Feb 15, 2009
Woolen spun or worsted spun, as spinners we hear the terms all the time. But do you really know the difference? If someone put fiber in your hand and asked you to spin it into a worsted yarn, could you? Listen in on this podcast as I explain the difference, and actual techniques.
Edit to add list of books:
I realized I mention several books in the podcast as sources of my information and that I should probably give the names of the books here for your reference.
Merino Handspinning Dyeing and Working with Merino and Superfine Wools by Margaret Stove.
The Alden Amos Big book of Handspinning
The Whole Craft of Spinning by Carol Kroll
And of course there is music, bouncy enough to make you toes tap. All music is from the Podsafe Music network, and I want to send a specific thank you to the following musicians for sharing there songs on that site.
Opening music is by Cubaxd and is called A Folk Song without a Name.
Kurveball gives us lovely musical advice to let go and Leave It Behind.
And to close, for all of you that suffer as I do right now, with a winter cold, Eddy Delbridge sings a soothing going to sleep song, called The Prone Zone.
Enjoy!
your podcast is fabulous! It is so instructive, I save them and listen again so I absorb every concept! Keep up the fantastic job you are doing!!
What was the name of the book that talks about spinning merino. I have enjoyed all of your podcast. Thanks for making them gives me fiber fix when I am at work.
I loved your last podcast. I have only been spinning about 9 months and can\\\'t wait to try everything you suggested. thanks
Thank you, I suspected it might be Margaret Stove\\\'s Book.
Just finished listening and got so many questions answered and inspired some new ones. One little confusiion for me was when you mentioned the pinch method vs just placing the fingers of the drafting hand on the fiber. I wasn\\\'t sure which method made the yarn fluffier. I think I tend to pinch and therefore my yarns come out sort of \\\'hard\\\' not bouncy. I wasn\\\'t really conscious of doing that before. And really not sure that IS what I\\\'m doing. I\\\'m trying to get a fluffier yarn so I will experiment.
In any case, thank you... you got me thinking and experimenting again!
Luna
Experimenting is always a good thing, especially if you are watching and learning about what is happening while you spin.
I may not have been real clear in the podcast, about the pinch vs no pinch. As you suggested, pinching and pulling on the fiber will straighten it and cause it to spin smoother (less fluffy). A true woolen can feel bulkier if you can spin it without pinching and straightening the fibers. Just how you do that is pretty spinner specific. Usually it is a quick draw out without actually using a pinch to pull the fiber.
Fluffy is also affected by the amount of twist. If you really want fluffier, try less twist.
I wanted to drop you a line and tell you thanks for including \\\"Prone Zone\\\" in your podcast.
Eddy Delbridge