should everyone spin?

Just a brief update before I get to the real stuff - I've been busy. The "Great Stash Reorganization" was more or less like opening a can of worms. [Note to self: too much wool is not an exaggeration, and thinking I could reorganize my entire apartment, nevermind my stash, in a month, was a bit over-optimistic.] The good news is, it's almost over, and Sigga Sif will be arriving tomorrow for a visit, for Rhinebeck, to see NY, etc. I'll save the thoughts about how strange it is to have a friend you've never met in person fly halfway across an ocean to stay with you for another time.

So.... it's almost Rhinebeck-tide. It was my first festival, I've been going for -- six years now? And the thoughts always begin, somewhere in the weeks leading up to the festival, of all the treats and delicacies that the festival holds for us spinners. For me, the festivals are always about spinning, which is not to say I don't buy yarn there, it's just that it's really about all the special wools, spindles, and things that spinners can find all in one place at a festival. Those small farms with their wools, sheep's name attached, the fleeces, meeting spindlemakers and finding yourself at home in the midst of 'our people' - which somehow to me always means the spinners.

Without fail, there's always some converting going on. Turning some of those previously unenlightened (biased? me?) knitters into spinners. This year, I'll be going with Sigga Sif, who is ... well (shall we say?) ripe for the picking. By that of course, I mean that she's ready and willing to give spinning a try, and plans have actually been underway for a while to get her spinning.

I can't tell you the number of times I've been in booths at festivals, trying out spindles here and there, and had people come up to me and ask me to explain how to spin, or even just ask what it is that I'm doing. More often than not, they walk away with a spindle of their own and as many tips as I can impart in a short lesson to get them started. Total strangers, fascinated by the whirling of a spindle and the simplicity (sort of) of making yarn from almost nothing. Now, being a spinner, I think this is perfectly natural and ... just plain right.

Which brings me to the point of this post. There are some of us, I don't know if I'd go so far as to call us 'hardcore spinners', although I suppose we get labeled that way sometimes, who feel a great sense of accomplishment when someone is converted to the spinning life. We're not exactly putting notches in our spindles or wheels for each conversion that we accomplish, but we do take pride in bringing people over to our side. We've even been known to ambush certain people and plot their downfall introduction to spinning. [Hey, Laurie, how many wheels do you have now?]

So, the question arises, occasionally but especially around festival season - should everyone spin? I sometimes think, "Yes! every knitter should learn to spin. Once you understand how yarn is made, what the intrinsic qualities of different fibers are, you'll understand so much more about your knitting." But honestly? That's just an excuse of sorts. Because when push comes to shove I don't even think spinning has to go hand in hand with knitting. I tend to think that everyone - and I do mean everyone - should learn to spin, understand spinning, and at least give it a try.  [Although it's probably pretty obvious by now that I think it's nearly impossible to try spinning without getting hooked.]

Perhaps, just perhaps, I should have saved this post for after the festival. You know, just in case there's anyone who's resisting spinning and who I may tip off to our plans to take over the world and turn everyone into a spinner. But I'm pretty upfront about how I feel about this, as anyone who's ever had any email correspondence with me and brought up spinning knows quite well. Nevermind anyone who's ever met me at a festival.

So, spinners? Should everyone spin? How about the non-spinners out there - go ahead, make your excuses. I dare you.

Comments

[Lía]

Oh, well! You "made me" buy these spindlers (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22891756@N00/886285409/). I've never thought about spinning until I found your blog and now I have no one but two spindlers and no idea how to use them! I'm goint to try anyway I'm just waiting the cold to try because south of Spain it's too hot in summer to even think about it ;)
Happy Rhinebeck!!

[Lía]

Oh, well! You "made me" buy these spindlers (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22891756@N00/886285409/). I've never thought about spinning until I found your blog and now I have no one but two spindlers and no idea how to use them! I'm goint to try anyway I'm just waiting the cold to try because south of Spain it's too hot in summer to even think about it ;)
Happy Rhinebeck!!

[DebbieB]

Yes. ;)

But not "should" as in, they're not 'real' knitters if they don't make their own yarn. (And I know that's NOT what you were saying.) "Should" as in, they're missing such a wonderful experience if they don't spin. The benefits: tactile pleasure, understanding yarn construction, getting in touch with tradition, relaxation, creativity, double value (pay for fiber once, get to spin it AND knit it)...

I am thrilled that you lured me in and taught me to spin. No, not in person, since we live so far apart, but in encouragement and info and enthusiasm. I thank you, wool woman.

Did I mention the tactile pleasure?

[Caroline M]

I think all knitters should spin enough yarn to knit something with at least once. Going beyond that, spinning makes you a better knitter. Once you understand about the different fibres and how they behave you have a better chance of making winning yarn substitutions and once you understand about yarn construction you have a decent chance of choosing yarn for socks that will survive more than a month. It is cheap to try and uses only the simplest of tools (I have spun on a potato and a skewer and made a spindle from K'Nex but a proper spindle is less than £3).

I've done the quick demo of a spindle to a total stranger, I often wonder whether she took to it (yes, she bought the spindle)

[Catherine]

I definitely think everyone should try it, not just once, but until they get the "Aha!" moment. After that, either they can't help themselves and must continue in their new obsession, or they just shrug and say "Hmm, so that's how you do it" and continue on the path they were on before.

I can't think of anything worse than being made to continue beyond the "Aha!" without the passion driving you on. Let's just say that while I do know *how* to sew a fine seam, it's been many years since I did any serious sewing - apart from mattress stitch ;D

[Carole]

Of course everyone should spin! One of the reasons I wanted to learn was because you talked about it so much and I wanted to be a part of that. As for notches on my spindle (i.e. others I've taught to spin) I think I'm up to 3 now. I'll be looking for conquests this weekend.

[Kim]

Hell yes, everyone should spin :-). I am picking up the Norm Hall wheel that I have been waiting 7 long years for, so I will surely be enabling people all weekend! Wheeeeeeeeeee

[Linda]

Hmmm....No. I don't think you have to know how to spin to be able to substitute properly. I don't think you must be able to produce yarn to understand it. It might help, but it's not a requirement.

And yes, I know how and I have a wheel and some lovely fiber. I don't practice enough to get good at it because there are only so many hours in a day and my knitting has priority. I did get some wonderful alpaca and some alpaca/silk roving recently that have me leaning back that way though...

[PumpkinMama]

At the very least, everyone should try it out if they have the opportunity. That said, I don't think I've ever seen "I'll just try it once" NOT turn someone into a spinner in due time. Especially if they try it enough to have the Aha! moment that Catherine mentions.

[Tara]

I've been toying with the idea of taking up spinning, actually. But I'm afraid it's going to be addictive (I mean, after all, it IS yarn, right?). Can I really afford to take on another healthy obsession?

Seriously though, do you need to buy a wheel and about another gagillion doodads to spin, or is there a beginners, qhick and dirty option?

[Evelyn]

Well, you did "dare" me -- so here goes. Saying all knitters need to learn how to spin is like saying all knitters need to master tailoring, so they have a proper understanding of fit and construction. There's a logical connection sure, and admittedly benefits to be gained, but it's not a requirement to make a lovely knitted garment.

Besides, if I started bringing home unspun wool and stuffing THAT into the closets, the family would riot. Some of us are better off on the consumer end of the yarn process!

[colleen]

I agree completely with Catherine's comment.

[regina]

I don't know whether spinning makes people better knitters, but I do know that since you introduced me to spinning I love doing it. I'm far from great at it -- I wouldn't even say I'm good at it -- and I have yet to learn how to ply properly, but I still enjoy it immensely. Spinning is one of the most meditative, centering things I do. I wish I had more time to do it and I would love to take a class somewhere, but I'll get there eventually. I certainly feel more connected to the whole process when I spin (if that makes any sense). I owe you a debt of gratitude for introducing me to it, so thanks! I look very forward to meeting Sigga this weekend (if time and circumstance allow it to happen!).

[heather]

does this mean you're offering to give me a wheel lesson at rhinebeck? my dog (literally) ate the spindle i brought home two years ago but i think that after several rhinebeck's worth of wanting to try a spinning wheel but being a fraidycat, this might be the year.

[Carrie]

I dunno... If everyone was spinning, there might be less wool and AbbyCrack for me... ;-)

[Rachel H]

I don't know if everyone should spin, but everyone should be made to understand how important spinning is to every part of the post industrial revolution world we live in and not dismiss it as some sort of cute little hobby. The phone lines we've been talking on for decades? Twisted Pairs. Why are they twisted? Strength. Where did the understanding that twisting would give strength come from? Spinning.

There are so many examples to pick from our lives. We don't need to convert everyone, but we can't let them diminish it. (Can you tell I spent time listening to Judith MacKenzie-McCuin? Inspiring)

[Em]

I think that everyone should try spinning, bu I'm also so biased -- I love it and can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to at least try it out! But this applies to lots of crafts; I'm a dabbler at heart and don't entirely understand people who say "I could never do that" without giving a try.

I do think that all knitters can benefit from some spinning know-how. Even if it's only to help be more discerning about yarn-shopping (e.g. you need "worsted", but do you want singles, 2-ply, 3-ply, 10ply?), having a greater understanding of yarn production can really make knitting better and more fun too.

[ames]

Well, I admire spinners and gleefully purchase their wares, and I've definitely been mesmerized watching someone work the wheel, but I'm content with that. I would love for my mother to learn how, I think she'd really enjoy it, but I don't have a lot of interest in it myself. I don't think spinning is required to make good yarn substitutions. It can't be; so many fabulous knitters don't spin. I think everyone who has an interest should learn, but if the basic interest in doing it isn't there, then why force it?

[elizabeth]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say no, not everyone should spin. I think that anyone who has an interest in fiber should understand the basics of spinning because no matter what their persuasion is (knitting, weaving, crochet), knowing the technique involved in making yarn is certain to help them. I know knitters who don't have the patience to learn how to spin, who totally freak out if they drop a stitch, and I don't know that their personalities would mesh with spinning. But maybe spinning is exactly what they need. Good question!

[Susan Pandorf]

Well, I do think that we learn by doing, so I appreciate the whole "know more about the properties of yarn" aspect of spinning. And it is a natural outgrowth of knitting. We begin by buying someone else's yarn to make someone else's pattern. Inevitably, if we allow ourselves to grow, we begin to think, I could do that!

So we either make our own yarn, dye our own yarn, or write our own patterns. I have gone in the direction of the latter, but that doesn't rule out a future experimentation in spinning once Sunflower Designs is safely on her feet, and our house is sold so I can afford to make new messes, and my husband is looking the other way (self-explanatory.)

Blessings (and have fun at Rhinebeck, you lucky dog!)

[LaurieM]

I tried spinning a couple of weeks ago and I didn't like it. It didn't make my hands sing. I wasn't longing for my next chance to do it. So I decided it's not for me.

I enjoy watching spinners. I know that I've expanded my knowledge of fiber by reading the blogs of spinners. But I really just want to knit and there's not enough hours in the day as it is. I love stitch patterns and wrapping my brain around the rhythm of a new way to put the knits and purls together.

[Nancy]

I avoided the spinning bug for a long time but I'm not sorry I finally gave in. I will say that currently my knitting and my spinning live in different compartments of my life since I haven't knit with anything I've spun as of yet. I enjoy the spinning just for itself.

I think that knitters can be spinners and spinners can be knitters but it's not a foregone conclusion if you are one then you would enjoy the other.

[Kim]

Yes, I think everyone should spin! I had a fiber stash even before I bought a spindle or wheel. It was inevitable. I also have a friend I've never met flying out (from Pittsburgh) for a visit and a trip to Rhinebeck. It's so freaky & wonderful!

[Karen]

I have no excuses - I am a non spinner who wants to learn and hopefully will very soon - waiting for the next class to start at my LYS and I'm there :-) My SP even sent me a spindle and fiber and I have no clue what to do with it. Soon, real soon :-)

[Carol]

No excuses here. I signed up for drop-spindle class at my LYS as soon as I had heard about it!