Photo credit: Birch Grove Alaskan Birch Supported Spindle & Bowl by marihana
In the previous Tips and Tricks Thursday posts, I have shared links on how to create your own drop spindle for minimal (or no) cost and how to prep your fiber. Today, I want to share with you how to get spinning.
There are numerous resources out there on the net so I won’t be able to cover them all but I will touch on a few of my favorites … ones that got me started spinning with a drop spindle and some newer videos and resources that I think are great!
1. Spindle Spinning Instructions
This was my number one, go-to resource when I was learning how to spin. I had this page printed out and stuck to the fridge so I could easily refer to it.
2. Introduction to Spinning, Part 1
It wasn’t until after I started learning how to spin that I discovered the wonders of YouTube and Abby Franquemont. In this video, Abby show us the park and draft method of spinning on a drop spindle.
You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
3. Spinning Yarn With A Drop Spindle
The Joy Of Handspinning has a fun page dedicated to spinning on a drop spindle. They give a general outline for the steps needed to spin in the center and along the right hand side they share step by step videos for you to follow and try along with.
This is a free ebook put out by Interweave press with information and pictorial examples on how to make a drop spindle, how to get started, and how to ply your handspun using your spindle. It is a great “get started” guide with a little info on each step of the process.
If you are looking for a bit more support as you start on your journey of handspinning, Craftsy has an interactive class that takes your through the beginning phases of learning to spin using a drop spindle. You can check out the details and sign up here.
Another great resource is Respect The Spindle by Abby Franquemont. She teamed up with Interweave Press to produce a book and a DVD all on the wonders of drop spindling. I wish that these were available when I was first starting out! You can find the DVD here and the book here. Both are also available in downloadable formats for those of you who want to get started right away.
I hope that you enjoy these spinning resources and that they help you get started on your way to creating lots and lots of amazing yarns. Be sure to stay tuned for next week’s Tips and Trick Thursday for help on learning to ply with your drop spindle!
Great post Simone! I haven’t been able to learn how to use a drop spindle, it is a chore for me
I found it really difficult in the beginning as well Tina. I didn’t know anyone else who was a spinner so I had to figure out what I was doing wrong and how to correct it myself. My husband was a big help though. I would ask him to watch and tell me what he though was going wonky and 99% of the time he was exactly right! Sometimes I just needed another set of eyes
That looks like silk fiber you have there in the photo. Beautiful colors! That is my favorite fiber to spin. Abby was on a Yahoo e-group when I was just starting out, so I remember when she posted her videos. She is a resource in herself! This post is a really good one for me, and anyone who wants to learn spinning to utilize, a lot of information here. Good post, and one that I will return to. I consider myself still a beginner, being that I had a one year hiatus between spinning years, and its amazing how easy it is to forget little technique tips. But easy enough to get back on board, especially with a little help like this. Thanks for the post.
I love Abby as well. She is a spindling rock star! I’m glad that you enjoyed my post and that you’re back on board with your spinning. It is funny how your hands may initially forget what they’re supposed to do after you’ve had a break but it really doesn’t take them too long to remember. Kind of like riding a bike, isn’t it!