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Woolmaven Newsletter! Join for more handspinning!
What is the cheapest way to spin yarn?
The cheapest way to spin yarn is to twist it up with your fingers, of course, but it’s awkward and would take nearly forever so what’s the next step up? If you are hoping to get slightly more advanced than just your fingers and fiber, you have some options to choose from to get started…
Are Sheep Killed For Their Wool?
We all know that the wool used for yarn and felt, among other things, comes from sheep. But we also know that, for the most part, wool does not just fall off the sheep, it must be shorn. Common sense would tell you that the sheep are not very likely to just stand there while…
How Long Does It Take To Spin Yarn?
One of the main concerns of new spinners is how long will it take to spin yarn. Well, as you may have guessed already, it depends, but what does it depend upon? That’s where we can get into some specifics, let’s get started. Want to learn handspinning? Check out Woolmaven Handspinning, it’s a course designed…
How Do You Make Rolags Without A Blending Board?
Need to make a few rolags for your next spin, but you don’t have a blending board? I’ll give you three ways that you can make your own fauxlags (fake rolags) with the supplies you already have! Make rolags with hand cards You can make rolags with your hand cards and it’s pretty easy! This…
How To Prepare Wool For Handspinning
The goal of easy to work with fibers are pretty much the same, no matter what wool you start with, but it’s how you get there from where you start that makes the difference! Are you working with raw or washed fleece or maybe you are starting with ready to use commercially prepared fiber like…
3 Ways To Fix Over Spun Yarn (and 5 things to prevent over twisting)
Overspinning or over twisting yarn is one of the biggest hurdles for many beginning handspinners! You add twist to keep the fiber together, so the yarn doesn’t fall apart (like last time!), and now it’s too much. That yarn is twisting all over the place like it’s a vine, yikes! We’ll go over a few…
3 Tips For Using Carded Wool For Handspinning Yarn
How do you match your carding to the wool you have and to your spinning? Let’s talk about your carding options and which one will suit you and your current project best. To use carded wool for handspinning you need to: Match your carding to your spinning needs First off, you need to determine if…
Should You Learn To Spin On A Wheel Or A Spindle?
Should you use a spindle or a wheel to learn how to spin yarn? It’s a big question that all new handspinners face! How do you know which one is the best for you to start with? To start spinning for the least money, use a spindle. The easiest way to start spinning with a…
How Do You Spin Wool Without A Spinning Wheel?
Since yarn is really just twisted wool or other spinnable fibers and that seems fairly easy to do, what if you could spin wool into yarn without using a spinning wheel? It’s doable and actually pretty common, fiber enthusiasts the world over have been spinning yarn without wheels for ages! To spin yarn without a…