I know there is a sticky with spinning resources, and I am sure that all of the threads here contain loads of info, but I am really overwhelmed! I would like to try my hand at spinning, but like knitting, I don’t want to invest a ton of $ unless I know I like it. How did you all muddle through all of the info out there? Do I get a drop spindle and some roving? From where? dyed or undyed? What kind of spindle ( I hear there are 2 types? ) Where do I start?
I love being self taught, that is how I learned knitting, along with this forum, so any advice is well appreciated in advace:muah:
Also, my mom has 2 wheels, have no idea what they are, but she seems to hate them because they aren’t or can’t be put together properly. Missing a piece or she is just uneducated about them. Any recommendations on commandeering (stealing) and getting them in workable order?
I would love to give it a try, too, but it’s not cheap and I want to make sure I’ll stick to it first although I would love to have a Kromski wheel whether I ever spin a single thing. They’re gorgeous! There is a magazine, Spin-Off, that has a lot of information and that will make you want to do it even more!
hi ladies!
first i have to say… mulder you are so lucky…your mom has 2 wheels!
i would surely check into what kind they are and fix them up if possible… even if you both still end up disliking spinning they could always be sold!
and now the spindles
i did go through the sitcky and visit all those links as well as watch all the videos i could find. joyofhandspinning is a good place to start for general info
if you want to stay really cheap, you can always make your own.
i made mine a top whorl (which is easier for me) with a dowel, a cd spindle case and a bent nail. it cost me less than a dollar to make and i love it!
i can add or subtract cds to change the weight and i can take out the hook (my only upgrade) to change out the dowels for storage.
i’ll never buy a “real” spindle :teehee:
i have post with pictures on the forum and someone else made one with a pencil and cardboard!
anything i think, that gets the basic shape and spins without wobbling back and forth would work
there are many many places to buy roving online.
i would suggest getting some undyed and dyed …they can spin differently
bfl and falkland wool were easy to work with the first time out
i went with spunky and etsy for mine
and if you’d rather there are always kits!
etsyhas a bunch i just saw…8 to 45 dollars…most in the 25 dollar range
or there is ebay and of course you can check out your LYS if you’ve got one!
they might have different sizes and styles to try as wll as (hopefully) helpful staff!
hope that helps!
I keep pushing this book, you’d think I wrote it or something, (haha), but seriously, it’s fantastic for getting you started. It’s called “Start Spinning” by Maggie Casey.
I borrowed a drop spindle from a friend that could be used as a top or bottom whorl, so that I could play and see what I preferred. It’s a Schacht hi-lo http://www.spunkyeclectic.com/shop.php?crn=304 and it’s inexpensive but works wonderfully. Often there are “learn to spin” kits that come with some fiber and booklets too. Oh, I’d go with a medium weight spindle so that you can spin yarn that can be thicker or thinner. If you get one too heavy, your thinner yarn will break. If you get one too light, you won’t be able to spin thicker yarn.
Now, the fiber. You can also get some from Spunky Eclectic while you are there looking at the Schacht spindle ;), but go with a good beginner fiber, like bluefaced Leicester or Corriedale. They have longer staple lengths, which you will understand soon!
Finally, the internet. Ravelry has spinner groups and spindler groups, and I like to plug the Stitch-It! podcast too, itsjustmeghan from here does that podcast ( http://stitchitpodcast.com/ ). She has lots of info and has hooked many of us! There is also a Stitch-It! Listeners group on Rav too. And I watched Abby on You Tube, search “drop spindle” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drXid5cT0y8
That’s all I needed to get started! I hope you jump in and tons of fun!! I love it and am crashing my LYS’s spinning group tonight to look in to wheels! 
oh gosh! thanks so much guys! so much more to look at now!:woot:
I’m gonna push another book LOL. I got spinning in the old way by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts. Also I got my spindle from Maine Woods Yarn and they can also be found on Etsy
The book is FULL of info and how to get started. She shows you several different ways to spin and to ply along with all the supplies you need. Plus Priscilla is a VERY big DIY gal.
I will tell you that you will need a Niddy Noddy which can be made from PVC pipe (cost me $5 at Lowes) and for plying stick, skip those and put your singles into balls and drop those into zip top bags. Your ready to ply 