…well, it’s not very attractive yarn - being both under-spun and over-spun - and I suspect that people would pay good money not to knit with it, but those are minor, frivolous details. It’s twisty stringy stuff, and it stays together (so far).

Brace yourselves…

There, isn’t that perfectly hideous? I’m proud of it, though. It’s about 43 yards and 10 inches, or 39.5 metres. I don’t know what weight it is because it varies between slubby and thick to almost dental-floss thin. I’m happy to report that my spinning evened up considerably towards the end, though.

I used up all of the Bowmont roving that I bought at the iKnit day, and promptly ordered 100g of Blue Faced Leicester tops from World of Wool.

Attempt the Second:

I’m getting the hang of it now. It’s still thick-and-thin, but seems to get more consistent every time I pick up the spindle for another go - and I do so frequently. There is certainly a learning curve, but I like the challenge very much. I’m leching after a lighter spindle (so as to spin fingering and lace-weight - I would love to be able to use my own handspun in my doll clothes, for example!) and maybe a spinning wheel at some nebulous point in the future.

Further reading:

• iSpindle.com

  Lots of instructive videos, covering all aspects of spinning on a drop spindle.

• Spin-off magazine

  PDF articles on spinning basics and techniques.

• Ravelry group: Beginning Spinners

  Extremely informative forum - Ravelry members only, for now.

• Youtube: Spinning Up Close On a Drop Spindle
• Youtube: Drop Spindle Basics

  Abby Franquemont’s video tutorial and tips.

• Youtube: Drafting on a drop spindle

  Close-up of one drafting method.

• Wikipedia: Spinning article

  A good overview of spinning in general.