#spinolution

[spinningabout]

Three colored skein of yarn. Not 100% sure on fiber content, but I know it has Merino and Shetland. Spun while at the Great Frederick Fair.

[an-sceal]

It's been awhile since I got to spin anything. This is a lovely Rambouillet from Zen Fiber Arts. Unnamed colourway, but she said it was her ode to fall when I bought it. I've never spun this breed before, and the fiber is super soft and has a nice staple length. I've got two more hanks, and then I'm going to ply for a nice squishy 3-ply. Maybe it'll be a hat.

[paladinkit]

I have a WPI card, also tied to my spinning wheel, that I use occasionally while spinning to check singles consistency, just by holding it up to the lines. I do not remember to do this half as often as would actually be helpful.

however... once my yarn is finished and dry, I use this different little wooden guy to actually do wraps to count per inch, and I do this almost every time. so this tool gets way more use, albeit at a very different point in the process.

Before my sibling bought me this purpose built tool I used a dowel from my blending board that I just marked an inch into, but this is nicer and easier to use when I don't lose it!

Image description: wooden WPI card. On the top are various spin twist angles to compare your yarn against, on the bottom are WPI widths to compare your yarn against. There are also holes of varying sizes (not sure what for, maybe to hang it on something ?). It's made by Fiber Sprite. Image source here.

Bonus--tag what tool you use to spin on as well.

This poll brought to you by me knocking my WPI card around and bemoaning the fact that even though I literally tied it to my spinning wheel, I still never use it. I really need to start using it for big projects at least !

[weavingforlooms]

I wanna do one too!

I think that’s everything people might be interested in but 😋

[squeakpip]

hello there!! how's your week been? any projects, playlists, books, recipes, etc that strike your fancy to ramble about?

i've been sick this week but i am slowly overthrowing the goop that has taken over my body. putting this together has been a nice distraction, so it got super long

Knitting

just before i got sick, i put a (mostly) handspun cardigan to block. the spinning of this was a tiny bit of a spite project, based on how frequently people talk about "muddy" colors in handspun in a disparaging way. as a brown lover, i took offense and decided to make a rainbow-but-brown cardigan incorporating every technique i could think of that people tell new spinners not to use because it will muddy their yarn. the last two pics gives a vague sense of how much optical color mixing you get from afar vs. up close, but the effect works better irl.

(fiber is all corriedale from Hello Yarn's fiber club)

i used 8+ years old leftover brown cascade eco for the cuffs, hem, pocket trim, and double-knit buttonband. this bit me in the ass, because i ran out with about 6" of band to go, and obviously couldn't get a dyelot match. thankfully, it was the button side of the band so the lighter bit will be mostly hidden, but i am pissed that i had to buy another 250g skein of yarn for a project where i was using up leftovers. also my button order got canceled so i need to source new ones. perhaps this project is slightly cursed. but i'll stash it away until autumn and it'll feel like i get a new sweater, just like i imagined, that i didn't even have to knit.

Spinning

currently working on two different spins, both for scarves.

on my spinolution wheel i have a brown-green-blue-white gradient destined to be woven, although i haven't been able to find the right weft yet. (fingering weight, plied, primarily nonsuperwash wool, pale pink that leans coral/orange...) i may end up dyeing it myself if i haven't found the right yarn by the time i get to weaving it.

i'm also spindling the finest yarn i possibly can, for some sort of garter stitch lace shawl situation. the fiber is a decently textured batt that includes silk nepps, so it will be gently tweedy. everyone who sees it says the fiber looks like bacon, but it's based on the dyer's cat, Mungo.

Weaving

before i got sick, my goal was to warp my loom for floral overshot kitchen towels, which is what everyone in my family will be getting as a winter holiday gift. maybe next week when i am more confident in my ability to count.

Music

here's what's been stuck in my head lately for each language i speak. apparently i'm stuck in the 90's and very much the bug, not the windshield this week

Vittles

my go-to tea for the past 6 months has been a 50/50 mix of adagio's hazelnut and this baked apple tea. this started as an attempt to make the most autumnal tea possible (and tone down the cinnamon of the baked apple), but i recently committed to it enough to pre-mix a whole tin of it instead of just blending it in the infuser. i take it with homemade vanilla syrup and milk.

any day that i'm not eating çilbir i'm thinking about when i can have it again

i'm also obsessed with claire saffitz's gooey butter cake recipe (if you have ever wanted to just eat cake batter, this is the cake for you).

i have recently perfected my pretentious grilled cheese game with

some type of fruit preserve (i've used earl grey and apple jelly, apple butter, marmalade)

one slice of american cheese for melt

one slice of trader joe's scotch bonnet cheddar for heat

thick cut ham

homemade pickled red onions

serve with sliced cucumber or tomato sprinkled with cavender's seasoning, and/or apple slices, preferably arranged in a silly design so you feel like your adult self (sandwich) is reaching through time to shake your toddler self's (sides) hand

i've also been making what can only be described as a vaguely korean crunchwrap, which started as a fridge clean-out meal and has taken on a life of its own

trader joe's frozen bulgogi beef

egg scrambled over the reheated beef

matchstick carrots or cucumber

pimento cheese spread

kimchi

cilantro

green onion

tortilla chips for crunch (optional, i rarely have chips around)

wrapped in a flour tortilla, griddled until golden

Other Things I've Been Enjoying Lately

my new haircut and color (lime green! i've never dyed my hair before! i'm such a brave little cartoon character now!)

https://weepingwitch.github.io/sudoku

https://www.youtube.com/@BerylShereshewsky

modded minecraft. i'm splitting my time between vault hunters (i am so so bad at it), my own whimsical but slightly dark fantasy 1.20.1 pack, and my gritty 32x conquest+ pack inspired by https://www.youtube.com/@lowresbones's the hammer series

daydreaming about an unfaithful recreation of my favorite summer drink from a closed cafe. their thing was orange juice, soda water, and jasmine syrup. i made jasmine syrup last summer and it turned out weirdly grassy and gross, so i'm going to try lavender or rosemary instead.

speaking of rosemary, i also have the stuff to make brown butter rosemary rice krispie treats! can't wait until i have the energy to both make and eat food that's interesting again. herby sweet treats my beloved <333

[rachelmpost]

All finished with this 2ply with tiny coils. 208 yards- worsted weight. New colorway. Death Valley Palette. I just love these colors! Super soft Merino wool. Now available on my website. #spinning #handdyedyarn #handdyed #handdyeing #merinowool #merino #fiber #paradisefibers #rachelmpost #handspun #spinnersofinstagram #handspunyarn #igspinners #spinolution #yarnstagram #indieyarn #handspinnersofinstagram #cherryvalleyca https://www.instagram.com/p/CeHFKBTpcv4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[madmaudlingoes]

That's an electric spinning wheel, or e spinner. They run about the same price as a traditional wheel these days, depending on the manufacturer and the design. The specific one in this video is an Ashford model specifically designed for the kind of chunky yarn shown, with jumbo bobbins and all. Other makers I'm aware of: Electric Eel, Plyology, Spin e Kube, Spinolution, and Daedalus.

Of these, the Electric Eel models are the least expensive, and the guy behind those has made 3d printing plans for compatible bobbins available. He also makes a travel sized one, the EEW Nano. They all vary in size, price, how the controls work, and whether they're set up for Irish or Scotch tension.

If you're curious about e spinners and there's a fiber fest or workshop of some kind near you, have them invite the Foldout Cat to teacher her e spinning class. It's where I learned about e spinners and got to try several different models out. (I also learned that I don't like Irish tension, lol.)

[thegusmherottic]

New baby.

[spinningabout]

My new wheel arrived! I ordered myself a spinolution pollywog, I've wanted one for years, and I finally committed. Took it for it's first spin outside while my husband worked on his car. I'm spinning stinging nettle, which I'd never spun before.

[firebrunette]

I took an entire 24 hours to myself with no work (okay, maybe I had to respond to a handful of work texts/emails) knitting or computer work. I SPUN! I carded these batts last spring, I have over 2 lbs to spin. This is the first almost full bobbin. TONS more to spin, but long draw makes the extra fine weight spin more quickly than I expected. And of course, after the house went quiet I got on the computer and worked for 3 hours. But, that means more work knitting time + ME time the rest if the week. Stepping away from work is always a struggle for me. But, I'll do my best to do it when I need to. ... #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #firebrunetteknits #wichita #madeinict #madeinwichita #strikke #strikking #ravelry #ictknitters #knittingclass #knittinginstructor #spinnersofinstagram #spinning #batts @spinolution #spinolution #queenbee (at Firebrunette Knits) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsH8JACFYMB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1btrt2xnk1lzh

[an-sceal]

I've got a Spinolution Queen Bee wheel for sale...

Because I bought a newer Spinolution Queen Bee wheel.

You know at first I didn't believe it when fiber artists on tumblr would tell me to be wary of the fiber art slippery slope. And yet. I hear the siren call of the spindle. Fellow crafters help me resist. Tie me to the fucking mast. Please.

[justyoumeandthedogs-blog]

Put your hands/paws up if it’s cold in your part of the world 🙌 winter chill is starting to seep in at night in our part of the world... perfect chunky handspun and handwoven merino wool blanket weather 💗 this one is off to Tasmania soon but it won’t be long until another one or two are on the loom. One for us and maybe one for you. The next few are going to be in natural/ecru colours as I’m not too comfortable with dying while pregnant. Even the natural dyes can be a bit potent. I may purchase some chunky coloured wool for some brighter blankets but no promises as I love the handspun texture. • • • #welovegoldens #goldenretrievers #spinolution #yarnaddict #goldenretrieversofig #goldenretrieveroftheday #weave #handwovenblankets #handwoven #weaver #weaversofinstagram #handwovenblanket #weavingaustralia #loomweaving #handspunyarn #seekinspirecreate #chooselocal #communityovercompetition #wemakeyarn #handspun #habitatandhome #fibreart #spinstagram #weaverfever #makersmovement #artyarn #makersgonnamake #seekthesimplicity #supporthandmade #verilymoment (at Ma Ma Creek, Queensland, Australia)

[kinra-handspun]

After taking a break from yarn making and fiber arts, I’m back to it with a renewed passion. Im excited to make so many more beautiful things.

[loodani]

After braving the great outdoors to hit the store for a few basics I decided to have a spin day. #spinolution #spinolutionqueenbee #handspunyarn #spinnersofinstagram #wool #polwarthwool #merino #handdyed https://www.instagram.com/p/B-25WiTJBaQ/?igshid=1sm3g6nzewp40

[strawberrum]

ooh, this is fun & sweet! ʕ｡•ﻌ•｡ʔ 1: favorite breed of sheep (to spin, to own, to look at... up to you!)

I'm partial to Gulf Coast Natives because they're from where I'm from! We're neighbors and I think the breed has adapted incredibly to an environment not really hospitable to sheep. To spin with, I'd say Rambouillet is my fave—though I'm biased because I had a great experience with it early on. and I think merino is overhyped :0

2: how long have you been spinning and why did you start?

I've been spinning for about 13 years, on and off! I was just curious about spinning, and saw a lot of gorgeous barberpole handspun on Pinterest that was super trendy in fiber blogging spaces. I couldn't afford it and wanted to learn to make my own.

3: tell me about your wheel or spindle- how did you acquire it? favorite thing about it?

My wheel! She's like, my humble luxury. I have an Ashford Traditional that I got around 2015 from Craigslist. I knew I wanted a wheel but of course could not afford pretty much any of them, working part time for just above minimum wage and in a rather bad living situation. But this lady was selling her mother's old Traditional for $90 (!!!) and it had most of the parts still attached and functional. The bobbins had been chewed up by a dog, the wood was SUPER dry and neglected, and there was no flyer but for $90 I felt like I was getting such a steal! I spent weeks combing the local used marketplaces for a Traditional specifically because I knew it was possible to repair it myself, even with no experience. Mine is from the 1970s or 80s, I think? I researched how to take them apart and put them together, what pieces I needed, etc. I bought myself the parts that I needed and supplies to clean and condition the wood, painted her, and put her together myself! Truly one of my most treasured possessions.

4: favorite spinning technique

Plying bracelets!!! I wish I had known this sooner, it's the perfect way to use up that last bit of a single and ply it into something usable. This video is my go to and explains it really well, as well as why not to call it "Andean Plying."

5: outside of spinning, what hobbies or professions do you do?

I am an artist by profession and most of my hobbies are also art! :'o) I also really enjoy playing Neopets, reading, poetry, and video games. I'm very much a ~cozy gamer~ and love neutral aesthetic tech stuff! I collect Calico Critters, plushies, and enjoy fashion and interior design as well.

6: a pic of your favorite spin

apparently I never took a pic, so I'll post a video clip ᡣ • . • 𐭩 ♡

7: shoutout your preferred place to buy fiber

Honestly, Etsy shops! I prefer to buy from other artists. I also Colibri Studio <- my all time favorite place for art batts; bright, colorful, whimsical, just gorgeous!

Created by ElsieB <- excellent quality roving, the best I've worked with; her colors are often not as a neon/whimsical as I'd personally prefer, but the quality and saturation are fantastic

8: favorite color to spin- include some pics if you'd like!

I love love pastel rainbowy fiber and neons! And glitter! Regrettably I prefer to knit and crochet with solids and tonals, so what I like to spin and what I ought to spin are not often aligned. That's actually one of the reasons I sell my handspun now, so I can make what brings me joy! ♡

9: dream spinning wheel, if money was no issue?

My heart says Kromski Sonata, walnut finish~ For practicality, a SpinOlution Firefly because I could really use an electric wheel and the ability to make a properly chunky art yarn.

spinners of tumblr: I want more fiber friends on here so I've decided to do a little q&a type thing!! pick a question or two and answer in the tags (or however else u want to answer idc). I'm a fairly new spinner and it would be great to meet some of the other fiber artists in this space :)

please note that I am queer and pro-palestine, and that terfs are not welcome here <3

questions:

1: favorite breed of sheep (to spin, to own, to look at... up to you!)

2: how long have you been spinning and why did you start?

3: tell me about your wheel or spindle- how did you acquire it? favorite thing about it?

4: favorite spinning technique

5: outside of spinning, what hobbies or professions do you do?

6: a pic of your favorite spin

7: shoutout your preferred place to buy fiber

8: favorite color to spin- include some pics if you'd like!

9: dream spinning wheel, if money was no issue?

[astitchintimesaves]

#the100dayproject Day 26/100 : "Heart Activation Blend" The heart chakra is green, and just like the spring sprouts it's time to activate! Swipe to see how I create my special blended rolags. 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚 #100daysoffiberart #rolags #springgreen #spinningstrawintogold #spinningspells #spellcasting #wool #alpaca #spinolution #kingbee #yarnspinnersofinstagram #stitchwitch #fiberpotion https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIscUAHYnL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ui3noe65aegm