Anyone spinning

Back in my student days I remember excavating  a number of spindle whorls. Some in the team decided to give it a go with hilarious results. A bit to fiddly for my clumsy hands but it sparked an interest in the spinning wheel. Do any of you spin wool? I quite fancy making spinning wheel and giving it a go. Gloria is an ardent knitter and so it would have some practical uses.

Hi Wayland, I have a spinning wheel, it looks very complicated to make, but it is possible as the people I got mine from in Wales used to build and recondition them, making the parts by hand. It is very therapeutic once you get the hang of it but took a lot of practice. I am currently spinning alpaca wool to make cosy socks for the winter. Not sure which winter though

Hi Deryn. Its is great to hear that we do have a skilled spinner in the group. I may well be looking for some pointers later on. The spinning wheel may look complicated but now with hundreds of years being perfected by our forefathers it is a straightforward job to make. Some turning skills needed of course. So you spin Alpaca wool. I won't tell Gloria as she has a thing about these grass guzzlers. Keeps on at me to get some. I quite like the idea of getting some Angora Goats for their clip and meat. Better in both counts than Alpaca as I am lead to believe.

I would certainly keep goats over alpaca any day. I have never kept alpacas, someone offered me the fleece and I couldn't say no, could I. I usually spin sheep wool.Haven't managed to find any over here yet as we only have lambs each spring to fatten.