Learning to Spin - Flax

[Ula]

So I was thinking of learning to spin for two reasons: 1. Frau Holda is my matron and 2. my husband and I both sew and having linen to work with would be nice. Does anyone do this already? How did you start? Where do you get materials? I will eventually grow flax myself if I get into it. I was going to try the distaff and spindle method to learn. It's much more economical than a wheel.

[HeartShadow]

So I was thinking of learning to spin for two reasons: 1. Frau Holda is my matron and 2. my husband and I both sew and having linen to work with would be nice. Does anyone do this already? How did you start? Where do you get materials? I will eventually grow flax myself if I get into it. I was going to try the distaff and spindle method to learn. It's much more economical than a wheel.

From everything I understand, you want to start with long-staple wool. I've actually just been playing with it a little - my attempts are .. um. Amateur.

As far as materials .. there's ALWAYS the internet! I know www.knitpicks.com has fiber and spindles - don't know about quality, but there stuff tends to be decent.

[Jenett]

So I was thinking of learning to spin for two reasons: 1. Frau Holda is my matron and 2. my husband and I both sew and having linen to work with would be nice. Does anyone do this already? How did you start? Where do you get materials? I will eventually grow flax myself if I get into it. I was going to try the distaff and spindle method to learn. It's much more economical than a wheel.

I drop spin (wool, mostly): I've never tried flax because of a particular complication with it, which is that it lets off a lot of little tiny particles in the processing and spinning (which is not a good combo for someone with asthma and existing lung damage, namely me.) In other words, this is something you really want to consider carefully as far as working space, pets in the household, etc. even if neither you nor your husband have particular lung issues.

(I believe the advice I've seen includes having a well-ventilated space, running appropriate filtering. Some people only spin with damp flax, which makes a smooth yarn - the water reduces airbourne particles. Ideally, one does it outside.)

I'd definitely see about learning the basics of spinning with a long-staple wool first (or if you have wool allergies, cotton is a lot more slippery, but can be okay, or alpaca doesn't trigger allergies in some people, if the allergy is to lanolin.)

If you're not already on Ravelry (social networking/discussion site for fiber arts), I'd suggest checking in there: a quick search on flax found me a number of forum posts, forums, etc. that could give you additional help.

[LiminalAuggie]

So I was thinking of learning to spin for two reasons: 1. Frau Holda is my matron and 2. my husband and I both sew and having linen to work with would be nice. Does anyone do this already? How did you start? Where do you get materials? I will eventually grow flax myself if I get into it. I was going to try the distaff and spindle method to learn. It's much more economical than a wheel.

What a coincidence! I've been looking longingly at spindles for a while, but tomorrow I'm going out of town to a sheep and fiber festival and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to resist (relatively) local supplies bought in person.
I know next to nothing about flax though, unfortunately. Spinning has a heck of a learning curve, AFAIK, but one of my coworkers got into it...two years ago? She went completely wild with it and now has a collection of spinning wheels, including an 18th-century replica she uses for historical reenactment weekends.

I'll second HeartShadow's knitpicks recommendation and add that they have some really excellent customer service, and I think some good instructional spinning videos online as well.

[Ula]

[QUOTE=Ula;50002]So...[QUOTE]

Thanks all. I have read on a few sites to learn with wool due to flax being harder. I have found spindles but the distaff are no where to be seen. I'll keep looking. Thanks again. I will let you know how it's going once I get it up and running.

[yewberry]

So I was thinking of learning to spin for two reasons: 1. Frau Holda is my matron and 2. my husband and I both sew and having linen to work with would be nice. Does anyone do this already? How did you start? Where do you get materials? I will eventually grow flax myself if I get into it. I was going to try the distaff and spindle method to learn. It's much more economical than a wheel.

Oh, hai!

I spin both on a wheel and with a drop spindle, but I've only spun flax with the latter and a distaff (well, I've played around on a wheel, but not seriously). I'd recommend starting with some nice, long-staple wool before moving to the markedly-trickier flax. This will give you some muscle memory before you have to start fiddling with wetting your fingers and dealing with a distaff (assuming you go the distaff route--there are other ways to spin flax).

I prefer a fairly heavy, bottom-whorl spindle for flax, but I've used a top-whorl too. While I'm doing the aforementioned fiddling, it's nice to have a slow, steady spin going, and a bottom whorl does this well.

If you haven't already joined Ravelry, I recommend it. There's tons of spinning info there, and you can chat one-to-one with people like Abby Franquemont (who's a total spinning rock star).

Brina

[yewberry]

I have read on a few sites to learn with wool due to flax being harder. I have found spindles but the distaff are no where to be seen. I'll keep looking.

A distaff is basically just a stick. You can make 'em out of any old broom-handle-ish hunk of wood. Here's a video on how to dress them the traditional way.

Brina

[yewberry]

A distaff is basically just a stick.

Whoops. I was going to post pics of a primitive distaff:





So find thee a forked branch and off you go!

Brina

[Ula]

Whoops. I was going to post pics of a primitive distaff:





So find thee a forked branch and off you go!

Brina

I was thinking making one would be easy. Thanks for more info I will check out the sites mentioned too.

[savvy]

snip

Brina

I've never heard of a distaff before, i'll need to look into it.
A while back my sister picked up a couple of spinning wheels from an oppshop and mine's still sitting around since I have no idea how to spin and I think a drop spindle or distaff might be better to start with.