Spinning dyed silk hankies

[ADHUK]

Thank you! I hate listening to myself, it is a real pain when I'm checking through the videos before I upload them! I'm a Yorkshire lass, but I'm told it has been diluted now from living in Cornwall for well over 30 years!

[chindersa]

Thank you very much for the most informative video. I'd been gifted with some dyed silk hankies and didn't know how to start. It looks as though it takes a fair bit of force to draft the hankie?

[ADHUK]

@chindersa

The secret is in the first step where you pull off a thin layer. If you pull off too much at once it can become difficult to draft and hard on your hands. The alternative to spinning from one corner, is to poke your fingers through the middle of the layer and pull your hands apart to stretch it into a big ring. You then work around the ring with your hands about 10 -12" apart and thin the fibres down a bit more. Break the ring at a thing spot and then you have a pre-drafted length

[poppasblosm]

I have a Timbertops Beaver wheel named Beatrice. She makes the same sound as yours when I'm spinning. Time with Beatrice is the most relaxing thing in my life.

[ADHUK]

Know what you mean! You'd think the constant creak from the leather band would be annoying, but just the oposite, very soothing isn't it!

I have several wheels, but if for some reason I was told I could only keep one, it would definitely be my beaver.

Happy Spinning!

Amanda

[gossemerwings]

Hi, I'm a new spinner and just joined a spinning group, what spinning wheel are you using- it's very nice! It's very hypnotic- watching you spin- lol- I love it!

I only wish that spinning wheels weren't so expensive, I had bought my first top whorl spindle, but I just made a homemade one for spinning finer fibers, but I would love to get a spinning wheel, can you recommend any that are good ones, but aren't through the roof in price? Thanks so much~ Dora- NYC

[ADHUK]

Hi Dora,

This is a Timbertops Beaver by James Williamson. I agree with you, they can be expensive, this one especially as it is hand built - it was on my want list for many years before I saved up enough to afford it. Perhaps you could look at the Ashfords or the Kromski (?New Voyager)they might be at the more affordable end of the scale, and people I know who have them are very happy with them. I believe Majacraft have just brought out a lower priced wheel - I do love Majacrafts!

Bye - Amanda

[peachy3838]

I have watched so many silk spinning demos, yours was the only one that made sense when using dyed hankies.

It took about 10 views before I noticed the way you put the yarn on the wheel and I said to myself I have to ask her what it is because that is just neat.

Thank you so much for your help!!!

[peachy3838]

That was very helpful. Are you spinning from any old corner?

When you finished with the first hankie, you put your yarn end on the wheel. What is holding there? I don't have anything like that on mine and was wondering if that came with your wheel or did you buy it?

[ADHUK]

Hi,

Yes, just pick a corner at random fluff out a few fibres attach and off you go. If you have multicolour hankies, you might be able to influence the colour sequence by starting in different places.

Aha! You spotted the velcro trick (hook & loop type fastening) It wasn't my invention, but I've been using it so long cant remember where I first saw the idea. You just get the sticky back sort, and stick either one of the dots, or a piece from the end of a tape(hooked side)to your wheel.

[obutiamcalm]

Nice technical bits included in the narrative.