Hey, all -- yes, I'm plying, just taking a moment out from watching the time trials to post this.
I've been thinking about the fact that there are a lot of very new spinners along for the ride this year -- in fact, a few folks who are taking this time to take out the spindle and actually *learn* to spin.
I've had a few questions about advice and resources, and I have to admit -- I'm nearer to the beginner end of the spectrum myself, and probably could use the benefit of experience that's out there.
So -- if you have any tips or tricks for beginners (and near-beginners alike), please share them in the comments. If you know of great resources (books, on-line videos, websites, magazines), please share them in the comments. Tell us what you think is good about them, or how they could be useful.
And I'll highlight them in future posts here on the Tour blog.
Not sure if you got my e-mail to sign me up for the challenge. I have a bag of shetland that has been languishing in my stash as I slowly worked on it now and then. I plan to finish spinning and plying. I have already on Sunday, finished off a bobbin that had been started several months ago and plyed up about 200 yards.
On to the rest of the bag.
Posted by: Linda H | 2008.07.08 at 10:05 AM
Hey, Linda -- yes, you're on the list.
Funny, because I was just looking at your blog a few minutes ago!
Posted by: katherine | 2008.07.08 at 10:12 AM
It's all Abby Franquemont, all the time, if you ask me!
How to use a handspindle:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=drXid5cT0y8
(don't miss all her other videos here:
http://youtube.com/user/afranquemont )
And this brilliant post:
http://www.abbysyarns.com/wordpress/?p=214
ah, damn -- just read her blog back to the beginning. there's TONS of great stuff there.
Posted by: amyknitty | 2008.07.08 at 10:19 AM
Another good resource is Interweave's Spin-Off website: http://www.interweave.com/spin/ It has a lot of basic information as well as some techniques and things.
Also, I'd like to make a late entry into the Tour. I'm a pretty new spinner (started in March), and I recently dyed a little batch of roving, just to see what would happen. I love the colors as they are in the roving, and I don't want them getting muddied, so my challenge is to learn to Navajo ply, spin this roving, and Navajo ply it.
Posted by: Fire Lizard | 2008.07.08 at 10:30 AM
I just recommended Abby's video on the handspindle to someone this morning -- I'll take some time later today to see what else is out there.
Yes, she's definitely on my Must Read list!
Posted by: katherine | 2008.07.08 at 10:30 AM