r/spinningyarn

I am interested in buying a second wheel that would be more portable. I currently spin on a very old (1970s/1980s) Ashford Traditional. I’ve had it for years, and it’s the only wheel I’ve ever used. I recently replaced the flyer with the updated one with multiple whorls because my original one only had one size. I’ve been eyeing a Joy Wheel for a long time because I’d like something portable. I’ve lunged my wheel around to different locations but it’s awkward and doesn’t travel well. I’m curious to know what people think of the Joy Wheel (especially Joy 1 vs. Joy 2) and how they might compare to a traditional. I’m also interested in maybe getting one with a double treadle because mine is only a single. I’m debating buying used versus buying a new one. I mostly spin merino and merino mixes that are sports weight, but I’m working on transitioning to spinning finer (closer to lace weight). Thoughts? I’ve also seen that the Kiwi is also portable, but I kind of have my heart set on a Joy Wheel.

I have been spinning for several years, almost all of it various wools or alpaca. I have an Ashford Joy 2, a great wheel, a 19th century Saxony wheel, all in good working order, plus a variety of drop spindles and one supported spindle. I don’t spin for a particular project, I figure out what I’ll do with it once it’s made. I was recently gifted this lovely 4 oz. braid of 50% merino/25% silk/25% bamboo combed top. For those who have spun a blend like this before, what do you wish you knew before spinning it? Any special prep (steaming, pre-drafting, etc.) Any advice on whether it lends itself to a particular spinning method would be welcome. TIA

I got my e-spinner over 3 years ago and couldn't get the hang of it, so it sat in my closet just collecting dust. I've been wanting to give it a go again and I broke it out last night. Not sure why, but something clicked and the spinning process made sense to me and I was able to get a consistent thickness

I'm glad I gave it a try again, because it is so relaxing and I absolutely loved doing it

I’ve been wanting to get into spinning, but am 100% a newbie. All of the classes in my area want you to have your own wheel, even beginner classes. This just popped up on Marketplace in my area for only $20 and it’s a video of someone using the foot peddle to spin the wheel. The wheel squeaks. It looks intake to me, but is it actually functional? The $200+ price point to entry was my hold up before I had babies and now I don’t have time, but if I have the machine maybe the time will come. Or it’ll just sit unused in the basement for 10 years.

You can see on the lower part my most recent spinning, and it's getting visibly better! I thought it would take months for me to get there, but I've been spinning consistently for just three days, and for like... One hour a day, top? And yet it's visibly better! Of course I still get some flubs and some sections are too thin, but the mistakes aren't as dramatic and the tension is very consistent. I would actually consider this last section usable!

the speed at which I'm improving is honestly shocking. We as a society really need to engage more in hand crafting, and to connect again with the materials and tools.

I am learning so much of how the material works, and this is just some random mystery wool that came with the spindle. I bought a merino wool combed top and I want to see how it will behave. And it's so stimulating, I can feel my brain actually pay attention and think "wait if I do this the yarn flubs, this is way too little fibre, this is too much, when the single does this there's too much torsion..." I'm actively observing, learning, my hands are starting to move more fluidly and I am even daring not to do park and draft from time to time 👀

I am learning how to spin with a drop spindle, and if I don't pre draft I get the most horrid changes in thickness and the fugliest flubs. Maybe pre drafting is cheating, idk, but at least now the yarn is a bit more consistent. I still get differences in thickness but they aren't so dramatic anymore, unless I completely lose control of the fiber, like of I break it or if my pre drafting wasn't precise enough.

I am almost done with this batch of wool, the drop spindle came with a 50gr ribbon. I got a 500gr ribbon from Amazon, hopefully with more practice I'll be able to get more and more consistent spinning.

Any tips?

And it's perfect! I have hypermobility spectrum disorder so good posture is really important and the back rest of this chair hits my back in exactly the right place so I sit up straight comfortably ànd because the back is so narrow my arms have a lot of room to move in all directions.

Thought I'd share in case other people are looking for a spinning chair.

Hi, I buy my fibre in bulk from wool processor. It is unbelievable cheap at $1 for 100g. It comes cleaned but in a mixture of thin strips of roving and loose locks. I have trouble dying it evenly because it is unevenly processed. Most of the time it isn't a problem but id like to have the option of being able to.

When I spin with it I either create rolags or just spin off the locks. But I would love to be able to have big ropes of roving.

Is the only way to do that with a heckle? I live in south africa and they are very hard to find and very expensive.

I have an electric yarn spinner (pictured below) and it had these little clips (also pictured below) that guide the yarn onto the spool, its become loose with time and i cannot for the life of me find where to buy replacements, i know that e-spinners are commonly 3d printed and my partner has access to a 3D printer in Uni so if you either know of where to find replacements OR any 3d print files to use to create more? I would be so deeply appreciative 😭🥰

Also added my gorgeous fluffy yarn that I've spun and super proud of🥹😭