I wanna start spinning

[charity]

I want to learn to spin and don't know anything about it. I know I need to start with a spindle and roving. was also wondering is this a good beginners thing

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370097997577&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

thanks for looking

Cassidy

[wiz3283]

Wow is that a good price! I just learned last year. It takes a bit of practice an some time to get your drafting and spinning even but I enjoy it. I already told DH I want a spinning wheel for christmas.

[cheraboo]

My DD wants to learn. She got interested after working on a wool locker hooked rug. She started the process with the raw fleece and her leader took her to get it processed. She even got to dye it. Her leader just happens to have a spinning wheel and has offered to let her use it. And we've met a couple of wonderful ladies thru 4H who have generously offered to teach her. Now we just have to find the time.

[MullersLaneFarm]

It is a wonderful price. I wouldn't go over $15-$20 in bidding though.

 

There are some great links on my spinning page with videos on how to start spindling.

 

http://www.mullerslanefarm.com/spinning

[Stashaholic]

There are a ton of materials online now - check YouTube for videos and just google learning to spin or something like that.

 

I'd also recommend the Beginning Spinner's group on Ravelry. Actually, pretty much any group, but they are great an answering noob questions

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/beginning-spinners

[sammimag]

I don't think you need to start on a spindle although I did some but jumper pretty quickly to a wheel. The Babe is an inexpensive wheels if you don't mind PVC. A friend of mine has one and she likes it. I'm considering one for a 2nd wheel if the kids really get into spinning too.

 

If you don't like that spindle try another. I found I like heavy bottom whorl spindles best and I got better on a spindle after I got better on the wheel.

[classic crochet]

Samantha,

 

Do you have a link for "The Babe"? I would love to see one!

[sammimag]

Sure! Just go here.

[Stashaholic]

My first wheel was a Babe. It was ok for a beginner wheel but I did find that compared to other wheels out there I had to work much harder to get a consistent spin. It also had a rather large footprint so it took up a lot of room. I sold mine and moved up to a Majacraft Gem within 6 months. Here are a couple of pictures of it

 

Some people are fanatically devoted to their Babe's (as are most spinners with whatever brand of wheel they have). I just personally found it limiting to what I wanted to do. It was great to learn on, but I quickly outgrew it.

 

The Babe has increased in price since I bought it. If you could, I'd recommend saving a little longer for a better wheel.

 

There is some good information on this page http://www.woolery.com/Pages/selectwheel.html and here are some videos http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/wheel-styles.shtml

 

Most wheels are going to be between 500-900. Majacraft (my favourite) has just come out with a new one called the Pioneer. It's going for just under $500 and well worth it. I don't know this particular vendor, but they are offering free shipping in the US http://www.woolery.com/Pages/majacraftfr.html#pioneer

 

Another nice model is the Ladybug. http://schachtspindle.com/products/spinning/spinning_wheels_ladybug.htm I have spun on it and it's quite nice.

 

I didn't care for the Louet Victoria or Julia because although they are small, I found them quite shaky.

 

The ultimate question is whether you want a travelling wheel or not. None of these are really travellers, but since you were asking about the Babe, I assumed that you didn't need that. My Gem is a traveller, but it is considerably more expensive.

[sammimag]

The Babe and the Lady Bug aren't folding/traveling wheels but they can fit in your car pretty easily. So you can take them with you to a spinning group. At least two spinners I get together with easily transport them to group.

 

They certainly don't take up too much more room than my Ashford Traveller which I can also fit into my car. So you don't have to get a traveling wheel

to take a wheel places.

 

Yet, I have been looking into a second wheel and sort of want a folding wheel. The only thing I'm not liking are the orifice hights. They can be so much lower than my Traveller which I wish was a bit lower but not as low as the Ashford Joy.

[classic crochet]

Thanks, Samantha!!!

 

And thank you, Stashaholic, for all the great information/links you provided too!

[MullersLaneFarm]

I've spun on a couple different Babe's and they are a good starter wheel. Some are a great permanent wheel.

 

I started out with an Ashford Traveller, and have a couple antique wheels (a Saxony & a Great Wheel). I had an Ashford Traditional for a few years, but sold it to a friend who was starting out.

 

I've spun on a number of different wheels from different manufacturers. I personally didn't care for the action of the Schact or the Louet, but I know plenty of happy spinners that love those wheels.

 

I currently do all of my spinning on a Kromski Sonata (a folding wheel). It has a very smooth, easy treadle. I then switch to my Traveller with the Jumbo flyer/bobbin to ply.

[Cliffnote]

I am going to be learning how to spin also. A women I know is going to teach me. I was just searching the web and came across this site. It had some good information on it.

 

http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/

 

I cant wait until she teaches me, I am so excited.

[MullersLaneFarm]

That is a terrific website to learn how to spin.

 

There are a lot of UTube on handspinning:

http://www.youtube.com/group/handspinning

 

Abby has a terrific one on the basics on spindling: