First Steps: Spinning on a Drop Spindle
By Julia Trice
http://www.mindofwinter.prettyposies.com
I'm a long-time knitter and somewhat seasoned “knit blogger” who just began spinning on a drop spindle in October. When I came across the call for submissions to Spindlicity, I thought that it would be fun to document my spinning adventures from the beginning, so that other fiber enthusiasts looking for a place to start could benefit from what I've managed to learn so far. What follows is some of what I've managed to pick up in the last two months. Be forewarned – it probably isn't the most precise or comprehensive article you'll ever read – it's just one new spinner's experience and “advice” about learning to spin on a drop spindle.
I set out on my quest to spin determined to read about it first. I didn't really know where to start, so I contacted a blogging friend whose spinning I admired, and asked if she had any suggestions. This was my first good move. If there is one piece of advice that I can give new spinners, it's that the best resource you can find will always be another spinner.
 Julia's friend Marnie and her special helper Shirley
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If you're like I was, you may not know other spinners. This is not a problem. Surprisingly, there are many places to meet spinners. Start by looking for a spinning teacher in your area. If you can't find one through conventional means, your local spinning guild should be able to point you in the right direction. Spinning and hand weaving guilds are great resources – they're full of spinners! You can find a comprehensive list of guilds at Spin-Off Magazine 's site . Local spinning retailers can be sparse, but it's worth investigating whether there is one in your area. Here's one list of spinning retailers , and here is a web ring with links to other retailers . Local yarn stores can also be a good place to find spinners, though this varies from store to store, and sometimes from region to region. Regional events and festivals provide yet another avenue for finding people of like fiber-mind (use google to find a list for your region).
I was fortunate enough to meet some very accomplished spinners (as well as some newer, but enthusiastic ones), right from the start. My blogging friend gave me excellent recommendations regarding instructions, fibers and spindles (she even sent me a sampler of fibers to play with), my novice friend shared every bit of knowledge she had to get me started, and the spinners I met through Spindlicity took me under their collective wing and invited both my novice friend and I to a wonderful day of spinning at one of the guild members' homes, where I was finally able to figure out what the heck spinning is all about. It was an excellent way to learn. I highly recommend learning to spin from a real, live human being to anyone who can find such a person to teach them.
Julia's first "spin-in"
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Spinners as a group are very eager to share their craft and bring others into the fold. I have had fiber bestowed on me unasked on numerous occasions, and have more than once found myself surrounded by spinning wheels of almost every make and manufacture, which I was vociferously encouraged to try.
If you exhaust your resources and cannot find a spinner in your area, there are several places to go on line to get instruction. Spinning is really not rocket science, so often the simplest pamphlets are best for learning. Spin Off Magazine , one of the most well-known spinning periodicals, has two great free spinning brochures.
Join us here next issue when Julia tells us more adventures of her spindle spinning....
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