Thursday, March 25, 2010

Hand Spun with a Drop Spindle

Well, when you leave a pile of washed wool on a sheet by the woodstove to dry, you just never know what might happen.....

I looked into the living room and our 14 year old son had his drop spindle (that he bought with his own money two years ago at the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival) and away he went....

A couple of hours later, our 9 year old, Abby was at it.

Our 11 year old decided that he would make his own drop spindle. While he was able to spin a bit, it was much to wobbly and I told him I would order him a "wheel" and buy some dowel so it would spin better. But I was impressed with his efforts.

That same evening I quickly knit up a little purse and added one of our handmade birch buttons to show them how much their handspun yarn was appreciated.

Warm wishes, Tonya

21 comments:

  1. What a collaborative family effort! Love it.

    :)Lisa

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  2. That is so neat! How fun for the kids to see what their work can make. Have a good day Rebekah.

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  3. Great post. I love using my drop spindle to spin yarn. Just recently I was given connections to an abundance of sheep clippings. How did you go about washing, picking and carding your roving? It looks fantastic!!

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  4. Wow, that is so awesome Tonya!!

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  5. Well, so far all we have done is washed the wool. I put it in my canner pot with luke warm water and bit of seventh generation dish detergent.. mixed and wring out and laid to dry...
    We need to buy some hand carders next.
    We have been picking out the dirt/hay, etc.. by hand. A lot will fall out after washed and dry if you shake it a bit.
    Warm wishes, Tonya

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  6. Thanks so much for your response Tonya. You inspire me. Have an amazing day =)

    Kat

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  7. that little purse is soo cute with the big tufts of wool poking out! great job to your children!

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  8. oooh i think i know what is going on my birthday list - perhaps a good in between step before spinning wheel

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  9. Fantastic. The wooden button compliments the homespun character of the littlr wool purse perfectly. Really admire you guys.

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  10. Tonya, you can use dog brushes or cat brushes to card it. Also, you don't have to pick it over before, you can spin in the grease. Carding helps remove the debris. My daughter who is on the Autism Spectrum loves the drop spindle. She twirls everything! But I can get alot of yarn spun when she is really in the mood..LOL!

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  11. how wonderful...a purse knit from your very own homespun...love it! what a great family effort and outcome!

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  12. I'd love to give the drop spindle a try as well- I was thinking about making some for us.
    Hey, we were at the VT Sheep and Wool festival two years ago too!

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  13. This is so wonderful Tonya, my daughter Jenna also made her own spindle. Your post is very inspiring:)
    Warmly
    Linda

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  14. I love seeing the children spinning! love, Beth

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  15. We have had 2 drop spindles sitting in our school room for several years.. my girls are very interested in trying! I am inspired to give it a go.Blessings!

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