To be able to spin my own yarn is greatly satisfying to me. The more hands-on I am during the process, the better. So this session we will discuss how to use the Drop Spindle we made previously, and spin a ball of yarn.
For a top-whorl spindle, tie an 18 inch piece of string, called the leader, under the whorl, bring the leader up and over the whorl, and wind it once around the hook.
Most yarns are spun clockwise. And most spinners hold the fiber in the left hand and the spindle in the right hand. Try both ways to find which is most comfortable. I’ve tried both and lean toward to recommended left hand with fibers, right hand spins the spindle. Hold a small amount of drafted fiber and the leader together in one hand. Twist the spindle cloclwise with the other hand. The twist will grab the leader and the fibers together creating a joint.
After you have made the join, draft out more fibers, twist the spindle and then stop it betweeen your knees so the yarn doesn’t unwrap. Continue to twist the spindle, stop it in your lap, pull out more draft and twist again. When the yarn is about 18″ long , unhook it from the hook, keep the yarn taut and wind it on the spindle under the whorl.
Without a doubt, this process takes practice. A spinner needs to find the right rhythm and balance. Keep at it!! When you have a spindle full of yarn you can wind the yarn off the spindle and roll it into a ball. The next step will be dying the hand-spun yarn with natural plant and animal dyes.