Pink Novelty
At the last spinning class, we learned how to spin boucle… my first attempts are pretty ugly. See here:
It’s made up of a nice space-dyed mohair top (local supplier) and spun up with some shocking pink commercial yarn. Stringy-looking boucle, eh?
I like my second attempt much more… On Saturday, Michelle and I attended the Langley Weavers & Spinners Guild fair and I bought (among too many other things) a bag of hot pink adult mohair from Sun Bench Fibres. I took this and halo-ed it around some commerical black nubby yarn then wrapped it with a thin silver metallic sewing thread ($0.99 at Dress-Sew).
There’s only about 7 yards here — it’s brutal trying to spin this with a teeny tiny orifice and flyer hooks. Every few seconds, I’m thinking, why isn’t it winding on?!? and then I see that a chunk of mohair has trapped itself in a hook. This is when a big fat orifice would be so welcome!
Here’s one of the other things I picked up at the “Falling into Fibre” fair on Saturday: a new spindle! I’ve only ever used my heavy-duty bottom whorl Ashford drop spindle, so this is such a welcome change… It’s a 40g top whorl spindle made by Dave Smith/Shari Hamilton out of “Redheart” wood. So pretty!
I’m wondering if I can take this on the plane to San Francisco with me!?! Anybody ever drop spindle on an airplane?
And thanks for everybody’s comments and recommendations about the spinning wheels… There is so much collective knowledge and experience out there — I’m just so grateful that you guys share! As for the wheels, I think I’ll just have to try them both, side-by-side. I’m off to SF in just under two weeks so hopefully Morgaine at Carolina Homespun will have a couple wheels I can try out!
Tags: drop spindle, loop bouclé, novelty yarn
I’m taking my first spinning class in January, I can hardly wait.
The pinks are quite lovely!
I like your second boucle a lot. I love when the natural mohair curls are still visible in the yarn makes it seem more - alive (in a good way!)
I’ve considered bringing my drop spindle on a plane, but last time I flew, I had just learned to spin the day before, hehe. I didn’t want to be making a fool of myself, so I just brought some knitting. I would definitely go for it, it will make the trip seem shorter.
I LOVE your spinning, by the way, it’s very inspiring.
Even with a large orifice, it’ll still get caught on the damn hooks. Grrr.
That second attempt is very nice!! You make me want to run out and learn to spin quite honestly. Your new drop spindle is beautiful by the way - love the color of that wood.
It would be tempting to spin on the plane. I don’t think it would be a security issue at all. Space may be a problem though. Maybe bring it and if nobody sits next to you go for it.
So many spinners making pretty pretty yarn - I love all of this!! The boucle is just beautiful! I really must learn how.
I really like your second attempt, it looks very lively! You make me want to take a spinning class, too!
Your second go round with the boucle looks wonderful! I’m headed out to SF Wednesday, but only until Friday. I wish we were going to be there at the same time!
I agree–your second attempt at boucle is fabulous. Good for you!
And, I’ve heard of people bringing drop spindles on airplanes–one person commented that they spun while waiting on line for the security check so that by the time they got there, the guards had some idea of what it WAS and how dangerous (not) it might be. Just a thought!
Your second attempt looks very nice, I love the yummy pink color. I was at that fair on Saturday, too. My daughter got a quick lesson with a drop spindle from one of the ladies there.
oooh so pretttttttttttty.
you are so awesome
My spinning teacher spins on the plane and while waiting for flights. He has not had any problems but suggests aisle seats.
I bought my Lendrum from Morgaine - she is really great - and if you want a REALLY cool chance to spin on a crazy expensive wheel - ask if she’ll let you spin on Fiona.
What a fabulous pink. Man, I wish I time to learn how to spin. Though I guess I don’t really need another obession.
The boucle looks wonderful, and the color is fabulous! (And as for that first try… you should keep it so that years from now you can prove that you had a first try too when you are so good no one ever believes you were ever a beginner!)
love the boucle! by the way, where did you pick up the ball winder? i live in south delta and have been looking to find one in the lower mainland……saw one at the langley spinner’s guild sale on the weekend for 52$ and should have bought it then,but not sure if i can get it cheaper somewhere else….thanks!
Joe at queerjoe.com has a Robin which I gather he thinks is waaay better than a Schacht. I finally got the woolee winder for my Schacht and am having fun with it.
I own a schact double treadle and I love it.
I don’t know if you are going to go over to the east bay while you are out in CA but you might check out Deep Color in Kensington (North Berkeley). Their web site is http://www.deepcolorstudio.com and Claudia, the owner, sells and highly recommends schact weels. I know for sure that she has some in her shop. She is only open on Sat, Sun and Wednesday. She also sell fibers for spinning some of which she dye with natural dyes herself. Check it out if you are in the area!
Your boucl?© rocks. You’ve totally inspired me to try spinning yarns other than 2 ply. I’ve drop-spindled on trains and on a long ferry trip, so I don’t see why not on a plane. Of course, should there be a huge lack of leg room I suppose that might be a problem. But hey, security would probably consider it safer than knitting needles so I say go for it!
That stuff looks scrumptuous =P - the spindle is gorgeous! Someday, I’ll get to try spinning!
The second attempt at the boucle is fantastic. I think I’m going to try spinning one in the next few days. I have a larger flyer on the Ashford Traditional, and I still have to stop every few feet and hand wind the novelty yarns onto the bobbin, or they still get caught. It’s slow, but worth the results.
As for spinning on a plane, go for it. Ask to change your seats to the emergency row when you check in. You get a lot more leg room there if the seats are still available.