Instead Of Spinning...
In my spinning world there is good news and there is not so good news. The good news is I have actually purchased a new wheel! Yippee! The not so good news is I have to wait for it to arrive because it is in transit. *sigh!*
Not that I am short of things to do (she says, counting the UFO baskets) but simply that I really miss spinning every night. So I am really putting my effort into getting those 5 pairs of work socks knit so that when my new friend arrives I can devote all my attention to it, rather than feel guilty every time I sit to spin because the socks aren't finished.
Now I tend to be a rather restless knitter, meaning I don't often just sit and knit. I can carry on a conversation or watch something, like movies. Only right now I decided to enjoy something I've had sitting around since last Spring!
Not that I am short of things to do (she says, counting the UFO baskets) but simply that I really miss spinning every night. So I am really putting my effort into getting those 5 pairs of work socks knit so that when my new friend arrives I can devote all my attention to it, rather than feel guilty every time I sit to spin because the socks aren't finished.
Now I tend to be a rather restless knitter, meaning I don't often just sit and knit. I can carry on a conversation or watch something, like movies. Only right now I decided to enjoy something I've had sitting around since last Spring!
It's a wonderful trio of spinning DVDs with Judith MacKenzie! All three are from Interweave and although I had expected some overlap in content, I was pleasantly surprised at how little there was! Judith is by far my favorite video teacher. I like her gentle voice and her off-hand style of teaching. She's not a drill sergeant and she's not a member of the spinning police. She just wants to impart information that will help you to spin better and I find it a pleasure to listen to her. The camera work in these DVDs is much better than in previous videos so you see more close-ups of her hands and yarns. It's very much like being there.
The Gentle Art of Plying was a great inspiration and she demonstrated several techniques I am looking forward to trying. It also helped me see plying as not "the last job" to finishing, but an important component to creating yarn and what a big difference it can make!
Spinning Luxury Fibers was also wonderful! The first thing I learned is that I do spin silk correctly even though I thought (previously) that not drawing backwards was because I was a poor spinner. From this DVD I learned that my instinct was correct and that in future I shouldn't be so ready to condemn myself for inchworming things, that in fact, some fibers require that. Not all fibers can be spun with a modified long draw! What a liberating thought! I was so happy! (especially considering how some teachers go on and on about it!). I especially liked the section on Bison fiber as I have about 8 ounces of a blend in my stash I've been reluctant to spin because it looks so odd. Now that I know something about how best to handle it I'm looking forward to having a go at it!
Of the three DVDs, A Spinner's Toolbox is the one I know I'm going to watch a few more times. There's so much in it that I need to hear over and over. It is, by far, the most information dense. I found I couldn't watch it casually like I did the other two. Well, I suppose I could, but I wouldn't get as much out of it! If you want a really comprehensive tool to help you learn basic drafting techniques, this is the one! The others were very good at covering their topics and certainly worth the investment but this one is by far the one I will benefit most from. Good thing I only have 2 pairs of socks left to go! I'm counting down the days... hopefully Monday or Tuesday.....
The Gentle Art of Plying was a great inspiration and she demonstrated several techniques I am looking forward to trying. It also helped me see plying as not "the last job" to finishing, but an important component to creating yarn and what a big difference it can make!
Spinning Luxury Fibers was also wonderful! The first thing I learned is that I do spin silk correctly even though I thought (previously) that not drawing backwards was because I was a poor spinner. From this DVD I learned that my instinct was correct and that in future I shouldn't be so ready to condemn myself for inchworming things, that in fact, some fibers require that. Not all fibers can be spun with a modified long draw! What a liberating thought! I was so happy! (especially considering how some teachers go on and on about it!). I especially liked the section on Bison fiber as I have about 8 ounces of a blend in my stash I've been reluctant to spin because it looks so odd. Now that I know something about how best to handle it I'm looking forward to having a go at it!
Of the three DVDs, A Spinner's Toolbox is the one I know I'm going to watch a few more times. There's so much in it that I need to hear over and over. It is, by far, the most information dense. I found I couldn't watch it casually like I did the other two. Well, I suppose I could, but I wouldn't get as much out of it! If you want a really comprehensive tool to help you learn basic drafting techniques, this is the one! The others were very good at covering their topics and certainly worth the investment but this one is by far the one I will benefit most from. Good thing I only have 2 pairs of socks left to go! I'm counting down the days... hopefully Monday or Tuesday.....
Posted by Gloria Patre at 1/12/2012 4:47 PM 
Categories: Spinning, socks
Tags: Judith MacKenzie spinning dvds spinning luxury fibers dvd a spinner's toolbox dvd the gentle art of plying dvd
Categories: Spinning, socks
Tags: Judith MacKenzie spinning dvds spinning luxury fibers dvd a spinner's toolbox dvd the gentle art of plying dvd
I haven't learned anything new on spinning for a while. I could not resist ordering those DVD's after reading your review.
What wheel did you wind up getting?
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