I've begun to read Spinning in the Old Way by Patricia Gibson-Roberts. Not only am I getting a sense of how truly ancient spindles are, but how many so-called "primitive" cultures developed the tools and the craft. It might not be the best time for me to be reading about spinning, though. I've now been "espinnerated" twice (i.e., introduced to the hand spindle), and each time I've been stymied by overthinking.As a former dance student (very, very former) and musician, I know that overthinking is the best way to keep muscle memory from developing. As a leftie-turned-rightie with some dyslexia, I know that overthinking is keeping me from committing to s or z spin, or even spinning in the same direction twice. In practical terms, it means that most of what I spin becomes un-spun with the next twist of the spindle.
Maybe I should detail my spindle...
5 comments:
That's the book I learned to spin from. It's an excellent resource.
I'll bet marking the spindle would help - my first spindle had spiral on it and I could keep track of the twist direction by watching the spiral. It was a great help.
If it makes you feel any better, I've never been able to use a drop spindle successfully either.
I am determined to get it one of these days, though!
I'm taking a spinning class at the lighthouse retreat next week and I'm fully expecting it to be surpremely easy.
Unlike knitting.
I think drop spindles are instinctual. And I don't seem to have the instinct. I think the arrows might be a good idea.
I heard Priscilla speak at Sock Summit - and Margene had recommended this book to me. I have yet to pick it up. But for all that I took a class to learn to spin, it was with a bottom whorl, and I think the top whorl might be easier - so I'm getting the book (I have the spindle already)...
Yes, we overthink. I'm a good one for that, too...perhaps I'll get it this time - your diagram might make things better!
(((hugs)))
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