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Rationale for Knitting |
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Some people wonder why anyone would take the time to knit a sweater or a pair of socks when you can buy nice ones at a department store. These people do not understand the satisfaction one gets from making something with your hands. They do not know what it takes to knit with a uniform gauge, or what it takes to shape the shoulders of a sweater. |
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But you know that when you can make a garment that fits you can understand why some styles fit you better than others. You know how to evaluate the suitability of the garment and its quality. You are a more informed user than the person who merely tries on garments until she finds one that fits. |
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Rationale for Spinning |
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Now think about the knitters who are not curious about how the yarns they use are made. They know people who have and use a spinning wheel, but they do not think it is worth their time to make their own yarn. They accept the fact that some yarns are softer than others, and that some are loftier than others, but they are not interested in learning why. |
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When you know how to spin fibers into yarn you understand the differences between different yarns made from the same fiber - e.g. soft versus scratchy, or uniform versus nubby. Even hard-core spinners do not make all of the yarn they knit with, but spinning different fibers (e.g. wool, llama, alpaca, silk, or blends of these fibers) into yarn will make you a more informed user of all yarns. |
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We want to help you become a better knitter. If What is involved, you ask? |
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In the basic spinning class we start with some information on fibers and their preparation. Then we have you put twist in wool using a hook made from a coat hanger. After that, you use a drop spindle to spin.
When you are comfortable with the drop spindle, you are an accomplished spinner.
Once you know how to spin, we have you practice on the 10 to 12 spinning wheels that we usually have in the shop. |
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We have a variety of kinds of fibers in the shop, some are raw fleeces right off the animals, and some (called roving) have been cleaned and processed. We use roving in the classes.
The spinning wheel was invented late in the Middle Ages. Prior to that, all spinning was done on drop spindles. The drop spindle is a clever device that was used for thousands of years in all cultures that made yarn. Spindles have been found in an old settlement (Catal Huyuk) in Turkey dated at 7500 BC.
The drop spindle is small and convenient, but spinning on a wheel lets you produce yarn much more efficiently. |
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Even if you decide that spinning is not for you, completing the basic spinning class will give you a much better feeling for why yarns have the properties they have. You will be a better knitter. |
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