Tips and Tricks!

Do you have any tips for spinning? Any tricks you have developed to help you with the process of spinning or plying yarn? Or in fiber preparation? Share them here!

Tags: fiber, for, preparation, spinning, tips

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Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on August 8, 2010 at 11:38am

I don't always spin evenly, so I tried out this trick to use when you're winding your yarn onto the niddy noddy before washing: Put your spindle or bobbin on a lazy kate several feet away--across the room is even better--and wind your yarn onto the niddy noddy. When the spun fiber is released from the tension in it's wound state, the twist spreads out, filling in the areas less twisted.

Permalink Reply by Knit4Many on August 8, 2010 at 12:13pm

Thanks for the tip. I am going to have to try that one.

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on August 8, 2010 at 12:26pm

Wish I could remember where I heard about it so I could give credit!

Permalink Reply by christina | AlohaBlu on August 8, 2010 at 1:46pm

Me to! I have a 1 yd n.noddy, but am thinking i might need a larger one to make the work of winding go faster. thank goodness KP sells them now :)

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on August 8, 2010 at 2:53pm

Just so people new to spinning know what we're talking about, the one yard refers to the size of the hank when you're done winding it. Mine is a two-yard one. That means that the stem is 18" and winding once around each of the four arms adds up to two yards. I need a smaller one for travel, so I have ordered the smaller one!

Permalink Reply by christina | AlohaBlu on August 8, 2010 at 3:36pm

Another tip that I thought was great to know (Peggy, I think you posted this tip on another thread), was to use a bracelet or elastic band to keep your working fiber away from the spindle. I actually found a thick, loose plastic bracelet to use and it's very helpful. I would usually keep my elbow at a 90 degree angle with the fiber draping off my elbow to keep the fiber away from the spindle, but have developed shoulder pain this past week from this method, so the bracelet/elastic tip has been a god send. thank you!!

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on August 8, 2010 at 4:11pm

It's called a distaff. They're usually made differently, sort of a band that goes around the wrist with and adjustment to fasten. I think they were invented long before elastic. I like my little elastic bracelet, and it was a present from a special person, so it makes me happy to use it. Another thing you can do is throw e fiber over your shoulder, but your fiber has to be long enough, and it's hard to walk around like that. KnitterGirl39 made a knitted one with a little pouch. I think it's here.
She posted the instructions.

Permalink Reply by Knit4Many on August 8, 2010 at 6:04pm

I want to knit that. I also found some cute wood beads today and might make myself a bracelet too.

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on August 8, 2010 at 8:35pm

More projects!

Permalink Reply by Knit4Many on August 11, 2010 at 1:10pm

hehe.. I just saw that.

Permalink Reply by MartyAZ on August 8, 2010 at 5:54pm