Come join the spinning workshop
If you want to ease into the wide world of spinning and making your own yarn let me show you how starting small can lead to big things. I began my fiber spinning journey 20+ years ago with fluff from my angora bunnies, and I still have that precious scarf that I use every year outside when it is cold or when I dress up and need a showpiece that also keeps me warm.
Who this class is for:
~Those who haven’t spun before.
You don’t have to have any previous experience to join this class. We will start at the very beginning, a very good place to start…
~Those wanting to learn to spin angora
Even if you have spun before. Sometimes if you know how to spin it is a good idea to come to think of a different approach. I always learn better technique when I take a step back and slow down.
~Those who don’t want to make the commitment to purchasing a wheel.
I do love spinning on my spinning wheel, but it took me quite a while to find just the right one. You don’t have to have a wheel to get a handle on spinning.
~Those who are considering buying an angora rabbit.
Having a vested interest in getting that fluff off the bunns makes for healthier bunnies.
~Those who already have the bunnies, and want to add value to their fiber.
It is always a good idea to have more ways to use that fluff. And though not everyone knows what to do with raw fiber, a lot more people know what to do with angora yarn.
Angora spinning kit:
Angora
Three ½ ozs of angora bunny fluff of different colors.
Thee Art in Me Pen
to be used as the shaft of your drop spindle, and later to take notes of all the yarns that you will spin.
Hexagon Disk
as the whirl, marked with twist angle and direction and later to diz and keep as a reference while spinning.
Come learn to spin.
Why Angora and the drop spindle?
I’m sure you have heard that starting with wool is the best, and I am not arguing that it’s not a good place to start. But it’s not the only place to start. There is something magical about creating with a fine fluff. It does make your fingers sing… And to be honest it is not better or worse as a beginning fiber it is just different.
When you start out with what you love you will be more likely to continue. One touch of angora and you will know why you started here. Inadvertently you are also teaching yourself what a fine fiber feels like.
Using the drop spindle is an excellent way to begin your spinning journey. It is a much less expensive way to see if this is the right craft for you. It is a very forgiving piece of equipment and when you get proficient with it you will be making the same lovely yarn you can on a wheel.
Starting slow has the advantage of allowing yourself to learn, then practice your technique. That way you can get faster and more proficient at your own pace. When you get faster and faster or transition to a wheel you will have an excellent foundation of what happens to make yarn.
If you would like the ultimate spindle experience, please search out Jenkins spindles. Mr. Jenkins is a wonderful craftsman, and you will notice his craftsmanship right away. You have to go on Ravelry to purchase a spindle from him, but it is well worth the effort. I have a hard time describing how beautiful these spindles are and what a dream they are to spin.