Learning to Spin

combs and wool



learning to card the wool

Shell and I were lucky to be able to stay with the BNOE's Mom in Nashville while we were there for the wedding. While Shell was busy with all the Bridal parties and showers, I stayed and had fun with Carol.  Her house is just beautiful, on the side of a mountain.  You feel like you are in a tree house, when you sit on her porch and decks.  Carol has a loft in her house where she keeps two looms and her spinning wheel.  What fun is that!  I have always wanted to learn to spin yarn.  Well, I thought I did.  Man! it's harder than it looks.  I sure had fun trying though.  First you have to card the wool that you have already washed.  You have these two combs that have metal teeth. ( you could comb your kitties with it and get tons of cat fur to spin...lol)  You put a little of the wool onto one of the combs and pull it with the other comb.  Once it's been carded over and over, it's time to spin.  Well, let me tell ya!  Just getting the wheel to keep going in the right direction was a job.  Then you have to hold tight to the wool, pull it until it's really thin with one hand with out breaking it and let the spinning wheel twist it and add it to the bobbin.  You do all of this without stopping the spinning wheel.   It's really hard to keep your yarn the same thickness.  I know, it's just like anything, it takes practice, practice, practice.  I think it would take me a year of spinning the way I was going to have enough yarn to make a scarf.  It sure was fun leaning how it's done.  Thank you Carol!