And this is so not a thankful post right now! Because this is frustrating to me.
Because this looks like a nappy beard here to me. I am adding Alpaca wool to this sheep wool to make it a little softer. Maybe I'm putting too much wool on the carder? It's pretty thick.
You can see it a little better here.
This is it rolled up. I am loving the blended colors a lot. I'd love to knit a sweater and hat some day from this.
Here is some I added white wool to. I like this color so much. I am drawn to soft warm brown colors.
So the lady at Ketner's Mill who let me use her carder for the very first time, made a really long piece of roving as she took it off the wheel. She took off a little section at a time and it just all stayed together and she rolled it all up in a ball and let me have it. I can't figure out how she did it. When I do it, it's just one small piece and never stays together.
I have to say this is a little frustrating for me. I have not even tried the spinning wheel again. Well, I did once and just cried because I cannot get the wool to go onto the bobbin. No matter which way the wheel spun. I so need help.
But if any of this makes sense and you can figure out what I'm doing, please let me know. I would love to know if I'm just wasting my time right now.
8 comments:
Hang in there ... I started spinning a year ago, finally after committing to spending time spinning during the Tour de Fleece I finally am able to spin yarn instead of rope capable of docking a boat. Take a block of time and commit to spinning, and stay with it. Same with the carder. If you are not on Ravelry, sign up, there are groups for everything spinning, carding, weaving, brands of wheels, items for sale, lots of helpful people will jump in and help you with your questions.
Good luck
I can't help with the drum carder. Never used one.
But the spinning wheel just takes time to learn. Is their anyone that you could invite over for a cup of tea, and have them show you the ropes? Because you really have to learn how the wheel works with getting the twist just right, and then the wheel will suck it right up. But the tension has to be set right so that when you get that twist, that the bobbin will hit the breaks when you go to feed it into the wheel. It's hard to explain, even though its a very simple thing.
Kimberly
Kris,
Are you picking the wool first?
You may be adding to much wool to the carder.
If you can, watch some you tube videos. They made the difference with me being able to spin.
Knit Picks has the best ones that I could find.
It is easy to get discouraged but as with all things it takes time!
I have watched videos. I'll check out Ravelry too. And that's a good idea about inviting a friend over for tea and help. I shall do that. It just helps me so much to have someone actually show me. I'm going to watch more videos too. It is just going to take lots of practice.
Sandra, you think I'm putting too much on the carder? It is awfully thick. The girl that showed me at the festival had a dog brush that she used to push the wool down to add more. I'll try not adding so much and see how that feels. I'm just afraid it's so felty and not really good wool.
Kris,
what kind of wool is it?
It shouldn't be felting. Is it felting when you card or is it a little felted from the washing?
Are you picking the wool before you are carding it?
Sandra, yes, I am picking it as well as I can. I just washed a bunch of Adele's white wool and am seeing all kinds of grass still in it.
So I went to a few blogs and videos and this actually looks like everyone else's wool roving. So I feel good about that now. I think I'll be ok now. It's just hard to know when I am a newbie at this.
Kris if you have time call me tomorrow. There is an adjustment on the wheel that will make the wool go onto the bobbin. I had the same thing happen to me.
Also I have a drum carder and maybe I can help you with that too.
Linda
Kris, I know the feeling!!
You may want to check and see if there are any spinning guilds in your area. That can be a great resource!
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