How to: Spinning Silk Hankies

[officermom50]

Do you like spinning with the silk? I am having a hell of a time with wool. But I am just starting.

[rexenne]

@officermom50 Not really. They are a pain in the arse to work with but they are sOOOooo pretty when dyed.

[mermaidsable]

you did a really good job on the video and if you feel bad about yourself dont you are a self confidence woman and im sure no one would make fun of you and i can already tell that you do have confidence in yourself.

[biancaaac]

cool!

[pceflwrgrl]

I got a silk hankie dyed peacock and I was wondering how to use it. I'm considering growing my own silk worms in the future to harvest my own silk hankies and thread. So this kinda gave me a brief introduction. Thanks.

[mountainrunner68]

Thanks for sharing this video. I think you might be too hard on yourself - you are after all spending your time to share your knowledge with others. I'm just getting into this myself, and was given an antique spinning wheel as a birthday gift from my parents. The wheel did need some adjustment, but I was able to find someone to help out through the local spinners/weavers organization, and the wheel is now in tip-top shape - that would be the wheel though, not me (lol).

[maefeest]

Your not fat. You have the classic fiber artist body, be proud of it. :D

[rexenne]

@maefeest Teeheehee!!! :D

[Asefs2]

thank you! when you don't buy the hankies do you take the silk out the cocoons' yourself?

[rexenne]

@Asefs2 I have. It's a lot of work though. I don't do much growing of silkworms anymore. It was fun to learn!

[KrazySteev]

When you say you do 2-ply, what is that/how do you do that? I've just started watching and becoming hooked this evening! :)

[rexenne]

@KrazySteev 2-ply means there are two strands being spun together (in the opposite direction that were spun in) to create a thicker, plyed, yarn. I'm sure you have learned this already since your question is over 8 months old. Youtube kidnapped a lot of the comments made on my vids & I am just now finding them & approving (or deleting...whichever needs to be done because some people are just rude & obnoxious so they don't need to be dignified) as I come across them.

[rexenne]

Holy crap. Youtube decided I should just now know about comments left 10 months to 2 years ago. WTG youtube.

[SusanShriverHowell]

You are such a good instructor. A friend has tried to get me to use silk and I have to say that I was afraid. Thanks for the work that you have done. :)

[txeggplant]

LOL ... it's videos like this that always get me in trouble! You make it look so easy and then I want to do it and it is NOT easy!

And as for your fat comment LOL ... I was actually thinking at that point that it is great there are people out there who still do things this way! So much stuff is just mass produced and there is something to be said for handmade goods. As a sewer and a crocheter ... thanks!

[infinito999internet]

Rexenne,algunos capullos son amarillos,cuando estos se laban quedan blancos,el mismo gusano cubre el capullo con su glandula ,como una sera,llamada sericina,el teñido de la seda se hace con escencias naturales(con la cascara de cebolla queda como un color natural,entre amarillo,y rosa,pimentòn,queda rojo,remolacha,en argentina se usa la yerba mate ,para el verde,ect,un saludo desde Argentina

[rexenne]

@infinito999internet Ahhhh, ok veo ahora. El color del capullo no refleja el verdadero color de la seda. El color viene cuando la sericina se quita y se mantiene la seda blanca. Los tintes naturales son impresionantes! Voy a usar Googles tranlating herramienta para superar la barrera del idioma porque tan duro como lo intenté, no pude aprender español para salvar mi vida! Puedo aprender Cherokee, pero no en español ... vaya usted a saber!

[rexenne]

@rexenne Ahhhh, ok I see now. The color of the cocoon does not reflect the actual color of the silk. The color comes out when the sericin is removed & the silk stays white. Natural dyes are AWeSOME! I be using Googles tranlating tool to bridge the language barrier because as hard as I tried, I could not learn Spanish to save my life!! I can learn Cherokee, but not Spanish...go figure!!

[infinito999internet]

Hilado de la seda en la Rueca

[rexenne]

@infinito999internet Cream silk on a reel?? LOL, not sure I understand what you are trying to say. The silk is white...

(No estoy seguro de entender lo que está tratando de decir. Esta seda es blanca...)

[rexenne]

@infinito999internet Oh, espera, creo que se le pregunta si puede girar sobre un eje de seda mano. Sí, así es que puedes!

(Oh wait, I think you are asking if you can spin silk on a hand spindle. Yes indeed you can!)

[mrsthursday]

that's cool. you prob answered this already, but where does one get the silk hankys?

[sabbathd]

I was rewatching this video, and I heard your comment about 'noticing you were fat' and I am so sorry if anyone has ever commented that to you! (Although this is youtube, I am sure they have). That's horrible! Thank you so much for these videos (especially the drum carder one, I NEEEEED to get one!), and I know you aren't doing this much anymore, but they are a great resource for those of us that are still figuring things out on the wheel! Thanks again!

[stargrrl11]

You don't have to pre-spin the silk before you ply? Is that due to the silks inherent strength? I am fairly new to spinning and have never worked with silk hankies so I'm curious.

[rexenne]

@stargrrl11 Nope, no pre-spin required. You are correct! I suppose you could pre-spin if you really wanted too.

[stargrrl11]

@rexenne seems silly to spin it twice. :) Thank you for doing these vids. They have really helped me become more comfortable with my wheel.

[Iccece92]

This was FABULOUS! Now I want to raise silk worms and spin!

[LibellulaGlass]

Thanks so much, I always find something I hadn't thought of when I watch your great videos - like plying the draft silk straight onto a single yarn - great way I have now found to get used to handling the silk.

Thanks Rexenne from up a mountain in the Pyrenees France.

Josephine

[Tipparoo01]

I love your videos,I have learned a lot from watching them. If I ever get confused about spinning I look you up. Keep up the good work... your AWESOME!

[StaceyWinnfield]

You are hella talented, lady!

[mpgangle]

Thanks for this video - you are really talented!

[Jenniguin]

I love all your videos. They give great, clear instructions, and you make it fun to learn. And just for the record. (to quote one of my favorite pins.) "Ewes not fat. Ewes fluffy!"

[stellaandshane]

whenever I need to look up a video, I look for one of yours because I know they'll be clear, funny and helpful

thank you for doing what you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cheriekgreene]

Thank you so much! I'm writing a novel in which a character must spin silk and ply it with another fiber (in her case, wool). You sound like just the expert I need to talk to. Can I friend you on Facebook?  --Cherie Konyha Greene

[Ruffyowner]

is there a baby silk worm in that gold color egg?

[rexenne]

@Ruffyowner There was a pupa in it before they were baked in the oven to prevent the pupa from hatching out. Your comment was posted 10 months ago & youtube is only showing it to me now. How odd.

[YankeeGirlTwin]

Rexenne, many thanks for such a fun, and informative, video. Free too! LOL You are now Bookmarked (Favorites for other puter users). Note: You might have noticed, but I didn't as my eyes were busy watching your skillfull hands.

[pleochroic]

you are awesome. and yeah, fat! and so? you're enthusiastic, curious, skilled, funny, you're sharing so much nifty stuff, and you're taking the fear right out of it -- you brighten my day, and i bet i am not alone in adoring your videos.

while haters give us... exactly what? their puny, smelly, obvious, illiterate droppings. the choice isn't hard; me, i am choosing the friendly fat chick to hang out with!

thank you, rexenne! keep on rocking!

[0502210]

who cares if you're "fat", you're a fucking genious!! (i know, i'm a pottymouth, sorry kids) but my question is: "do you do handicrafts for a hobby or for a living?" :)

[rexenne]

TY! I really needed that today. People can be so mean & cruel in today's world. I get asked that a lot, but when I have tried to sell them in the past, they usually don't sell very well. So, instead, I make gifts for my friends & family.

[mallory0818]

Thank you for this great video.

[etal55]

Love all your videos. Well done, informative .

[Pliix]

Nice video llearn me some more!:)

[EbonRaven]

Thank you for the video! I have some silk roving, but honestly haven't wanted to try it yet. I am very comfortable with my drop spindle, but haven't spun on a wheel in nearly 20 years. Figured I should get more comfortable with the wheel before using up my silk. :)

You are adorable and your video and explanation are great! I am off to watch more of your vids!

[NancyToday]

I am going to try this. I'd like to raise the silkworms. I live in Ontario. Have you any idea where I could get them?

[dreemycat]

Thank you very much, you make it seem so easy!

Your videos are really interesting and useful, thanks again :-)

[diar100]

that is amazing and your vid is awesome! thanks!

[angrysnatch]

Thanks so much - this is great!

[LadyScoot]

Thank you so much.

I started spinning years ago before videos like this were available.

You totally rock!

I bought silk hankies a few years ago and the vendor quickly walked me through it but I quickly forgot and my the shop I took classes from closed, so I was lost for awhile and put silk aside. Now I can try again. Thank you so very much!

Sandi in Minneapolis

[em255]

Oh, that's interesting. I didn't even know silk hankies like that existed, but they look like they would be fun to spin.

[cassiehuffman]

Love love love your videos...I am in Tokyo and found some great silk hankies and can't wait to start spinning them!

[lacabrahilando]

Thank you for your videos! Now I´ve got silh-hankies. But I can´t spin it like you, I spin it bevor and after that it´s my "4.thread" by navajo plying. Now I want to color it (with plants).

[maruiana]

you are great! thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Greetings from the Netherlands!

[lavendardust]

this is very interesting. i find the whole process fascinating how it all works. thx.

[alpacanut]

Thanks heaps for your tips. I am a new spinner in Australia and have found your videos invaluable. Keep up the great work.

[kenneth1945]

Oh my gosh you are showing what I've been trying to do for some time you rock for sure. I love your videos just awsome thanks , Would like to show you the awsome colors of alpaca , they are just wonderful

[bethboyduck]

Thank you, I really appreciate getting some more good information because I have not spun the silk yet.

[dreamer10182003]

very informative! thank you!

[marsada6460]

I love your videos! Your are a true spinning Guru! When I want to know something pertaining to spinning, I look up your videos! Love the humor too! Your videos are anything but boring!

[narm22]

Silk Rocks!

What a bangin' sound track.

I can't wait to get back into silk

[TFWC88]

I am amazed at your skill and knowledge on the subject. I think you should ask a friend to record you professionally and create your own DVD series on silk and sell them. Many people would buy your videos!

~tfwc :)

[rexenne]

Yea, many people have said that I should do a DVD series...but that goes against my philosophy that knowledge be free for the learning.

[fettuccinetube]

I love you Rexenne. You are beautiful, cute, talented and intelligent. I am thrilled to have discovered your video series and am watching the ALL! I really had a good laugh with your washing caked mud and crap out of sheeps wool fiasco in your bathtub.

[Edimayer]

Very interesting. How do you get the hankies from the cocoon?

[rexenne]

@Edimayer They are stretched out onto a frame once the "worm spit glue" is taken off.

[Lucywinkle]

Just wanted to say that you are awesome! You have inspired me to spin. Will you check out your Ravelry account as I have sent you a message on there too.

Lucyxx

[hillbillymoma]

Great video,I bought a silk cup,but I did not know how to spin it,but now I'm pretty sure I can do something with it.Thanks for such clear instructions.

[hillbillymoma]

Great video, I bought a silk cap but did not really know how to spin it,thanks to your video I know what to do now.

[obutiamcalm]

After losing my rational mind at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival when I saw the dyed silk hankies (hokey PETE, they are gorgeous!!!)and buying a wad, I figured I'd better find out how to spin them. Your video was exACTLY what I needed. Thank you, Thank you!

[bobseldest]

I've had hankies stashed for 5 years, now I know how to work them...thanks

[overby62]

Great tutorial. I'm a spinner and my daughter is just getting into spinning. I teach, so I wasn't able to go to the Stitches convention, but my daughter did, and brought me some silk hankies from Chasing Rainbows. Your instructions were really great. Thank you!

[rexenne]

Sa-weet!!

[pattio523]

can you spin the silk, then ply the silk together? I notice you are plying with the unspun silk, and I was curious about that.

[rexenne]

Yeah, you can do whatever you please with it. :)

[pattio523]

thanks much, I enjoy watching your videos. thanks for being there for all of us! take care. patti

[rexenne]

No problem. Glad I could be of help!

[Dreamspinner1]

"Rexene" - Girl you ARE the "Queen of DIY Spinning Tutorials! Make all of them available on a DVD & I'll BUY it in a heartbeat!!! You ROCK Girl!!!

Teri

[rexenne]

LOL! Thanks! I dunno how or where I would start to do DVD's. LOL

[GrumpyCrumpet]

(head smack!) I love plying silk with something else!

Like others before me here, I was drawn to the stuff, but did not know how to work with it. I tried knitting (ugh) spindle spinning (better, but still....) and now will give co-plying a try.

Keep up the good word, dear!

[Camprunfarm]

Great explanation....I am off to my wheel! How do you set the twist with silk?

[rexenne]

You would set like you would normally with wool. I let my skeins sit in hot water with a little bit of Eucalan Woolwash until the water cools. If I want a fluffier yarn I will intentionally felt it a bit by lifting it out of the water and dropping it back in rapidly a few times. Once the water has cooled I squeeze out the excess and hang to dry. :)

[brimcp19]

great video! I'm new to the spinning craft and I've been reading up on how it all works. Thank you providing a great tutorial.

[rexenne]

Thanks for the positive feedback as it is always appriciated!!

[wheneverman]

thought your vid was excellent. thanks for your efforts. i am an accomplished spinner and spin silk, cotton, llama, camel etc. all the fun stuff. do spindle (various types, big, small - love it all...)spinning as well. I hated doing the silk hankies and love your easy way to use them by just plying with something else wonderful. I tried drafting them out and knitting with them, hateful mess, they get all fuzzy with all the handling. Thanks for the new idea, will be trying asap.

[rexenne]

Yeah knitting with silk roving makes a nice fabric, the draw-back being that it gets fuzzy and ugly with a quickness with handling. Thanks for the positive feedback as it is always appriciated!!

[rexenne]

Thanks so much for all the postive feedback! If anyone is unaware, I am doing a fundraiser to raise the funds to replace a RAM chip in my puter that is crappin out, making it impossible to edit video to upload to youtube. I have two more waiting to be edited! You can find my fundraiser page at rexenne. chipin. com/ new-1gig-ram-chip (take out spaces). I appriciate every little bit that helps! Thanks for your consideration and support!!

[zilchic]

I just got my first wheel this weekend. I'm not anywhere ready to spin silk, but it was helpful just to watch you spin. Have you considered doing a basic How to Spin video?

[rexenne]

No, I haven't, because there are plenty of basic spinning vids on youtube and the internet. I'd rather not redo what has already been over-done. :)

[rexenne]

Actually, because fans demand it (LOL) I will be working on some basic vids. ;-)

[CelesteOrchid]

OMG that is so amazing.. what is that machine you use? are silk hankies hard to find? i'm just really amused by this video

[rexenne]

Machine? You mean my spinning wheel? In this video it is the Ashford Kiwi that has been stained in Traditional Cherry. Silk hanies are not all too hard to find. Search Ebay for them, or ask your local fiber store to carry them. Thanks for the positive feedback as it is always appriciated!

[chowchowwow]

Enjoyed this presentation, you are a gifted spinner and presenter. Have you spun caps as well and are they easier or harder to spin?

[rexenne]

Thank you for the positive feedback as it is always appriciated! I do find caps more difficult to work with, but it is not impossible.

[beans1975]

Hi rexenne, Love these tutorials, I was wondering if you've ever done any thing with sari silk waste? I bought it because I couldnt resist but after I look at it and marvel and drool I dont quite know what to do with it! I also quite a new spinner so maybe I am in over my head????

[rexenne]

Nope, never worked with waste silk. I've seen it at the local fiber shop and it looks like it has not been degummed so first, if it is stiff, you will want to place it in a pot of boiling water with some Orvus paste and some washing soda. Let it cook on low until the fibers seperate, then pull it out from the stew, rince and dry. You will more than likely need to comb or card it.

[star4kaeylarae]

Oh fabulous video.

Thanks so much. i could not find the e-bay buyeer you mentioned. Is that where you get those hankies you used for your demonstartion? I'd be very happy to get some of those.

Love your wheel and your technique is sooooo fluid. Awesome.

cheers

[rexenne]

AS far as I know legacystudios is still in buisness as I still get updates from ebay for them. Search for silk hankies and look for the user name in the results. Thanks for the positive feed back! It is always appriciated!

[Auntiekackie]

WOW. TY very much... I havent never had the silk prep explained to me or even viewed it before. Therefore i stay away from silk. Thanks very much.. And I'm chubby too darlin. No worries. Just means more for talent!

[anneadeline91]

Thanks so much for this video! I have some silk hankies lying around but I never knew how to spin them before.

[rexenne]

You are very welcome! I am glad I was able to enable!

[mongoliaboy]

you are NOT fat

[rexenne]

Thank you!!!

[gotmyeyeonyou]

Thanks for the great tutorial!

[rexenne]

You are welcome!!

[bonobobabe]

Is that an Ashford Kiwi I see?  I have one, too! I love my Kiwi.

[rexenne]

Yep! I spin my fine yarns on the Kiwi.

[limesogood]

Love the music at the beginning of your vid. I am SO glad you posted this video, I've signed up for classes at Weaving Works (in seattle) because I SO long to spin a silk and bamboo combo. Thank you so much for this video, I feel like maybe it's actually possible for me to do it!

[rexenne]

Sweet! You CAN do it! Think positive!

[theladybaltimore]

Thanks for the great demo.  :-)

[rexenne]

You are welcome!

[ADHUK]

Thanks Rexenne! I have processed silk caps and hankies that way before, but never thought of plying with a ready spun thread. See, you learn something new everyday - thanks for the tip!

Bye for now!

Amanda (ADHUK)

[rexenne]

You is welcome!

[spinalpaca]

How do you take the silk cacoon to a hankie.

[rexenne]

These I bought pre-stretched. Check out "wormspit dot com" (replace the word DOT with an actual dot (.) as youtube will not allow me to post URLs in the comments...grrr) for a great text and photo tutorial on stretching silk cocoons.

[ispin4kix]

great video - very helpful.

[rexenne]

Thank you X2!

[rexenne]

You are all very welcome!!

[zebell33]

wow THANX..i have one of these and now i can use it.....THANX heaps x x x ; )

[Sepharie]

Thanks so much for posting this! I always see inexpensive hankies, but I had no clue how to process them for spinning.

[RuTemple]

Thank you for the excellent demo!

[Tinsygirl62]

Thank you for showing this unique craft, I do alot of knitting and always wondered how silk was combined with other yarns.

[madwomanintheattic]

I've never been able to spin a silk hankie until watching this. Thanks so much!! You rock!

[rexenne]

You're so welcome!

[dhcwong]

actually, each hankie is made from many cocoons, and you were separating one cocoon from the rest! I learnt this when i went to a silk factory in china...

[rexenne]

Yes I know, I didn't explain it very it well. It was one of my first vids, but you are very correct. It takes several cocoons to make one layer.

[dhcwong]

In any case, i LOVED your video. Thanks so much for posting!

[MorgSz]

Thanks so much for demonstrating this!

[lindaspinsandknits]

Could you suggest the best place on the internet to buy silk hankies? Whats too much to pay? What types of things should I look for when buying? I really wanna try this!

[rexenne]

Ebay user legaceystudios. They ask for $13 for 3 ounces. I wouldn't pay much more than that for the same amount. Locally they are $15 for 3 ounces, when the local supplier has them. She runs out often.

[rexenne]

Thanks for all the nice comments!!!

[avashmayva]

very nice, informative video

[maziemaus]

Thanks for the hankie info. I've only spun from silk top. And I've never spun silk on my wheel, only on a handspindle. I'm going to get some hankies and try this out.

[shedata]

Sweet THANKS keep up making videos of techniques- there definitely are not enough around! Love your sense of humor too!