Relatively Sweet Fruits of Failure.
After having tried to learn to use a drop spindle for some time, I’ve come to some conclusions:
-I’m not very good at it (really - I’ve been attempting for a couple years now; bought books, watched videos, even paid for private lessons. Practiced like crazy.).
-I don’t think I enjoy the process.
This is okay; we all can’t love everything we do, nor can we be good at all we set out to learn. If I can’t get beyond my current park-and-draft limping into lopi, so be it. The thing is, what to do with the leftover, half spun stuff (aside from using it raw in projects or giving it away) that’s been accumulating?
Set to work by using means that I do enjoy and in which I have a bit of competency:
First thing I did was to drop my attempts into dye baths that I thought might work out. Let stuff dry, and was kind of amazed with the results - not only from the color standpoint, but from the wool-quality one. The Bit of Red felted itself into a dred worthy of maybe being sold to a trustafarian somewhere (Boston not being a College Town, am not sure where). Got a lay of the land gauge-wise then just started iCording my way into a solution.
Don’t think it turned out too terribly badly. Kind of aht-sy, even. Would wear it if it weren't destined to be given away. Heck: might even consider making another.
After having tried to learn to use a drop spindle for some time, I’ve come to some conclusions:
-I’m not very good at it (really - I’ve been attempting for a couple years now; bought books, watched videos, even paid for private lessons. Practiced like crazy.).
-I don’t think I enjoy the process.
This is okay; we all can’t love everything we do, nor can we be good at all we set out to learn. If I can’t get beyond my current park-and-draft limping into lopi, so be it. The thing is, what to do with the leftover, half spun stuff (aside from using it raw in projects or giving it away) that’s been accumulating?
Set to work by using means that I do enjoy and in which I have a bit of competency:
First thing I did was to drop my attempts into dye baths that I thought might work out. Let stuff dry, and was kind of amazed with the results - not only from the color standpoint, but from the wool-quality one. The Bit of Red felted itself into a dred worthy of maybe being sold to a trustafarian somewhere (Boston not being a College Town, am not sure where). Got a lay of the land gauge-wise then just started iCording my way into a solution.
Don’t think it turned out too terribly badly. Kind of aht-sy, even. Would wear it if it weren't destined to be given away. Heck: might even consider making another.
2 comments:
I wore the one you made me last this week with a purple V-neck T that was very close in color. People were complimenting me thinking that it was all 1 shirt. Very soft and squidgy.
So you are trying to spin your own wool??
Jo - I'd make you a dozen in coordinating colors for all your tee shirts if you'd like! It's a very peaceful pattern to keep the fingers busy.
I have a drop spindle and use it very poorly. When I get sick of banging my head against that particular wall, I'll buy myself a wheel. (It's kind of like buying yourself an electric mixer after years of using a wire whisk.)
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