I bought some spindles

Actually, I made the first one.

While at Gathering of the Tribes over the Memorial Day Weekend, I attended a workshop on spinning with a spindle. I had rather expected it to me more magickally oriented but it turned out to be a very basic, first time fiber holding experience.

The chap who taught the class is a retired Navy submarine sailor and he used to spin and knit while underwater in one of those metal cigars that patrols the world's waterways. I guess he had to do something to remain reasonably sane. In any case, he's a nice fellow and now sells crystals and rocks for a living.

He brought along his spinning wheel to demonstrate the difference between spindle spinning and wheel spinning and I am thoroughly convinced I want a wheel. But I'm also delighted to report that I have started spinning by hand in the mean time.

Oh, my yarn sucks. It's lumpy, bumpy and over twisted and quite a mess, but it really has turned from fuzz into thread/string and I'm happy. I can see progress already.

I purchased from another vendor at GOTT two spindles. One is heavier and seems to like to spin a thicker bit. The small one seems to make spinning small gauge yarn easier. I also made a spindle at the workshop from a fairly large dowel and an old CD. Sort of weird but it does work. I like the purchased ones much better.

I also order a pound of merino top roving. It should be here in a few days. Indeed a pound of wool should make about a pound of yarn and at a far cheaper price than purchasing the yarn all spun up. I just have to get good at the spinning.

And find the time.