Spinning The Rest of The Story

Must Have More Yarn! » Spinning/Fiber Junkie

Must Have More Yarn! » Spinning/Fiber Junkie — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:10:20 GMT

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re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

Maria — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:40:01 GMT

I have a Lendrum double treadle complete. I bought it about five years ago and have only used it about four times. The reason is because I also felt like it was too complicated and my results were awful. When I read about Maggie, I wondered who is Maggie? Could it be the same person who wrote the book I just ordered? Yes, it is Maggie Casey. I feel more hopeful now. Maybe when I get her book 'Start Spinning' I will do a better job. I knew when I first saw it that it was different from all the rest. Just seeing a Lendrum wheel in it and how to use it made me want it. I wish all the wheel manufacturers had videos of how to use their particular wheels. Thank you for telling the rest of the story.
Maria

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

MidoriW — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:09:39 GMT

to purlgirl: my sister tried to teach me to spin years ago on her (i think)lundrum wheel. i had the worst sore belly muscles that i have ever had in my life. it was horrible, and i was discouraged. i still managed to save until i could mail order an ashford traveler wheel that my son helped me finish and assemble. i read every "how-to" book that i could find, and tried several kinds of wool until i could manage to spin just fine with no sore belly. i think a lot of the trouble i had was in tensioning of the wheel being too tight (with my sister). after suffering 10 years with carpal tunnel, i have finally retaught myself how to knit with out hurting myself, and last month began spinning again. it was lumpy and bumpy, and i couldn't remember how to "set" it. so i knit straight off the wheel a little mug-rug from Elizabeth Zimmerman. it is soft and sweet, and i love it. because every time i use it, i see that i can learn to learn again. keep it up. don't give up. if you spin something that vaguely resembles yarn, use it for something. it will please you. -midori

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

ClassicC — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:08:35 GMT

Maggie taught me to spin too! I stopped in to buy some wool and a drop spindle. At the time there were no spinning classes open, so she sat down with me and showed me how.

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

ChristyT — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:15:26 GMT

Please tell me -- did I miss the patterns that we voted on awhile ago (a "best" of Intereave knits)
Thank you so much!
Christy

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

LoriG — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:28:28 GMT

As a beginner spinner, you have greatly encouraged me! Thanks Sandi!

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

BeverlyP — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:22:55 GMT

Hi Sandi,
I am a long time spinner, I find that when I switch spinning direction, to go from an S twist to a Z twist or vise versa, my hands automatically change position to respond to the direction of the twist. Sometimes changing twist is for plying, but sometimes, every year or so, I just change to get my hands and brain and body more balanced. It's amazing how we get used to and comfortable doing a thing one way and get sort of stuck in a groove. Can you talk about the S and Z twists in relationship to knitting; their different 'look' or behavior? I love Knitting Daily. Thanks. Beverly

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

Purlgirl — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:40:29 GMT

Oh, Sandy, your yarn is beautiful! It is my dream to learn to spin. I love everything about the process. I have taken two separate spinning classes and have not made any yarn yet! I own a nice wheel and a spindle, but it is so frustrating when you just can't get the hang of it. I prefer the wheel, but it doesn't like to cooperate! Try, try again!

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

Kathleen O — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:19:21 GMT

Hi-I am sooo glad Sandi, you have pursued spinning-it adds such quality to a knitter's life to be able to create a project beginning with the yarn. I am a spinning teacher as well-my one piece of advise to new spinners: start with short sessions daily-no more than 20 minutes. During these sessions-you will notice a few but brief "ah -hah!" moments. Keep building on those. If you repeat these short sessions for a week-your brain-muscle connection will begin to be established and the "ah-hah!" moments will increase in frequency and length. And with short sessions-one can handle that length of time more easily and your brain won't get overloaded. And if you NEED a teacher-think about finding a local spinning guild for assistance. Good luck!

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

RobynnT — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:06:45 GMT

I was fortunate enough to have a few lessons with Maggie (She called me a natural which is one of the greatest compliments I've gotten) and she is truely an excellent teacher. I imagine it will be a little harder to get into her classes now that she a bonafide celebrity!

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

Boothacus — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:58:49 GMT

Sandi, a great story, and you can see how skinny you are getting by the pictures!!!!
A good teacher can teach anyone anything. A bad teacher can ruin a student on a subject the already love. The key to teaching is encouragement, patience and finding the way the student learns best, if possible, and approach from that standpoint. a good teacher is priceless and has an influence that can last a lifetime. It's a very powerful position and should be use to encourage as opposed to just bully and show how much knowledge the individual has.
As an aside, I've noticed a lot of us have gone into crafts and/or fiber due to injury or limitations which have given us some downtime from what we used to do. Keeping a mind active and constantly learning is wonderful therapy. Knitting has been great therapy and now an obsession. Just wish I could figure out how to exercise and knit at the same time!!!
Thanks Sandi!

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

JoyJ — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:21:38 GMT

thank you for sharing your relearning, and how you actually are living as you write - FEARLESS! It is very encouraging, and any time I say I am afraid to try a new knitting/crochet technique, I will learn to be FEARLESS just like Sandi!

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

AudreyD@2 — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:59:16 GMT

I'm glad to hear the rest of the spinning story. I first tried to spin with a drop-spindle at age 9, soon after I learned to crochet, in the 70's, but lacked a teacher and the wonderful books (not to mention the internet)we have now. At 10, I developed a movement disorder which disrupted my fine and gross motor coordination for a few years.
While I no longer am plagued by it in my daily life, it does take me longer to learn to do things like drive a stick shift, dance, use a sewing machine or even a spinning wheel. I have been spinning with the drop spindle for some 5 years, now. With good teachers, I have branched out to spin linen and cotton on the spindle. I have been spinning with the wheel for some three years and now have a Kromski Mazurka. I also have taken up weaving. I give spinning and fiber talks in my children's classes at school. Learning to spin has given me an appreciation for all the beautiful cloth we have and the access to just about any fiber we can think of. Spinning makes me happy.
Audrey M. DeNeui

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

RuthW — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:53:44 GMT

I had to relearn to knit after a TBI - (brain injury). It keeps us challenged to (re)learn something new! Thanks for the rest of the story, Sandi. You are an inspiration! I hope to meet you when I go to visit my daughter in Windsor. She got married in Loveland last year and sad to say Vermont has lost a great gal to Colorado, but it is a great place to visit! Thanks. Ruth

re: Spinning The Rest of The Story

Kchealy — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:20:19 GMT

Thanks for sharing your story and photos. I actually saw the woman with the green hair recently from your class in the RTD station in downtown Denver, spinning in public with her Kromski Sonata! I love seeing people spinning in public - such a rarity!