Learning to Spin

Recently I was given two trash bags full of unprocessed alpaca wool. For years I have joked about wanting to make my own yarn. Well....now I needed to learn! 

One of the two bags I received. 

So on to searching for the tools I was going to need and a little internet knowledge. It can't be that hard right?! WRONG! After watching multiple videos, handmaking a spindle, and getting some cheap wool roving from the craft store, I was purely frustrated. I just couldn't get it down. So now what was I to do? Well it turns out there was a fiber festival in town coming up, so I signed up for a drop spindle class. I thought if I could maybe have some hands on learning I would do better. Turns out, that is all I needed. With a few expert tips (I had a blast at the class) I have been a spinning fool. 

My first single from llama roving the instructor provided us with and the pretty spindle. 

After making 2 singles and plying them I didn't have much yarn. But there was enough for these two bracelet cuffs.

So now I think I am pretty much hooked. At the fiber festival I bought some really pretty alpaca that is already processed and a mixture of fibers that is dyed and just looked fun. I am now thinking a spinning wheel might be in my future. 

I've been working on my aplaca roving I bought. 

I need to buy a few tools to process the alpaca I was given, but all in due time. Turns out this might not be a cheap hobby (like any of them are really). I am also pretty sure my family and friends think I have lost it. I personally think I was born in the wrong time. I could see myself now on the prairie, sitting at my spinning wheel making yarn for socks or something very useful...........