Spinning

So I need a new hobby like I need an STD, but here we are. I decided to take a spinning class because I received quite a bit of free roving (wool that is ready to be spun into yarn) from a friend who used to raise sheep. I wanted to make some use of the wool so I signed up for a three week hand spinning class. The first lesson was pretty hard--it couldn't quite get the hang of drafting and my yarn is very uneven. Once we plied the yarn together it looked better and was more "forgiving" in places, but parts of it still look like dredlocks. Here is a picture of my first little skein of yarn. I have no idea what to do with it since it is so uneven, but I'm still very proud of it. I made this on a bottom whirl spindle, which came free with the class. The second lesson went much better and I started to see what I was doing wrong with the drafting. I also realized I wasn't putting in enough "twist" before I started drafting. My second yarn is coming along much better--you can see here it is much more even. The third lesson went much better and we mixed two different colors of wool together to get a variegated yarn. For this lesson I also converted a bottom whirl spindle that Aunt Julie gave me into a top whirl spindle. My instructor recommended a top whirl because it is easier to get a spin going and is overall easier to work with. I have to say I agree, plus this spindle has a fancier weight so it spins better. John added a hook to the top and carved a notch into the dish. I think I am going to cut off the wooden hook on the bottom as it is kind of useless. This yarn is turning out interesting with the two colors and is so far pretty even, although I am still getting a few nubs here and there.

For the class I bought the recommended "beginners wool" so these will all be small skeins when they are finished. My instructor said that I should be able to spin the roving that was given to me but it will probably be a finer yarn since it is from a long haired sheep. Once I finish these I am going to try to dye the roving with kool aid and see if I can spin it. I don't know that I would do this if I did not have a considerable amount of free roving--it just has not reached the point where it is enjoyable enough for me. Although I really like the idea of turning wool that someone I know raised into a wearable garment. Nice idea, lots of work.