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by Knit Picks Staff on August 26, 2010
My coworkers and I are so excited that we are finally offering spinning supplies, because we've been crazy about spinning for a long time. I learned how to knit first, and then my love of yarn drove me to try to spin with a drop spindle made out of a cd and a dowel, and later I bought a spinning wheel. Kelley actually learned how to spin before she started knitting. In college, she had a work study job at her college's library, and many of her coworkers were spinners and taught her! Alison is a spinning maniac, bringing in hanks of handspun to the office almost every Monday morning. We all hang out after work for informal craft nights, but we thought it would be fun for everyone to bring their spinning wheels to work so we could gather and spin together! |
Category Archives: spinning
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by Kelley on August 25, 2010
I know that my early confidence with knitting was the result of learning to spin before I learned to knit. Transforming fiber into yarn gave me an understanding not only of the properties of different fibers but also what I could expect from my finished yarn. |
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by Kelley on August 24, 2010
Football season has begun!! Hours and hours of entertainment. Hours and hours of creative potential. |
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by Kelley on August 19, 2010
Then you are moving along much faster than me! Well, I have a very quiet weekend ahead of me so I am looking forward to some focused drop spindling time. But, here is my video showing you how to ply from each end of your cop. |
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by Kelley on August 13, 2010
We have had a dreary, cold summer. Yesterday the sun finally came out! Bob and I had planned to go out to dinner with his son Adam. We were desperate to be outdoors so Typhoon on 23rd was an ideal choice. I am so obsessed with our new Knit Picks drop spindle that I opted to spin, rather than knit, during dinner... |
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by Kelley on August 6, 2010
Once I had one of our drop spindles for myself, I couldn't resist giving it a bit of love. I used a fine sanding paper to make the surface smooth as glass. Then, I begged some wood stains from our decorative painting division. Actually, the entire project was done through begging. The sandpaper and Jo Sonya wood stain came from The Artist's Club. Alison supplied the wood oil that she uses to keep the wood of her spinning wheels glowing. Notice the difference between the niddy noddy and my drop spindle. You can find wood stains and sandpaper in a craft store or even Home Depot. You might even choose a colored stain - dark green, blue, purple - you get the idea. Wood oil is usually in the furniture polish section of most grocery stores. We are finished with photography, video recording, etc. That means I have a green light to start my spinning project this weekend! I'm going to start this evening while we are out to dinner with friends. I can't wait to show them our drop spindle. |
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by Kelley on August 4, 2010
We have been working on a huge surprise for you! I have had to keep it a secret for nearly a year! A Knit Picks drop spindle and two sizes of niddy noddies. Stunningly beautiful roving all ready to spin with a drop spindle or a wheel. Collections of multi-colored roving to enjoy as special treats. Honestly! It's been so much fun! But, now I can introduce you to our new fiber toys as well as the first two videos from my online "Learn to Spin Yarn" video class and a Spin-Along to make it a party!! Each week in August, I will post a new video of your next spinning lesson. The first two videos to get you started are "Learn to Spin Yarn-- Intro to Drop Spindling" and "Learn to Spin Yarn-- Drop Spindling Terminonlogy". All you need to get started is a drop spindle and a bit of roving. Here is how I am going to celebrate! |
