Comments for Abby's Yarns! http://abbysyarns.com Because One Way Or Another, It's All About Yarn Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:08:10 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 Comment on Drafting, Predrafting, Prep, and Control by Otter (SkyNorth on Ravelry) http://abbysyarns.com/2007/10/drafting-predrafting-prep-and-control/comment-page-1#comment-23992 Otter (SkyNorth on Ravelry) Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:08:10 +0000 http://www.abbysyarns.com/wordpress/?p=169#comment-23992 Agree totally with 'There is no One True Way. As a spinner, you must find your own way.' I am a relative newby but have already sussed out that sometimes I am not going to be able to do it the way most people do, for example, drafting, which most folks do a bit of before they start to spin then continue while they are actually spinning. I HAVE to do every millimetre of my drafting before I start spinning because I just cannot deal with drafting while i am also making sure the spindle spins the right way and the twist runs up at an even pace etc (For the same reason, I cannot deal with driving ha ha...too many things to think about and DO at the same time! I also find this level of pre-drafting to be extremely relaxing. Since I started doing this my spun yarn has gone from lumpy 6mm to 8mm thick uneven yarn with too much twist in some areas and none in others,to - mostly - being an evenly twisted yarn with consistent thickness of my choice! Still got a long way to go of course, but the only way I will get there is by not being scared to try things out a different way. My youngest son, a few years ago, told me,without arrogance, that he 'never fails or makes mistakes'. As a homeschooler (un-schooler actually) he had never learned that not getting something right constitutes a mistake or failure - he simply thought, 'ok, that didn't work,try something else.' I adopted this learn-by-several-attempts philosophy and started seeing what I previously would have termed 'failures' as just the first - or second or third - attempt of many, never expecting to get it right straight away. Whereas previously I would have given up after a couple of attempts, after my son made this 'startling revelation' to me I never gave up so easily ever again, and because of this change in the way I see things, there isn't a single thing I have attempted that I haven't succeeded at after perserverence. Spinning is the latest! Had my son not said what he said, I would have stuffed my spindles and fibre into the nearest closet after a couple of weeks of lumpy uneven yarn and never looked at them again! Agree totally with 'There is no One True Way. As a spinner, you must find your own way.' I am a relative newby but have already sussed out that sometimes I am not going to be able to do it the way most people do, for example, drafting, which most folks do a bit of before they start to spin then continue while they are actually spinning. I HAVE to do every millimetre of my drafting before I start spinning because I just cannot deal with drafting while i am also making sure the spindle spins the right way and the twist runs up at an even pace etc (For the same reason, I cannot deal with driving ha ha...too many things to think about and DO at the same time!
I also find this level of pre-drafting to be extremely relaxing. Since I started doing this my spun yarn has gone from lumpy 6mm to 8mm thick uneven yarn with too much twist in some areas and none in others,to - mostly - being an evenly twisted yarn with consistent thickness of my choice! Still got a long way to go of course, but the only way I will get there is by not being scared to try things out a different way.
My youngest son, a few years ago, told me,without arrogance, that he 'never fails or makes mistakes'. As a homeschooler (un-schooler actually) he had never learned that not getting something right constitutes a mistake or failure - he simply thought, 'ok, that didn't work,try something else.' I adopted this learn-by-several-attempts philosophy and started seeing what I previously would have termed 'failures' as just the first - or second or third - attempt of many, never expecting to get it right straight away.
Whereas previously I would have given up after a couple of attempts, after my son made this 'startling revelation' to me I never gave up so easily ever again, and because of this change in the way I see things, there isn't a single thing I have attempted that I haven't succeeded at after perserverence.
Spinning is the latest! Had my son not said what he said, I would have stuffed my spindles and fibre into the nearest closet after a couple of weeks of lumpy uneven yarn and never looked at them again!

]]> Comment on Drafting: The Long And Short Of It DVD! by a good month | Penguin Girl http://abbysyarns.com/2009/10/drafting-the-long-and-short-of-it-dvd/comment-page-1#comment-23991 a good month | Penguin Girl Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:25:31 +0000 http://skein.abbysyarns.com/?p=358#comment-23991 [...] think it is time for me to stop trying to figure it out on my own and acquire a copy of the amazing Abby’s new DVD, Drafting: The Long And Short Of It. How do I draft now? Probably as most beginning [...] [...] think it is time for me to stop trying to figure it out on my own and acquire a copy of the amazing Abby's new DVD, Drafting: The Long And Short Of It. How do I draft now? Probably as most beginning [...]

]]> Comment on Choosing Your First Spinning Wheel by Unexpected spinning joys « The Knit Knack’s Blog http://abbysyarns.com/2008/12/choosing-your-first-spinning-wheel/comment-page-1#comment-23990 Unexpected spinning joys « The Knit Knack’s Blog Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:52:53 +0000 http://www.abbysyarns.com/wordpress/?p=6#comment-23990 [...] again though.  Praise be to Abby Franquemont’s article Choosing your first Spinning Wheel here. I read it some time ago but then only skimmed through the spin tech.  Well, last night those [...] [...] again though.  Praise be to Abby Franquemont's article Choosing your first Spinning Wheel here. I read it some time ago but then only skimmed through the spin tech.  Well, last night those [...]

]]> Comment on Choosing Your First Spinning Wheel by Lara http://abbysyarns.com/2008/12/choosing-your-first-spinning-wheel/comment-page-1#comment-23988 Lara Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:02:38 +0000 http://www.abbysyarns.com/wordpress/?p=6#comment-23988 Thanks so much! Scotch tension was as clear as mud before I decided to check your article out again. I am out to learn with a loaner Wee Peggy that's come to me sans drive band or tension brake. It's all making more sense. Also, I wasn't sure what to think about Pioneers for all the hype on the Rose & Suzies... V. grateful over here! Thanks so much! Scotch tension was as clear as mud before I decided to check your article out again. I am out to learn with a loaner Wee Peggy that's come to me sans drive band or tension brake. It's all making more sense. Also, I wasn't sure what to think about Pioneers for all the hype on the Rose & Suzies... V. grateful over here!

]]> Comment on What's the deal with those heavy spindles marketed for beginners? by Lisa http://abbysyarns.com/2008/03/whats-the-deal-with-those-heavy-spindles-marketed-for-beginners/comment-page-1#comment-23987 Lisa Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:35:58 +0000 http://www.abbysyarns.com/wordpress/?p=190#comment-23987 I started on a boat-anchor bottom whorl spindle in 1972. And even though I was 13 rather than 8, my spindle got subjected to similar rough treatment, especially when I was about 21 and doing the whole RenFaire/SCA thing. I called it my "battle spindle". It was tough and did an admirable job. I still like spinning, but prefer to spin on a wheel when relaxing on the couch and watching TV. That way I can put whichever leg I've injured most and most recently up, and treadle with the remaining "good" leg. I still enjoy spindling, too, especially finer yarns which would require the purchase of a lace flyer for one of my wheels. And oh, I love collecting spindles. I started on a boat-anchor bottom whorl spindle in 1972. And even though I was 13 rather than 8, my spindle got subjected to similar rough treatment, especially when I was about 21 and doing the whole RenFaire/SCA thing. I called it my "battle spindle". It was tough and did an admirable job.

I still like spinning, but prefer to spin on a wheel when relaxing on the couch and watching TV. That way I can put whichever leg I've injured most and most recently up, and treadle with the remaining "good" leg. I still enjoy spindling, too, especially finer yarns which would require the purchase of a lace flyer for one of my wheels. And oh, I love collecting spindles.

]]> Comment on Drafting: The Long And Short Of It DVD! by ann-marie mackay http://abbysyarns.com/2009/10/drafting-the-long-and-short-of-it-dvd/comment-page-1#comment-23986 ann-marie mackay Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:33:52 +0000 http://skein.abbysyarns.com/?p=358#comment-23986 Just got the video yesterday and am watching it now with my sister--Abby you are amazing and I am in awe of your spinning. We've learned so much this morning..Thank you for making this video :) Just got the video yesterday and am watching it now with my sister--Abby you are amazing and I am in awe of your spinning. We've learned so much this morning..Thank you for making this video :)

]]> Comment on Spindle Full, Spindle Empty, Need More Spindles by Davasdu http://abbysyarns.com/2009/05/spindle-full-spindle-empty-need-more-spindles/comment-page-1#comment-23985 Davasdu Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:33:29 +0000 http://www.abbysyarns.com/wordpress/?p=249#comment-23985 great blog article. im still trying to perfect the high volume cop (cant get the hang of putting bulge in the middle down far enough at the beginning) so this is a great help great blog article. im still trying to perfect the high volume cop (cant get the hang of putting bulge in the middle down far enough at the beginning) so this is a great help

]]> Comment on Choosing Your First Spinning Wheel by Rebecca http://abbysyarns.com/2008/12/choosing-your-first-spinning-wheel/comment-page-1#comment-23983 Rebecca Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:57:33 +0000 http://www.abbysyarns.com/wordpress/?p=6#comment-23983 Thanks for the article. It was very informative and helpful. I was at my local yarn shop to look at wheels, and I'm trying to decide between the Ashford Joy and the Ladybug. Thanks for the article. It was very informative and helpful. I was at my local yarn shop to look at wheels, and I'm trying to decide between the Ashford Joy and the Ladybug.

]]> Comment on So much to do and say… by sahara http://abbysyarns.com/2009/12/so-much-to-do-and-say/comment-page-1#comment-23982 sahara Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:20:41 +0000 http://abbysyarns.com/?p=480#comment-23982 Hi Abby! Went to order your book, and saw your last post. Gurl, take your time; you can't give what you lack. My prayers to and from the ancestors for your mom, youself and your family. Hi Abby! Went to order your book, and saw your last post. Gurl, take your time; you can't give what you lack. My prayers to and from the ancestors for your mom, youself and your family.

]]> Comment on So What's Really The Right Fiber To Start With? by Addicted to Yarn « Musing Maps http://abbysyarns.com/2007/08/so-whats-really-the-right-fiber-to-start-with/comment-page-1#comment-23979 Addicted to Yarn « Musing Maps Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:34:31 +0000 http://www.abbysyarns.com/wordpress/?p=79#comment-23979 [...] out of fiber to spin. Thank goodness for the internet and shops that sell fiber. Following the advice of a well-respected spinner, I purchased a variety of fibers. I purchased for my educational [...] [...] out of fiber to spin. Thank goodness for the internet and shops that sell fiber. Following the advice of a well-respected spinner, I purchased a variety of fibers. I purchased for my educational [...]

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