We moved 3 times in last 3 years and I still own my wheels and fiber. I hope to get back to it once I have my time back.
Hi Kumiko! I’ll be near Nashville in late March, maybe there is a knit night somewhere we could catch up? Nice to see that even if you can’t spin, you’re at least watching vids of spinning :) It’s nice to hear from you :)
-Kimberly
So fine and lace spinning does bring joy!
Indeed!
Hi Kim, I love your videos! I am a budding spinner, learning all I can about fiber. I think we are kindred spirits when it come to working the fiber, I love it natural, not dyed and overly processed. I've crocheted and knitted for many years but I want to get back to basics, they way my great, great, great grand mother did it. I'm hand spinning as I do not have a spinning wheel yet and I look forward to learning more from you.
Thank you for your comment :) I'm glad you are carrying on your way back grandmother's tradition of fiber arts!
I hope you find a wheel soon, it's quite different than spindle spinning. Good luck in your spinning adventure and watch the channel for more videos in the future. -Kimberly :)
I love how you spin.....I am in the 'I couldn't spin like that' camp. But, I love how your top looks and how you spin and show your method. Would love to see you comb your fiber to get the result you did. Thanks for a great video.
Thanks Cheryl...I just added combing this Merino to my video to do list :)
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve got a long list of videos to either make or edit, that have already been filmed. There will be more farm tours coming up this year! I do think the next one needs to be combing Mr. Bates’ fleece. How are you coming with your part of his fleece?
-Kimberly :)
Thank You and very nice spinning 💕😊
just the video i needed to watch Just about to start spinning fine so I loved the close up.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for your comment! I’m glad you enjoyed it :)
-Kimberly
Thank you for making all the videos, I learned from you how to combe wool. Please keep posting your work.
Thank you! More videos on the way... -Kimberly
When? :-)
Almost finished with Bate’s combing video :)
Enjoyed your video very much especially like your wheel; I believe it is an Ashford Symphony, what a great investment of any value to provide oneself with wool or other fibers to spin as a means of self sufficient provision. As a loomer both in heddle and peg I hope to be able to save and become a spinner further distancing myself from big store prices on much used items. Still becoming proficient on home canning, freezing and drying of food and loving the idea of back to basics, at 61 I miss so much of the earlier times when life was less complicated and spinning seems to be a way of stress relieve and providing for oneself. Thanks again for your video.
Hello, The wheel is a Timbertops Thurmaston, an English made wheel. She is from the early 90s and I love her to death!
It is wonderful to do as much as you can for yourself and rely less on stores for things we need. I too yearn for a simpler life...I have always said I was born 200 years later than I feel like I belong...
Thanks for posting, Kimberly
That was wonderful to watch! And the distinction between worsted and woollen was very useful - I'm trying to use a drop spindle, currently trying to stop myself mangling the previously-perfect roving as it sits in my back hand.
Just remember to keep a very open and light hold of the fiber with your back hand. It is sort of a light squeeze when the front hand is actively drafting, then let loose with the back hand, then hold again to give resistance to the front hand, does that make sense? That will allow the fibers to flow through your fingers effortlessly and without making a wadded mess in the back hand. It's kind of like a fiber dance! What I am spinning here is worsted prep and true worsted drafting most of the time. When I let the twist past my front hand into the drafted fibers in front of the back hand, then it becomes semi-worsted, but it will never be woolen, drafted this way. Woolen comes from roving, or carded preparation, also spinning from the fold will give you woolen yarn. Oh so much to learn! I've been spinning now for 9 years this spring and I feel like I learn something every day!
I'm very happy you enjoyed the video :) -Kimberly
I really liked and learnt fro you video - all though I have spun for many years I have not ventured down the fine merino way and now I am ,so lots to learn - thanks
I am glad you are enjoying them :) -Kimberly
This has been fascinating to watch. The Merino(I an in Spain) fleeces that I have has allot of crimp. I have found it difficult to comb using the traditional combs as the 'spring' of the crimp within the fibres does not allow the wool to comb out as smoothly to lay out as straight and flattish as a typically finished combed piece from straighter fibre. However, I have found my own method and the patience required is well worth the effort. When the top is finally spun, it creates a very luxurious yarn that has a really nice bloom to it!
The super springy (for lack of better description!) fibers can be a challenge to comb. Sometimes slightly wider tine spacing is helpful. Sometimes it takes experimenting if you have more than one size comb. The bloom of fine fibers can be amazing!
When you talked about what is your joy in spinning, and that it’s achieving the most consistent yarn possible I said “Yes!”
As to the question “Why don’t you just go out and buy some yarn?” the answer is easy. It’s not just the process and the achievement in itself. It’s the end product. It’s something YOU made. It’s better than commercial yarn because there is no way that a machine made can compare. Because you have control over the quality of the base material. Except for the really expensive yarns, the staple length of the initial fibre will be the shortest they can get away with. You don’t need to make that choice. Over time, you get to be in the driver’s seat more and more, and achieve the end product YOU want. Worsted or woolen prep, the choice is yours. Worsted or woolen spin, you get to choose. Thickness of the thread, you get to choose. Less pilling, less wear and tear.
I only started to spin a little less than a year ago. My preference goes to spinning superfine lace thread because it’s what I prefer to knit with. And I absolutely love it, despite me still having to work on achieving the fineness of what you are spinning.
Wonderful!
Beautiful spinning, thank you.
Thank you for your comment! It made me smile :)
-Kimberly
Amazing! I think that those are very talented in the area of crafting have ocd tendencies. I love to sew and I have so many machines it's not funny. Preparation is key to any project.
Indeed, preparations is so vital to a good product!
I live on a 100% off grid homestead growing about 90% of our food. I sew, quilt, knit and crochet most of our garments and all of our socks, hats, shawls, mittens and cardigans. That being said, I am determined to add sheep to our homestead and learn to spin. I have watched all of your vids several times and notIiced your left hand appears to be closest to the wheel. Question: Are you left or right handed? Don't laugh...I really want to learn and I will be copying your movements. I would love to take classes but we are in the middle of the boonies and about 20 minutes to even a small county road. So, you are my teacher. BTW, I am right handed. God bless, Vivian Ann on the side of the mountain in northeast Tennessee
Hi Vivian Ann, my mother lives in Lebanon, TN, so I go there once or twice a year, passing right through the NE mountains. I am right handed but it seems I draft like a left handed person. If you contact me via email (thenaturalspinner@yahoo.com), I'd be happy to help you as much as you need. We could also FaceTime or Skype if you have good internet. I'd be so happy to help you!
Sorry for the late response. Between getting ready for classes and traveling, some things fell by the way side. All of that's over now and I've had time to catch my breathe, so I'm back to UA-cam and finally catching up on comment replies. Thank you so much for leaving your comment and I hope to speak to you soon! -Kimberly
I am so happy to see a new video from you! I do love combing too. Do you prefer using combs over a hand carder? I really enjoy hand carding.
Since I don’t really enjoy spinning woolen, I don’t use hand cards to make rolags all that much. More often, I put them to use to make cloud from combing ‘waste’. If the fibers are long enough, the first combing waste is combed again, for shorter, ‘seconds’ top, then that twice combed fiber waste is carded to the edge of the hand card so that I can pull clean fiber off the edge of the card, making cloud. One has options then, you can just tease the cloud a bit, and spin from that...make rolags...run it through a drum carder, possibly blending it with other shorter fibers for some interesting blends...there are endless possibilities...whatever you feel like. I do try and use as much of a fleece for spinning, especially if it’s as fine as this merino. Sorry if my explaination is long...I can go on and on talking about fiber prep and spinning!
Thanks very much for you comment and I’m glad you like it :) -Kimberly
Awesome video!
Thanks!
Good video! I’m new to double drive and wondered if you have any advice for me about putting on the double drive band?
Hi Linda, if you have a pre-made drive band, double it (it will be joined with a figure eight). You then put the doubled band around the wheel, then one of the strands goes around the whorl (pulley) and the other goes around the bobbin (make sure the mother of all is almost as close to the wheel as it will go. You move the mother of all back to tighten it according to what you are spinning. That's the basics, but I could go into more detail. I should make a video showing how to do it. There probably is one on YT somewhere. (I've never looked, but now I think I will!). -Kimberly
i have an 18 micron merino fleece and i'm having so much trouble getting the lanolin out of it. i've done four washes and rinses with hot water, and added boiling water from a kettle and yet, it has lanolin. i use dawn soap and wondering if i should invest in some power scour instead. how did you wash your merino? this is my first time working with such a fine fleece, and have had no trouble what so ever scouring my favourite long wools, so i'm quite baffled. any advise from you would be greatly appreciated. your fine spinning is impressive btw. hope to see more videos from you, i really love them. xo
Ah, merino...it can be a challenge to wash sometimes. I've had easy to wash merino and I've had some not so easy to wash. The fleece I'm spinning in this video is actually one of the most difficult to wash I've ever experienced. I use Unicorn Power Scour. I used to use Joy dish soap. The PS will do a better job in my experience, but sometimes it just takes several washings. The best time to wash an ultra-fine fleece is right away, so it doesn't have time to harden (or store it in an airtight container, like a bucket with an airtight lid). It will take time to get to that stage, but a fresh fleece is generally easier to wash. I have read comments saying it could be the type of water contributing to the difficulty. I only have my water so nothing to compare to. I haven't tried ammonia or other things.
Are you teasing out the locks before washing? I find that it helps to open up the fleece so the water and detergent can get to the inside of the tightly packed locks. Also, don't try and wash more than a few ounces at a time. Do you know the Margaret Stove method? If I figure out any other hints, I'll let you know. I've still got more of the white merino to wash...and it's been a couple of years now since it was fresh! - Kimberly
@@thenaturalspinner i feel so much better now hearing that from you! i thought i was doing something wrong or just bought a really 'bad' expensive fleece! it's still pretty fresh so i'm going to give it another go and wash in 1 ounce batches. i wasn't teasing out the locks, so will def give it a try. after this however, me thinks i'll never buy another merino fleece again. i'll stick to my heartier wools..:)))) i don't know the margaret stove method, googled it but only found one of her spinning merino fleece. i'm assuming that's what you're referring to. ok. off to give this another go. wish me luck. -- Francesca
Those high-lanolin fleeces. Aren't they just a joy? I totally feel your frustration. The Natural Spinner gave a beautiful reply. I absolutely love Power Scour. Smells great, uses less, leaves no residue. Since I'm on a high iron well I use almost strictly rainwater for washing. No problem in SW Washington. And mostly in winter or spring since outside on camp stove. The best of luck to you!
@@hollynoscar3534Unicorn Power Scour is wonderful stuff! It makes washing fleece much more effective and it smells nice too! I think Unicorn do a sort of conditioner/rinse as well, which should make spinning easier, but I haven't tried it myself yet. Enjoy your merino wool (and don't give up on it completely, it's such a lovely fibre!!)
I would travel 2+ hours to take an "advanced" spinning class with you where we get into control cards, twist details, consistency, etc... i wanna learn to spin like you! ;-)
Oh how I would love to do just such a class! It’s been on my mind a lot :) I will be working on making it happen now that I have a class space to use in Orange!
That's so nice of you to say!! I'm working on it :)
What do you do with your waste fibers or short fibers?
Thank you for this video. What went into your choice of drafting with your left hand? Are you left-handed, or did it make better sense for how you work at the wheel?
Thanks for your question. I am very much a right handed person. My spinning teacher, I believe, taught me that way and I’ve done it ever since. I do try to lead with my right hand sometimes, just to see how well I can do it, but it just doesn’t feel right. Also, my wheel is a left hand flyer, so it’s more natural to lead with my right. -Kimberly
Thank you Kimberly for your reply!
Thank you. People ask me the same thing. They always say they want it to look like it is hand spun.
I know, right? Almost anyone can make a textured yarn, but it takes a lot of concentration and time to make an almost perfect yarn. I enjoy the challenge of it! Thanks for posting. -Kimberly
Totally enjoyed your video! What wheel are you working with? It seems so quiet! I SO admire your dedication to this your labour of love! Good for you!! 👏👍
Hi Duke! My wheel is an English made brand called Timbertops (I call her Matilda), she’s a Thurmaston 24” model. The original maker, James Williamson, retired some years ago. He sold his designs to another wood working company in Wales, so some of the models can still be bought. His originals are the best though, in my opinion.
Yes, fiber arts are definitely my labor of love, for sure! I’m starting to teach now. It does take some time to make a name for yourself though...but I’m building momentum slowly.
I’m really glad that you enjoyed it! More to come soon :) -Kimberly
I _have_ heard of Timbertops - some way; some how!! I _like_ Matilda A LOT!! ;) I recently bought a Louet S-75 ( Irish tension) but I'm sure I made a mistake in doing so, as it seems to be a wheel best kept in expert, experienced hands! At least for smaller weights of yarn - and "Art Yarn" does not appeal to me. So I think that I'll be selling my wheel soon, and looking for "START the car!! START the car!!" deal on a Saxony wheel with a good pedigree! :)
You'll make a superb, "live" teacher - given your success with your videos! 👍
What is your whorl ratio? Can you add a few words about the tpi or twist angle of your singles, the wpi needed in the singles to ply 2-ply lace weight? Do you ply on the same wheel, and the same whorl?
I hope to get to the 2019 Maryland fiber festival, coming from southern Pennsylvania. If you held a class there, I'd sign up.
I love everything from lace weight to art yarn, and seek to improve at spinning so I can combine weights in one object. The idea of a sport weight wrap trimmed with tail spun or art yarn burns in my imagination.
Hello, I am new to spinning, but I just wanted to say, I love your videos, also the washing raw fleece videos have been so helpfull.
But I have a question, I have not come across on any you tube video,
My goal, when I get better at controlling my spinning, is to spin yarn for embroidery. If I buy the embroidery yarn, I look for crewel wool yarn. This is a strong type of yarn, that does not gets worn out (warn) so much because it needs to go trough the fabric a lot of times when you make your embroidery stitches. Would you happen to know what type of spinning I would do best to make this embroidery yarn? I would think comb hairs spun into thin worsted yarn, but I am not sure.
Sorry my english is strange, but I am flemish ;)
I’m glad you brought this up! I’ve been thinking about it lately. I believe several plies of worsted spun would be best, using the strongest fibers you can get. Longwools would be my first thought. Combed prep, for the smoothest yarns. I’ve been planning an experiment to spin samples of different fibers of different plies, 2, 3, 4, to see how each does being threaded in and out of the fabric. Once I do that, I should learn a lot. No doubt there have been articles written somewhere about this and when I’m ready to do it, I’ll probably read up to learn what I can before I begin the spinning.
Thank you for your question and lovely comments :)
-Kimberly
TheNaturalSpinner thanks for your reply, when I will be able to spin finer wool I will definitely try a thin double or triple ply worsted, but my thread is still to thick, but every skein I make now looks better than the previous, so there is progress 😉
Practice makes tiny threads :) Good luck in your spinning, I hope you get the yarn you desire! -Kimberly :)
Beautifull spinning 😜 🥰 ….
Thank You!
The ultimate ZENNNNNNNNNN !! :-) ♥
Yes it is!!
Came back for another pass. I've pulled out my commercial tarndie polwarth top and am trying to channel you... Hope you're doing well.
Polwarth is very poofy. Even spinning fine when I ply back, it "poofs" out.... More twist?
You can experiment with different amounts of twist, or spin finer, so when set, it will be the size you desire :)
I still have some of the dark grey I need to spin...hmmmm...perhaps you’ve inspired me ! -K
I've spun all the raw that I processed, but I still have some "commercial" top from them that I had ordered prior to my raw fleece. I'm trying to spin down my existing stash. I'd referred another podcaster to your combing (polwarth) videos, rewatched THAT one again (so calming), then rewatched this one and got inspired to try spinning finer. Still no where NEAR where you are, but I'm getting better. I had a hell of a time-- hard lessons learned-- with my Flat Island fleece. Sigh. I seem bound and determined to learn the hard way.
Spin worsted
Can you spin lace weight on a single drive wheel?
Very fine lace can be spun on a scotch tension wheel, which is single drive. It's easier to adjust the take up tension when the drive band is separate from the tension band. My double drive wheel can only be adjusted so much and then it stops turning the flyer. Hope this clears thing up : ) -Kimberly
I do, all the time.
Do you also spin on a great wheel?
I know how to do it, but it just isn’t my favorite kind of spinning. I usually only do it as a demo. -Kimberly
Hello I have a question does someone know where I could get wool from that does not flex ?
I'm not sure I understand your question.
The flex from my experience depends on type of knit you use, true knit is a less flexible finish and much less noticable against the skin.
@@vernonbowling5136 Im not interested in knitting I'm talking about the string itself
Do you mean a wool that is less "stretchy"? If so, I'd recommend looking to longwools. They generally have less crimp to them and, when spun worsted, can make very strong thread with little bounce to it. Mainly you want to try to find any wool with very little crimp to it.
@@sheleighpeers677 thank you
damnyouregood
Thank you!! :)
beautiful work and excellent info but the "fiber prep OCD" comment was disappointing. This kind of joke trivializes a real mental illness and can be harmful to our perceptions of people with OCD :(
The comment wasn't meant to trivialize it, it's just something that my family has always brought to my attention, that I have OCD tendencies. I never thought about it being received in the way you described, but you have a point.