I learned at Spindle Camp that you can slide the cop onto a drinking straw for plying. That is "if" the spindle shaft isn't too thick and doesn't have a lot of embellishments. It's not exactly a "piece of cake" but does work with slow sliding and twisting.
The Green-sleeves spindle on top has too thick a shaft and a couple of bobble whoopies, but the Ledbetter spindle worked just fine. I filled the Greensleeves spindle at Camp and the Ledbetter at Black Sheep. It was time to do what I've never done before - ply on a spindle.
I would have liked two straws on my Lazy Kate for both cops, but impro-vised with this instead. I think it's hard on the hook to spin around on its head so will use that Greensleeves spindle in the future for plying and use two Ledbetter to get cops on straws. That's only three spindles, and yes I do need at least the five I already own. In case of emergencies. I might even need a 6th spindle - for emergencies that were unexpected emergencies, or something.
I eyed the spindles when I decided that they were full. Look at that straw and tell me that I don't have a good eye. I got lucky, is more like it! There's my full plied cop. It was falling off my spindle at Camp, when Sara explained that I need to wind in an exaggerated figure eight. Yes. I do.
The yarn is gorgeous. This is the fiber I got in trade from Mim. I think it's Merino, bamboo and silk - not sure. It's shiny and this skein is 1.75 ounces. I'm well on my way to a pair of socks. The ties stay on for now, until I decide if my socks are going to stay white or get color.I know that using a drop spindle has made me a better wheel spinner. I think they both have their place. They both have their place in my heart.
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9 comments:
I know for sure you need at least 6 spindles, we all need at least six spindles. I have one (a Golding purple heart, yummie) so five more to go hihi. The yarn looks spactacular. The idea of using a drinking straw is something to remember and I think now we need at least 7 spindles because one of them should be a turkis spindle (in case we run out of drinking straws)........:>)
Impressive and what beautiful spindles. Heck, who would have collection with just five or six items, especially when they are such lovely ones! :-)
And you could have 10 or 12 spindles and not even be close to the cost of a second wheel.....
There must be a collective noun for a "collection of spindles"...a spate of spindles? a splay of spindles? a span of spindles?
Anyway...to hold the spindles for plying, I have a little crate which looks like a miniature milk crate. (It used to hold ds's magnetic alphabet when he was 4-7yrs.) You can slide the spindles through the openings in the crate and it rotates as you need it. I'm sure you can still find them with the storage bins at one of the big box stores.
That yarn is lovely! The luster comes through beautifully in the photo.
Beautiful looking yarn. I have only a takli - this is making me think I need to try a spindle. No longer have a wheel. Also love the pottery pitcher. ;)
I learned to spin on a spindle but have never had the urge to use a spindle since then.
Your spinning is so beautiful to look at. Your two ply has the perfect amount of twist.
And you spindle spun and plied that lovely yarn! I am very impressed. I've spun on a spindle, but never plied (I always chicken out and ply on my wheel).
Remember when you declared that one spindle was all you will ever need? :-) As for the drinking straws, I wonder if the fat straws from Jamba Juice would fit over Greensleeves shafts? Hmmm... I feel the need to go get a fruit smoothy...
Lovely yarn: I could almost feel the softness of it. And such a nice shine!
Such gorgeous yarn....such a temptation to take up spinning myself!
Have fun!
Sue
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