Spinning

A Starling V3 of my Very Own

stargrace December 9, 2021 No Comments

For a few years now I have been following the progress of e-spinners. There are some lovely ones out there depending on how traditional (Ashford) or non traditional (e-Kube) you want to go. They all work similar, but one that I’ve had my eyes on for quite some time is the Starling (V3) from Daedalus. This year my husband decided to surprise me by adding me to their queue list, with the hopes of purchasing one when they do a batch.

This is a 3D printed e-spinner (with some non printed parts, of course) that just looks like an absolute dream. I’ve wanted an e-spinner for days that I can’t treadle (which lately, are quite a few) or when I wanted portability. My Kiwi2 is a lovely wheel, but I’ve always wondered how much easier on my body it might be if the machine was providing the twist for me instead of having to treadle. Then I could focus on drafting, or not focus at all and just watch some TV while I draft. The machine weighs 2.5lbs, comes with 3 bobbins that hold 12oz (!) includes a battery, and a speed control box. The Starling V3 is their mid range model, and can do everything from lace to art yarn.

I’m on a wait list right now to try to get one, but I know it will take some time. I’m OK with that. One of the great things about e-spinners is that they don’t really change, and they don’t lose value (nor do regular spinning wheels, don’t get me wrong here). I’m hoping it will be a 2022 delivery, but we’ll just have to wait and see!

A year Spinning

stargrace June 4, 2021 No Comments

I thought I had been spinning yarn for more than two years, but nope, it has been exactly two years. When I was first getting started I doubted that I’d be able to use anything I made, I was pretty bad. I practiced, a LOT, and eventually got the hang of things. Now I feel confident in my spinning abilities, and I make some beautiful stuff.

If you want to learn how to do something, be it speak a new language, a new hobby, or a new skill – stick with it. Practice it. Make time for it. It doesn’t have to be your entire life, but you WILL slowly get better. It just takes time (something not all of us have a lot of to spare, I know).

A bit of Alpaca

stargrace January 26, 2021 No Comments

I’m still trying to work my way through the mountain of alpaca fiber I have – it’s going slow, but it’s such a delight to spin I know I just need to dedicate more time to it. I want to make this a three ply yarn, and I have 1.5 bobbins down. I’m thinking I should just learn to chain ply, I might feel better about the process if I could see more progress (like a finished yarn). I’ve tried chain plying before and I was absolute rubbish at it, so we’ll see how that goes. It just feels like this fiber is never ending – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s incredible to work with, but I’d love to start knitting with the finished yarn, or start a new fiber (or continue processing the two fleece I have).

Spinning – Still

stargrace December 30, 2020 No Comments

I still have SO much alpaca to spin into yarn. It’s daunting and makes me happy at the same time. It feels like I’ll never make my way through it all, but I know if I just spend a bit of time every night doing some spinning, eventually I’ll reach the end. Of this one bag. We’ll see about the 5 other bags I have.

I’m spinning this for a three ply, with no idea what I’ll use it for. Maybe a hap. Maybe a shall. Maybe I’ll blend it with something because alpaca on its own can be a bit difficult. That’s something to think about for 2021.